You don't need to own a hanok home to experience the graceful lifestyle. From the coolest library in town well-disguised in a revamped hanok to a village of aristocrats' dwellings built hundreds of years ago that is now open to the public for free and one of Seoul's most beautiful museums offering stunning panoramic views, these graceful hidden spots housed in the midst of the skyscraper jungle will make you forget it's the 21st century.
Set in the foothills of the Namsan Mountain is Namsangol Hanok Village. Back in the Joseon era, the settlement was a well-known recreation site especially during the summer months. For its beautiful scenery which included a stream and a pavilion, the area was also called Cheonghak-dong which translates to "the land of blue cranes." The Namsangol Hanok Village as we know it was opened in 1998, after the history took its toll on the city...
Anyone who’s been to Bukchon will agree that there is no better way than walking to fully immerse oneself in the area's old charms. Comprised of a cluttered network of narrow alleyways housing nearly 900 hanok buildings, the 600-year-old estate is home to many of Seoul’s cultural assets. Interested in exploring Bukchon in-depth? Join the 2 walking tours offered by the City of Seoul. Starting at Unhyeongung Palace, both routes will take around 3 hours. They are free of charge, but a reservation should be made on the website 3 days in advance...
Korea Furniture museum Nope, you can't compare this to a weekend at IKEA. This is, after all, one place that special guests of the 2010 Seoul G20 Summit headed to and where Chinese President Xi Jinping lunched with President Park Geun-hye. No matter your political stance, you gotta love the stunning panoramic views here. Rumored to be one of the most beautiful museums in Korea, there's a villa that was once part of Changdeokgung (Changdeok Palace) and more than 2,500 pieces of furniture. No self-assembly required.
The Baek In-je House is a glamorous mansion with an unforgiving past. Built in 1913, the house was constructed by a pro-Japanese business tycoon with the intention of utilizing the mansion for political purposes. Japanese housing elements such as Tanami rooms, a middle corridor, and black pine can be found, all used as a method of proving his allegiance to the Japan. The house was later bought by one of Korea’s first generation journalist and later to Baek In-je, an independence activist and renowned surgeon...
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