The most traditional city in Korea ~ Andong

Andong is one of those places on my bucket list since the day I studied about it in my textbook last year in SNU. Although I did not get to enjoy it thoroughly because I was feeling sick, I still feel that it's one of the worthwhile places to go in Korea if you want to experience Korean history and culture.



How to get there: From Seoul Express Bus Terminal, take a bus to Andong. The bus stops at the new bus terminal and you will need to take the local bus to get to the places of interest.

Exit the bus terminal and cross the road to the bus stop in the far right. 

Find this bus stop. From the bus stop, take the buses above to the city. The journey to the city takes about 30 minutes.

Hyu motel (휴모텔)

We stopped near Andong station and stayed at Hyu motel (휴 motel) along the food street (음식의거리). You can choose from the modern room with bed, or ondol room (traditional Korean heated floor). The rate is 35,000krw a night. 

Address: 경북 안동시 음식의길 7 / 7 Eumsigui-gil (238-6 Nambu-dong) Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do South Korea

Telephone: 054-853-3388

The ondol room is basic and clean. Although the room faces the busy street and is only on the second floor, it was relatively quiet at night.

The motel is within walking distance to the shopping streets and many eateries. 

What to eat ~ Andong Jjimdak (Steamed chicken) and Salted Mackerel
안동관
Address: 경북 안동시 문화광장길 40-17 / 40-17 Munhwagwangjang-gil (102-1 Samsan-dong) Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do South Korea
Telephone: 054-854-9933

We had both our dinner and lunch the next day at this restaurant. The salted mackerel was delicious!

I also liked that they have free flow shikhye (sweet rice punch) or what they call kamju (감주)!

On the other hand the famous Andong Jjimdak was average and personally I preferred the steamed chicken at Yeolbong.

The usual side dishes

Cultural street

Tables with waterfall features along the illuminated streams

Cafe along the shopping street

For the Shinhwa fans, there's Roygen just along the main road near Andong station! We were lucky to get the brochures from the store early in the morning!

Andong Hahoe Folk Village [UNESCO World Heritage] (안동 하회마을)

When in Andong, you must not miss the Hahoe Folk Village, which is an UNESCO World Heritage site!
Address: 40, Jongga-gil, Pungcheon-myeon, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do 경상북도 안동시 풍천면 종가길 40 (풍천면)
Operating hours: March-October: 09:00-19:00, November-February: 09:00-18:00
Admission Fees: 2,000 (adults), 1,000 (youth), 700 (children)
How to get there: From the bus stop opposite Kyobo (one stop before Andong station when you arrive from Andong terminal), take bus 46 to the village. The bus runs 10 times a day.

Kyobo

 Bus schedule from Andong bus stop

Ticket box and locker room at the entrance to the village. A shuttle bus ride is required from the entrance to the village. It takes a few minutes for the shuttle bus ride.

Locker information

There are free lockers at the entrance for usage during the day. 

World Heritage Historic Village of Korea, Hahoe

Shuttle bus schedule from the village

Village with traditional architecture

We spotted some sparrows flying in and out of one of the buildings, and thankfully I had my monopod with me, so I used it for some "paparazzi" shots of the sparrows in their nest.

Gigantic swing

Souvenir shop - Do take note of where the souvenirs are from!

Shop selling traditional Korean masks (tal 탈)

Wishing tree in the village - Write down your wish and tie it to the tree

Traditional Hanok

At the east of the village, you can take a short boat ride (3,000krw for a return ticket) to Buyongdae Cliff (부용대) for a bird's eye view of the village. The cliff is about 64m and takes about 10-15 minutes for the climb up. 

Filming location: Black Knight (흑기사) (Kim Rae-won, Shin Se-kyung); My Only Love Song (마이 온리 러브송) (Lee Jong-hyun, Gong Seung-yeon); Live Up To Your Name, Dr. Heo (명불허전) (Kim Nam-gil, Kim Ah-joong); Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (달의 연인-보보경심 려) (Lee Joon-gi, IU, Kang Ha-neul, Hong Jong-hyun)

Although I did not feel well enough to make it for the climb up Buyongdae Cliff, I'm still thankful for a few good photos of myself at the village before my body decided to collapse and I had to be dragged onto the bus by my friends! No kidding! Well well, leave some regrets so you'll go back to the place again, right? That's what I always tell myself :) Be positive!

Total expenses for Andong trip: