Enrich your Korean Experience by staying in a traditional Korean Hanok

Planning on visiting Korea and immersing yourself in the culture and history of the country there could be no better choice than to experience life in a traditional Korean house (hanok). Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) have released a very useful Hanok Stay guide which details hanoks and hanok villages around the country selected and certified by KTO as outstanding accommodations where visitors can have a truly authentic Korean experience.

Hanoks are available all over the country and provide a very budget friendly way to experience the real Korea and meet the locals. One of the best places to do this is in a Hanok village which gives you a better understanding of the lifestyle of Korean ancestors who valued their sense of community. Some of these living villages are a wonderful place to spend a few days to understand and enjoy Korea in a true sense.

Hanoks offer a variety of hands-on cultural programs for visitors to truly experience Korean life as it used to be in the past. Depending on the hanok, visitors can enjoy traditional food experiences, tea ceremony, traditional cultural experiences like trying on hanbok (traditional Korean dress), making arts and crafts, calligraphy, playing traditional music and games and more.

Many of Korea's historic villages are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites like Andong Hahoe Folk Village, Gyeongju Yangdong Village and the beautiful Jeonju Hanok Village. In Seoul itself there is the Bukchon Hanok Village which is an area of traditional hanok in the northern part of the city.

Several of the hanok villages are located in beautiful natural scenery where you can commune with nature - take walks in the surrounding forest, go biking or just relax and enjoy the fresh country air. A hanok is known for their embrace of nature, bringing the outdoors in and some even making their own kimchi and storing in large ceramic pots in their backyard.

Next time you are travelling in Korea, have a true Korean experience and enjoy a hanok stay, yes you will sleep on a quilt on the floor, but most hanoks have underfloor heating so in cooler months you have your own electric blanket underneath. Many serve breakfast for their guests and some meals as well, it depends on the individual hanok.

Get your free copy of the Hanok Stay brochure now to plan an exciting stay on your next trip to Korea. The brochure contains websites of all the Hanok Villages as well as other Hanok all over the country. 

Email for a copy of Hanok Stay to visit korea@knto.org.au