The village was visited by Queen Elizabeth II in 1999 to celebrate her birthday.
The name 'Hahoe' literally translates to 'river turning around' because of the river's unique course.
The village is home to the oldest mask dance drama in Korea, the Hahoe Pyolshin-gut Tal-nori.
It is the ancestral home of the Pungsan Ryu family, who have lived here for over 600 years.
The village features a 600-year-old zelkova tree, known as Samsindang, where residents tie written wishes.
The architectural design is based on the traditional Korean geomantic system of Feng Shui.
It remains one of the few places in Korea where you can stay overnight in a centuries-old hanok.
The village's mask dance masks are carved from alder wood and are considered national treasures.
Andong Hahoe Folk Village is a UNESCO World Heritage site representing the lifestyle and architecture of the Joseon Dynasty’s Pungsan Ryu clan. The village is distinctive for its 'Hahoe' (river-looping) layout, where the Nakdong River flows around the site in an 'S' shape. It remains a living village where residents continue to inhabit traditional tile-roofed and thatched houses. The site preserves unique communal cultural practices, including the Hahoe Mask Dance Drama. It showcases the classic Confucian social structure, featuring designated sections for the yangban (aristocracy) and the commoners. The village layout follows the geomantic principle of 'lotus-flower' design. Many of the structures date back to the 14th and 15th centuries. It serves as a rare repository of preserved traditional Korean social history and architecture.
The summit of Buyongdae Cliff offers the iconic panoramic view of the village nestled within the river bend.
Rent a bicycle at the village entrance to navigate the sandy pathways efficiently.
Stay overnight in a traditional hanok to experience the quiet atmosphere after day-trippers leave.
Visit the riverside cliff, Buyongdae, for an elevated vantage point of the entire village.
Avoid walking only on the main paved paths; the authentic character of the village is found in the smaller, narrow residential alleys.
Respect resident privacy by not entering fenced-off yards or looking through windows of private homes.
