Namsangol Hanok Village -- 남산골 한옥마을

Introduction
Namsangol Hanok Village, also known as "A Village of Traditional Houses in the Namsan Valley", is a Korean village located in the area of Pil-dong neighborhood in Jung-gu, a central district of Seoul.
If you get off at Chungmuro Subway Station, you are right in front of Namsangol Hanok Village. You may consider it interesting to find this area standing between the tall buildings. This village has five restored traditional Korean house and a pavilion, a pond and a time capsule, which make it a perfect spot to take a walk.
When you enter the front gate, you will see the vast valley and the Cunugak building to the left of the pond. Along with the pond, it is a splendid place where performances are held. On the side you will see five traditional houses. These houses were rebuilt after the traditional houses of Joseon Dynasty and belong to those of various social classes, ranking from peasants to the king. The furniture in the house is situated to help guests understand the daily life of the past, and the clean, traditional houses and their antique items provide a great photo op. If you would like to check out some souvenirs, stop by the traditional craftwork exhibit where you can buy small dishes and other items. You can also have traditional tea and refreshments. On the grounds, there are traditional games you may try such as 'neolttwigi' (sea-saw jumping), 'tuho' (arrow throwing) and 'yunnori' (traditional game of throwing wooden yut sticks).

Don't forget to go see the traditional marriage ceremony. During the weekends, traditional mariages are shown at Bak Yeong Hyo's Residence. The traditional marriage ceremony is an interesting event for both Koreans and foreigners and many gather to watch. During the winter season (November to February), there are not as many wedding ceremonies as held in the spring and fall. Weddings are typically held around noon or 1 p.m. and visitors can take pictures with the husband and wife wearing traditional wedding costumes. There is also a time capsule commemorating Seoul's 600 Year Anniversary that was burried in 1994 and is scheduled to be reopened four hundred years later in 2394.

History
The location of the village was originally the site of a well known Joseon-era summer resort called Jeonghakdong. Jeonghakdong means "The land of the fairies for the blue crane where the Jeonugak Pavilion stands along the stream in the valley". The area boasted such superb scenery that it was called the land of the fairies and was considered one of the five most beautiful parts of Seoul.
A traditional Korean style garden, complete with a flowing stream and pavilion was constructed on the site in order to revive the classical feel of the Joseon-era. Five traditional houses, including some of the residences of high government officials - some of the largest mansions in Seoul at the time, along with the commoners houses were moved to the 7,934 sq Meters/9,489 sq Yards grounds containing the restored village.
The five traditional houses, including the house of Queen Yun's parents, who was the Queen Consort to King Sunjong, the 27th king of the Joseon Dynasty; the jaesil (study) of Yun Taekyeong, King Sunjong's father-in-law; the house of Park Yeonghyo, the son-in-law of King Cheoljong, the 25th king; the house of Lee Seungeop, who was in charge of constructing Gyeongbokgung (Palace) and the house of Kim Chunyeong, a military official of the Joseon Dynasty.

Address
28, Teogye-ro 34-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul / 서울특별시 중구 퇴계로34길 28 (필동2가) 일대
Closed every Tuesday (However, if Tuesday is a holiday, the next day is closed)
Directions
Subway
Chungmuro Station (Seoul Subway Line 3 or 4 Exit 4)
Walk along Hanongmaeul-gil st. for 5 minutes.
Bus
Take bus 104, 105, 263, 604, or 7011.
Get off in front of at 'Twegye 3 (sam)-ga Hanongmaeul'
Walk to the exit 4 of Chungmuro Station , then along Hanongmaeul-gil st. for 5 minutes.

Activity Information
Standing Programs

1. Five-colored experience
2. Traditional Culture Experience Program for International Visitors
3. Learning Korean Traditional Dance and Music
4. Kite Flying (Nov-Feb)
5. Art Stage for Citizen
6. Namsangol Open Stage
7. Seoul Exhibition of Intangible Cultural Asset
8. Hanok Village Characters

Evening Programs

1. Pungryubang at Sulsi
2. Namsangol Seodang (village school)
3. Once upon a time
4. Namsangol Sullakkun (town police)
5. Traditional Culture Lecture

Sesijeol Events (New Year's Events)
1. Seollal Events
Lecture on how to Charye, Presentation of Charyesang, Sharing Bokjori, Writing family precetps, Slicing Garetteok (rice cakes), Seoul Jaesugut (shaman ritual), Gyenggi Folk Songs
2. Ipchun (the first day of Spring) Celebrations
Writing Ipchunchukmun (words of celebrating Ipchun), Sharing Ipchunchukmun, Putting Ipchunchukmun, Presentation of Ipchunchukmun, Nongak performance.

3. Jeongwol Daeboreum Moon Welcoming Events
Torching and Burning Daljjip, Jisinbapgi, Presentation of how to make Ogokbab (steamed rice with five grains), Cracking Bureom, Ganggangsullae performance, Anseong Nongak performance.
4. Chuseok Events
Table setting/traditional food on the day of Hangawi (chuseok), Demonstration of Charye, Making Songpyeon, Experiencing Chuseok for international visitors, open place for folk games, performances: Pansori, Tightrope dancing, and Nongak.
5. Dongji Events
Making and Sampling Dongji Patjuk (red bean gruel), Folk Songs, Nongak, masked dance performance.

Video
Namsangol Hanok Village

Korea Dance Performance

 

Homepage
english.visitseoul.net (English, Korean, Japanese, Chinese)
hanokmaeul.seoul.go.kr (Korean only)

Source: Wikipedia, Visit Korea, Visit Seoul