Best Things To Do In Andong, South Korea
When thinking about Andong South Korea, the first things that pops to mind is the Andong Hahoe village and the Andong Mask Dance Festival. When in Korea, visiting Andong is a must! But there is more to Andong than the village, you will be able to find many stunning temples, musea, delicious food, hanok stays. Read on to find out more the best things to do in Andong, South Korea
Quick Facts About Andong South Korea
Andong is a city located in the southeastern part of the Korean Peninsula, with a history that dates back over 1,500 years. It was once the capital city of the Goguryeo Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period (57 BC–AD 668), and later became an important cultural center during the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910).
Andong is known for its preservation of traditional Korean culture, particularly its folk villages, traditional architecture, and cuisine. The city also played a significant role during the Korean War, serving as a major base for the UN forces.
Today, Andong continues to be a popular destination for tourists and history enthusiasts, who come to explore its rich cultural heritage and experience the traditional way of life in Korea.
- Andong city claims to be the capital city of ‘Korean Spiritual Culture’, as it has more than 280 cultural assets scattered around the city.
- At the beginning of 2000, Andong started to become a tourist destination, mainly because of it’s Hahoe Village.
- The local specialty is Jjimdak, a dish prepared with chicken and glass noodles.
The Best Things To Do In Andong
As Andong is the Korean Spiritual Culture, you will find many historic and religious sites all around the city, like temples, an Confucian academy, the traditional hanok village and many museums.
1. The Andong Hahoe Folk Village
The UNESCO Andong Folk Village located in the outskirts of Andong is the main reason most people travel to Andong. The village dates back to the Koryo period (918-1392) and belonged to the Ryu clan. The stunning village is filled with traditional Korean hanok houses, small shrines and beautiful walking trails.
The Hanok village lies just next to the Nakdong river and is surrounded by mountains. This provided a sort of natural protection to the inhabitants of the village.
The village is also home to the yearly Andong Mask Dance Festival, which is a 10 day festival with all sorts of activities and performances. Even if you can’t make to Andong during the festival, you can watch a Mask Performance in Andong Hahoe Village on the following days:
January–February: Saturdays & Sundays 14:00
March–December: Wednesday-Sunday 14:00
Next to the folk village is the Hahoe mask museum. A small museum displaying the beautiful colourful Hahoe masks.
– ANDONG HAHOE VILLAGE GUIDE –
Opening Times: Summer season: 09:00-18:00 and Winter season: 09:00-17:00
Entrance Fee: 2500 won
Address: 40, Jongga-gil, Pungcheon-myeon, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
2. The Mammoth Bakery
Mammoth bakery, a French style bakery, is Andong’s most famous coffee & dessert shop. This shop has been recommended by both the Michelin Green Guide South Korea and Lonely Planet.
The shop is divided into two sections. On ground level you can find the bakery and cafe. Here you can buy all sorts of bread and cakes, which you can take out or eat in the cafe. If you’re looking to buy a drink, you MUST try the peanut butter milk shake. It is the best you’ll ever have! In the basement is a small chocolate, which sells all kinds of pralines and chocolate bars. This is a little bit more pricey but the chocolate is absolutely delicious, so definitely worth it!
Opening Hours: 08:30-22:00
Address: 34, Munhwagwangjang-gil, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
3. Bongjeongsa Temple
The buddhist temple Bongjeongsa was built by King Munmu in the 7th century. King Munmu, was a ruler during the Silla Kingdom based in Gyeongju. It is the largest temple in the Andong area and holds the oldest wooden building remaining in Korea. Old trees are surrounding the temple grounds, which adds to the unique atmosphere on the temple grounds.
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 17:00
Entrance Fee: 2000 won
Address:222, Bongjeongsa-gil, Seohu-myeon, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
How To Get There: from Andong Bus Terminal or Andong Train station take bus 51 to Bongjeonsa Temple (45 minute ride).
Bus 51 Info: 06:10, 08:25, 10:40, 12:50, 14:50, 17:20, 19:00
More Info:here
4. The Stunning Gounsa Temple
Gounsa temple is a quiet temple located in the beautiful mountains of Deungun. It was built by Monk Uisang in 681 during the Silla Dynasty. The small temple belongs to the Branch Temple Number 16 of the Korean Buddhist order. Gounsa Temple literally translates to Solitary Cloud Temple. During the Imjin War, the temple was used as a military base for the the warrior monks.
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 17:00
Entrance Fee: Free
Address:34, Munhwag415, Gounsa-gil, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
How To Get There: 4 busses a day run from Andong Bus Terminal at 09:10, 10:40, 13:15, 16:40
5. Hakbong Traditional Hanok Stay
Hakbong hanok stay is a traditional hanok house located in the country side of Andong, close to Bongjeongsa temple. The stay is perfect if your looking for a traditional hanok experience which is easily accessible by public transport. The hanok stay has 6 different rooms: double room, triple room, and family rooms. Please be aware that the bathrooms are in a different building and are shared with the other guests.
** We stayed one night in this accommodation and totally loved it, as when we arrived we received traditional Korean snacks. In the morning a delicious breakfast is served. **
Book:here
Address:856-1, Geumgye-ri, Seohu-myeon, 760-822 Andong, South Korea
How To Get There: from Andong Bus Terminal or Andong Train station take bus 51 to Bongjeonsa Temple (30 minute ride).
Bus 51 Info: 06:10, 08:25, 10:40, 12:50, 14:50, 17:20, 19:00
6. Andong Traditional Market & Jjimdak Restaurants
The Andong traditional market is famous for its Jjimdak. Which is a traditional dish from Andong made with steamed chicken, glass noodles and potatoes. The dish can be served spicy or non spicy. The best restaurant to try Andong Jjimdak is Yongga (영가), which is a small restaurant opposite the tourist information center.
Address:55 Beonnyeong 1-gil, Seobu-dong, Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do
More info:here
7. Wolyeonggyo Bridge
Woryeonggyo Bridge or better known as the moonlight bridge first opened in 2003 and is the longest pedestrian bridge in South Korea. The legend behind the bridge tells the story about a wife who made a pair of shoes out of her own hair in condolence for her husband who passed away.
The bridge is especially beautiful at night when all the lights are turned on. This bridge and the area around is also the location of the moonlight festival. Around the bridge you can find Andong Folk Museum, a small Hanok Village and beautiful walking trails.
Address: Area between Sanga-dong & Seonggok-dong, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
How to get there: from Andong Train station take bus 3-1, this should take 15 minutes. Get off at Wolyeonggo bus stop.
How To Get To Andong
Andong is a city located in the southeastern region of South Korea. There are several transportation options available to reach Andong. The most common way to get there is by taking a train or a bus from Seoul. The KTX train runs regularly from Seoul to Andong and takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Alternatively, one can take a bus from the Dong Seoul Bus Terminal, which takes around 3 hours. Another option is to take a domestic flight from Seoul to Daegu and then take a bus or a train to Andong. Once in Andong, public transportation such as buses or taxis are available to get around the city. It’s recommended to plan ahead and book tickets in advance, especially during peak travel seasons, to avoid any last-minute hassle.
1. Seoul To Andong
From Seoul Express Bus Terminal in Gangnam you can take the bus to Andong Bus Terminal. This takes around 2h30 and costs around 14 000 won. Check prices and bus timetables here.
2. Busan To Andong
Every hour there is a direct bus running from Nopo Express bus terminal in Busan to Andong. The travel time takes around 2h30 and costs 16 000 won. Check prices and bus timetables here.
3. Daegu To Andong
Buses run between Dong-Daegu and Andong. The ride takes 1h30 and only costs 7000 won. Check prices and bus timetables here.
Recommended Accommodation And Hotels In Andong, South Korea
Andong offers various accommodation options for visitors. One of the most popular options is to stay in a traditional Korean house, known as a hanok. These hanoks have been restored and transformed into guesthouses, providing a unique cultural experience for visitors. They offer comfortable and authentic rooms with traditional Korean bedding, and guests can enjoy traditional Korean meals.
Alternatively, visitors can choose to stay in modern hotels located in the city center, which offer amenities such as Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and a range of dining options. Another option is to stay in a temple stay program, where visitors can experience the life of a Buddhist monk, practice meditation, and participate in temple activities. Whichever option you choose, Andong has something to offer for every visitor’s taste and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Andong has several must-see attractions, including the Hahoe Folk Village, the Andong Confucian School, and the Bongjeongsa Temple. The Hahoe Folk Village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is famous for its traditional Korean houses and mask dances. The Andong Confucian School is a historical site where you can learn about Confucianism and traditional Korean education. The Bongjeongsa Temple is a beautiful Buddhist temple located in the mountains and is known for its stunning scenery.
Andong has plenty of outdoor activities to offer, such as hiking in the mountainous areas, exploring the Woryeonggyo Bridge, and visiting the Andong Dam. The Woryeonggyo Bridge is a famous wooden bridge that offers a beautiful view of the river and surrounding mountains. The Andong Dam is another great spot to visit, where you can enjoy a peaceful stroll along the reservoir and soak in the beautiful scenery.
The best time to visit Andong is during the autumn season, from September to November, when the weather is mild and the leaves are changing colors. This is also the time of the Andong Mask Dance Festival, which is held annually in October and is a must-see event for anyone interested in Korean culture. However, Andong is beautiful year-round, and there are plenty of things to see and do during any season.
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We’re heading off to South Korea this Friday and are planning to visit Andong there, so your recommendations are very helpful! We won’t have much time there, so we are mainly banking on the Hahoe Village and Bongjeongsa Temple… Will let you know how it goes! 😉
Great! Have fun during your trip 😀