Yeongyang Traditional Hanok Doodle Village
Planning to escape the hustle and bustle of the city during the weekend? Yeongyang Traditional Hanok Doodle Village might be the ideal retreat you need. Dotingly named the ‘village on a hill’, this relaxing idyll is located on the eastern side of Andong, relatively unspoiled by mass tourism, making it all the more attractive for inner peace seekers.
Established in 1640, Yeongyang Traditional Hanok Doodle Village has a rich history. It was a refuge for Lee Sim-yeong during the 2nd Manchu invasion in Korea. After the invasion, his descendants further developed the village, preserving many cultural heritages including ancient houses. The village is also famous for the memorial stone for Madam Jang’s cookbook, the first cookbook authored by a woman in East Asia. The village has been classified as a cultural village since 1994.
Comfortable and Cozy Stay
Our arrival at the village was around 9 PM on a Saturday. It was bitterly cold outside (4°C), so we directly headed to our Hanok room. I must admit, spending the night at a Traditional Hanok was a unique experience. The charm of ancient traditions seamlessly blended with modern amenities like an attached bathroom, floor heating, and a TV. Other parts of the village also offer WiFi access, although it’s not available in the rooms.
Timehood Feast: Traditional Korean Breakfast
Next day, we started our morning with a traditional Korean breakfast- a satisfying spread of seaweed soup, rice, mackerel, and other side dishes. The restaurant owner personified the essence of a warm Korean mother, making the meal more homely and touching.
Learn to Make Rice Cakes
Post breakfast, we got our hands on cooking rice cakes! It’s a delightful way the village is trying to preserve the legacy and recipes of Madame Jang. The village houses a large kitchen where at least 40 people can comfortably learn cooking. The rice cakes here stand out from the regular Korean ones found in the traditional markets. They are uniquely made by steaming rice flour and finished off with pine nuts.
A Traditional Lunch Feast à la Madame Jang
The weekend getaway concluded with a delightful traditional lunch, prepared just the way Madame Jang herself used to. It was a feast for the senses, meticulously prepared, sumptuous, and wholesome!
The Yeongyang Traditional Hanok Doodle Village offers much more than just relaxation. You can enrich your stay by going for a stroll or a bike trip to marvel at the natural sceneries. It’s also a perfect place for artists and writers to spend some quiet time sketching or writing.
To reach this tranquil paradise, you can catch an express bus from Dong Seoul bus terminal to Yeongyang, a trip of approximately 4.5 hours that would cost around 20,000 Won. Alternatively, you could take an express bus from Andong, which should take you about an hour. From Yeongyang bus terminal, hop on a direct bus (감천-주남초교입구) leading to the Yeongyang Traditional Hanok Doodle Village. Alight at the bus stop 진막골 (Jin Maggol) and it’s just a 10-minute walk to the village entrance.
Return to your busy work routine or city life rejuvenated after spending a refreshing break at the Yeongyang Traditional Hanok Doodle Village.
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Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Yeongyang Traditional Hanok Doodle Village known for?
Yeongyang Traditional Hanok Doodle Village is renowned for its beautifully preserved traditional Korean houses (hanoks), allowing visitors to experience authentic Korean architecture and culture. The village offers a serene environment and a glimpse into traditional lifestyles, with opportunities to partake in cultural activities and workshops.
What can visitors do at Yeongyang Traditional Hanok Doodle Village?
Visitors to the village can enjoy guided tours of the hanok houses, engage in traditional Korean cultural activities such as tea ceremonies, calligraphy, and folk games, and experience local cuisine. The village often hosts cultural events and festivals, providing a rich and immersive experience.
How can I get to Yeongyang Traditional Hanok Doodle Village?
Yeongyang Traditional Hanok Doodle Village can be accessed via public transportation, such as buses, from major cities in Korea. It is advisable to check local transportation schedules and routes, as the village is located in a more rural area, and may require some planning to reach from larger urban centers.
Really lovely article. I love watching Korean movies and would like to visit someday..
I love these traditional experiences! Sounds like a great place to spend a few days or to get out to for a weekend! Would also like to know how to make the Korean rice cakes! Jealous…
I love every bit of korea and I’m always glad to read about the country and its culture. I’m glad I read about the Hanok Traditional Doodle Village and that it offers the same receive as the great Madam Jung. I’d add this to my Korea to visit. I’m sure I won’t be disappointed. And what a nice way to spend the evening, your sketch looks good.
Absolutely stunning. And the food? I could eat it for days.
Visiting and exploring this village seems to offer an unforgettable experience, Maria. Plus, learning how to be a rice cake must be awesome. What did you like best in this village?
I loved staying in a Hanok. It was really warm and cozy inside the room. Heated floors are awesome 😀
Nice insight into an unusual Korean destination and experience 🙂
The traditional experience that you got at hanok village really looks very impressive. This way, you learn a lot about the traditions and culture of the place is a very short time. I would myself like to try it out
I absolutely love staying at traditional villages and this is adorable! I like the whole authentic feel and I would love to have a cooking class. I think it’s cool that Madam Jang was the first woman in Asia to write a cookbook and that’s definitely a legacy to be proud of!
Looks amazing…seems like a warm place…must be a great experience!
My spouse and I went over here from a different page and thought I might as well check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to looking over your web page repeatedly.
Ohh seaweed soup! This takes me back to my Korean Air flight to Europe a few years back ha! After reading your post I feel inspired to spend longer in SK and explore some more, especially the traditional houses and try out the local foods!
Hey! I was looking at the website and I didn’t really see the rice cake making experience… I was wondering if you could tell me what it’s called or provide a link for the experience on their website? Thanks for the help!
The experience is called ‘making rice cakes’ or 떡 만들기. I can’t seem to find that specific program on their website, it would be better to contact them by e-mail or phone (054-682-7764).
Thanks so much! You’re blog is great and I’ll be checking it out more often 😀
Actually I found their second website which might be more useful for you.
http://www.yyg.go.kr/dudle/
Here you can book accommodation and find their different experiences.
Thanks so much 😀 I appreciate it!
Is this near the Yeongyang Firefly Eco Park?
This is in the same city, but the Doodle village lies south of Yeongyang and the Eco Park lies North of Yeongyang. By public transport it would take 2 h, by car 1 h.