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Latest update: 7 January 2026
Hahoe Folk Village in South Korea is an open-air museum AND a village where people still live in traditional houses that have existed for centuries. I walk along narrow paths between traditional houses, see laundry hanging, hear children playing, and smell cooking aromas. Back in time, but with wifi.
What is Hahoe Folk Village?
Hahoe Folk Village is located about 2.5 miles (4 km) from Andong. It is one of the best-preserved traditional villages in South Korea. The village is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List and is famous for its traditional architecture, wooden masks, and annual mask dance festivals.
The name Hahoe means ‘river returning’ because the village sits at a bend in the Nakdong River. The river flows around the village, creating a beautiful natural landscape. Walk through the village, and you see mountains and fields in the background. Very serene.
What makes Hahoe so special? It’s not a museum piece that’s maintained especially for tourists. I actually thought it was! I really thought it was an open-air museum, so you can imagine how surprised I was to find people living there. Bad research, I know. Because of the word ‘folk’, I just thought of folklore and didn’t think about it any further. But the Pungsan Ryu family lived here more than 600 years ago, and their descendants still do.
The history of Hahoe
The village of Hahoe has produced many important figures, who, unfortunately, don’t ring a bell to me. A Confucian scholar and a prime minister, for example. Confucianism is important in Hahoe anyway. This philosophy, which revolves around respect for elders, family, education, and moral values, has influenced South Korea for centuries. You see this reflected in the architecture: the yangban houses (of the aristocrats) are larger and more prominent than the houses of ordinary people. The layout of the village and the location of houses also follow Confucian principles.
In 2010, Hahoe Village was officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Hahoe mask and Byeongsan mask are national treasures, the Mansongjeong forest is a national monument, and several other places in Hahoe have important cultural heritage status.
Visiting Hahoe Folk Village
Hahoe Folk Village isn’t in Andong, but about 2.5 miles (4 km) outside of it. So you need to get there by bus or car. By car, you can park here, and by bus, you’re dropped off near the ticket office. This is also where you’ll find various food options and souvenirs.
A ticket costs ₩5,000 for adults (about $3.50 / €3.50).
Your ticket also includes a free shuttle bus. It takes you to the entrance of the village. You can also walk this part if you’ve just missed the bus. Plan on about 20 minutes.
What can you see in Hahoe Folk Village?
Make sure to grab a map of the village at the entrance. It’s not huge, but it’s handy to follow a route so you’re sure to see the most important buildings.
The village has various traditional houses; some are more than 400 years old. The larger houses belonged to aristocrats (yangban), the smaller ones to ordinary people. You see the difference immediately: the yangban houses have impressive roofs and larger courtyards.
What makes Hahoe so special is that people actually live here. You see laundry hanging, gardens with vegetables, and sometimes you see residents doing their daily activities. So please realize you’re walking through someone’s backyard: stay on the paths and don’t be too nosy.
In October, there are still many flowers. The vegetable gardens are well-maintained, and in the area, you see rice fields. The landscape is gorgeous, especially in autumn when the rice turns golden yellow.
Samshin Tree: the 600-year-old tree
In the middle of the village stands the Samshin Tree, the oldest tree in Hahoe. This impressive tree is 600 years old and still in full bloom, though it is supported by poles because its branches are now extremely heavy. The tree is seen by the residents as sacred, able to predict babies, and with powers that support childbirth.
Around the tree hang lots of small white papers; those are wish cards. People write their wishes, especially about the desire to have children, fertility, pregnancy, and healthy childbirth, and the wind blowing through the papers is said to carry the wishes to heaven.
Buyongdae rock: viewpoint (possibly not accessible)
For a spectacular view of the entire village, you can go to Buyongdae Rock on the north side of the village. From here, you see the whole layout of Hahoe Folk Village and the river that curves around it. If you can get there…
According to some sources, you can take a boat to the other side and walk up in 30 minutes. But during my visit, there’s no boat service, and Lonely Planet also notes that it isn’t available. So it’s unclear whether this viewpoint is still accessible at any time. Check this at the information center on-site if you’d really like to do this.
Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Hahoe
In 1999, Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 73rd birthday at Hahoe Folk Village. It was a historic moment for the village and South Korea. The Queen was served a special table with birthday dishes prepared by local chefs known for their culinary skills in the Andong region. In the Soju Museum in Andong, there’s a replica of the banquet – the Queen was really pampered!
Her Majesty was so impressed by the food that her Deputy Private Secretary later sent a thank-you letter to Mrs. Cho Ok-Hwa. The letter states that the Queen was deeply moved by this special Korean way to celebrate her birthday. She thought all the dishes looked delicious and only regretted not being able to taste everything.
During her visit, Queen Elizabeth also planted a tree in the village. So if you’re wondering why everyone wants a photo with a tree, now you have your answer.
The Mask Museum
At the visitor center, you’ll also find a mask museum where you can admire a wide variety of masks and learn the stories behind them. Which ceremonies are they used for, for example, or which ones you should hang on the wall to ward off spirits?
There’s also a section with an exhibition about masks from around the world. It’s interesting to see how different cultures use masks for rituals and ceremonies.
Hahoe Mask Dance: 800-year-old tradition
The Hahoe Mask Dance is an over 800-year-old tradition that’s still performed. The wooden masks used are national treasures of South Korea. These masks represent different characters: monks, aristocrats, a bride, and more.
The dance was originally a satire on the ruling class and a way for ordinary people to express criticism. At the entrance of the village, there’s a theater where you can see a performance daily from March through December. In January and February, only on weekends. Ask about it when you buy your ticket. Every year, there’s also the Andong Mask Festival, usually in late September/early October. Then you can experience the tradition throughout Andong. More info about that here.
Fireworks ritual: Hahoe Seonyu Julbul Nori
I didn’t see it, but if I’m to believe the Hahoe Folk Village brochure, Hahoe Seonyu Julbul Nori is quite a spectacular fireworks ritual held at Buyongdae Cliff.
In the past, scholars and guest poets held poetry parties on boats here. They lit bags of charcoal hanging on ropes over the river to create a ‘fire line’. Eggshells with small fires in them were let into the river, and from the cliff, people threw burning bundles of pine trees down. This ritual was performed until the 1930s, then discontinued, but has now been restored and is regularly performed. If you’re in the area in June or July, try to find out the exact date.
Eating and drinking at Hahoe Folk Village
If you want to sit down for a bit, it’s best to do so at the visitor center. There are many food options there. In Hahoe Folk Village itself, you can buy a drink, some snacks, or a simple meal in a few places.
My tip: try a meat skewer at the food trucks by the water in the village. For little money, you get a tasty snack that’ll make you want more with views of the river.
Behind the Mask Museum, you’ll find several small restaurants. Feel like something sweet? Then buy a filled sweet bun at this bakery (Google Maps location). The filling with custard and red bean paste tastes great!
How do you get to Hahoe Folk Village?
Hahoe Folk Village is about 2.5 miles (4 km) from the center of Andong. By bus, it takes you over half an hour. The bus runs regularly, but not super frequently. If you’re lucky, the trolley runs – a traditional wooden bus that’s uncomfortable to sit in, but beautiful to look at. I think it only runs once a day. On the way back, we’re lucky to be able to return to Andong with the trolley.
From the parking lot, you take a shuttle bus that brings you to the entrance in a few minutes.
Google Maps location Hahoe Folk Village
Google Maps location parking lot
Staying overnight at Hahoe Folk Village
I stay in Andong myself, but you can stay overnight at Hahoe Folk Village if you want. I found that quite pricey on the dates I was there. But who knows, you might score a good deal. Give these a try:
Combining Hahoe Folk Village with Andong
Hahoe Folk Village is the main attraction of Andong, but the city itself has plenty to offer. Read my article about Andong for tips on restaurants, the longest wooden pedestrian bridge in South Korea and the Soju Museum.
Frequently asked questions about Hahoe Folk Village
I’d plan on a half-day outing. Then you can walk around at a relaxed pace, take photos, and eat something.
Yes! Yes! People live in Hahoe Folk Village. The Pungsan Ryu family has lived here for over 600 years, and their descendants still live there. It’s about 120 to 130 households.
More South Korea inspiration
Useful links for your South Korea trip
- Accommodation. Always handy is Booking.com, but compare prices. Trip is often much cheaper in South Korea. Rather stay in a hostel? Try HostelWorld.
- Activities. You can book the best tours and activities with GetYourGuide, Klook and Viator. You can book ‘free’ walking tours at Freetour and cool food tours at Secret Food Tours.
- Attractions and museums. For 5% off museums and attractions, use discount code KIMOPREIS22 at Tiqets.
- Car rental. Compare your options at Discover Cars and Rentalcars.com.
- Flights. Compare all your options! Be sure to check Expedia, Kiwi and Trip.
- Guide books. I love the practical guides by Lonely Planet, for sale at Amazon.
- Package deals. Rather go on a catered trip? Check out your options at Expedia and CheapOair for example.
- SIM card. Beware of unexpectedly high phone and internet costs. Buy a local SIM card when you arrive, or arrange one online via Airalo. Use the code THISIS8469 for a discount.
- Train and bus. Buy your train tickets directly on the Korail site and intercity buses also directly via this site. Some trips can also be booked on
Klook or via12Go . For local transport in the city, you use a T-Money card.
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