Sejong()

Mokhyangjae, which literally means a ’house with tree fragrance,’ is a traditional Korean pension house which stands alone beside a boulevard surrounded by apartment complexes. Entering the garden with a low fence, you will be greeted by the antique two-story Korean style building. The building of Mokhyangjae was built in the style of a palace with red pine tree used for the crossbeam and pillars. With a feeling of magnificence and coziness at the same time, the rafter ceiling shows the wood grain and the sliding door pasted with traditional Korean paper adds to the flavor of the traditional Korean style house. The rooms are composed of the traditional Ondol Room where one or two persons can stay; the Ordinary Room is equipped with a bedroom and an attic; and the Deluxe Room has a wide traditional Ondol room for guests from solo travelers to families. The bedroom and the living room also have traditional display cupboard and heavy hardwood table which had been used by the owner of the house, adding to the flavor of the traditional Korean style house. Equipped with cartoons and picture books, the attic is a favorite place of children. Scattered with stepping stones, the front yard of the house is filled with Sansuyu, magnolia, and cherry trees that blossom in spring. Mokhyangjae is running a traditional teahouse as well. The teahouse was opened thanks to the Chinese husband who enjoys tea, and most of the teas are imported from China. You can have a taste of dozens of kinds of teas including puer tea and red tea, along with a simple tea confectionery.


Gyeonggi-do(Yeoncheon-gun)

Joseon Wangga is a museum hotel built on the basis of Yeomgeundang, an old house of Lee Geun who is the grandson of Emperor Gojong. Yeomgeundang was constructed in 1807 and was moved from Jongno-gu, Seoul, to Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi-do to keep the architectural heritage of the traditional royal family of Korea. After 5 months of dismantling work, all the roof tiles, crossbeam, rafters, pillars, foundation stones, stylobate stones, terrace stones, etc. were moved to the current place and Joseon Wangga was completed by reassembling the house for 27 months. As a result, the hidden royal house was turned into an open space for everyone to stay and experience. Staying at the royal house is the same as experiencing the culture of the royal family. There are 15 rooms in total and all the rooms are equipped with bathroom, air conditioner, refrigerator, etc. Smoke therapy and making herbal soaps are offered as experiencing programs. A tea ceremony set is prepared in the room, and paid breakfast of Eosuri Bap (Rice mixed with cow parsnip) can be served if a reservation is made in advance. The house can be rented as a place of traditional wedding or workshop. In the garden of the hotel are a small pond and a trail well tended for a rest in nature. Together with the traditional style hotel, 15 sets of royal cabana, a glamping facility, are operated for luxurious camping.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Bonghwa-gun)

Tohyang Gotaek (The Old House of Tohyang) is one of the many historic houses in Bonghwa-eup that are full of the charming features of a hanok house, including a cozy pond, the subtle scent of ink and clay, and a quiet environment. It is run by a calligrapher-potter and his wife, an ex-Korean teacher. Baraemi Village in Bonghwa, where noblemen of the Yeongnam region lived for many generations, contains many old hanok houses. Notably, Tohyang Gotaek is the only house to provide guests with an opportunity to experience traditional Korean culture and creative arts activities. The house was originally inhabited by the owner’s great-grandfather. The owner returned from Seoul to his hometown in 1977 and entered the hanok stay business in the summer of 2012. The most popular hands-on program is the pottery making program which allows visitors to try their hand at making pottery with the potter’s wheel. The pottery space is set apart from the accommodation and consists of the wheel room, glazing room, and kiln room. The pottery program allows participants to make and glaze pottery, after which it is baked by the owner and then packed separately and sent to the participants. The House also provides other experience programs including Reading Experience, Debate, Poetry Composition, Sijo (traditional three-verse Korean poem) and Calligraphy programs. Situated next to the Pottery Workshop is a pine grove that surrounds the rear side of the hanok building like a folding screen. One of the most impressive features of the house is its tall gate (soseuldaemun), which rises higher than the roofs of the anchae (women’s quarters) and sarangchae (men’s quarters) thus, allowing a nobleman’s sedan chair or horse to enter the house easily. Passing through the tall gate, the keun sarangchae and jageun sarangchae are situated at the front, and there is a small passageway linking (them?) to the daemunchae along the wall. Entering the passageway, there is a square-shaped anchae along with a small lotus pond with a fantastic atmosphere. Tohyang Gotaek is packed with the owner’s artworks including ceramic and calligraphic works. Moreover, the owners’ smiling faces and warm-hearted services attract many guests all year round.


Jeollanam-do(Damyang-gun)

Hanok Pension is an old traditional Korean house located in Samjinae Village, Changpyeong-myeon, Damyang-gun, the first village in Asia to be listed as a 'Slow Village.' It has 16 guestrooms in traditional Korean house buildings along a stone-wall road just like in the old days in Korea. The guesthouse is conveniently located for those planning to visit Juknokwon (Bamboo Garden) and Metasequoia Street, which is regarded as the most beautiful street in Korea, because they are all within 30 minutes away from the guesthouse on foot. The old traditional Korean house consists of one main building and two detached buildings, between which is a large front yard. The two detached buildings are divided into different sections for the guests to stay in. You will see lots of different wild flowers in and around the premises. The tea room is another popular feature of the guesthouse because of the calming atmosphere.