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.


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)

Located in Chunyang-myeon, Bonghwa-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Seongamjae is a traditional hanok built with pine trees (Geumgangsong) in 1915. It was owned by Seongam Gang Seungwon, the third son of Uijae Gang Pil of distinguished service to independence. Seongamjae is the place where Mr. Uijae Gang Pil delivered fund to the Provisional Government of Korea in Shanghai, which was then used by the 3rd division of army during the Korean War. Now, the grandson of Mr. Seongam Gang Seungwon and his wife are keeping the place and named it Seongamjae after his grandfather. They run it as a hanok open to the public in order to help spread history and culture. The owner couple has committed themselves to keeping the house and gardening. Nevertheless, the traditional hanok is equipped with modern facilities so that people of all age groups, Koreans and foreigners alike, may have a relaxed time here. Bordering Seongamjae is the National Folk Cultural Asset No. 279 Bonghwa Mansan Gotaek, home to the family of the owner of Seongamjae, and open to everyone who stays in Seongamjae. Cooking is limited in the hanok but there are restaurants nearby. Korean style Yeonbab is provided at 15,000 won per person when breakfast is booked in advance. As Chunyang Station of Yeongdong Line is a 5-minute walk away, the accommodation is conveniently located for train travelers. Note that luggage storage service is provided after check-in while visitors are enjoying walking, trekking, or travelling by train.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongsan-si)

'Baram Haetsal Farm is located right next to a grove of jujube trees in Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do, which is well-known for its jujubes. The guesthouse is a Korean traditional house that runs the Jujube Promotion Center and a jujube processing factory, both of which are open to the guests to experience. The house is composed of three buildings: the main building, a detached building, and a bungalow. The detached building and bungalow are where the guests can stay, each of which can accommodate up to four people. The rooms are furnished with air conditioner, refrigerator, and coffee pot. Since the guesthouse is situated right in the middle of a jujube farm, guests can try the delicious jujubes of Gyeongsan at the Jujube Promotion Center located next to the guesthouse. The center has a room for visitors to try jujubes and a seminar room. It also has processing facilities for the visitors to see how jujubes are processed. In autumn when jujubes are harvested, guests get to experience the farm life such as picking jujubes and making jujube rice cake made of flavored glutinous rice mixed with honey, dates, chestnuts, and jujubes. Reservations are required.