Andong Travel Guide: Hahoe Village, Confucian Academies and Jjimdak
Quick answer
- Andong is where you see old Korea's clan villages and Confucian academies. Sites in Andong belong to three UNESCO listings: Hahoe Village (2010), Dosan and Byeongsan Seowon (2019) and Bongjeongsa Temple (2018).
- Hahoe Village costs ₩5,000 for adults. Last entry is 16:30 from October to March and 17:30 from April to September, so don't arrive late in the afternoon.
- Get there by KTX-Eum from Seoul Station, Cheongnyangni or (on selected trains) Sangbong to Andong Station. Journey times depend on the departure station, so check your train when booking, then take bus 210 or Express 2 to Hahoe.
Andong, reached from Seoul by KTX-Eum, is the place to see a living clan village and the Confucian academies of the Joseon era: sites here belong to three UNESCO World Heritage listings. Start with Hahoe Village (adults ₩5,000; last entry 16:30 from October to March), the Hahoe mask dance show at 14:00 (Tuesday to Sunday from March to December, Saturdays and Sundays in January and February) and a plate of Andong jjimdak, a braised chicken dish born in the city's old market.
Source: UNESCO, Andong Hahoe Village (Korean), Hahoe mask dance society (Korean) and Korea Tourism Organization; checked Oct 30, 2026.
The short version
| What to know | |
|---|---|
| Why go | Hahoe, a clan village still lived in, and Joseon-era Confucian academies (seowon) |
| UNESCO | Hahoe Village (2010) · Dosan and Byeongsan Seowon (2019) · Bongjeongsa Temple (2018) |
| Getting there | KTX-Eum from Seoul Station, Cheongnyangni or (selected trains) Sangbong to Andong Station; journey times differ by departure station |
| Top sights | Hahoe Village and its mask dance · Byeongsan Seowon · Dosan Seowon · Woryeonggyo Bridge at night |
| Eat | Andong jjimdak · salted mackerel (gangodeungeo) · heotjesatbap |
| Day trip or overnight? | A day covers Hahoe, Byeongsan and Woryeonggyo; stay a night to add Dosan Seowon and Bongjeongsa, KTO says |
Source: UNESCO and Korea Tourism Organization — Andong; checked Oct 30, 2026.
Why Andong matters
UNESCO describes Hahoe and its sister village Yangdong as "the two most representative historic, clan villages in Korea," founded in the 14th–15th century. Andong's sites are part of three World Heritage listings:
| UNESCO listing | Inscribed | Andong's part in it |
|---|---|---|
| Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong | 2010 | Hahoe Village |
| Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies | 2019 | Dosan Seowon and Byeongsan Seowon, two of the nine academies |
| Sansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries in Korea | 2018 | Bongjeongsa Temple, one of the seven monasteries |
Source: UNESCO — Hahoe and Yangdong, Seowon and Sansa; locations from the Korea Tourism Organization and Andong City (Korean); checked Oct 30, 2026.
Hahoe Village
The Nakdonggang River wraps around Hahoe, and the Ryu clan of Pungsan still makes up 70 percent of the villagers, the Korea Tourism Organization says. UNESCO notes the clusters of one-storey, mud-walled, thatched-roof houses that were "formerly for commoners." A full walk takes about 1 to 1.5 hours.
| Admission | Adults (19–64) ₩5,000 · teenagers (13–18) ₩2,500 · children (7–12) ₩1,500 |
|---|---|
| Last entry | 16:30 from October to March · 17:30 from April to September |
| Free extras | Parking, the shuttle bus and the Hahoe World Mask Museum |
| Closed | Open year-round |
| View | Buyongdae Cliff, across the river, gives a panoramic view of the village (KTO) |
Source: Andong Hahoe Village — visitor information (Korean), Korea Tourism Organization — Hahoe Village and Andong Tourism (Korean); checked Oct 30, 2026.
The Hahoe mask dance show
Hahoe Byeolsingut Tallori, a mask dance drama performed in carved wooden Hahoe masks, is a National Intangible Cultural Heritage (designated 1980). The preservation society stages a regular one-hour show at the village's mask dance theater:
| Months | Days | Time |
|---|---|---|
| March to December | Tuesday to Sunday | 14:00–15:00 |
| January and February | Saturday and Sunday | 14:00–15:00 |
Source: Hahoe Byeolsingut Tallori Preservation Society (Korean) and Korea Tourism Organization; checked Oct 30, 2026.
Seonyu Julbul Nori
Hahoe also holds Seonyu Julbul Nori on select Saturday nights. The published 2026 schedule lists selected Saturdays in May and August–October, ending on October 31. For future visits, check the organizer's newly announced dates and ticket rules; don't assume the 2026 booking arrangements will apply in 2027.
Source: Korea Tourism Organization — Andong and Andong Hahoe Village notices (Korean); checked Oct 30, 2026.
The Confucian academies and Bongjeongsa
| Byeongsan Seowon | Dosan Seowon | Bongjeongsa Temple | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Academy moved here in 1572 by the scholar Yu Seong-nyong and renamed in 1614, facing the Nakdonggang River | Academy built in 1574 to honor the scholar Toegye Yi Hwang | Mountain temple; its Geungnakjeon Hall is considered Korea's oldest surviving wooden building (KTO) |
| Hours | 09:00–18:00 (March–October) · 09:00–17:00 (November–February) | 09:00–18:00, last entry 17:30 (February–October) · 09:00–17:00, last entry 16:30 (November–January) | 07:00–19:00 (March–October) · 08:00–17:00 (November–February) |
| Admission | Not listed on the city's fee table: check on site | Adults ₩2,000 | Free |
| Bus | 210 | Express 3 or 512 (a few buses a day, about 45 minutes) | Express 2 or 310 |
Source: Andong City — Dosan Seowon (Korean), Andong Tourism — fees and hours (Korean), Korea Tourism Organization — Byeongsanseowon and Andong; checked Oct 30, 2026.
The Korea Tourism Organization says free commentary in English, Japanese and Chinese is available at major attractions such as Hahoe Village and Dosan Seowon. For Hahoe, the village's tourist information and interpretation desk is on +82-54-840-3803.
What to eat
| Dish | What it is |
|---|---|
| Andong jjimdak | Chicken braised with vegetables and seasoning. KTO says it was born in the chicken alley of Andong Old Market, which has had one since the 1970s; about 30 restaurants line what's now called Jjimdak Alley |
| Salted mackerel (gangodeungeo) | Andong is far inland, so locals traditionally salted mackerel to keep it fresh; often part of a set meal |
| Heotjesatbap | Bibimbap made with the same ingredients as ancestral-rite food, a dish tied to Andong's Confucian traditions |
| Andong guksi | Noodles made from wheat flour and soybean powder |
| Andong soju | A traditionally distilled local spirit; some is very strong (KTO says over 40% ABV), so check the label |
Source: Korea Tourism Organization — Jjimdak Alley and Andong, Andong Tourism — food (Korean); checked Oct 30, 2026.
Getting there and around
| By train | KTX-Eum from Seoul Station, Cheongnyangni or (selected trains) Sangbong to Andong Station. Trains from Seoul Station take longer than those from Cheongnyangni, and Korail's timetable changes from Nov 1, 2026, so check your train's time and fare when you book |
|---|---|
| By express bus | From Dong Seoul Terminal (about 3 hours) or Seoul Express Bus Terminal (about 2 hr 40 min), per Andong Tourism |
| To Hahoe | Bus 210, Express 2, Pungcheon 2 or the Hahoe shuttle bus from the Andong Station and bus terminal area |
| Bus fare | ₩1,500 by transit card, with a free transfer within an hour if you tap off |
| Bus times | Few buses run on some routes: check the Andong Bus Information System (Korean) or Naver Map |
Source: Korea Tourism Organization — Andong, Korail timetables (Korean) and Andong Tourism — transport (Korean); checked Oct 30, 2026.
A one-day plan
| Time | Where | Why then |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | KTX-Eum to Andong, bus to Hahoe | Allow time for the bus: some routes run infrequently |
| Midday | Hahoe Village and the 14:00 mask dance | The show is once a day |
| Afternoon | Byeongsan Seowon (bus 210) or Buyongdae | Check last-entry times |
| Evening | Jjimdak in the old market, then Woryeonggyo Bridge | The bridge is lit after dark |
Before you go
- Book your KTX-Eum and check the new timetable (from Nov 1, 2026).
- Plan to reach Hahoe well before last entry (16:30 from October to March).
- Catch the 14:00 mask dance show: Tuesday to Sunday from March to December; Saturdays and Sundays in January and February.
- Check bus times on Naver Map or the Andong BIS: some routes run a few times a day.
- Coming as a pair or group? Order a whole jjimdak to share.
Source: Andong Hahoe Village (Korean), Hahoe mask dance society (Korean) and Korea Tourism Organization; checked Oct 30, 2026.
FAQ
Is Andong worth visiting?
In our view, yes, if you want old Korea beyond the palaces of Seoul: Hahoe is a clan village where people still live, and Andong's sites are part of three UNESCO World Heritage listings.
How do I get from Seoul to Andong?
Take the KTX-Eum from Seoul Station, Cheongnyangni or (on selected trains) Sangbong to Andong Station. Journey times depend on the departure station; check your train's time and fare when booking, as Korail's timetable changes from Nov 1, 2026.
How much is Hahoe Village?
Adults (19–64) pay ₩5,000, teenagers ₩2,500 and children ₩1,500. Last entry is 16:30 from October to March and 17:30 from April to September.
When is the Hahoe mask dance performance?
At 14:00, Tuesday to Sunday from March to December, and on Saturdays and Sundays in January and February. There's no show on Mondays.
Can you visit Andong in a day trip?
Yes for Hahoe Village, Byeongsan Seowon and Woryeonggyo Bridge, the Korea Tourism Organization says. Stay overnight if you also want Dosan Seowon and Bongjeongsa Temple.
- UNESCO World Heritage — Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong
- UNESCO World Heritage — Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies
- UNESCO World Heritage — Sansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries in Korea
- Andong Hahoe Village — Visitor information (Korean)
- Hahoe Byeolsingut Tallori Preservation Society — Regular performances (Korean)
- Andong City — Dosan Seowon visitor information (Korean)
- Andong Tourism — Hours, fees and buses (Korean)
- Korea Tourism Organization — Andong travel guide
- Korea Tourism Organization — Andong Hahoe Village
- Korea Tourism Organization — Andong Jjimdak Alley
Last checked Oct 30, 2026. Details can change — please confirm with the official source before you travel.
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