The Hahoe Folk Village (Korean: 안동 하회마을) is a traditional village from the Joseon Dynasty, situated in Andong, which is in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. The word "Ha" means river, and "Hoe" means to turn around, return, or come back.

The village is an important part of Korean culture because it protects buildings, traditions, books, and the old way of life found in clan-based villages from the Joseon period. It was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and the South Korean government in 2010, along with Yangdong Folk Village. Each year, the village receives about 1 million visitors.

Overview

Hahoe, along with Yangdong, is one of the most important historic villages in South Korea. These villages were founded in the 14th to 15th centuries and are known for their closely connected families. The village includes homes, pavilions, Confucian academies, and study halls that show the traditions of the aristocratic Confucian culture from the early Joseon era. Out of 124 houses in the village, six have been named National Treasures.

Buyongdae Cliff is located to the north of the village, and Mt. Namsan is to the south. The village is arranged according to pungsu, which is a type of Korean feng shui. The layout of the village looks like a lotus flower or two commas that are connected.

History

The Ryu (or Yu) clan of Pungsan founded the Hahoe Folk Village in the 15th century during the Joseon Dynasty. The village has remained a single-clan community since its founding. It is known for preserving many of its original buildings, including the village Confucian school and other structures. The village also continues to practice folk arts, such as the Hahoe Mask Dance Drama ('Byeonlsin-gut'), a shamanist ceremony that honors the spirits of the village.

Today, the village is divided into two parts: Namchon (South Village) and Pukchon (North Village). The main branch of the Pungsan Ryu clan, called the Gyeomampa, lives in Namchon. The secondary branch, the Seoaepa, which descended from Yu Sŏngnyong—a famous prime minister during the reign of King Seonjo of Joseon—lives in Pukchon. Pukchon includes Yangjindang Manor, designated as Treasure No. 306, and Pikchondaek House, designated as Important Folklore Material No. 84. Namchon includes Chunghyodang Manor, designated as Treasure No. 414, and Namchondaek House, designated as Important Folklore Material No. 90. Although each branch originally lived in their respective areas, both now live throughout the village.

The village has preserved traditional architectural styles that are no longer common in South Korea due to modernization. Aristocratic homes with tiled roofs and servants’ homes with thatched roofs reflect the building styles of the Joseon Dynasty. Notable structures include the Wonjijeongsa Pavilion and the Byeongsan Confucian School. The village continues to practice the shamanist rite of Byeolsin-gut and keeps the Hahoe masks used in the Hahoe Mask Dance. Another tradition is the Jeulbul Nori, a fireworks display held at the base of Buyongdae Cliff. Yongmogak Shrine holds Yu Sŏngnyong’s collection of books, including South Korean National Treasure No. 132, the Jingbirok, which records the Imjin War of 1592. Treasure No. 160, Kunmundungok, documents military encampments. Chunghyodang also holds 231 royal writs of appointment.

Inside the village, there is a 650-year-old zelkova tree called Samsindan, believed to be the home of the goddess Samsin in Korean Shamanism. Visitors write their wishes on paper and hang them near the tree.

Queen Elizabeth II visited Hahoe Village in 1999. During her visit, villagers celebrated her 73rd birthday with a party.

Intangible cultural asset

The mask play performed in Hahoe-ri, Pungcheon-myeon, Andong City, North Gyeongsang Province, is listed as National Intangible Cultural Treasure No. 69. This play originated from Seonangje's mask dance, a spontaneous celebration in Dongje, which differs from Sandae Myeonghwajeon, another traditional Korean mask play. Byeolsingut Tal Nori is a mask play that is part of a village ceremony, combining religious rituals, folk opera, and wordless acting.

'Sunyu Line Fire' is a folk game where people hang a bag filled with charcoal powder on a long string. When set on fire, the bag creates a show of flames leaping through the air. In Andong's Hahoe Village, aristocrats in July would recite poems while traveling by boat on a river under the full moon. During this time, they enjoyed activities such as pouring oil onto eggshells or buppy pieces, lighting them with a wick, or burning pine stems at Buyongdae.

Tourism

Hahoe Folk Village was named a World Heritage Site in 2010 and draws over 1 million visitors each year.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization have recognized it as one of the "100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots in Korea" every year from 2013 to 2025, except during 2016 and 2017.

Since 2021, tour carts are not allowed to enter the site to help protect the village.

Gallery

• Yangjin Residence
• Chunghyo Residence
• House in Hahoe Village
• House in Hahoe Village
• House in Hahoe Village