Andong is an area that is well-known for its long-standing customs and peaceful atmosphere, and it can be found in the province of Gyeongsangbuk-do. Many people in Korea regard Andong to be the spiritual epicentre of the Confucian tradition. During the Joseon period, the city was a leader in the development of Confucian thinking since it was home to a large number of Confucian intellectuals. A significant number of Confucian institutions and private schools dating back to the Joseon period may be found in the city of Andong. During the reign of the Joseon dynasty, the city was also the location where members of the aristocratic class made their homes. In Andong, there are still several nobleman’s manors and manor houses that may be visited. These are the best sites to visit if you want to get a feel for how people used to live in Korea.
The year 1999 saw Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Andong, which is widely credited with contributing to the city’s rise to prominence as a popular tourist destination. There are a great many places of interest for visitors to explore in and around Andong. The Hahoe Maeul is a community that has preserved its traditional appearance over the years despite its location across the Nakdong River. This hamlet is remarkable in that it has retained virtually all of its original characteristics since the Joseon dynasty, despite the fact that it is now populated.
Main Tourist Attractions of Andong, South Korea
Andong Folk Village
Near the Andong Dam is where you’ll find the Andong Folk Village. The town was founded in 1976 with the purpose of providing a safe haven for all of the historical and cultural artefacts that were about to be destroyed by the building of the dam. This rebuilt site has around 14 distinct houses and structures that are representative of the customs and traditions of Andong. In addition, the Andong Folk Museum and the Seokbinggo, which is a historic cold storage facility, are also located in the same hamlet.
Dosan Seowon
The Dosan Seowon is South Korea’s most well-known and prestigious Confucian institution. It is also the country’s largest. Yi Hwang is credited with establishing this institution in the year 1561; however, it was later enlarged by his pupils with the assistance of King Seonjo. There are two distinct divisions within the school. The first section of the building is devoted to meeting the educational and boarding requirements of students, while the second section is a shrine erected in Yi Hwang’s honour. Due to the significance of this location in Korean history, it was chosen to be shown on the 1000 won note.
Downtown
The area known as “Downtown” in Andong is a compact location that provides guests with a one-of-a-kind amalgamation of modernity and heritage. The sidewalks and streets of Downtown are always buzzing with activity. One of them is known as the “Food Street,” and it is flanked on both sides with a variety of eateries, some of which are rather large while others are more modest. Additionally, downtown has a large number of contemporary retail complexes that provide a wide variety of local goods in addition to many presents.
Hahoe Maeul
The Hahoe Maeul is a community that has preserved its traditional appearance over the years despite its location across the Nakdong River. This hamlet is remarkable in that it has retained virtually all of its original characteristics since the Joseon dynasty, despite the fact that it is now populated. Muldori-dong is another name for Hahoe Maeul, and it literally translates to “river circle village.” The town, which is surrounded by breathtaking scenery, is home to two distinct styles of dwellings: those that are associated with the nobility and those that are traditional thatched-roof cottages.
Hahoe Mask Museum
The Mask Museum can be found near the beginning of the Hahoe Village and features a wide variety of masks both from Korea and from other parts of the globe. The genuine colours connected with the Korean mask dance heritage are shown to the guests via the presentation of traditional Korean masks. The masks used during the well-known Hahoe Mask Dance Drama are given a lot of attention during the performance. Another distinct area of the museum is devoted to illuminating the process of creating masks as well as describing their use in various types of performances and ceremonies.
Bongjeongsa Temple
It is thought that construction of the Bongjeongsa Temple began during the reign of King Munmu of the Shilla dynasty. According to local folklore, the Buddhist monk Ui-sang flew from Buseoksa Temple to Bonjeongsa Temple, then descended to the ground at the very location where the latter now stands. The original temple was founded by one of Ui-students, Sang’s and throughout the centuries it underwent several renovations and refurbishments. Today, the temple is home to Geuknakjeon, which has the title of the oldest wooden edifice in all of Korea. The Daeungjeon and a stone pagoda are also additional fascinating features that may be seen within the shrine.
Andong Folklore Museum
The Andong Folklore Museum is the ideal location for gaining an understanding of the Confucian culture that is prevalent in Korea. The museum is comprised of three distinct display rooms. In Hall No. 1, you may learn about the traditions that are observed from the time a baby is born until they reach childhood. In Hall No. 2, you may learn about the rites associated with dying and having a funeral as well as the process of maturing into an adult. In Hall No. 3, you may see miniature representations of everyday life and traditional pastimes. In addition, there are around 3,700 objects on exhibit in the museum.
Andong Icheondong Seokbulsang (Buddhist stone statue)
In 1963, the Icheondong Seokbulsang, also known as the Jebiwan Seokbul, was recognised as being worthy of the title of National Treasure No. 115. This enormous Buddha statue was carved out of stone and is 40.6 feet tall, with its head measuring 7.9 feet wide. The head of the statue has been cut out of the rock, while the rest of the figure’s body has been placed on the rock. The rock also exhibits the characteristic contouring that is seen on rocks. It is likely that the statue was created some time around the 11th century.
Soju Museum
Andong Soju, an alcoholic beverage, the intangible cultural property of the province. The production of Andong Soju is documented and shown at the Soju Museum. The museum also features demonstrations of the preparation of various regional delicacies that are exclusive to this area. During her visit in 1999, Queen Elizabeth had her birthday celebrated in a unique chamber that was reserved just for the occasion. In addition, the museum offers Soju for sale at costs comparable to those of a wholesale establishment.
