TRADITIONAL YANGDONG VILLAGE

This small folk village is unique in that it is still inhabited and that, unlike that of Hahoe or Seong-eup in Jejudo, it is not yet too developed touristicly, but it should change rapidly because it is now enrolled in the programme of cultural visits in Korea, along with Hahoe. It is rural, not really maintained (at least relative to the «dead» folk villages) and it is perhaps the most authentic (with that of Seosan, near Hahoe). About 150 houses in the th or th centuries are intact in this great village of nobles (yangbans). There are houses in all social classes, from mansions to smaller cottages. The map of the village will be looked at near the public toilets. It takes about 2 hours to turn it around. The village extends along the hill along a small valley, and you should not hesitate to get lost on the small trails because there are beautiful houses everywhere. Beware of guard dogs however. You must also respect the privacy of the inhabitants and ask before entering a house. It is not a museum but a classified site. It saw the birth house of Sonso (1433-1484), one of those who suffocated Yi Sin-ae's revolt in 1467. The Gwanggajeong is a beautiful home of the Joseon's middle (left on heights). Not far away is Hyangdang, the home of Yi On-jeok provincial governor, but unfortunately you cannot go back. On the path to the left is the very beautiful house Mucheomdang (one can go back but it is inhabited) with its annex for guests, the Byeoldang. It was the house of Seon Dong-man, the founder of the Seon clan of Yangdong, which dates back to the th century. Its beautiful garden has a 500 year old juniper and a sadang, altar to the ancestors. This is Yi's home home.

Next is the Daeseongheon, composed of 3 parts: anchae (domestic part of women) in L, the sarangchae (the part of the men) on the front, and the haerangchae for the domestic, near the door (it is also inhabited). Through this path, you can turn the village through the ridges. We get top of a wild boar and deer farm. At the end of the road, at the top of the village, there is a small lake of restraint. At the bottom, the largest village pavilion (Simsujeong) was reconstructed in 1917. At the moment there is no hotel or restaurant, only a small business where you can buy refreshments.