Exploring Andong's Yekki Village and Seonseonghyun Culture Complex
Enjoying Yekki Village in Andong
With Ozigotrip
Seonseonghyun Culture Complex Hanok Experience Center
Accommodation & Lakeside Trail Trekking
A Great Place to Walk
Words/Photos: Peter Pan
This content is a travel review from a trip supported by the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Culture & Industry and Ozigotrip.
My autumn trip to Andong, supported by the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Culture & Industry and Ozigotrip, was truly special. Leaving behind the noise of the city, I arrived at Yekki Village, which still held a timeless tranquility, and the artistic sensibility that permeated every alleyway stirred my heart once again. The excitement and memories I felt when I first visited this place eight years ago naturally resurfaced, and this time, I was able to experience another charm where tradition and modernity coexist, along with newly created spaces.
1. Yekki Village: A Living Gallery in Every Alley
Located in Seobu-ri, Dosan-myeon, Andong, Yekki Village was originally formed by residents of Yean-myeon who were displaced by the construction of the Andong Dam. Later, artists settled in the village, transforming old buildings into galleries, cafes, and artist residencies, and thus, it was reborn as the cultural and artistic village it is today.
The name Yekki Village itself, which you can encounter on a trip to Andong, is interesting, right? 'Ye' means art, and 'Kki' means talent, meaning a village full of art and talent. This place, which was transformed into a cultural and artistic village by remodeling Gudam Village, has its charm as a great place to walk, as small and large galleries, murals, and ceramic works are naturally blended everywhere you step.
Eight years ago, it was nice to walk around because there were small exhibitions and artworks in every alley, but this time, more galleries and installations were added, creating a more diverse atmosphere. I still stopped to take pictures in front of the 3D trick art mural, and the earthy dialect of the village elders added to the warmth of a rustic rural village.
However, I also felt a bit of regret that some of the old-fashioned charm seemed to have disappeared. Still, change and development bring another kind of emotion, so in the end, I think the traces created by the accumulation of time are the real charm of Yekki Village.
2. Encountering the Scent of Joseon at Seonseonghyun Culture Complex
After exploring Yekki Village, I headed to Seonseonghyun Culture Complex, a complex cultural space that recreates the architectural style of the Joseon Dynasty.
With Confucian schools, pavilions, education centers, and experience centers, I felt like I was stepping back in time in a time machine. The fact that admission and parking are free is also welcome news for travelers.
In particular, the Masked Pungnyu Association experience, which took place after dinner, was no exaggeration to say that it was the highlight of this Andong trip. It was a place where I wore a hat and robe, enjoyed traditional liquor and new alcohol produced in Andong, and experienced the elegance of scholars, which was more than just a simple tour, it was a true cultural experience.
From 264 Chungpodo Wine's Gwangya, Maenggaesuldoga's Jinmaek Soju, Nongamjongtaek's Ilyeoppyeonju, Andong Soju Ilpoom's Ilpoom, Hoegokyangju's Gobaekju, and Chamjuwon's Chammama Makgeolli, the side dishes such as chicken feet slices, cabbage pancakes, kelp pancakes, apple bread, honey rice cakes, Hahoe mask bread, and yakgwa that came with the various liquors were a feast for both the taste buds and the eyes.
3. A Special Night at the Seonseonghyun Culture Complex Hanok Experience Center: Andong Accommodation Experience
The Seonseonghyun Culture Complex Hanok Experience Center, which I chose as my Andong accommodation, was a space where modern conveniences and traditional beauty were harmoniously combined. With a variety of room sizes ranging from rooms for two to rooms for eight, Andong accommodation is possible for all travel styles, from family trips to group trips.
Arangchae, where we stayed, had a structure in which three rooms were arranged on each side with a large room in the center, and the evening scenery viewed from the wooden floor was particularly impressive. Basic amenities such as clean bedding, free bottled water, and towels were well-equipped, so all the conditions for a comfortable Andong accommodation were good. The night, greeted by the sound of crickets heard through the paper window, offered a quietness and peace that cannot be experienced in the city.
4. A Dreamy Morning: The Start of the Seonseong Lakeside Trail Trekking
The morning after a comfortable night at the Andong accommodation Hanok Experience Center began with a mysterious landscape covered in thick fog. The fog, formed due to the unique topography around Andong Dam, envelops the entire village in a dreamy atmosphere, even creating the illusion of walking in a dream.
After warming up with a hearty breakfast, I set off on the Seonseong Lakeside Trail trekking. This lakeside trail, which is part of the 1st course of the Toegye Yedun Trail, is a deck road installed on Andong Dam, and it is the best walking path where you can enjoy the surrounding scenery while walking on the lake. In particular, the scenery viewed while walking along the lakeside trail covered in morning fog was one of the most impressive moments.
5. A Gift of Nature Encountered on Toegye Yedun Trail
The Seonseong Lakeside Trail trekking does not simply end at the lakeside trail, but if you walk the 5.4km course that leads to the Andong Hoban Natural Recreation Forest, you will reach Wolcheon Seodang, which commemorates Wolcheon Jo Mok, a scholar of the mid-Joseon period.
This course, which repeats flatlands and slight slopes, is a perfect walking trail trekking course that allows you to enjoy the beauty of nature with a varied landscape that is not boring and a moderate amount of exercise. In particular, the sound of birds heard in the forest, the sunlight seeping through the trees, and the touch of the dirt road felt with every step healed my body and mind, which were tired from city life. It was also meaningful to arrive at Wolcheon Seodang and take a break to reflect on the academic spirit of the scholars.
Peter Pan's Picky Information for Yekki Village
Not everything was perfect about my Andong accommodation experience at Yekki Village and the Seonseonghyun Culture Complex Hanok Experience Center. First of all, in the case of the Hanok Experience Center, toothbrushes are not provided, so it was inconvenient to have to prepare them separately, and the soundproofing is not perfect due to the nature of Hanoks. It was also disappointing that there were places that were closed and could not be entered.
The green tide phenomenon on the waterfront path is also a disappointing aspect.
And in the case of the Seonseong Lakeside Trail trekking, I strongly recommend starting early in the morning. This is because the dreamy atmosphere disappears as the fog clears when the sun rises high. Also, be sure to wear safe trekking shoes as the wooden deck road can be slippery when wet. However, these minor inconveniences are more than offset by the unique charm of Yekki Village, the special experience at the Hanok Experience Center, and the spectacular scenery encountered on the Seonseong Lakeside Trail.
Concluding my Andong travel and accommodation experience,
Both eight years ago and now, Yekki Village and Seonseonghyun Culture Complex were spaces that offered new charms while embracing the passage of time. There were some regrets amidst the changes, but it was still a living cultural travel destination where tradition and modernity, art and nature harmonize.
The one night and two days spent in Yekki Village were a special time that provided healing and cultural inspiration at the same time, going beyond just travel. Every moment, from the artistic sensibility that permeated every alley, the night of Pungnyu enjoyed with traditional liquor, and the dreamy morning encountered on the waterfront path in the fog, remains a special memory. If modern people tired of their busy daily lives want to find true rest and relaxation, I recommend a trip to Andong at the Yekki Village and Seonseonghyun Culture Complex Hanok Experience Center.
My autumn trip to Andong, supported by the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Culture & Industry and Ozigotrip, was truly special. Leaving behind the noise of the city, I arrived at Yekki Village, which still held a timeless tranquility, and the artistic sensibility that permeated every alleyway stirred my heart once again. The excitement and memories I felt when I first visited this place eight years ago naturally resurfaced, and this time, I was able to experience another charm where tradition and modernity coexist, along with newly created spaces.
No comments yet.
