Don't Just See Seoul, Experience It: Welcome to Hanok Week 2025

Are you tired of the same old Seoul tourist trail? Looking for something that goes beyond Gangnam Style and K-pop? This fall, Seoul opens the doors to its soul – literally – with the third annual Seoul Hanok Week, transforming the historic Bukchon and Seochon neighborhoods into a living, breathing cultural experience.

Step Into Seoul's Best-Kept Secret

From September 26 to October 5, 2025, Seoul's traditional hanok (Korean traditional houses) districts come alive with a spectacular 10-day festival that most tourists never get to experience. Imagine walking through centuries-old neighborhoods where Instagram-worthy traditional architecture meets contemporary Korean art, where you can sip traditional tea in a 600-year-old house, and where garden exhibitions transform historic homes into enchanted spaces.

📅 Quick Facts

• When: September 26 - October 5, 2025 (10 days)
• Where: Bukchon & Seochon neighborhoods (near Gyeongbokgung Palace)
• Cost: Most events are FREE!
• Website: hanok.seoul.go.kr

The Main Event: "Languages of the Garden" Exhibition

Seven historic public hanok houses become galleries showcasing how 10 contemporary artists reimagine traditional Korean gardens. This isn't your typical museum experience – you're literally stepping into art installations within actual historic homes. From terrariums that capture miniature worlds to photographic interpretations of seasonal changes, each hanok tells a different story about Korea's relationship with nature.

Featured Venues:

• Bukchon Culture Center
• Baeryeom House
• Hong Geon-ik House
• And 4 more historic locations

Note: Closed Mondays, free admission

Not Your Average Tourist Activities

For the Culture Enthusiasts

Exclusive English Programs for International Visitors:

• Seochon Walking Tours (Sept 28 & Oct 1): Explore hidden alleyways with an English-speaking guide who knows where the locals go for the best traditional rice cakes and where famous Korean writers once gathered.

Must-Attend Lectures & Talks:

• "Korean Gardens Beside You" by garden curator Shin Ji-seon (Sept 26 & Oct 3)
• "Garden Plants" by landscape architect Lee Yang-hee (Sept 30 & Oct 2)
• Author talks featuring Kim Sun-mi's "Comfort of Gardens" (Sept 28) and Im Han-sol's "Landscape and Governance" (Oct 4)
• Open House Tour with architect Kim Won-cheon – a rare chance to peek inside normally closed traditional houses (Oct 4)

For the Experience Seekers

Over 50 hands-on programs let you dive deep into Korean culture:

Family-Friendly Activities:

• Build mini hanok models (perfect for kids!)
• Create traditional scarecrows for the harvest season
• Make seasonal Korean side dishes (and eat them!)

Instagram-Worthy Experiences:

• Traditional tea ceremonies in historic settings
• Craft your own seasonal wreaths using Korean techniques
• "Hanok Bookshelf" – read Korean literature in traditional houses

Special Harvest Festival Events:

• Join "Hangawi Pungryu" – traditional harvest celebration gatherings
• Learn traditional Korean games
• Taste seasonal festival foods

Performances That Tell Stories

Music & Culture

September 27:

• "Languages of the Garden" Concert – A narrated musical journey connecting nature and Korean music
• Pilun-dong Concert at Hong Geon-ik House – Intimate performance in a historic setting

September 30:

• Korean Busking with Seoul Architecture Biennale – Traditional meets contemporary as gugak (Korean traditional music) performers take to the streets

Special Perks & Pro Tips

Win a Night in History

Share your Hanok Week experience on social media, and you could win one of 10 overnight stays at a public hanok in Seochon. Imagine having breakfast in a traditional Korean house that's usually a museum!

Partner Discounts

• Special rates at participating hanok hotels
• Discounts at Seoul Museum of Gugak, Donhwamun Traditional Theater, and Bukaksan Tourist Center

Insider Planning Tips

1. Book Early: Some programs require advance registration (lottery system) by September 20, 1 PM
2. Stay Flexible: Many programs offer same-day registration for no-shows
3. Mix It Up: Combine a morning garden exhibition with an afternoon tea ceremony and evening concert for the full experience
4. Wear Comfortable Shoes: You'll be walking on both modern streets and traditional stone paths
5. Bring Your Camera: Every corner is photogenic, but remember to be respectful in cultural spaces

Why This Matters for Your Seoul Trip

Seoul Hanok Week isn't just another festival – it's your backstage pass to the Seoul that most tourists miss. While others are queuing for the same photo spots in Myeongdong, you'll be sipping omija tea in a 200-year-old house, learning to make traditional crafts from master artisans, or discovering hidden gardens that even many Seoul residents don't know exist.

This is Seoul showing you its heart – not the glossy K-drama version, but the real, living culture that connects modern Koreans to their ancestors. It's where you'll understand why Koreans remove their shoes indoors (hint: heated floors!), why gardens are designed to be viewed from inside the house, and how traditional architecture naturally stays cool in summer and warm in winter.

Getting There & Around

Bukchon Area:

• Subway: Anguk Station (Line 3), Exit 1 or 2
• Walk 5-10 minutes to reach most venues

Seochon Area:

• Subway: Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3), Exit 2
• Walk 10 minutes through charming traditional neighborhoods

Pro tip: Download the Naver Map app for better navigation in Seoul's winding traditional neighborhoods.

Final Thoughts: Your Authentic Seoul Awaits

In a city racing toward the future, Seoul Hanok Week is a love letter to its past – and an invitation for you to be part of its present. Whether you're a culture buff, a photography enthusiast, or simply someone who wants to experience the "real" Korea, these 10 days offer something you won't find in any guidebook.

Don't just see Seoul. Live it, breathe it, experience it at Hanok Week 2025.

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Need More Information?

• Seoul Hanok Week Office: +82-2-332-5671
• Official Website: hanok.seoul.go.kr
• Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings for smaller crowds
• Language Support: English programs available, Korean language exchange volunteers on-site

Planning to visit Seoul this fall? Combine Hanok Week with autumn foliage season for the ultimate Korean cultural experience. And yes, you can still fit in that K-pop dance class at AZIT Dance Studio – we're just a short subway ride away!