How To Visit Bukchon Hanok Village Like A Local? Updated

Thinking about wandering around Bukchon Hanok Village but do not have any idea about map, directions, best time to visit and tips? If yes, your worry ends here. Bukchon village is a residential neighborhood located in Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea.

Hanok word is basically deprived from restored traditional Korean houses. This has made this village a top tourist destination. Back in 2024, village welcomed around 4 million visitors while the residents are numbered only 6,100.

In this blog post, we are going to share how to get there & explore like a local with directions, map & tips.

Where is Bukchon Hanok Village Located?

Between two of the city’s most famous landmarks i.e., Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace, Bukchon village is located in Seoul. Also, Jongno-gu is the other location which tells tourists about its direction.

How to Get There?

One of the easiest and most accessible ways to get there is via Seoul’s subway system. This subway system is tourists-friendly, clean and efficient. The closest subway station is Anguk Station (Line 3 – Orange Line). At station:

Take exit 2. When you take the exit, you will easily find signs heading you toward Bukchon Village.
From exit, you just need to walk for 2-3 minutes to enter into village.

Pro Tip

Most of the locals use this route because this is a direct route especially if you are coming from central Seoul or tourist hubs like Myeongdong or Dongdaemun.

Bukchon Hanok Village Address & Map

Address in Korean (for taxis or Naver Map):

서울특별시 종로구 계동길 37

(37, Gye-dong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul)

Here is a Google map to help you get there.

Parking Information

If you want to reach here by driving a car, parking is available but space is limited and fills quickly. At Anguk Station, public parking is available but if you want to get parking slot, reach immediately. Most locals prefer public transportation so you can go for this option as well.

Is there Any Other Way to Navigate Village?

Yes, the following are few landmarks that helps you navigate village easily. Here’s how.

Changdeokgung Palace- 5-min walk east.
Gyeongbokgung Palace – 10-min walk west.
Insadong Street – 7-min walk south.

What is the Best Time to Visit Like a Local?

Time	Details	Local Tips
Early Morning	8:00 AM – 10:00 AM	Quietest time, perfect for photography without tourists.
Late Afternoon	4:00 PM – 6:00 PM	Golden hour light; fewer crowds as tours start to end.
Weekdays (Mon–Thu)	Much less crowded than weekends.	Visit midweek for a peaceful, local-style experience.
Weekends (Sat–Sun)	Busy with tourists and local families.	Arrive early or avoid entirely if you prefer quiet.
Spring (Mar–May)	Cherry blossoms, mild weather, beautiful hanok scenery.	Peak season. Arrive early to beat flower-chasers.
Summer (Jun–Aug)	Hot and humid; less crowded but less comfortable.	Visit early morning or bring an umbrella and lots of water.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)	Crisp air, vivid fall foliage, arguably the most scenic time to visit.	Popular with locals, weekdays are ideal for foliage walks.
Winter (Dec–Feb)	Quiet, with snow-dusted rooftops if you’re lucky.	Wear layers and enjoy the peaceful, cozy vibe of hanok in winter.

What to Bring & Wear While Visiting?

Undoubtedly traditional Hanok village is full of charm, unique Korean culture, tea houses, royal palaces and cultural centers. If you want to explore like a local, you need to dress smartly.

What to Wear?

Comfortable Shoes: The village’s inclines and cobblestone paths are not heel-friendly so it is best to wear comfortable walk8ing shoes. You can wear sneakers or flat shoes for maximum comfort.

Light Clothing: Seoul region normally gets hot & humid so it is good to wear comfortable and breathable clothing. Also, it is good to bring hats & sunglasses especially when you visit in the summer.

Warm Layers & Coat: Except summer, you need to bring a warm jacket, gloves and scarf. Due to shaded streets and narrow alleys, the atmosphere becomes chilly.

Hanbok: A traditional Korean clothing but it is option for tourists. Needed when they want to click shots in traditional Korean clothes for cultural touch.

What to Bring?

Water Bottle: To stay hydrated, it is must to bring water bottle with you. This is because you have to walk for long time and when bottle gets empty, you can refill from any café.

Sun protection: Long walks are impossible without adequate sun protection. Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen is essential.

Umbrella: It maybe Koreans culture to carry umbrellas while strolling around streets. Or maybe they carry to protect themselves from extreme weather conditions.

Camera or Smartphone: To capture memories in the form of photographs and videography, do not forget to bring camera or smartphone. Also, make sure your devices are fully charged.

Self-Guided Local Walking Route

You can take guided Bukchon Hanok Village tour but nothing beats than taking a self-guided route for better exploration. With self-guided route, you can explore almost all that other tourists often miss. Let’s take a look at self-guided route-presented by local. Start your Journey from Anguk Station (Line 3, Exit 2).

Stop 1: Bukchon Cultural Center

One of the perfect starting points. This point will offer you a brief history of area, cultural spots and free maps of the village.

Local Tip: Must get walking map from here as sometimes map highlights quite narrow streets like 11^th street and famous picture-click spots.

Stop 2: Gahoe-dong Alleyway (Bukchon 31 Viewpoint)

You have probably seen this spot on Instagram or other social media platforms. Gahoe-dong Alleyway gives beautiful view of traditional hanoks with Namsan Tower in the distance. Go early in the morning.

Local Tip: In surrounding homes, residents live so do not make a noise.

Stop 3: Baek In-je House Museum

This is located in a peaceful street, a restored hanok allows you to explore the ancient life of 20^th century. Entry is totally free without any required time limit of stay. From courtyard, you can enjoy beautiful views of rooftop.

Stop 4: Local Artisan Shops & Handicrafts

When you walk further, you will get access to multiple shops like:

Handmade jewelry stores
Rental shops
Traditional stationery shops
Coffee shops
Ceramics and pottery from Korean artists

Enjoy shopping of local and handmade items from these shops.

Stop 5: Hanok Cafés Hidden in the Lanes

There are various hanok style cafes in this village. You can take break at any of the famous café to enjoy delicious lunch. Most restaurants are quiet and comes with beautiful outside views of surroundings.

Local Tip

In summer, try iced omija tea (five-flavor berry).
In winter, try a warm cup of yuja-cha (citron tea).

Other Essential Information You Need to Know

Best street in Bukchon Hanok Village	24/7, 365 days a year Restricted visiting hours, from 5PM to 10AM (Only for tourists).
Bukchon Hanok Village entrance fee	No entrance fee.
Bukchon Hanok Village opening hours	Street located on the main road, Bukchon-ro.

Ending Words!

Strolling around Bukchon Hanok Village lets you explore the traditional northern village culture with hanok atmosphere, traditional architecture, Korean history and art galleries.

This is not only about village vibe but also more than that in the form of friendly locals & memorable vibe.

We hope you enjoyed this blog post and learned almost everything you need to know about for your next tour to Bukchon village.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where you can capture the best Bukchon Hanok Village photos?

Cultural centers
Hilltop views
Alleyways & streets
Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung Palaces

2. What is Bukchon Hanok Village history?

Later back, it was a traditional area of the nobility during Joseon period. However, back in 1930, the districts were expanded and urban structure was changed.