Traditional Culture Tour in Bukchon: A Feast of Quiet Romance

Travel is like training. Explore unfamiliar places and have special experiences as you continue to step forward. As such, new experiences give us healthy stimulation. Here is a traditional culture pilgrimage course where you can experience both the beauty and taste of Korea that is hard to experience.

It consists of a traditional experience where you can appreciate Buddhist culture, which is indispensable when it comes to Korean beauty, as well as Korean food, clothing, and shelter culture. Meet the Korean culture that even Koreans didn't know about and unique experiences that are more interesting to foreigners.

Travel Course

Jogyesa Temple & Central Buddhist Museum: Headquarters of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism with a 100-year History

For Seoulites, Jogyesa Temple is like a comfortable resting place. Regardless of religion, anyone can pray, and you can rest while enjoying the peaceful scenery. In particular, since it is located in the center of Seoul, it is also a popular dating course and place to visit.

Jogyesa Temple is the head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, which has continued its long tradition of Buddhist culture for 100 years. In 1910, the Buddhist world gathered their strength to establish the temple under the name of “Gakwangsa Temple,” then moved to its current location in 1937 and changed it to “Taegosa Temple,” and finally acquired the name Jogyesa Temple after the Buddhist Purification Movement in 1954.

Daeungjeon Hall, which boasts the largest scale among single-story buildings in Korea, is located within the temple. The Buddha Triad is enshrined in the hall, and the Wooden Sakyamuni Buddha, highly acclaimed academically, is to the right of the triad. One of the attractions of Jogyesa Temple is the Octagonal Eight-story Buddha Jinsinsari Pagoda, where the Buddha Jinshin Sarira is enshrined.

Jogyesa Temple is a key spot to visit, if you are looking for a traditional culture course while traveling, with a long history along with Buddhist culture. The Pagoda Tree that stands guard over Jogyesa Temple is over 450 years old and was designated as a Protected Tree by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Also, Baeksong of Jogyesa Temple, a lacebark pine has lived for more than 500 years, was designated as Natural Monument.

If you visit Jogyesa Temple, you cannot miss the Central Buddhist Museum. The Central Buddhist Museum is located on the grounds of Jogyesa Temple. Various cultural assets representing Buddhist culture and other various materials to help understand traditional Buddhist culture are on display. Admission is free all year round except during summer vacation.

The Pilgram Center “GAPI” operates Buddhist culture experience programs such as lotus making and rosary making. You can also experience traditional Buddhist cultures, such as 108 bows, tea ceremony experience, early morning prayers, and meditation through the temple stay program.

Balwoo Gongyang: Learning the Wisdom of Practitioners

“Balwoo Gongyang” is a restaurant specializing in temple food. It is the only restaurant directly operated by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. All food is made using the traditional temple cooking methods, so you can get a glimpse of the temple food culture with over 1700-year history of Korean Buddhism. In Buddhism, offerings are regarded as one of the ways of practicing. Therefore, following traditional Buddhist rituals, you can learn the wisdom of practitioners and experience a culture of saving and gratitude through the processes of cooking all the way to when you put the food in your mouth.

The course menu begins with Suljuksim, the first dish that moistens your dried mouth and helps to enhance your appetite before a meal; Juksang, which means the start of the day; Sangmi, with which you can enjoy various flavors and aromas; Dammi, with which you can taste the food texture; Youmi, which is the main food that soothes your tired mind and body; and finishes with Ipgasim, a dessert to help digestion.

Balwoo Gongyang is located on the 5th floor of the Temple Stay Integrated Information Center across from Jogyesa Temple. It is also fun to look around the temple stay public relations center on the 1st floor after the meal. This place sells traditional Buddhist tableware, “Balwoo,” and offers free programs, such as lotus lantern making, danju making, and copying of sutras. In addition, it sells various traditional souvenirs.

* What is Balwoo Gongyang? A religious practice in which monks dine using traditional tableware called balwoo.

Hansik Space E:Eum & The Sool Gallery: The Value of Unchanging Tradition

Korean food is loved by people all over the world under the name of K-Food. E:Eum is a space created by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Korean Food Promotion Institute, and the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation to publicize the excellence of Korean traditional food culture. It is operated to promote and experience Korean food culture free of charge.

When you enter, you will face the photo zone and rest area on the left. You can take pictures and relax in a space furnished with traditional sobans and quilted square cushions. On the first floor, there is the Korean Food Grand Master Center and E:Eum Cafe. You can see various traditional liquors by region and traditional foods of masters, and also purchase them if you wish. At the cafe, you can enjoy various teas and snacks. In the Korean food gallery right next door, an exhibition related to traditional Korean food with a modern vibe is held, making it even more enjoyable.

The Sool Gallery is a must-visit stop. You can explore the taste, style, and cultural value of Korean traditional liquor, Korea's representative fermented food. Anyone who makes a reservation in advance can participate in the tasting for free.

In addition, Hansik Space E:Eum has various spaces such as Hansik Library, E:Eum Hall, Hansik Learning Center, and the Korean Food Grand Master Center. The hallways leading to each space also has various exhibitions that delights the eyes. There is also a separate nursing room, so you can use it comfortably, even with small children.

Rakkojae Culture Lounge Aegaheon: Private Experience to Hear, See and Savor

Bukchon, formed by nobles during the Joseon dynasty, is a hanok village that retains its old attraction to this day. At the edge of the winding alleys of Bukchon is Rakkojae Culture Lounge Aegaheon, where you can experience traditional culture privately.

Since Aegaheon is operated 100% by reservation, admission is usually limited. Therefore, reservations are required, and you can enter by following the instructions of the staff after pressing the bell next to the gate in time for the reservation. It may feel a little burdensome compared to other experience spaces where you can come in and out most of the time, but you can enjoy it more comfortably because only the reserved number of people use the entire hanok.

The representative experience courses operated by Aegaheon include the tea ceremony and the afternoon tea course. You can choose the experience you want and book in advance. You can experience traditional Korean tea made with love and care under the guidance of the tea specialist.

Hanok Experience: Sharing, Relaxing, Healing...Joy from the Past

In Bukchon, every small alley is occupied by cozy hanoks. There are a variety of hanoks, from old-fashioned ones to sophisticated modern ones. When the sun goes down, the attractiveness of Bukchon doubles. When the moonlight falls on the roof of a quiet hanok, it feels like your mind heals itself.

It would be nice to stay in a hanok for a day and experience this romance for yourself. There are various hanok accommodations in Bukchon including hanok stays where you can enjoy a private house, hanok guesthouses where breakfast is served, hanok hotels that add convenience to the beauty of hanoks, and hanok accommodations with open-air baths where you can enjoy a spa.

Just sitting quietly on the floor of a hanok house between the antique Bukchon alleys and appreciating the moonlight will be a wonderful memory that will remain with you for a long time.

Travel Information

Public Transportation Information
[Subway] Start from Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 6 or Jonggak Station (Seoul Subway Line 1), Exit 2

Nearby Restaurants and Cafes
Pimagil Nakji Silbijip
Address: 24-18 Jong-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Inquiries: +82-2-732-7889
Main menu: Maeun Nakji Bokkeum (spicy stir-fried octopus)


Ilpumdang, Gwanghwamun Address: 25 Sejong-daero 23-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Inquiries: +82-2-733-4949
Main menu: Shabu-shabu and Sukiyaki

LUPO
Address: Center Point Building 2F, 31 Saemunan-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Inquiries: +82-507-1487-0880
Main menu: Wine, Tomahawk Steak, and Pasta

Om Restaurant, Gwanghwamun
Address: B1F, 103 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Inquiries: +82-2-723-4848
Main menu: Nepalese and Indian cuisine
300zip Jonggak

Address: 80-18 Sambong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Inquiries: +82-2-738-3001
Main menu: Kongnamul Gukbap (bean sprout and rice soup)

Anseong Ttosuni
Address: 18 Gyeonghuigung-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Inquiries: +82-2-720-5670
Main menu: Saengtae Jjigae (pollack soup)

Baekbujangjim Dalkanmari
Address: 100-1 Sambong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Inquiries: +82-2-732-2565
Main menu: Dalkanmari and Dak Doritang (spicy braised chicken)

Pho Hanoi:
Address: B1F, 33 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Inquiries: +82-2-2158-7949
Main menu: Ssalguksu (rice noodles)

Teien
Address: 14-6 Gyeonghuigung 2-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Inquiries: +82-2-733-5327

Main menu: Sashimi Bento
Gogabin Curry House
Address: 7 Gyeonghuigung 2-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Inquiries: +82-507-1466-2273
Main menu: Curry and Omelette Curry

* Credit & inquiries: KTO Tourism Exhibition Hall Management Team