Antique with All Kinds of Traditional Entertainment, Taebaeksan Hanok Pension

Antique with All Kinds of Traditional Entertainment, Taebaeksan Hanok Pension

Taebaeksan Hanok Pension is located deep in the mountains of Gangwon-do. If you walk roughly 7 km along the curvy valleys from the center of Taebaek City to Yuil Temple, you can see the old-fashioned pension in the inner part of Sorotgol. The valleys adorn the front of the Taebaeksan Hanok Pension, and the mountains support its back. The tall old gate seems like a route leading to the past.

Open the gate to be welcomed by the spacious yard. The pension building with roof tiles occupies three sides of the yard. Excluding the owner’s residence, the Taebaeksan Hanok Pension consists of the main building, servants' quarters, back building, and detached building for visitors. The main building and servants' quarters have two rooms and a large double-purpose room for the kitchen and living room. There is a back building in the backyard of the main building. Next to the servants' quarters, the detached building has studio apartment-type rooms that are perfect for newlyweds or couples.

The Taebaeksan Hanok Pension building features old houses transferred from the submerged districts of Andong Dam. The most elegant houses were chosen from Jinsadaek Houses and Daegam Houses. Although 150 to 200 years old, they have aged graciously. The tiled roof, rafter, earthen wall, parquet floor, and even ondol powered by the firewood-fired furnace are just like traditional Hanoks. The only difference is the bathroom, which is located indoors for visitors’ convenience.

The Taebaeksan Hanok Pension is like a national folk museum with its assembly of classic objects collected by the owner since he was young. There are various objects only heard of in old stories told by grandfathers, such as snowshoes, threshing machines, large mortars, and miners’ hats. You can also roll out a straw mat to enjoy traditional games, such as yut or hoop.

The Arts Hall, a small detached building beside the gate, is a rest area. You can listen to music or read a book there. Its turntable has an LP for analog music or pleasant daydreams over a cup of coffee. The three bungalows (ranch house) are almost as popular as the Arts Hall, and anyone can take a nap or share conversations there. The parquet floor is ideal for cooling off with the refreshing mountain breeze and rich green mountain view.

There is a roof on top of the expansive barbecue site that conveniently blocks rain or snow. Coal and barbecue equipment are available for rent, but an extra bonus is given by the vegetable garden beside the barbecue site providing all-you-can-eat fresh vegetables, such as chili peppers, lettuce, and sesame leaves.