Rakkojae is even more beautiful when lit up after dark. Especially, the view of the Buyongjeong guest room floating on the pond and pavilion in front of Buyongjeong, is as spectacular as the night view of Changdeokgung Palace. The shape of the Buyongjeong reflected in the pond is a scenic painting that can only be seen at night. Like the Nakdonggang River, which flows through Hahoe Village, the sound of water flowing through Rakkojae adds to the great nighttime atmosphere. A night walk at Rakkojae ends with sitting on the Toenmaru in front of your room and counting the stars while looking up at the night sky. It's the most romantic night like no other.

After you enjoyed a night full of romance, a warm and wholehearted morning awaits. The morning starts with a hearty meal of abalone porridge, grilled fish, side dishes, and dessert. The serene view outside the window and the occasional singing bird are a morning treat. Breakfast is prepared and delivered to your doorstep at the time you choose during check-in.

A 5-minute walk from Rakkojae is Hahoe Village, a popular Andong travel destination. Hahoe Village, home to the Joseon dynasty scholars Ryu Unryong and Ryu Seongryong, who served as the Yeonguijeong during the Imjin War, is a clan village where the Pungsan Ryu family has lived for more than 600 years and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010. The well-preserved wooden houses of the Joseon dynasty, including the Jonggajip, pavilions and squares, seowon and shrines, and earthen and thatched houses of the commoners, give you a realistic view of the early Joseon dynasty. Set against a backdrop of forested mountains and overlooking open farmland and the Nakdonggang River, the village is in a perfect place for relaxation and get spiritual nourishment from its surroundings.

Hahoe Village's name, "Hahoe", comes from the S-shaped terrain created by the Nakdong River as it winds its way through the village. Across the river to the south, Namsan Mountain rises from Ilwolsan Mountain, and to the east of the village, Hwasan Mountain rises from Taebaek Mountain, and gently stretches into the center of the village, stopping in the backyard of Chunghyo-dang. The shape of the Nakdonggang River as it wraps around Hahoe Village is better seen from Buyongdae, on the north side of the river. The view of Hahoe Village, with the stream of the Nakdonggang River draped over its shoulders, is a beautiful sight to behold.

Andong has long been called “Churojihyang (鄒魯之鄕),” which means “the place where people know manners and learning has perfected.” Even now, 32% of the nation's seowon are located in and around Andong. Among them, Byungsanseowon Confucian Academy, not far from Hahoe Village, is the place where Seoae Ryu Seongryong trained his later students. It was appointed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019 in recognition of its value as a Neo-Confucianism education center during the Joseon dynasty. A must-see at Byeongsanseowon Confucian Academy is Mandaeru, where 36 pillars support a wide floor. The view of Nakdonggang River from Mandaeru soothes the mind.

* Seowon: A place where Joseon dynasty scholars gathered to lecture on their studies and offer memorial services to those who died for their scholarship or integrity.

Once you've fed your head and heart with world-class heritage sites, it's time to fill your stomach. Now that we've traveled back in time to the Joseon dynasty, it’s time to try a dish from that era, Heotjesatbab. There are many stories about the origins of Heotjesatbab. A funny story is that, when the students who were reading late at night got hungry, they lied to the servants and said, "We have to perform an ancestral rite, so let's make a rite meal," and made them a false rite meal, but when the servants saw that they didn't make a rite but only shared a meal, they called it a false rite meal, “Heotjesatbab.”

Heotjesatbab is a large brass bowl of hot rice served with side dishes such as greens, salted mackerel, mung bean pancake, and steamed pollock. Similar to the supper eaten by scholars, all the flavors are mild and not over stimulating. Around the access road to Hahoe Village next to Rakkojae, there are many restaurants serving representative Andong dishes such as Heotjesatbab, Andong jjimdak, and Andong Guksi.