Borrowing nature for one-of-a-kind keep

ANDONG, North Gyeongsang Province — Andong, a metropolis within the heart of North Gyeongsang Province, is a go-to vacation spot for a very conventional Korean expertise the place well-preserved cultural heritage abounds.

Starting from the historic Korean Confucian academy Byeongsan Seowon to the previous properties of outstanding “seonbi” — virtuous students who tried to guide lives of integrity — of the Joseon period (1392-1910), each nook of the town is a feast for the eyes.

A cluster of conventional Korean homes in Andong Hahoe People Village beckons vacationers, providing an aesthetic backdrop for guests to seize the second and take memorable images.

However, the true attraction of hanok is discovered inside the place one can really feel the serene environment that outcomes when nature is “borrowed.”

“Koreans present distinct architectural traits when designing conventional homes. The important thing characteristic is the idea of ‘borrowing’ nature, which suggests the architect introduces bushes, mountains, waterways and the solar into the home in a manner that the proprietor can breathe in nature virtually anyplace in the home,” Ahn Younger-hwan, the president of Rakkojae, a significant hanok resort model, instructed The Korea Herald on Wednesday.

Although many conventional Korean homes at well-liked vacationer locations permit abroad vacationers to take a peek inside, that’s not sufficient to convey the fantastic thing about hanok, particularly when surrounded by skyscrapers in bustling cities, in accordance with the president.

Ahn, a 21-year hanok resort veteran who began his enterprise in Bukchon Hanok Village, felt assured that Rakkojae Hahoe Hanok Resort in Andong wouldn’t solely current a one-of-a-kind hanok expertise for visitors, but additionally quench his thirst for creating hanok that come into their very own.

From the foyer lounge to the hanok-themed rooms, the resort entertains its visitors with nice surprises, from the “daedeulbo,” or large-sized wood cross beams, to the array of colourful “giwa,” conventional roof tiles.

Earlier than unpacking your bag, take time to take pleasure in a few of the antiques and relics that date again a whole bunch of years in your room, which appears to be like like a private museum.

Taking a light-weight stroll alongside a path surrounded by pine bushes might be a singular expertise, as for those who have been strolling contained in the rear backyard of Changdeokgung, a Joseon palace in Seoul.

“As Andong Hahoe People Village is correct across the nook, I felt that unusual hanok may not be sufficient to fulfill hanok lovers. This led us to reference a few of the hanok constructing designs in Changdeokgung like Nakseonjae Corridor and the pavilion, Buyongjeong,” Ahn stated.

Whereas adapting conventional hanok kinds, the resort had no alternative however to surrender corridors and elevators which can be important for visitors’ comfort.

However a one or two-minute stroll to the close by rooms and foyer delivers an sudden alternative to take emotional refuge surrounded by the chirping of mountain birds from all sides within the morning and singing of grasshoppers at night time.

If you wish to benefit from the hanok resort to the fullest, take off your footwear, stroll barefoot on the purple clay-covered strolling path and luxuriate in a calming sauna break in sauna rooms crammed with the aroma of mugwort.

“You’ll be able to take pleasure in hanok in numerous methods after studying about even the small particulars in- and outdoors the room,” Ahn instructed The Korea Herald.

“In contrast to Rakkojae Seoul Bukchon Village Hanok Resort, the place our tradition guides are on-hand to share their insights into hanok, the Andong resort will current international language catalogs for worldwide guests to allow them to have a greater understanding of our conventional Korean homes,” Ahn added, his face beaming.

Rakkojae Hahoe Hanok Resort is in its tender opening interval and is scheduled to open formally to visitors in October.