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Andong, South Korea
Andong has been the center of Korean Confucianism for centuries, and its Hahoe Folk Village — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — has been continuously inhabited by descendants of the original Joseon Dynasty yangban (aristocratic) families for over 600 years. The village, set in a dramatic loop of the Nakdong River, preserves the original social hierarchy in its architecture — tiled-roof yangban houses in the center, thatched commoner homes at the edges. The Hahoe Mask Dance Drama, performed since the 12th century, uses carved wooden masks to satirize the elite — a rare outlet for social criticism in Confucian society.
explore by interest
The Hahoe Mask Dance performs on weekends from March through November — check the schedule. Hahoe Village is 25km from Andong city. Some villagers open their homes to visitors — approach with respect. Try Andong jjimdak (braised chicken), a local specialty.
April through June and September through November. Cherry blossoms in April and autumn foliage in October-November are spectacular. The Andong Mask Dance Festival in late September is the city's biggest cultural event.