Andong

Korea's spiritual and cultural heartland — home to UNESCO-listed Hahoe Folk Village, ancient Confucian academies, and centuries-old traditions that have survived virtually intact into the modern age.

Must-Visit Places

• Hahoe Folk Village (하회마을) — A living UNESCO World Heritage village where aristocratic Joseon-era clan houses and thatched-roof homes still stand along a river bend; one of Korea's most photographed spots
• Dosan Seowon — Korea's most revered Confucian academy, founded by the great scholar Yi Hwang (Toegye); serene gardens and mountain backdrop
• Andong Hahoe Mask Museum — Deep dive into Korea's shamanistic mask tradition, with original masks dating back 600+ years
• Bongjeongsa Temple — One of Korea's oldest wooden buildings in a secluded mountain valley, an hour from the city
• Woryeonggyo Bridge — Korea's longest wooden pedestrian bridge, stunningly lit at night

Food & Dining

• Andong Jjimdak (안동 찜닭) — The city's most famous dish: braised chicken with glass noodles, vegetables, and a soy-based sauce; the original restaurant alley is in downtown Andong
• Heotjesabap — A rice-and-side-dish meal traditionally prepared for ancestral rites; simple, elegant, and deeply satisfying
• Andong Soju — Traditional grain distilled liquor (45% ABV) with a smooth, complex flavor — a world apart from commercial soju
• Salted mackerel (간고등어) — Andong's famous preserved mackerel, salted and transported from the coast before refrigeration existed

Must-Buy Shopping

• Andong Soju (안동소주) — Artisan-distilled soju in gift bottles, the top local souvenir
• Traditional Masks (탈) — Hand-painted replica Hahoe masks in various sizes; iconic wall decorations
• Hemp Cloth Products (삼베) — Andong is Korea's hemp weaving center; handwoven scarves, pouches, and table runners
• Andong Salted Mackerel — Vacuum-packed for travel; available at the traditional market