Andong: The Heart Of Tradition & Serenity In South Korea

Have you always wanted to know more about Korea’s folk culture and experience it for yourself? Then Andong should be on your travel itinerary! Follow me as we discover a city filled with tradition, festivities and wonder!

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Andong in a few words

The town of Andong can be described as a “museum”, thanks to its rich history dating back to the Neolithic period. Here, traditions and the past have been carefully preserved, allowing visitors to experience Korean culture to the full. To travel to Andong is to stroll in the spirit of the past while sailing in the charms of the new!

Best time to go

If you want to experience the joy and lifestyle of Andong at its best, I recommend going during the Andong Maskdance Festival, which takes place every year from late September to early October (10 days). Bear in mind that, as this is a worldwide and free event, accommodation tends to fill up pretty quickly, so it’s best to book a place to stay several months before the festival. The same applies to train tickets (bus tickets are easier to obtain).

Best things to do in Andong

1. Assist to the Andong Maskdance Festival (안동국제탈춤페스티벌)

When: from the end of September to the first week of October (you can check the dates on the official website here)
Where: everywhere in Andong

The Andong Masked Dance Festival is an event where you’ll have the opportunity to discover the famous traditional masked dance (which is a cultural heritage), but also other diverse festivities such as shows, competitions, including foreign masked dances.

This festival is an excellent way to understand the heritage and philosophy of this constantly evolving city, but also, and above all, to have fun!

Fun fact: each mask represented a distinct character and the dances were often a satire of the caste system.

Here is a little preview of my experience during the festival:

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Une publication partagée par Gin (@afreesoulabroad)

2. Visit Andong Gu Market (안동구시장)

Address: 55 Beonyeong 1-gil, Seobu-dong, Andong-si

I feel that a visit to any city in Korea isn’t complete until you’ve wandered the aisles of the local market. And Andong is no exception, as this traditional market will delight your senses. Here, you can spend hours sampling all the city’s dishes (to which I’ll return later).
Delicious restaurants, fresh local produce and authenticity await you!

3. Admire the beauty of Manhyujeong Pavilion (만휴정)

Address: 42 Mukgyehari-gil, Giran-myeon, Andong-si
How to get there: from 노하동입구 (5mn walk from the bus terminal), take bus 610 for almost 2hr and stop at Manhyujeong (만휴정).
Entrance fee: 1,000 KRW (less than a dollar)

Built in 1500, this pavilion is the ideal place to relax and surround yourself with nature. With its waterfalls, bridge and tranquil setting, this charming, picturesque spot is a must-see in Andong.
And for k-drama fans, this place became very popular thanks to Mr. Sunshine, as it’s in this scene that Eugene confesses his love to Ae-sin.

4. Walk to Woryeonggyo Bridge (월영교)

Address: 569 Sanga-dong, Andong-si

From downtown, this is my ideal walk to explore the beauty of Andong. Stroll along the Nakdong River, enjoy nature and fresh air on its landscaped paths and relax under its pavilion.

The place is never crowded, so you can relax and admire the views without having to rush. If you get the chance, visit at night for an even more magical experience!

The legend surrounding the bridge says that a woman made a pair of shoes from her own hair in memory of her late husband, and that the shape of the bridge was designed as a “mituri” (미투리): traditional Korean woven shoes.

Fun fact: it’s said that if you cross the bridge with your lover, you’ll experience eternal love!

5. Taste the famous Jjimdak (찜닭)

Soju may be one of Andong’s specialties, but it’s not the only one! The most popular of them all: Jjimdak!
This dish of braised or steamed chicken, accompanied by vegetables marinated in ganjang sauce and glass noodles, is a real treat for the taste buds. Comforting, delicious and satisfying, this specialty is truly an essential part of your Andong experience!

For a tastier meal, head to Jjimdak Alley and eat at Jonggajjimdak (종가찜닭) located in Andong Gu Market.

Where to sleep

If you’re on a budget and looking for an affordable, comfortable and pleasant place to sleep, here’s my address:

• Haru The Guesthouse: simple but comfortable rooms in a great location, especially if you’re coming for the festival. Breakfast is included and makes it easy to meet people! All in all, a pleasant stay and good value for money.

How to get to Andong

Depending on your city of departure, here’s some information to help you plan your trip:

From Seoul

• By KTX (high-speed train):
  It will cost you between $17 and $20 for a 2.5-hour journey from Seoul station to Andong.
• By bus:
  From east Seoul to Andong, the journey takes 2h40 and costs $16.

From Busan

I recommend taking the bus, as it’s easier (no transfer) and more comfortable. The journey takes 2 hours and costs $15.

From Daegu

Same as Busan, take the bus from Daegu North and expect the journey to take around 1h15 for a total of $6.

From Daejeon

Located less than an hour from Seoul, if you decide to take the bus from Daejeon, it shouldn’t take you more than 2 hours and costs around $14.

> You can consult these two websites before you leave and book your tickets here too (Korail and TxBus).

In a nutshell

Andong may not at first appear on the visitor’s list, and that’s probably what makes it so charming. Here you’ll find a town full of tradition, history, memories and serenity, surrounded by a rather wonderful natural environment. But don’t be fooled, because if you come at festival time, you’ll see that the peaceful town is transformed into a lively, vibrant and joyful place!

Want to visit another little-known city? Here’s my guide to the beautiful Daegu!

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