Ikseon-Dong Hanok Village, Traditional hanok neighborhood in downtown Seoul, South Korea.
Ikseon-Dong is a residential neighborhood in downtown Seoul with approximately 118 traditional Korean houses built in the 1930s. The buildings are connected by narrow alleys and stone-paved pathways that preserve the characteristic layout of that era.
The area was established in 1396 during King Taejo's reign as an administrative center of the Joseon Dynasty. Over centuries it gradually transformed from a formal administrative district into a residential neighborhood where people built their homes.
The restored houses now function as tea cafes, art galleries, and craft studios where visitors can watch artisans work and experience traditional Korean practices. This blend of heritage spaces and creative use keeps the neighborhood alive with both old and new activities.
The neighborhood is best visited in late afternoon or early evening when crowds are lighter and the light is softer. The nearest subway stations are within easy walking distance, giving visitors enough time to wander through all the alleys.
Pimat-gil, an ancient pathway dating to the Goryeo Dynasty, runs through the neighborhood in its original stone-paved form. This hidden route is older than the visible houses and connects the area to centuries of deeper history.
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