Seongeup Folk Village, Folk museum and tourist attraction in Seogwipo, South Korea
Seongeup Folk Village is a traditional settlement in Seogwipo, on the eastern side of Jeju Island in South Korea, where people still live and work today. The houses are built from black lava stone and topped with thick thatched roofs, with narrow stone-walled lanes winding between them.
The village was established in the early 15th century as a regional administrative center during the Joseon Dynasty and kept that role for several centuries. In 1984, it was officially designated a protected cultural site by the Korean government to preserve its structures and way of life.
The stone figures known as Dolharubang stand at several spots in the village, carved from lava rock with simple faces and round eyes. They were placed at village entrances to protect the community and remain one of the most recognizable symbols of Jeju Island.
Entry to the village is free and the paths are easy to walk, though comfortable shoes are helpful on the uneven stone surfaces. Visiting early in the day gives you more time to explore before tour groups arrive.
None of the houses in the village have gates. Instead, wooden bars slotted into stone posts at each entrance tell visitors whether the family is home, away for the day, or gone for longer.
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