On our way back to Incheon from our travels to the east coast (Friday of last week), we visited a quite famous village called Hahoe. Historically it's a very important place, heavily influenced by Confucianism. The buildings are very well preserved, both roof-houses and thatched roof-houses.
The village is located on a peninsula with a river running all around it. Makes for a very tranquil scene.
Historically this place has always been regarded as a very good place in which to live.
It was quite fascinating to wander round the village streets. No street is straight; all are curved. People still live in some of the houses. The architecture of the buildings has been very well conserved and gives you a good idea of what kind of place maybe this village was to live in.
There is beautiful natural scenery here. To the east of the village is a mountain. The atmosphere is very rural and serene.
There is a very old tradition here of Mask Dance Play, and on the outskirts of the village there are many face masks carved in wood. We met a very interesting dance performer (he's in one of the pictures with me), and runs a shop selling really beautiful crafts.
Queen Elizabeth visited here in 1999, celebrating her 73rd birthday (if memory serves me correctly). She planted a tree (me pictured beside it!) Also saw photos of the two Bush presidents visiting here.
