Andong
Old village houses, a masked dance tradition, riverside walks and braised chicken make Andong a slow trip through traditional Korean village life.
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Andong is a city in Gyeongsangbuk-do, North Gyeongsang Province, in southeastern South Korea, on the Nakdong River. Most visitors come for Hahoe Folk Village, a riverside village of traditional houses and a UNESCO World Heritage site, reached by local bus from the city. Dosan Seowon, a Confucian academy also on the UNESCO list, is a second reason to make the trip.
The city is known for the Hahoe mask dance and for jjimdak, a braised chicken dish with glass noodles and vegetables, often eaten with Andong soju. Andong suits travelers who want old villages, slow walks and regional food more than a busy night out. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons. One or two days covers the main sights. Taxis, rental cars or a day tour reach the outlying villages and academies more easily than buses alone, and the mask dance and village houses both reward a slow pace over a checklist.
Andong in five
- Go to Hahoe Folk Village early on a weekdayHahoe is a UNESCO-listed village reached by a local bus ride from Andong city, with thatched-roof houses along a river bend. Arrive early if you want the lanes quiet.
- Set up Naver Map or KakaoMap before you travelNaver Map and KakaoMap show local bus stops and transfers in Korea, which are often easier to use than Google Maps. Set one up before you leave the airport.Phones and eSIM
- Carry won in cash for stallsSome market stalls and village snack counters take only cash, so keep some Korean won on you. Cards work at most hotels and larger restaurants.
- Take your shoes off at the door of old housesTraditional houses, including many in Hahoe, have wooden floors raised above the ground, and you take off your shoes before stepping onto them. Wear slip-on shoes so you can take them off quickly.
- Order jjimdak, Andong's braised chickenAndong is known for jjimdak, chicken braised with glass noodles and vegetables in a soy-based sauce, usually served in a shared pot. Order it for dinner.
Need to know
- Currency
- Won (KRW)
- Entry
- Entry rules depend on your passport; check the official site before you fly Read more
- Emergency
- 112 police, 119 fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+9, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, dry
- FebruaryCold, dry
- MarchCool, spring starts
- AprilMild, blossom
- MayGreen, mild
- JuneRainy season
- JulyHot, rainy
- AugustHot, humid
- SeptemberMild, dry
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberCool, dry
- DecemberCold, quiet
Right now in Andong
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
3
- Feels like
- 1°
- Humidity
- 79%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Andong
05:41 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today16°4°0%Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 16°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed16°6°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu13°9°87%Thursday: Rain. High 13°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 87%.
- Fri12°3°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat8°-1°0%Saturday: Clear. High 8°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun9°0°2%Sunday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Mon11°1°2%Monday: Clear. High 11°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 2%.
Updated 04:58 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1,333 KRW
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Hahoe Folk Villageby local bus from AndongA UNESCO-listed village of thatched houses by a river bend, and the mask museum nearby.Read the guide
- Byeongsan Seowonby car from AndongA Confucian academy with old halls and quiet courtyards, a good stop on the way to Hahoe.Read the guide
- Seoulby express bus, several hoursThe capital, for a longer trip that starts or ends with the express bus.Read the guide
Before you go to Andong
Rules for Andong, checked
- Entry rules depend on your passport. Check the requirements on the official Korea immigration site before you book.Source
- Check Korea's customs rules on medicines before you fly, and carry prescriptions in English if you can.
- Dial 112 for police and 119 for fire or an ambulance anywhere in Korea.
Plan around Andong
Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Korea trip
Read the guideGyeongsangbuk-doThe province around Andong, with its villages and seowon
Read the guideGetting around KoreaBuses, trains and car rental between Andong and other cities
Read the guideWhere to stayGuesthouses and hotels in Andong and near Hahoe
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs a visa or K-ETA before a short trip
Read the guideAndong FAQ
Is Andong worth visiting?
Yes if you want old villages, Confucian academies and a river town. It suits a slow trip of two or three days better than a rushed loop of the country.
How do you get to Hahoe Folk Village from Andong?
By local bus from Andong city. Check the bus timetable at the Andong bus stops before you go, since services change through the day.
Can you visit Andong on a day trip from Seoul?
It is possible but tight. The express bus from Seoul takes a few hours each way, which leaves little time for the villages, so an overnight stay is easier.
How many days do you need in Andong?
Two nights cover Hahoe, the city and one more site without rushing. A single day works only if you focus on Hahoe and skip the rest.
When is the best time to visit Andong?
Spring and autumn give mild days and clear views. Summer is hot and rainy, and winter is cold and quiet.
When is the Andong Mask Dance Festival?
Check the festival's official site for current dates before you plan around it.