Bukchon is a traditional village in northern Seoul, South Korea. It is known for its traditional courtyard houses, known as hanoks, which are made of stone and timber and have low, sloping, tiled roofs.

People in Korea have been living in hanoks for thousands of years. Many hanoks were originally built by the aristocracy during the time of the Joseon Dynasty, which lasted from the end of the 14th century to the end of the 19th century. Some hanoks are still owned by descendants of the aristocracy.

Most of the hanoks in Bukchon were probably rebuilt in the 1930s.

Today, many hanoks are now tea houses, restaurants and guest houses.

If you stay in a hanok, expect to sleep on a thin mattress on the floor.

Bukchon is full of cafés and restaurants.

The Bukchon Traditional Cultural Center, which opened in 2002, was originally the home of the Min family, who took care of the finances of the Joseon Dynasty at the end of its rule.

Many alleys wind though the village.

There are many cafés, art galleries and art shop along the alley known as Samcheongdong-gil.

Samcheong Park has pine trees that are one hundred years old.

There are a number of ancient palaces around Bukchon, including Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Deoksugung Palace and Gyeonghuigung Palace.

Visitors to Bukchon will want to see Jongmyo Royal Shrine, one of the oldest Confucian shrines still in existence. Jongmyo Royal Shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.