Visit Andong Hahoe Maeul, Wolyeonggyo Bridge, and Jjimdak Alley This Lunar New Year... Gyeongbuk Culture and Tourism Corporation's Recommended Destinations for February
by Gu Daeseon
Published 03 Feb.2026 14:13(KST)
Gyeongbuk Culture and Tourism Corporation (President Kim Namil) announced on February 3 that it has selected Andong Hahoe Maeul, Wolyeonggyo Bridge, and Andong Jjimdak Alley as the recommended destinations for February in its monthly series, "Travel in Gyeongbuk Through Photos."
To coincide with the Lunar New Year holidays and the winter vacation season, the corporation is proposing a cross-generational trip to Andong under the concept of "a family trip to see tradition, walk along the riverside, and share the local flavors together."
Andong Hahoe Maeul is a traditional village nestled in a natural landscape where the Nakdong River curves around it in an S-shape. With its well-preserved Joseon-era noble residences, thatched houses, and alleyways, it is regarded as one of Korea's representative traditional cultural heritages.
The village scenery lined with tiled-roof houses, together with the surrounding pine forest and sandbank, offers different charms in each season. In winter, Hahoe Maeul greets visitors with an even quieter and more serene atmosphere.
Another great appeal is that visitors of different generations can each take away their own impressions. For children, it becomes a living experiential space where they can walk through the traditional village they have only seen in textbooks. For parents, it offers a familiar landscape that recalls the alleys of their hometown from childhood. For the older generation, the old-style Hanok houses and courtyards evoke a gentle nostalgia, making it an ideal destination for a filial trip.
Hahoe Maeul is one of the "Historic Villages of Korea" inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and its value is recognized worldwide. Walking through the village, which retains traditional architecture and ways of life in their original form, visitors can naturally come to appreciate the importance of cultural heritage.
In addition, nearby attractions such as Buyongdae Cliff and Byeongsan Seowon Confucian Academy offer wide-open views, making it easy to plan a full-day traditional culture itinerary with Hahoe Maeul at its center.
Visiting Hahoe Maeul during the major holiday of the Lunar New Year provides an opportunity to come face to face with the living spaces that have been passed down through generations and to reflect once more on the meaning of family.
Wolyeonggyo Bridge, the longest wooden pedestrian bridge in Korea spanning the Nakdong River, is one of Andong's signature nighttime walking spots. From the bridge crossing the river, you can take in the surrounding scenery at a glance, as the river with its midwinter mist and the city lights blend together to create a cozy atmosphere.
After sunset, as the lights on the bridge come on one by one, the silhouette of the bridge stretching across the water and the illumination combine to create a fantastic night view. In winter, the cold air makes the lights appear even clearer, allowing visitors to enjoy a riverside landscape with a completely different mood from the daytime.
The name Wolyeonggyo carries the meaning of "the bridge where the moon stays." On clear evenings, the moon rising over the river and the moonlight reflected beneath the bridge come together in a single scene, offering a poetic ambiance that is perfect for contemplating New Year wishes.
Around Wolyeonggyo Bridge, there are cafes, rest areas, and small exhibition spaces, making it a good place to warm up with a cup of hot tea after crossing the bridge. If you tour the traditional village at Hahoe Maeul during the day and then move on to Wolyeonggyo in the evening to walk above the river, you can enjoy a well-rounded Lunar New Year holiday course that combines tradition and night views in a single day.
The final impression of any trip is always decided by a good meal. Andong Jjimdak Alley is a must-visit gourmet stop on any trip to Andong, a street where you can taste Andong's representative local dish, Andong Jjimdak (braised chicken). Each restaurant lining the alley boasts its own secret sauce and recipe, but they all share the same hearty spread of generous portions of chicken, glass noodles, and vegetables.
Andong Jjimdak, simmered to perfection in a savory, richly flavored soy-based sauce, suits children's palates and is easy on older adults as well, making it a beloved menu item that bridges generations.
Andong Gusi Market, the traditional market where Jjimdak Alley is located, is a space where the daily life of local residents is vividly present. After your meal, you can stroll slowly through the market alleys and browse local specialties that make great Lunar New Year gifts, such as seasonal fruits, traditional Korean sweets, and nuts. The aromas of fried snacks, rice cakes, and fish cakes wafting from various stalls add to the warm, winter-market atmosphere.
Kim Namil, President of Gyeongbuk Culture and Tourism Corporation, said, "Andong Hahoe Maeul, Wolyeonggyo Bridge, and Jjimdak Alley are family-friendly destinations where tradition, nature, and gastronomy come together in harmony," adding, "We hope that during the upcoming Lunar New Year holidays, every generation of your family will come to Andong to enjoy a trip filled with shared laughter and joy."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.