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Andong, South Korea

Mazoto Kyio

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Andong is the home of Confucianism in Korea. During the Joseon Dynasty, Andong attracted scores of Confucian scholars becoming a pioneering city in Confucian thought. This city also contained the highest number of private schools from the Joseon Dynasty as well as Confucian schools. To this day, Andong still has around 26 private schools from the Joseon Dynasty. This city also acted as a home to the noble class during the Joseon period. Many of the homes of the noble class are still standing in Andong; some are kept up by the relatives of the original owner. Certain homes have established guest house accommodations. Two of the most famous places are Jirye Art Village and Jeonju Ryussi-musiljongtaek (Ryu noble familys estate). These are great places to experience the essence of Koreas traditional lifestyles.

Andong has become a famous tourist area ever since Queen Elizibeth visited in 1999. She spent her birthday in Andong visiting such places as Hahoe Village, Dosan Confucian School, Byeongsan Confucian School, Bongjeongsa Temple, Icheon-dong Soekbulsang (engraved Buddha on granite), Sinse-dong Chilcheeung Jeontap (7 story pagoda), Dongbu-dong Ocheung Jeontap (5 story pagoda), Ocheon relics site, Andong Folk Village, and Andong Soju Museum.

The most famous festival in Andong is the Andong Mask Dance Festival which is held every year starting the last week of September and running for 10 days. Some of Andongs most famous native foods include jjimdak (spicy steamed chicken) and heotjesatbap (bimbimbap-like dish served with vegetables traditionally used in ancestral rites ceremonies), other popular dishes are geonjinguksu (noodles), kalguksu (hand-made noodle soup), and Andong sikhye (fermented rice punch). A popular product of the region is Andong soju (Korean alcohol). Source: english.tour2korea.com