The Korean Culture Notebook

A hanok is a traditional Korean house. For a first visit, the useful question is not simply whether a building looks old, but how its rooms, courtyard, and materials work together. Before booking, check three details in the specific room listing: where you will sleep, whether the bathroom is private, and whether the route from the entrance has steps. Ask the host about any detail that the photographs do not show. On this page Start with the house, not the postcard Three things to notice on a visit A booking checklist for American travelers Visit respectfully without guessing the rules Floor heating does not tell you what the bed is like Common questions Source and a useful next step 1. Start with the house, not the postcard The Korea Tourism Organization describes traditional homes with both tiled and thatched roofs. Wood framing, paper-covered surfaces, and underfloor heating are among the features it explains. Many hanok still in use have modern facilities, so “traditional” does not ...