May 1 - 25 (Part 14) From Ancient Clan Villages to Sacred Mountains: Yangdong & Haeinsa
May 15th: From Gyeongju to the Mountains of Gaya Leaving our hanok stay and our kind hostess, Jeong Hee, after two beautiful days in Gyeongju felt a little sad. But new adventures were waiting. After a delicious homemade breakfast prepared by our hostess, we checked out and drove to Yangdon Folk Village. The village lies about 16 kilometers northeast of Gyeongju, towards Pohang, along the peaceful Hyeongsangang River. Yangdong Village is the largest traditional clan village in Korea. More than 150 historic buildings remain here: houses, shrines, pavilions and study halls, all built in the traditional Korean style. The village was founded in the late 15th century by two powerful clans: the Gyeongju Son clan and the Yeoju Yi clan. What makes this village so special is that it is not a museum, but a living community. Families still live here today, continuing traditions that date back to the Joseon dynasty. In the Joseon period (1392–1910), clans were structured around a patriarch and...