Bukchon Hanok Village

Hanok Hideaways

The creak of old wooden floors.  The sliding of beautifully crafted doors.  The upward curves of tiled roofs and the enchanting calm of courtyards.  Hanok, or traditional Korean houses, are delightful dwellings where those who enter them can’t help but be hypnotized by their charm.  Constructed in accordance with nature and geographical location, hanoks were …

Bonum 1957: A Modern Hotel in the Historic Heart of Seoul

One of the great things about Seoul is that it offers a little something for everyone. This also rings true when it comes to accommodation options. And while there are plenty of comfortable spaces to set up camp during your stay in Korea, few are as quaint and conveniently located as Bonum 1957. Situated in …

Preserving the Past

These days, I’ve had a hard time putting down Peter Hessler’s Oracle Bones, a book that explores the recent rapid changes of China’s politics, economy, and culture. I just finished a chapter which investigates the Chinese government’s lack of effort to preserve traditional architecture, especially that of the hutong, water alleyways bordered by courtyard homes. …