Seoul isn’t the only bastion of art and culture in South Korea. Way up north toward the border with North Korea amidst the harsh mountains, isolated towns, and cold blustering winds awaits a tiny enclave filled with architectural wonder, sculptural delights, and galleries galore. The Heyri Artists’ Village:
At first, this village was designed as ‘the book village’ linked Paju Publishing Town in 1997. But in the processing of the project, lots of artists in various cultural fields joined it. And the concept of the village was expanded to ‘cultural art village’.
Now above three hundred seventy members: writers, artists, cineastes, architects, and musicians are building their artistic spaces, houses, work rooms, museums, galleries. Heyri, the name of village, is quoted from the title “the Sound of Heyri” which is the traditional farming song at Paju province in Gyeonggi-do.
Heyri can be reached easily enough. You only have about a ninety minute bus ride to the village. Don’t let the guard stations, barb wire fence, or stone walls deter you. Just keep on heading north and you’ll see the signs for the village. It’s more than worth your time to spend an afternoon or morning exploring what it has to offer. Heyri isn’t you’re typical art and gallery space. The village takes a hand on approach allowing visitors to crate and craft their own pieces of art to take with them back home.
Chocolate Design Gallery
For those chocolate fiends craving the dark delights you can stop in and make a purchase or take the class and create your very own chocolate masterpieces. I’m sure they won’t last long.
Hanlip Toy Museum
Who can say no to a toy museum? Only a grinch I say. Admission costs 5,000 won. (031) 957-8470
Tium Hangul Museum
Not just a simple tie dye operation. Here you can color and style your own Tshirt. 1688-1441
Hanhyanglim Ceramic Museum
This place features a sprawling collection of ceramic pieces from Korea’s Joseon Dynasty.
The exhibit costs 3,000 won. (031) 948-1001
Museum of Musical Instruments of the World
Collections of instruments that span the globe!. Adults 5,000 won, children 4,000 won.(031) 946-9838
Gallery Mosaics
Here you can create all sorts of knick knacks from acrylic. This is a very do it yourself kind of place.
(031) 949-8946
Gallery MOA
This Gallery Is a fantastic must see building. My words won’t do it justice. Just go and see it!. (031) 949-3309
Han’s Gallery
Participation is the key! Make your own model house of paper. For a small fee of course. (016) 668-4852
Gallery Soso
This spot has a great view of the nearby hills. Frequently they have gallery exhibitions to view.
www.gallerysoso.com, (031) 949-8154
And that’s only a small sample of what you can find. With over 500 writers, sculptors, painters, and designers living and working in Heyri it’s a veritable wonderland of artistic musing, reflection and appreciation.
Directions:
Bus 2200 from Hapjeong Station in Seoul takes you to the Village
I found this article while doing a random search! Just out of curiosity, is there an ikea there too?
Sadly no, the only IKEA is through an online store that sells some of the merchandise. I’ll have to find the link!
Wonderful spot!
It really is! I need to go back now that the weather is so much nicer! What was your favorite spot?
This sounds great, i love reading your blog its helping me plan my holiday in seoul thank you.
It really is a great spot! Check it out and report back to let us know what you did.
What an amazing location and ‘get-a-way’ for creative souls! Very nice photos, too. The very idea of crate and craft for the visitors at the hands on museums and galleries would definitely be worth the 90 minute bus ride.
More and more Seoul, Korea would be a worth while, brief vacation stop.