Can I still visit Bukchon Hanok Village? I heard there are new rules.

Yes, you can still visit Bukchon Hanok Village. But the rules changed in March 2025 and many tourists are not aware yet. The main alleys (the ones featured in Instagram photos) are now closed to visitors from 5 PM to 10 AM. That means you can only walk through between 10 AM and 5 PM. There are actual barriers and volunteer guards at the entrances. Drones are completely banned. The reason for these restrictions is that residents were severely impacted by tourism, with people peering into windows, sitting on private doorsteps, and making noise late at night. Etiquette to keep in mind: - The hanok houses are private homes, not museums. Do not touch the doors or gates. - Keep your voice down. This is a residential neighborhood. - The yellow lines on the ground mark areas where you should not stand for photos. They exist because those spots block residents from entering their own homes. - There are public restrooms near the Bukchon Traditional Culture Center. Please use those instead of asking residents. Best times to visit: go on a Tuesday or Wednesday, arrive right around 10 AM when they open the barriers. The light is beautiful in the morning, and the crowds do not get bad until around noon. Avoid weekends entirely if you can. By 2 PM on weekends it is extremely crowded. For the best photo spots that do not bother residents, we recommend Bukchon 5-gil and 6-gil. The views looking down toward Changdeokgung Palace are stunning and those streets are wider. There are also several hanok cafes and cultural experience centers in the area specifically designed for visitors. You can do a tea ceremony, try on hanbok, or do traditional crafts. The area around Anguk Station exit 2 has a helpful tourist information booth with a map showing which areas are open and which are restricted. Grab that map before you start walking.