Geumso Village in Andong, the hometown of Andongpo hemp fabric with a thousand-year history, is poised to captivate visitors with a newly unveiled array of tourism offerings. Spearheaded by Andong City and organized by the Andongpo Weaving Village Preservation Association, a National Intangible Cultural Heritage organization, the "Creating Living Historic Houses" project aims to leverage the village's venerable old residences, picturesque waterways, and the unique resource of Andongpo, a significant intangible cultural asset of Korea, to deliver unforgettable experiences.
Located just 20 minutes from downtown Andong in Imha-myeon, Geumso Village has long been cherished for its abundant nature and warm hospitality, aptly named 'Geumsu (錦水),' meaning a beautiful stream like spread silk, or 'Geumyang (錦陽),' signifying a warm, sunny land. Notably, this historic village steadfastly upholds the tradition of Andongpo weaving, recognized as Gyeongsangbuk-do Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 1 and National Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 140. It serves as a precious space where the dedicated craftsmanship of artisans who have silently preserved this heritage for generations can be keenly felt.
The revitalized Geumso Village tourism products for 2024 uniquely blend the value of this traditional culture with the pristine beauty of nature, contemporary travel trends, and artistic sensibilities. Going beyond mere sightseeing, the programs are designed to allow visitors to directly experience the village's history and culture, interact with local residents, and forge special memories.
Among the flagship offerings is 'Geumyang Yeonhwa (錦陽年華): The Most Beautiful Days in Geumso,' a 1-night, 2-day program scheduled every Friday and Saturday, or Saturday and Sunday, from May 14th to October 26th. Participants will have the exclusive opportunity to craft traditional Makgeolli rice wine alongside the third-generation representative of the approximately 110-year-old Imha Brewery. Furthermore, a cooking class where guests prepare and savor a refined village-style home-cooked meal using fresh, locally sourced ingredients with a regional chef promises not just a meal, but a delightful time of understanding and connecting with the local culture.
Diverse experiential programs utilizing the byproducts of hemp, the precious raw material of Andongpo, also draw attention. Creating and floating luminous lanterns on the waterway offers a romantic experience, while handcrafting eco-friendly hemp tea strainers provides a unique opportunity to deepen understanding of traditional culture. In the evening, a traditional tavern will operate, allowing guests to relish local specialties amidst the village's charming ambiance, adding to the rich enjoyment.
Moreover, Geumso Village's historic houses are transforming into special spaces where art and culture converge. From May 14th to 29th, a distinctive exhibition by fashion designer Baek A-ran, known for creating outfits for global pop star Rihanna, will showcase a harmonious blend of the historic houses' classical beauty and contemporary artistic flair. Concurrently, exhibitions by artist Lee Do-kyung, who will beautifully adorn the traditional Korean verandas with natural materials and delicate needlework, and a launch exhibition of innovative new products utilizing hemp seed oil, a local specialty of Geumso Village, will provide visitors with a wealth of visual delights.
Summer and autumn will bring further captivating programs. From August 23rd to October 26th, a special village cinema will screen short films capturing the village's beautiful scenery and heartwarming stories. Additionally, a unique dinner show held once a month, featuring a delicious meal and high-quality performances based on intriguing local narratives, will transform evenings in Geumso Village into unforgettable memories.
Beyond the multifaceted 'Geumyang Yeonhwa' package, Geumso Village plans to continuously develop and introduce 'Historic House Camping,' offering a novel form of traditional residence travel, and 'ESG Small City Travel,' an initiative to explore the village's hidden stories and beautiful ecological environment. These endeavors aim to realize the value of sustainable tourism and raise awareness about local communities and the environment, moving beyond simple sightseeing.
Nam Sang-ho, Head of the Tourism Policy Division of Andong City, stated, "The 'Creating Living Historic Houses' project is a crucial undertaking to attract tourists by utilizing long-vacant historic houses, inject new vitality into the region, and proactively address the crisis of rural depopulation. We hope that visitors to Geumso Village will fully experience the unique beauty and rich artistic sensibility of these historic houses and create special memories."
With the serene charm of millennium-old historic houses, the beauty of nature, and diverse cultural and artistic experiences harmoniously intertwined, Andong Geumso Village is poised to become not just a tourist destination, but an enchanting space that offers profound inspiration and extraordinary experiences to all who visit.
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