Official / Local Name하동
Region / ProvinceNorth Gyeongsang (Gyeongju)
PopulationOfficial Municipality
Coordinates35.8019°N, 129.3151°E · 182 m
Overview
Set at 182 m elevation amid the highland valleys of Gyeongju (North Gyeongsang), Ha-dong (하동, pop. Official Municipality) is a gateway for Korean ridge hikes, valley temples, and autumn foliage drives.
| Official / Local Name | 하동 (Ha-dong) |
|---|---|
| Region / Province | North Gyeongsang · Gyeongju |
| Population | Official Municipality |
| Elevation | 182 m above sea level |
| Nearest Rail / Subway Station | Bulguksa Station (불국사역) (3.4 km) |
| Nearby Landmarks & Sights | Minsokgongyechon (민속공예촌) (0.5 km) · Deokbongjeongsa (덕봉정사) (1.3 km) · Saritap (사리탑) (1.9 km) · Bulguksa (불국사) (2.0 km) |
| Local Neighborhoods & Sub-Areas | Keunmaeul (큰마을) (0.6 km), Bunjeommaeul (분점마을) (1.0 km), Jeommaeul (점마을) (1.4 km), Jeoldeogol (절더골) (1.5 km), Jeolmaeul (절마을) (2.0 km) |
| Neighboring Municipalities | Jinhyeon-dong (진현동) (2.6 km) · Gujeong-dong (구정동) (2.7 km) · Bulguk-dong (불국동) (3.0 km) · Doji-dong (도지동) (3.7 km) · Cheongun-dong (천군동) (3.9 km) |
Getting There & Local Transit
Nearest rail/transit hub: Bulguksa Station (불국사역) (3.4 km). KTX/SRT to Gyeongju, Pohang, Andong (KTX-Eum), and Gimcheon-Gumi stations. Tap a nationwide T-money card on local buses and subways, and search "하동" in Naver Map or KakaoMap for real-time directions.
What to See & Do
- Minsokgongyechon (민속공예촌) (0.5 km) — Ha-dong (하동)
- Deokbongjeongsa (덕봉정사) (1.3 km) — Ha-dong (하동)
- Saritap (사리탑) (1.9 km) — Ha-dong (하동)
- Bulguksa (불국사) (2.0 km) — Ha-dong (하동)
Local Food & Regional Specialties
- Hearty regional 국밥 (Gukbap rice soup) and handmade 칼국수 (Kalguksu knife-cut noodles) simmered with anchovy, radish, and seasonal greens from North Gyeongsang.
- Charcoal-grilled local pork belly (Samgyeopsal), marinated short ribs (Galbi), and savory 해물파전 (scallion and seafood pancakes) served at family-run 식당 (Sikdang, ₩9,000–₩16,000).
- Earthenware-aged 된장 (Doenjang soybean paste) and 고추장 (Gochujang), sun-dried regional produce, traditional 한과 (Hangwa rice sweets), and local brewery 생막걸리 (unpasteurized draft Makgeolli).
- Locals gather for weekday 백반 (Baekban home-style lunch sets, ₩9,000–₩12,000) where every table receives 6–10 complimentary refillable banchan side dishes, and browse the traditional 5-day market (오일장) for seasonal harvest specialties. Across Ha-dong (pop. 12,000) in Gyeongju, neighborhood alleys combine family-run soup and BBQ spots with modern Korean bakery-cafes.
Best Time to Visit
Apr–May, Oct–Nov. North Gyeongsang → · 3,651 All Cities →