The House

The traditional Korean country house features a distinctive roof, but you have to get up close to observe specific details such as the tiles affixed to the four lower corners.  In past centuries roof tiles have been distinctive works of art and this tradition is still carried on.  The National Museum of Korea features a small but impressive collection of tiles donated by a Japanese collector. As you travel through the Korean countryside you will notice that even the smaller cities are dotted with clusters of ugly, bland apartment buildings with giant numbers printed on the side.  When you get out of the car or the bus or train, spend some time among the more traditional houses which still feature classic Korean architectural styles.