[Photo] 2000 year-old “ondol” heating system designated as an intangible cultural property

The Cultural Heritage Administration announced that the “ondol” heating system has been designated as an intangible cultural property on Mar. 16. Ondol is the traditional Korean-style heating system that utilizes heat transfer from smoke passages underneath the floor to heat a home. The ondol system spread widely throughout the Korean Peninsula during the Bronze and Iron Ages 2000 years ago.

The photo shows furnaces in the house of Gim Jeong-hui, a famous scholar who lived during the 18th century, in Yesan, South Chungcheong Province. (provided by Cultural Heritage Administration)