Jeonju Hanok Village

Jeonju Hanok Village is located in the city of Jeonju and overlaps Pungnam-dong and Gyo-dong.  There are over 800 traditional Korean houses called Hanok houses.  While the rest of city has been industrialized, Hanok Maeul has not changed a bit, and still retains its old traditions.  

Jeonju Hanok village is especially beautiful for its roof curves.  The roof edges being slightly raised to the sky is unique.  Hanok houses are generally divided into two sections, Anchae and Sarangchae.  Anchae is also known as Gyusu room, and is furnished accordingly.  Sarangchae is where the men dwell, called Seonbi room.  Because men and women have to be separate, Anchae is situated deep inside the house so that it is secretive and quiet.  

Another trait of Hanok is that all the houses are heated with the ondol system, a heating system in which the floor is heated from beneath.  Since Koreans sat, ate, and slept on the floor, the floors needed to be heated.  As the heat radiates from the floor, the entire room is heated.  A part of Hanok has been set aside so that tourists can experience traditional Korean life, called Hanok Life Experience Hall.  You can enter the Seonbi room and the Gyusu room to experience the warm floor firsthandedly.  An advantage of this system is that it is warm in the winter and cool in the summer.  

The food provided is very traditional, which adds to the traditional ambience.  At Jeonju Hanok Village visitors can enjoy traditional Korean life and traditional foods like bibimbap, the most well known dish from the Jeonju region.

Gyeonggijeon Shrine

Historical Treasure No. 339, Gyeonggijeon Shrine was erected in 1410 and holds the portrait of King Tae-jo Lee, the founder of the Joseon Dynasty.  The King and his wife’s mortuary tablets are enshrined here at Jogyeong Shrine.  The structure was partially destroyed during the invasion of foreign forces from 1592~1598.  The existing structure was remodeled in 1614.  Inside Gyeonggijeon,  the portraits of King Tae-jo and other successive kings such as Sun-jong, Cheol-jong, Yeong-jo and many others can be found on display.  The carriage used to move the mortuary tablets as well as carriages used to transport dignitaries and individual chair-like carriages are also on display.  This shrine has become a popular spot for filming traditional television shows.

Jeonju Hyanggyo (Confucian School)

Jeonju Hyanggyo is a Confucian school that was established during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) and is designated historical treasure No. 379.  This was a national education center during the Joseon period.  The school was originally located at the Gyeonggijeon Shrine site, but was relocated in 1603. The mortuary tablets of seven Chinese Confucian scholars and 18 Korean scholars are enshrined in the main building of Daeseong-jeon. 

Hanbyeokdang Pavillion

Located in Jeollabuk-do province, Hanbyeokdang Pavilion has been designated Tangible Cultural Property No. 15.  In 1404, a civil official from the Joseon Dynasty built this structure as a country house.  Hanbyeokdang was built at the foot of Seungamsan Mountain with beautiful views of the Jeonjucheon River below.  A large highway has since been built nearby taking away from the natural beauty.  In the past, many writers often sought out Hanbyeokdang Pavilion to find inspiration in their writing.  The pavilion is well known for the beauty of the mountain mist flowing down the mountain, thus making it one of the 8 must sees in Jeonju.  

Pungnammun Gate

Pungnammun Gate was built during the middle of the Joseon Dynasty (1768) and is designated National Treasure No. 308.  Of the original four gates, this is the only one left standing (located in the southern portion of the city).  The structure was partially destroyed during the invasion of foreign forces from 1592-1598.  It was later rebuilt in 1978.  Jungcheung and mullu are located at the center of gate lending to the arch-like features.  The round features aid in the protection capabilities of Pungnammun Gate, as well as the overall grandeur. 

Jeonju Hanok Living Experience Center

The Jeonju Hanok Living Experience Center is a guesthouse facility located in the Jeonju Hanok Village.  This center gives the unique experience of life in a traditional style Korean house.  The center was originally a royal house that was constructed during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).  It is currently enjoyed by many for its traditional lodging facilities.  This is a great place for foreigners to experience the rich traditional culture of Korea.  The buildings are newly made in traditional style.  They me be lacking somewhat of an antique feel, but offer comfort in a traditional setting.
Visitors can enjoy chopping their own firewood to warm their traditional style rooms.  There is a special heating system (ondol) developed under floors that allows the heat to radiate through.  Here you will sleep on a cushioned comforter on the floor, allowing visitors during the winter months to fall into a deep slumber on the warm floors.  Visitors can also learn traditional folk songs, as well as participate in traditional tea parties.  Bicycles can also be ridden around the property.  Meals are included in lodging costs. 

Yangsajae (Guest House)

Yangsajae is located in the Jeonju Hanok Village and offers guest house accommodations in a traditional Korean style house. The structure originally belonged to one of the top Confucian schools from the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910).  It was named after Yangsa, Jae who taught many students here studying for their entrance exams.  Offering accommodations in a natural and traditional manner, time spent here is well worthwhile. Visitors can enjoy chopping their own firewood to warm their traditional style rooms.  There is a special heating system (known as ondol in Korean) developed under floors that allows the heat to radiate through.  There is food and tea available in the guest house area, as well as a common bathroom and shower. 

Jeondong Catholic Church

Designated National Treasure No. 288, the Jeondong Cathedral was built in 1914 in a western-style cathedral design.  This is the largest western-style structure in the Jeollanam-do and Jeollabuk-do provinces.  The outer red brick walls are quite a sight, as are the entrance way and bell tower in the winter.  The arched entranceway gives a Byzantine-like feel, while a small bell tower located in the center adds a unique beauty.  Sadly, part of the cathedral was destroyed in a 1988 fire.  

Chimyeongjasan Martyrs Ground

Martyrs’ Mountain was founded in the 1800s by persecuted Catholics in Jeonju.  Many martyrs’ are buried here, including a well-known married couple that vowed to remain virgins for eternity.  The husband of this famous couple is Jong-cheol Lee. His father is also a celebrated martyr and decided that his son should marry but stay devout and pure.
There are a total of seven members of his family buried here in the graveyard area. Other sites here include a road of crosses and a cathedral. 

Jeonju History Museum

The Jeonju History Museum opened its doors in 2002, showing the public the long and fascinating history of Korea.  The museum is divided up into different exhibits that will be on display permanently.  The first exhibit is the Donghak Farmer’s Revolution (the 1894 uprising against colonial Japan).  This event played a very important role in the development of the city of Jeonju. The second main exhibit area is dedicated to remembering the organized people’s revolt (의병운동), in which citizens spontaneously came together to fight the Japanese invasion.  There is also a special area dedicated to the independence movement where Korea gained its freedom from Japan. There are many other exhibits dedicated to key uprisings and other such important events in Korean history.  Various documents and materials are on hand for viewing, as well as a special exhibition room which has themed events.

Jeonju Korean Museum of Traditional Wine

Experience the glory of traditional Korean wine at the Jeonju Korean Traditional Wine Museum. Visitors can view the tools and machines used in the making of alcohol, as well as an exhibit on traditional wine. The most interesting areas of the museum are considered to be the alcohol preparation room and the fermentation room.  These two rooms allow the visitors to hear amplified sounds of the alcohol during the fermentation process, thanks to speakers located throughout the rooms, plus visitors can enjoy the alluring aromas of traditional Korean liquor.  On the first and third Saturday of each month people can try their hand at making traditional alcohol, and on the second and fourth Saturday of each month visitors can take part in traditional alcohol tasting gatherings.

Jeonju Traditional Craftworks Exhibition Hall

The Jeonju Traditional Craftworks Exhibition Hall allows people to see the beauty of traditional Korean crafts, as well as giving visitors the opportunity to make their own. This center consists of a Craft Hall, Special Exhibition Hall, and an Experience Hall.  The Experience Hall lets visitors create their own personal masterpieces. People can learn firsthand about the art of mulberry paper, pottery, woodwork, embroidery, and other traditional crafts.  At the Craft shop, people can buy souvenirs produced by master artisans.

Gangam Calligraphy Museum

The Gangam Calligraphy Museum opened in 1995 and is situated in the Jeonju Hanok Village area.  The displays on exhibit here include over 1,000 works from such famous artists as Jeong-hui Kim (1786-1856 calligrapher/painter, scholar), Sam-man Lee (1770-1845, calligrapher), Hong-do Kim (1745-?, artist), and Yak-yong Jeong (1762-1836, scholar).  This museum measures 872m2 and includes an exhibition and seminar area, as well 1,162 works of art throughout the museum.

Jeonju Treasures Center

For those people looking for high quality craftsmanship in the Jeonju area, the Jeonju Treasures Center is the place to shop.  Traditional fans are sold at Seonjacheong, products made of traditional Korean paper are sold at Hanjigwan, and woodenware and various other products are sold at Omokdae.  This is a great place to check out, even if you aren’t intending to buy.

Jeonju Traditional Culture Center

The Jeonju Traditional Culture Center offers visitors the chance to see various traditions of cultures, plus experience these cultures at them firsthand.  Pansori, Minyo, traditional dances and performances are all open for the public to enjoy throughout the year.  Jeonju’s most famous food, bibimbab (rice with mixed vegetable) and other Korean cuisines can be sampled at The Hall for Traditional Restaurants.  Traditional wedding ceremonies can also be held at the Traditional Wedding Hall.

Deokjin Park

Deokjin Park is centered around Deokjin Lake.  During the summer months, the lake is overcome with lotus flowers.  The park fills up with visitors during its annual festival held to admire the beauty of the flowers.  A suspension bridge stretches across the middle of the lake offering up-close views of the lotus flowers.  Daily fountain shows can be enjoyed by all.