Best Things To Do In Jeonju, South Korea

1. Jeonju Hanok Village

Designated as an International Slow City in 2010, Jeonju Hanok Village (전주한옥마을) is the top attraction to visit in Jeonju. Escape from the bustle and hustle of stressful city life in Jeonju Hanok Village, which is home to over 800 Korean traditional houses where people still live. Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere in the village, a stark contrast with the modern city around it. Check out the delicate handicraft shops, traditional Korean food alongside modern indie cafes. Go slow to fully immerse in the quaint feel of this traditional village that blends harmoniously with nature.

Jeonju Hanok Village (전주한옥마을)

Address: 29, Eojin-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do

Opening Hours: Always open

Price: free admission

Access: 10-minute taxi ride from Jeonju Bus Terminal, cost about 4,000 KRW (3.55 USD)

Contact: +82 632821330

Website: Jeonju Hanok Village (Korean only)

2. Gyeonggijeon Shrine

Constructed in 1410, Gyeonggijeon Shrine is home to the portrait of King Taejo, founder of the Joseon Dynasty. The structure you see now was remodeled in 1614 as the original structure was partially destroyed during Imjin War (1592-1598). Designated as Historical Site No. 339, Gyeonggijeon Shrine contains many noteworthy artefacts, including memorial portraits and ancestor tablets of the Yi royal family, as well as carriages used to transport dignitaries.

Gyeonggijeon Shrine (경기전)

Address: 44, Taejo-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do

Opening Hours: March-October: 9 am - 7 pm; November-February: 9 am - 6 pm. Last admission: 1 hour before closing

Price: 3,000 KRW (2.65 USD) per adult, 2,000 KRW (1.75 USD) per teenager, 1,000 KRW (0.85 USD) per child. Free admission on certain national holidays

Access: 2-minute walk from Jeondong Catholic Church (Hanok Village) Bus Stop. Buses available: 119, 684

Contact: +82 632871330

3. Jeondong Catholic Cathedral

Located at the edge of Jeonju Hanok Village, the Jeondong Catholic Cathedral (전주 전동성당) stands out amidst the traditional Korean houses. The awe-inspiring church was built in honor of Roman Catholic martyrs of the Joseon Dynasty on the exact spot they lost their lives, outside Pungnammun Gate. As the first Romanesque building in the Honam region, Jeondong Catholic Cathedral bears an astounding resemblance to the famous Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul. Both churches were designed by Priest Poinel in the early 1900s, using a special combination of Byzantine and Romanesque architectural styles.

Not only is Jeondong Catholic Cathedral one of the oldest Catholic churches in Korea, it is also one of the most beautiful Catholic churches in the country. Do not just admire the church’s gray and red-bricked exteriors. Enter the beautiful church to marvel at its equally grand interiors. An interesting fact to note: some of the bricks used in the church’s construction were made using materials from the Jeonjueupseong Fortress, which was torn down by the Japanese during the Japanese rule.

Jeondong Catholic Cathedral (전주 전동성당)

Address: 51, Taejo-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do

Price: free admission

Access: short walk from Jeondong Catholic Church (Hanok Village) Bus Stop. Buses available: 5-1, 5-2, 19, 60, 79, 109, 119

Contact: +82 632843222

Website: Jeondong Catholic Cathedral (Korean only)

4. Jaman Art Village

Nowadays, there is a growing number of mural villages in Korea, to attract visitors to the area. Jeonju has also caught onto this trend, and you can find colorful murals painted on the buildings and walls as you tour the Jaman Art Village (자만벽화마을). Have fun posing with the different themed murals for lots of lovely shots in the village. Do take care to lower your voices when roaming around, as it is a residential neighborhood. You can also enjoy panoramic views of Jeonju Hanok Village at Jaman, as it is located up a steep slope along the foot of Seungamsan Mountain.

Jaman Art Village (자만벽화마을)

Address: 1-10, Jamandong 1-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do

Opening Hours: Always open

Price: free admission

Access: Across the street from Girin-daero Hanbyeognu Bus Stop. Buses available: 163, 190, 191, 429

Website: Jaman Art Village

5. Jeonju Hanji Museum

Jeonju Hanji Museum (전주한지박물관) is Korea’s first paper museum, housing an extensive collection of 3,000 artifacts and a database documenting the long history and superiority of Korean paper (Hanji). Do not dismiss it as yet another museum showcasing dusty artifacts with lengthy information boards. The Korean paper museum incorporates modern technology into its displays for an interesting tour.

Enjoy interactive audio-visual shows documenting the history of Hanji. Not only can you watch how Hanji is handmade from the bark of the native Paper Mulberry tree, you can also try making it yourself with the help of the Hanji master for free. At the end of the tour, grab some exquisite Hanji souvenirs at affordable prices in the little gift shop.

Jeonju Hanji Museum (전주한지박물관)

Address: 59, Palbok-ro, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do

Opening Hours: 9 am - 5 pm. Last admission 30 minutes before closing. Closed on Mondays, 1st Jan, Seollal and Chuseok

Price: free admission

Access: 7-minute walk from Palbok Namnyang Apartment Bus Stop. Buses available: 211, 215, 225, 231, 235, 241, 245, 251, 291

Website: Jeonju Hanji Museum

6. Deokjin Park

Enough of architectural and cultural gems in Jeonju. Let’s head outdoors for some refreshing change at the beautiful city park - Deokjin Park (덕진공원). Spanning an area of 13,000 square meters (139,931 square feet) set around a large natural pond dating back to the Goryeo Dynasty, the vast green space is an oasis in the city. During summer from mid-July to early August, it is especially popular and crowded with visitors who come to check out the pretty lotus flowers in bloom. Outside the lotus blossom season, Deokjin Park continues to mesmerize visitors with its tranquil natural beauty. The giant pedestrian suspension bridge in the middle of the pond certainly makes the perfect spot for awesome photos anytime.

Deokjin Park (덕진공원)

Address: 390, Gwonsamdeuk-ro, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do

Opening Hours: Always open

Price: free admission

Access: short walk from Deokjin Park Bus Stop. Available bus: 337

Contact: +82 632392607

Website: Deokjin Park

7. Jeonju Nambu Traditional Market

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If you don’t already know, Jeonju has been appointed an UNESCO City of Gastronomy in May 2012. That means you should expect to sink your teeth into plenty of good food alongside all the alluring sights in Jeonju! A great place to start your hunt for good food will be the 800-store Jeonju Nambu Traditional Market (전주 남부시장). The best way to experience local culture is through a market tour, where you can discover and shop for local products, and of course, enjoy local street food at reasonable prices.

Jeonju Nambu Traditional Market (전주 남부시장)

Address: 63, Pungnammun 2-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do

Opening Hours: Varies by store, but generally open from 9 am to 9.30 pm. Usually closed on Sundays

Price: free admission

Access: 2-min walk from Pungnammun Gate Bus Stop. Buses available: 61, 119, 684

Contact: +82 632841344

8. Tuck into Korea’s national dish - Jeonju Bibimbap

Bibimbap, a quintessential Korean dish, is served as a bowl of white rice topped with assorted vegetables and gochuchang (chili pepper sauce). Often, raw or fried egg with meat is also added to the bowl of mixed rice. This national dish is ubiquitous in Korea, but you must try Jeonju Bibimbap when you visit the city. The Jeonju version makes the simple heartwarming dish special with the addition of mung bean sprout jelly, which is a local delicacy.

For the best Jeonju Bibimbap, go to HanKookKwan (한국관) located in the middle of Jeonju Hanok Village. This famous original Bibimbap restaurant is popular with both locals and foreigners and it is common to see long queues in front of the restaurant. Feeling adventurous? Try the unique Yukhoe (raw beef) bibimbap at HanKookKwan!

HanKookKwan (한국관)

Address: 31 Taejo-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do

Opening Hours: 11 am - 8 pm daily

Price: From 11,000 KRW (9.75 USD)

Access: Located in the central part of Jeonju Hanok Village

Contact: +82 632320074

9. Enjoy delicious Korean food along with Makgeolli

There is a saying in Jeonju that you can’t say you’ve been to the foodie capital without visiting the Makgeolli Alley. Makgeolli, which is traditional sweet rice wine, is omnipresent in Korea, but no other place in the country treats the rice wine like Jeonju. Instead of complementing your meal with Makgeolli, order a kettle of the rice wine, and a table full of palatable dishes to go with the wine would be served. In fact, the locals are so obsessed with Makgeolli that there is a dedicated Makgeolli Alley in Seosin-dong, which is home to many Makgeolli specialty restaurants and bars.

Make your way to Makgeolli Alley for a taste of the fermented rice drink alongside a scrumptious spread of Korean dishes. Unlike other Makgeolli bars where the food may be sub-standard, Yetchon Makgeolli (옛촌 막걸리) serves an amazingly delicious array of dishes with every kettle of Makgeolli. Enjoy a great night out the Jeonju way!

Yetchon Makgeolli (옛촌 막걸리)

Address: 843-16, Seosin-dong, Wansan-gu, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do

Opening Hours: 4 pm - 1 am daily

Price: From 20,000 KRW (17.70 USD) per kettle

Access: 6-minute walk from Seosin Road Bus Stop. Available bus: 100

Contact: +82 632876979

10. Cure your hangover with kongnamul gukbap

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

As the saying goes, when in Rome, follow the Romans. Cure your Makgeolli hangover the next morning like the Koreans by heading to a bean sprout soup with rice restaurant, known locally as kongnamul gukbap. Many kongnamul gukbap restaurants can be found in the city because of this Jeonju tradition. Jeonju Waengyii Kongnamul Gukbap (전주왱이콩나물국밥집) does the miracle dish so well, you would regret it if you miss it. It’s great to know that it is open round the clock, so you can enjoy the soup anytime you wish. Even if you aren’t nursing a lousy hangover, you should try one of these legendary kongnamul gukbap anyway.

Jeonju Waengyii Kongnamul Gukbap (전주왱이콩나물국밥집)

Address: 12-1, Gyeongwondong 2(i)-ga, Wansan-gu, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do

Opening Hours: Always open

Price: From 6,000 KRW (5.30 USD)

Access: 4-minute walk from Jeonbuk Arts Centre

Contact: +82 632876979

A superb getaway to enjoy the finer things in life

It is not hard to guess why Jeonju is one of the favorite destinations for Korean travelers from the above list of top things to do in the fascinating city. The slow city’s relaxed pace of life, ancient history and culture set in the scenic nature make it the ideal place to escape from the buzzing city. Top all these with mouth-watering traditional Korean food and Jeonju is definitely hard to resist for a superb getaway!