A couple weeks ago, I decided to (finally) venture outside of Seoul down to the Southern region of Korea. I crossed off one of the places I had wanted to go for a while and was not disappointed: Jeonju. While not quite as bustling nor busy as Seoul or Busan, Jeonju is a peaceful escape from the heyday of cities. But despite being quieter, it still has many things to do. I didn't get to explore all of these places, but managed to hit a couple of them and will definitely be going back soon. Here's 5 places I recommend in Jeonju.
1. The Hanok Village
Perhaps the thing that Jeonju is most well-known for is it’s hold of traditional Korean culture and architecture. The Hanok Village is on the East side of Jeonju and almost seems like the heart of the city. The village is adorned with tons of Hanok (traditional Korean housing) that resemble Joseon Dynasty era architecture. The village is an epicenter for traditional Korean foods, including the famous ‘Jeonju Bibimbap’, but also houses many cafes, shops, and even homestays where tourists can stay in a hanok during their visit.
This is where I spent most of my time during my visit. I stayed in a traditional Hanok house and it was definitely worth it. The guesthouse we stayed at was at the far edge of the Hanok Village, so it was much quieter and felt somewhat disconnected from the bustle of the village. It was only a 10 minute walk to the village, so we weren't too far away and it also felt more serene and more connected to nature. Even though some house guests were noisy, it was very peaceful and relaxing.
2. Nambu Market The oldest market in Jeonju, Nambu Market, is alike many of the traditional markets in Korea but is well-known for it’s night market. During the day, visitors can find all sorts of Korean street food, from jeon (pancakes), chicken, and bingsoo (shaved ice), as well as other traditional ingredients for cooking and souvenirs. But at night, the market really comes alive with more vendors opening up. During the summer season, the night market opens at 18:00 and runs usually until midnight.
This was one of the places I had wanted to go to, but after a filling lunch, we didn't quite make it to this one. Will have to go back for sure.
3. Jaman Mural Village Just a few minutes away from the Hanok Village sits Jaman Mural Village. As one climbs the slightly steep streets of the mural village, the walls are decorated with many different murals littering the walls. From manga and anime styles to pieces featuring nature and more traditional elements, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Along the way, there’s cafes with various themes nestled in the hills of the village.
This one was another place I didn't end up making it to. When waiting for a taxi to dinner, I peeked up the hill and saw the faint paintings of some murals. From the outside, it was quiet and didn't seem to have any visitors strolling through it. But perhaps they were lurking in the streets above and just weren't seen by me.
4. Gyeonggijeon Shrine If you’re looking to learn about some Korean history during your visit, the Gyeonggijeon Shrine is a must visit. Built in 1410, the Gyeonggijeon Shrine holds a portrait of the founder of the Joseon Dynasty, King Tae-jo. The shrine includes many Hanok style buildings as well and is a famous photo stop for those dressed in hanbok (traditional Korean clothes). Admission fee for adults is 3,000 won and the summer hours (March-November) are 9:00-19:00.
We stopped here right before dinner and learned about the history of the Joseon Dynasty while admiring the architecture of the time. The sun was high in the sky and it was pretty warm out, so we stopped and sat in one of the small sheds and took some pictures. Even though it's in the center of the village, because the shrine area is so big, the only noise you could hear was the faint crunch of gravel as people walked by.
5. PNB Bakery Another thing that Jeonju is famous for is, surprisingly, Choco Pies. While there are many places to buy Choco Pies in Jeonju, PNB Bakery tauts that it was the first bakery in Jeonju, built in 1951. There are many fake places with similar names so they warn that if the store does not have the PNB logo, then it is not real. The bakery sells the classic choco pies with some modern variations on the classic version. They also have other pastries for those looking for something else.
This was our final stop after dinner and trust me...we bought so many choco pies. From traditional chocolate, to more unique flavors like matcha, white chocolate, and strawberry they were all so delicious. While I did buy some for my friends, I also ended up eating a fair amount of them...
Jeonju is a wonderful escape into the heart of Korea and a fantastic chance to experience the traditional culture of the country. Those who have the opportunity should visit!
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