Things To Do in Jeonju
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Jeonju Attractions
- Religious Site
Gyeonggijeon
Built in 1410, this shrine houses the portrait of King Taejo, first emperor of the Joseon Dynasty, as well as successive other kings. Funerary tablets for both the king and his queen are enshrined here. Although part of the structure was destroyed during the Imjin Waeran (1592-98),… - Historic Site
Gyeonhwon Palace Site
This is the site where King Gyeonhwon decided to build a palace about 1,300 years ago, during the Baekje Kingdom era. Legend has it that he stayed here and intercepted the crops and taxes headed for Gyeongju, the capital of the Shilla Kingdom. Later, during the HuBaekje (Later… - Neighborhood
Jeonju Hanok Village
With over 800 traditional houses, this ancient village retains its former charm, while the rest of the city has industrialized around it. Unlike buildings in other traditional Korean villages, the roofs here have a slight curvature, adding to the place's unique beauty. For a full… - Landmark
Pungnammun
This impressive gate is the only surviving section of the wall that once surrounded the city. Originally built to serve as the south gate in 1389, the present structure was built in 1768 and renovated in 1979. Not only is it a relic from the Joseon Dynasty, but it is also the site…
Jeonju Shopping
Jeonju is well known for its traditional crafts, especially fans and other items made from hanji (paper made from mulberry). Historically, Jeonju was known for making the best bamboo and mulberry paper fans in Korea, and has been home to master fan makers called Seonjajang for centuries. Cheap paper fans can be found all over the city, but for higher-end crafts, try the Crafts Exhibition Center, 1-65 Gyo-dong Wansan-gu, or the larger Jeonju Masterpiece Shopping Center (tel. 063/285-0002), which sells a variety of traditional handicrafts. Both centers are open daily 10am to 7pm; the latter is closed on Mondays.
If you want to do some upscale clothes shopping, stop by the Core Department Store (next to the Core Hotel; tel. 063/280-1111). It has six floors of (primarily) fashion, rising above a supermarket and food court.
If you're an early riser or late sleeper, you can browse the Nambu (Southern) Market (tel. 063/284-1344), which is open daily from midnight to 9pm. It has been the largest market in the Honam region since 1905 and is a living history of the people of this region. Most goods sold here are agricultural in nature, but there are other items for sale. Take a bus to Paldal Road or the Nambu Market. Other traditional markets include the Joong-ang (Central) Market, which is open daily from 6am to 9pm, and the newer Dongbu (Eastern) Market, which has rotating items on sale daily (blankets, Korean traditional clothing, and rice cakes on Mon; school uniforms on Tues; produce on Wed; and so forth).
