Things To Do In Jeonju | The Jeonju Hanok Village & More

What to do in Jeonju? How to get to the Jeonju hanok village? Where to eat in Jeonju? What is the best Jeonju hanok stay? Looking for the best things to do in Jeonju? 

Jeonju is a city famous for the Jeonju hanok village, delicious Jeonju bibimbap and traditional Korean alcohol. It is the perfect place to go on a weekend or Jeonju day trip from Seoul. Read on for the best things to do in Jeonju city on this Jeonju travel blog.

What To Know When Going To Jeonju, South Korea

• What To Wear In Jeonju – Jeonju like the rest of Korea has four seasons. The temperatures in summer can go up to 40°C and in winter drop far below 0°C. Check what to wear in Jeonju here.
• Power Converter – When going and staying in Jeonju, don’t forget to bring the right travel converter to be able to charge all your electrical devices. Check info on Korea travel adapters here.
• Transportation Card – Going around Jeonju using public transport? Don’t forget to buy a T Money Card which can be used on all buses, taxis and subways. More info here.
• Korea Itineraries – Prepare your trip with one our South Korea itineraries.
• Jeonju Map – At any guesthouse or tourist information center in Jeonju you can get a paper map. Get a digital version here.
• 24 Hours All Entrance Pass – Only 4000 krw for an all day entrance pass to the best sights in Jeonju, including Gyeonggijeon, Luielle Hat Culture Center, and more . Find more info here.

Best Things To Do In Jeonju

Jeonju tourism has lots of things to offer. Most of the things to do in Jeonju are located in the hanok village, but there are a couple of sights in Jeonju city and in the outskirts of the city.

1. Jeonju Hanok Village

The Jeonju hanok village or Jeonju hanok maeul is located outside the Jeonju city center and houses over 800 traditional Korean hanok buildings and houses. The low houses made out of wood, clay and unique roofs give this village a unique atmosphere. Many of these houses have been turned into restaurants, accommodations, boutiques and galleries. It is a village filled with charm and historical value.

Most of the other things to do are located in or around the Jeonju hanok village like the shrine, the cathedral, the Confucian school, Pungnammun gate and many more.It is recommended to book an accommodation in the hanok village, for the real Korean experience consider booking a hanok accommodation.

TIP! Rent a hanbok when in Jeonju. Strolling around in an authentic hanbok will make your experience so much more rewarding and the pictures more instagrammable. Find the best hanbok rental shops here.

2. Gyeonggijeon Shrine & Royal Portrait Museum

The Gyeonggijeon Shrine lies at the entrance of the Jeonju hanok village, just opposite the Catholic Cathedral. The shrine was built in 1410 and holds one of the most important Korean paintings in history. The portrait of King Tae-jo, the founder of the Joseon Dynasty. The mortuary tablets of King Tae-jo and his wife, the Queen area enshrined in this palace. During the Imjin war, parts of the palace were destroyed, and rebuilt in the 17th century. Visiting the shrine is one of the must things to do in Jeonju.

Opening Times: Daily 09:00-18:00. Portrait museum closed on Mondays.
Address: 44, Taejo-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do
Entrance Fee: 3000 krw, but tickets online here.

3. Jeondong Catholic Cathedral

This Jeondong catholic church also lies at the entrance of the Jeonju hanok village. Catholicism had a very hard time during the Joseon Dynasty, many missionaries and priests lost their lives when trying to establish this religion in South Korea. This cathedral was built in honor of martyrs who died on this very same spot during the Joseon Dynasty. This church was designed by the same priest who designed the Myeongdong Cathedral.

Mass Times: Check official website (Korean only).
Address: 51, Taejo-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do
Entrance Fee: Free

4. Jeonjuhyanggyo Confucian School

Jeonjuhyanggyo, a confucian school dating back to the Joseon Dynasty, lies a little outside the Jeonju hanok village. It is such a calm and peaceful place that you will not regret paying a visit. Jeonjuhyanggyo used to be a educational center during the Joseon dynasty for the rich young noblemen sons. It is completely free to enter and a great place to take the pictures, especially during the autumn and spring season as that’s when the colours of the leaves are turning yellow or pink.

Compared to the busy hanok village, this site receives little tourists, perfect for those looking to escape the bustling area and relax on the 2nd floor of the entrance gate. The open space overlooks the school garden and the Jeonjuchun river.

Opening Times: Daily 09:00-18:00.
Address: 139, Hyanggyo-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do
Entrance Fee: Free

5. Pungnammun Gate

This grand gate is located at the main entrance of the Jeonju hanok village and was built in 1768. Originally Jeonju had 4 city walls and Pungnammun Gate is the only one that survived history. It was partially destroyed during one of the Japanese invasions and wasn’t restored until end of the 20th century.

This gate is especially beautiful at night, perfect for an evening walk through the hanok village and past this stunning gate.

Address: 1, Pungnammun 3-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do

6. Gangam Calligraphy Museum

This tiny free calligraphy museum houses over 1000 art works of famous Korean Joseon artists like Kim Hong-do, Jeong Yak-yong and Kim Jeong-hee. The museum conveniently located in the Jeonju traditional hanok village is definitely worth paying a short visit.

Opening Times: Daily 09:00-18:00.
Address: 74, Jeonjucheondong-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do
Entrance Fee: Free

7. Hanji Museum

This Hanji Museum in Jeonju opened back in 1997 and is the first museum in Korea to specialize in paper, especially the high quality Hanji Korean paper. This museum isn’t located in the Jeonju hanok village, it is a 40 minute bus ride away from the village and is fairly close to Deokjin park.

Opening Times: Daily 9:00-17:00. Closed on Mondays
Address: 59, Palbok-ro, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do
Entrance Fee: Free

8. Deokjin Park

The Deokjin Park is the citizen park of Jeonju. It was created back in 1978 and has a huge natural pond which dates back to the Goryeo Dynasty. What’s special about this park is that the pond is covered with giant lotus flowers, this makes it one of the most popular Jeonju attractions apart from the hanok village. This is one of the must things to do in Jeonju!

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

9. Nambu Traditional Market

Like every city, Jeonju has its own traditional market. Nambu market first opened in 1905 towards the end of the last Korean Dynasty. The market is located next to Pungnammun gate and holds more than 800 stores and 1200 workers selling all kinds of goods including food, furniture, silk and much more. There are many street food vendors and restaurants located in this market, great place to go when looking for things to do in Jeonju at night.

Apart from the traditional market, a new Youth Market was opened on the second floor to help young entrepreneurs start their business. This new market has a similar vibe to the more popular areas in Seoul like Hongdae.

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

10. Hakindang Mister Sunshine Film Set

Hakindang is a stunning hanok house located in the touristic center of Jeonju. The house was built using traditional methods dating back to the Joseon dynasty. It once belonged to the Suwon Beak clan, which was part of the upper class Korean society. This has always played an important role in history, during the Joseon dynasty, the occupation of Korea and even after the the liberation. It is therefore considered as the most culturally significant house in the whole Jeonju hanok village.

Mister Sunshine Set

It is a very famous hanok, featured in multiple movies and Korean dramas, with the latest one being Mister Sunshine. A heroic Korean drama about the fall of the Joseon Dynasty, the Japanese Invasion and the Korean freedom fighters. The drama has five different main characters each one from a different social class and background story. During the drama, the viewer follows the story each of these characters from childhood to around 30 years later where somehow they turn out to be connected to each other in a way. One of these characters is Kim Hee-sung, a young Joseon nobleman who was considered as the richest person in the country after the Emperor. His parents live in a stunning and grand hanok, Hakindang. The garden, main living room and master bedroom were used as film sets for this drama.

The current owner of the hanok is really passionate about the history of the house and only accepted to be featured in the Mister Sunshine drama as the story of Kim Hee-sung’s family is similar to that of her family. During the Japanese invasion her family also secretly supported the Korean rebels, just like Kim Hee-sung. For fans of the Lee Byung-hun and the drama, this is one of the best things to do in Jeonju and will be a memorable experience.

Because of the success of Mister Sunshine, the house was finally opened to the public. A reservation through their website is required before visiting or staying the night in this wonderful hanok.

Address: 45, Hyanggyo-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do
Entrance Fee: Depends on the activity. Reservation required.

11. Jaman Mural Village

At the edge of the Jeonju hanok village lies the Jaman Mural Village. The area had multiple artists creating 36 different art works all the way from the hanok village to Seohak-ro, which is a stretch of 1,5 kilometers. The walk to the village is rather steep as it is located at the foot of Seungamsan Mountain’s Jungbawi Rock but is totally worth it.

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

12. Jeonju Movie Street

Every year the Jeonju movie festival is held in Jeonju city. There is a whole street dedicated to this festival and is filled with lots of art work and statues. The street starts at Jeonju City Hall and goes all the way to the Jeonju Digital Independent Film Theater.

Address: 22, Jeonjugaeksa 3-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do

13. Rail Bike

We all know that South Korea is the country of rail bikes, almost every city has it own rail bike track for visitors to enjoy. Take the Jeonju rail bike to enjoy the natural scenery of the ancient city. This is the perfect activity for couples or families with kids.

Address: 22, Jeonjugaeksa 3-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do
Buy Tickets: Check info here.

14. Jeonju Zoo

Jeonju city has it own zoo, only a kilometer away from Deokjin Park. The zoo opened in 1978 and has over 670 animals like tigers, lions, giraffes, rhinos, camels, hippos and many more. On top of the animals and plants, the zoo also houses a small amusement park, a soccer and volleyball court.

Opening Times: Daily 09:00-19:00.
Address: 68, Sori-ro, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do
Entrance Fee: 1300 krw

Jeonju Tour

There are multiple companies that are running Jeonju tours. Most of these include transport from Seoul and a tour of the hanok village.

• Jeonju hanok village walking tour
• One day private tour of Jeonju
• Leaving from Seoul, Jeonju day trip

Jeonju Hanok Stay

Where to stay in Jeonju? Well, when going to Jeonju, staying in a hanok is a must! There are so many different Jeonju accommodation located in the village and the best ones are listed below. Most of these hanoks are surprisingly affordable.

• Ssamok Ssamok Hanok Guesthouse – The best rated hanok stay on Booking.com! The hanok itself is extremely cozy and offers different activities to guest (check website for availability). Check more info here.
• Ginkgo Tree Guesthouse – Not located in the village, but only a 5 minute walk away. This Jeonju guesthouse is located in a quiet area and the owner is extremely friendly to all guests. Check more info here.
• Hanok Dream – This accommodation was built back in 1968 and has a stunning garden. The owner is always happy to help guests with any tourism related questions. Check more info here.

Jeonju Itinerary

Even though going on a Jeonju day trip is possible it is recommended to stay two days in this city to enjoy it to its fullest. Below is a 2 day Jeonju itinerary assuming you are arriving around noon on the first day and leaving Jeonju in the late afternoon of the second day. The days are organized to include all the best things to do in Jeonju.

1. Jeonju Day 1

Lunch: kongnamul gukbap
Gyeonggijeon Shrine & royal portrait museum
Jeondong Catholic Cathedral
Pungnammun Gate
Walk around the Jeonju hanok village
Jeonjuhyanggyo confucian school
Gangam calligraphy museum
Hakindang Mister Sunshine film set
Dinner & street food snack: Nambu traditional market
Check in to hanok stay

2. Jeonju Day 2

Jaman mural village
Lunch: Jeonju bibimbap
Jeonju rail bike
Hanji museum
Deokjin park

The Best Jeonju Restaurant

Jeonju is famous for their good food, including kongnamul gukbap, bibimbap, choco pie and their traditional alcohol. The restaurants below serve some of the best Jeonju food.

1. Jeonju Bibimbap

Jeonju is considered to be the bibimbap capital of South Korea. The restaurants here serve some of the best bibimbap in the country and every year there is the Jeonju bibimbap festival. The dish is served with rice, vegetables, beef and a wide array of side dishes. What makes Jeonju bibimbap better that any other bibimbap is the fact that the rice is cooked in beef broth instead of plain water.

The best restaurant to this this yummy dish at is Hankookkwan which lies just across the palace on the main street. They serve different kinds of bibimbap including stone, beef tartar and the original bibimbap. Another great restaurant to try bibimbap at is Hankookjib.

Opening Times: Daily 11:00-22:00.
Address: 31 Taejo-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea

2. Kongnamul Gukbap

Sambeakjib is is the perfect breakfast or lunch place in the Jeonju hanok village. They serve a very simple dish kongnamul gukbap (bean sprout soup with rice). The soup broth is made with dried anchovy, lots of bean sprouts and washed chopped kimchi are added in the end. They finish the soup with lots of sesame oil and a raw egg which makes the soup rich and mild. The raw egg will be cooked because of the hot soup in the stone pot. There is another amazing dish, perfect as a side dish with this main food. The non-spicy pan-fried green chili dumplings. This is one of the best Jeonju Korean restaurant. 

Opening Times: Daily 8:30 – 21:00.
Address: 454-1, Gosa-dong, Wansan-gu, Jeonju

3. Jeonju Choco Pie

The Jeonju choco pie is like no other choco pie in Korea. It is very thick and about the size of a hand palm. The pies are sold with different flavours but are all filled with cream and jam. This choco pies is very popular among tourists and locals is a must try when visiting Jeonju. Many different shops sell this choco pie, but there are two main ones PNB and Jeonju Jaegwa. The latter one delivers choco pies to the President of Korea.

4. Jeonju Makgeolli

There is a specific makgeolli in Jeonju, quite different from the standard makgeolli. This one is called moju and has a much lower alcohol percentage than the original drink. Moju literally translates to ‘mothers care’ and is made with ginger, jujube, ginseng, and cinnamon. Almost every restaurant and market sells this drink but if you want to try homemade moju then the bean sprout restaurant mentioned above serves the most amazing Jeonju makgeolli.

Getting To Jeonju

There are different ways of getting to Jeonju from Seoul, Busan and other major cities in Korea. Seoul and Busan are listed below, but if you are traveling from another city, you can easily check the KTX or bus timetables on the official websites.

1. Seoul To Jeonju

Jeonju is easily accessible from Seoul by KTX, express bus and there is even a shuttle bus between the hanok village and Seoul. The same information counts for going from Jeonju to Seoul.

KTX Seoul To Jeonju

There is a KTX running between Seoul Station and Jeonju train station 4 times a day. This train takes around 2 hours and costs 34 000 krw. Tickets can be bought at the ticket office or online.

From the Jeonju KTX station take a taxi to the hanok village. Bus connections in Jeonju are not that good.

Bus From Seoul To Jeonju

Buses between Jeonju and Seoul are much more frequent than the KTX. The bus leaves and the Seoul Express Bus Terminal and goes to the Jeonju Express Bus Terminal. Tickets prices start at 12 000 krw and the bus takes around 3 hours depending on traffic. Check time tables here.

From the Jeonju bus terminal it is recommended to take a taxi to the hanok village as the public bus connection is not that great.

Shuttle Bus To The Jeonju Hanok Village From Seoul

The easiest and cheapest way is to take a shuttle bus from Seoul straight to the Hanok Village. This only costs 23 000 krw and leaves from Myeongdong. Check shuttle bus info here.

2. Busan To Jeonju

Busan and Jeonju are less well connected than Seoul and Jeonju. There is no direct KTX, so it is recommended to take an express bus. The same counts for going from Jeonju to Busan.

KTX Busan To Jeonju

There is no direct KTX running between Busan and Jeonju station. If you want to take the train then take the SRT Busan to Osong Station and transfer to a KTX from Osong to Jeonju. This will take around 3 hours and cost around 60 000 krw. Check timetables here.

Bus From Busan To Jeonju

Taking the bus from Busan to Jeonju is much easier than taking the KTX. Buses run every hour and the ride takes around 3 hours depending on traffic. The cheapest ticket is 17 000 krw, which is much cheaper than taking the train. Check timetables here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Liked this post about things to do in Jeonju? Why not pin it?

Are you planning going to Jeonju hanok village? Do you have any questions about things to do in Jeonju? Have any suggestions on what to do in Jeonju? Need more info on how to get to Jeonju from Seoul. Let me know in the comment section below.