Jeonju is where Koreans go to eat well and walk slowly. The city gave the country its most famous version of bibimbap, and its Hanok Village packs hundreds of traditional tiled-roof houses into a few walkable blocks. UNESCO named it a City of Gastronomy, and once you've eaten your way through a day here you'll understand why.
Rent a hanbok if you're so inclined, but the real draw is the food and the pace. Spend a morning in the lanes, an afternoon at Gyeonggijeon, and an evening in the makgeolli alleys. Jeonju also makes a solid launch point for the southwest.
What to see and do
- Jeonju Hanok Village — over 700 tiled-roof houses in a compact grid. Wander the lanes, rent a hanbok, and sit down for tea or makgeolli in a courtyard.
- Gyeonggijeon Shrine — a quiet walled compound that holds the portrait of King Taejo, founder of the Joseon dynasty. Worth the small entry fee.
- Jeondong Catholic Church — a Romanesque church facing the shrine, and one of the prettiest in the country.
- Jaman Mural Village — a hillside of murals and tiny cafes just above the hanok quarter. Steep but short.
- Nambu Market — a day market with a Youth Mall night-food scene upstairs that gets going after dark.
What to eat
This is the reason most people come. Order the original Jeonju bibimbap at least once, then chase it with kongnamul gukbap, the bean-sprout rice soup locals swear by as a hangover cure. Grab a PNB choco pie to go. Save an evening for the makgeolli alleys: order a kettle of rice wine and a table's worth of free side dishes arrives with it, and it keeps arriving as you order more.
Getting around
Jeonju is small and best on foot; the hanok village barely needs a map. From Jeonju Station or the express-bus terminal it's a short bus or taxi hop to the village. No subway here, so buses and taxis are your options.
When to go
Spring and autumn are the nicest. The Jeonju International Film Festival fills the town in late spring. Hanbok rental and hanok stays run all year.
Insider tip
Stay overnight in a hanok guesthouse. The day-trippers clear out by evening, the lanes go soft and quiet under the lamps, and a late bowl of kongnamul gukbap tastes better when the crowds are gone.
