Once described by a Busan native as “the countryside”, Jeonju is indeed located in a beautiful area of the untry, with four national parks a short bus ride away. History abounds here too, and Jeonju’s hanok village is the place to experience the traditions of old Korea, learn about Jeonju’s place in history and sip tea in a traditional teahouse.
How to get Jeonju
Jeonju is a major transportation hub, so getting there doesn’t present much of a problem. The quickest way is to take the KTX from Seoul’s Yongsan Station to Iksan, and transfer to another train to Jeonju. The trip takes about 2 hours, 30 minutes in total. There are cheaper trains that go directly to Jeonju from Yongsan, but they’re much slower and they tend to fill up on the weekends.
Jeonju Tourism
Jeonju is famous for its Korean food, historic buildings, sports activities and innovative festivals. Korean Hanok Village may be the icon for Jeonju. Within half an hours bus ride you can be away from the city and in the mountains. There are many amazing temples and parks really close to jeonju that get a trickle of visitors. KumSanSa being one of my favourites.
Jeonju Hanok Village
Jeonju Hanok Village is located in the city of Jeonju and overlaps Pungnam-dong and Gyo-dong. There are over 800 traditional Korean 'hanok' houses. While the rest of city has been industrialized, Hanok Maeul retains its historical charms and traditions.
Jeonju Hanok village is especially beautiful for its roof curves. The roof edges being slightly raised to the sky is unique. Hanok houses are generally divided into two sections, Anchae and Sarangchae. Anchae is also known as Gyusu room, and is furnished accordingly. Sarangchae is where the men dwell, and is referred to as the Seonbi room. Because men and women have to remain separate, Anchae is situated deep inside the house so that it is secretive and quiet.
Festival in Jeonju
1. Jeonju Sori (Sound of Voice & Music) Festival
2. World Calligraphy Biennale of Jeollabuk-do
3. Jeonju International Film Festival.
this festival has been up and running for ten years now, and is back for an eleventh time from Apr. 29—May 7,2010. A perfect excuse to combine a week of good films with a spring break in stunning Jeolla-do province.
4. Jeonju Hanji Culture Festival.
organized to promote the unique qualities of Korea’s traditional paper, hanji, the festival offers a fascinating range of exhibitions and hands-on opportunities. Due to take place in early May, 2010.
5. Jeonju Dano Festival
6. Korea Food Festival in Jeonju
7. Peach Festival
8. Jeonju Daesasup Festival
Jeonju Local food Bibimbap
Jeonju is perhaps best known around Korea for its food. The fertile Honam Plain and the clear waters of the region are said to be contributing factors in the city's nationwide food fame. Bibimbap is the city's signature dish, and it can be found everywhere.
Bibimbap is one of the most famous Korean dishes native to this region. Bibim means mixing and bap means rice. Served in the traditional brassware,it consists of rice with seasonal stir fried vegetables(carrot, bean sprout, radish, spinach, zucchini.bracken), seaweed (gim), and hot pepper paste (gochujang). It is also available in a hot stone bowl (dol sot), which slowly cooks the egg as you stir the ingredients together. The characteristic thing about Jeonju bibimbap is that it comes with Korean beef tartar(Yukhoe), Hwang Po Mook(a yellow jelly made from mung beans) and raw egg yolk(most of other regions in Korea serve with fried egg). Besides, Also give Mountain Vegetable (San Chae) Bibimbap a taste, if you're at any of the local mountains.
Jeonju Nightlife
Jeonju has a wonderful nightlife, and much of it center around the Cheonbuk university. If your looking to meet and drink with foreigners, the best place is deepin in the downtown area. Always welcoming, best on a Saturday night for atmosphere and good western music (no Hip Hop). Sunday nights for chilling, chatting and trying your hand at poker.
Deepin may be the famous bars in the city. It provide Jeonju's original watering hole.
Some of Jeonju Bars and Clubs here :
1. Deepin: Near to Geaksa house in the central shopping area of Jeonju. The origional and best westener bar in town, the best place to go and meet people if you are new to Jeonju. Ask a taxi driver for wedding gori deepin. Better still get someone to take you the first time as its down a tiny sidestreet and not very well signposted. Quiet on weeknights but really gets going friday and saturday nights from about 10pm. Also Texas hod-em poker night on Sunday from 8ish
2. J.R.'s Saloon Travelling from Bone Hospital toward Wa Bar Seoshin-dong, take the first street left. About 30 meters on, you will see a white J.R.'s sign on the right, on the second floor. J.R.'s is closed on Mondays. Every other day they are open from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. Thurday night is Ladies' Night.
3. Tombstone 1: On the main street across from the old-gate of Jeon-Buk University (구정문). Nice western style bar with tables and bar seats available. Frequent juggling and fire shows.
4. Music Bank: On the main street across from the old-gate of Jeon-Buk University (구정문). In the building next to Lotteria. Western-style nightclub with a mix of Korean and Western dance music. Frequent dancing on chairs and tables. Be warned though, a few months ago a Westerner was handed a notice saying that foreigners were not welcome unless they were accompanied by a Korean guide and could speak Korean
5. Jukebox: Once you reach Lotteria near the old gate (구정문), walk along the street facing it. You will see Tu-Pak Nightclub and Jukebox next to it. On the 2nd floor. New sound system has rejuvenated this club and is now popular with the same set and style as Music Bank.
6. Tu-Pak: Once you reach Lotteria near the old gate (구정문), walk along the street facing it. You will see Tu-Pak Nightclub and Jukebox next to it. On the ground floor. Nice layout for a western-style nightclub yet not as popular as Music Bank and Jukebox. Various DJs with different styles on different nights.
7. Tombstone 2: Near the old gate of Jeon-Buk University (구정문). Walk away from the gate and turn left at the first intersection. Downstairs. Popular with the foreigner crowd on the weekends, usually late at night. Mostly hip-hop.
Photos of jeonju
Near to Geaksa house in the central shopping area of Jeonju.
Gaeksa-gil shopping district, downtown Jeonju
Jeonju Gaeksa. The Gaeksa was once part of the provincial government office complex.
Jeonju City, the hometown of hanji, contributed to creating excellent hanji culture. From the Goyeo Dynasty, Jeonju hanji was used in most diplomatic documents and writings for the king, and currently.
Jeonju Hanok Village. Jeonju Hanok Village is located in the city of Jeonju and overlaps Pungnam-dong and Gyo-dong. There are over 800 traditional Korean 'hanok' houses. While the rest of city has been industrialized, Hanok Maeul retains its historical charms and traditions.
The 11th Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF) will be held from April 29th to May 7th, 2010 at Jeonju, a traditionally beautiful city of Korea.
Jeonju Korea Style House Village.( Jeonju Hanok Village ,Han-Ok Village) video here
