A Half-Day Walking Route Around Jeonju Hanok Village

The hot summer days are over, and the autumn is here. It’s nice to walk under the clear blue autumn sky. Today, I’ll introduce a half-day walking route around Jeonju Hanok Village.

​I biked around the major cultural heritages of the Hanok Village in two hours. But my route will take about a half day on foot. It’ll be meaningful and healthy.

Hanbyukdang

Hanbyukdang is a pavilion built on the cliff in the year 1404. I never get board of the view here. To protect the pavilion, shoes must be taken off when entering.

The autumn breeze blowing over the river cooled down the heat from biking.

Thanks to the river and the mountain, it felt nice and cool. Also, the view overlooking the river is magnificent. It’s no wonder Hanbyukdang has been loved by many poets and painters.

It seemed like a good time to take a ‘couple photo’ inside the pavilion. I loved my rest here.

Jeonju Hyanggyo

Established around 700 years ago, Jeonju Hyanggyo had been the Confucian school for the local students. Beautiful year-round, it’s one of the most instagrammable place for tourists, especially if they rented hanbok (Korean traditional costume).

​Due to covid-19, Jeonju Hyanggyo is closed. It’s probably the most beautiful in autumn, when the leaves of the giant gingko trees turn bright yellow.

 

Omokdae and Imokdae

From Jeonju Hyanggyo to Omokdae is the uphill course. With short breath, I sweated while pulling my bike because it was still warm during the day.

But the reward for walking uphill is the beautiful view of the Hanok Village. It feels like a scene from an animation movie.

Omokdae is a pavilion where Taejo, the founder of Joseon Dynasty, held a banquet to celebrate a major victory against Japanese invasion. According to a record, this is where he tacitly indicated while reciting a poetry that he’s ambitious enough to start a dynasty.

In the year 1900, the emperor Gojong erected two tablet stones, at Omokdae and Imokdae.

The pavilion of Omokdae is currently under restoration. However, visitors can still enjoy the view overlooking Jeonju Hanok Village.

I love the view from here when it snowed. Whenever anyone I know visit Jeonju, I recommend visiting here.

I started towards Imokdae. About 300m on the road, I come across colorful murals, which indicate that I reached Jaman Mural Village. Imokdae is here.

Imokdae is the site where the ancestors of Taejo lived. Emperor Gojong’s tablet stone is there too.

​If you have time, I recommend looking around Jaman Mural Village too. I can easily spend a half-day in the village, visiting the murals and unique cafés, and enjoying the view.

 

Gyeonggijeon

 Gyeonggijeon is the main landmark of Jeonju Hanok Village. Located on the busiest main street of the Hanok Village, Gyeonggijeon hosts the royal portrait of King Taejo.

Gyeonggijeon is more than 400 years old, but its buildings and walls still stand strong. Unfortunately, due to covid-19, Gyeonggijeon is not accepting visitors. Still, tourists were taking photos against the walls and the gate

The trail around the stone wall of Gyeonggijeon was elegant and beautiful. The greens and autumn flowers seemed more beautiful under the clear blue sky.

​The atmosphere of Gyeonggijeon stone wall trail is as romantic as the famous Deoksugung stone wall trail in Seoul.

 

Pungnammun

Pungnammun, built in 1388, is the only remaining gate of Jeonju Castle. The gate is architecturally important.

 

Although I see Pungnammun on way to work every day, the gate is always beautiful. I especially like Pungnammun rising between the buildings of Nambu Market. It’s where the past and the present meet. When I ride bike to the Hanok Village, I circle around the gate.

Although I’m a local, a half-day tour of Jeonju Hanok Village felt like a treasure hunting. It’s probably because I learned the stories behind each landmarks. Now you know what to do when you have a half-day in Jeonju!