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The Royal Portrait Museum in Jeonju Hanok Village

The Royal Portrait Museum is the only place that exhibits the original copy of the portrait of Taejo, the founder of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897). The museum also exhibits other royal portraits and the related royal relics of the dynasty. The museum is in the Gyeonggijeon Shrine, Jeonju Hanok Village.

The original copy of Taejo’s portrait is open for public exhibition only during a specified period of a year. I was lucky to have visited the museum during that period.

In front of the Gyeonggijeon Shrine were the small booths that sell handcraft goods, ranging from small accessories to wooden cutting boards. Because I visited on a weekend day, Jeonju Hanok Village was rather crowded with the people enjoying the autumn.

During November to February, the last entry to the Gyeonggijeon Shrine is 17:00. The premise closes at 18:00. Also, the entrance fee for the residents of Jeonju is only 1,000 won.

Jeonju Hanok Village feels very different with each of the four seasons. In autumn, I love walking on the carpets of yellow gingko leaves in the Gyeonggijeon Shrine.

The most central and the biggest building of the Gyeonggijeon Shrine is ‘Jeongjeoon’, which used to host the royal portrait of Taejo. The building’s proportional shape, stable structure, eloquent carving, and beautiful painting attest to the authority and elegance of the royal household.

The royal portrait on display at ‘Jeongjeon’ is a copy. I headed to the Royal Portrait Museum, which hosts the original portrait. On the way, I came across a long line, which turned out to be the line for taking photo at a famous photo spot.

The Royal Portrait Museum opened in 2010, 600 years since the enshrinement of the royal portrait of Taejo in Jeonju. The portrait is currently a National Treasure, and the museum also exhibits other relics related to the enshrinment.

The original royal portrait of Taejo, along with the fans and the folding screen that were used by the kings, was on display at the first hall of the museum. Taking photo of the portrait is prohibited.

The royal portrait of Taejo (the founder) symbolizes the Joseon Dynasty. There used to be 26 portraits of Taejo, but only one survived to this day in Jeonju.

I entered the other halls of the museum. Other royal portraits, palanquins, and related relics were on display.

One of the exhibition halls told the story of how the royal portrait of Taejo was enshrined in Jeonju.

 

I had to take the video of the Gyeonggijeon Shrine, because it was a beautiful autumn day. The Royal Portrait Museum was interesting and educational.

 

The Royal Portrait Museum, Jeonju
Address: inside the Gyeonggijeon Shrine, Pungnamdong 3ga 102, Wansangu, Jeonju
Contact: 063-231-0090
Opening hours: 9:00~18:00(November to February), 9:00~20:00(June to August)

 

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  • Jared Sandler

    Wow, very fortunate to visit the Royal Portrait Museum inside Gyeonggijeon Shrine during the three week period when it is possible to view the original portrait of King Taejo. It is also interesting that only one official original portrait of King Taejo remains today; fortunately it is at least briefly on display at Jeonju Hanok Village’s Royal Portrait Museum. In addition to the King Taejo Portrait Exhibition Gallery, it appears like the Royal Portrait Museum has an extensive collection of many more historical relics from the Joseon Dynasty. Such an interesting treasure trove in Jeonju City!

  • Melissa

    Looks absolutely fantastic!

  • Bapi Mukherjee

    It is very interesting to know the beautiful Royal Portrait Museum inside the Gyeonggijeon Shrine in Jeonju Hanok Village,which exhibits only survived original copy of great King Taejo,the founder of Joseon dynasty and other renowned historical relics of the dynasty.Jeonju Hanok Village changes it’s fantastic colour in four seasons.The golden yellow Carpets made by Gingko leaves in Gyeonggijeon Shrine during the Autumn are absolutely amazing!

    Oh! I really love excellent golden yellow Gingko leaves!!!

  • Tawwab Khan

    Jeonju Hanok Village changes it’s fantastic colour in four seasons.The golden yellow Carpets made by Gingko leaves in Gyeonggijeon Shrine during the Autumn are absolutely amazing!

    Portraits of the past kings and emperors

    Here you will find originals and replicates of the portraits of the past kings and emperors of Korea, along with some history of their lives. Most of it are just brief descriptions. It would be better if there are more exhibits about lives of these kings and emperors.

  • Ruperdra Singh

    Building allocated for the portrait of King Taejo

    Access to this is through the gates to Gyeonggijeon shrine – the building is dedicated to the only portrait of King Taejo, however, it is a replica of the original.
    There is also an exhibit of sedan chairs & the history of Jeonju

  • Raja Saifi

    Good place to visit

    There was info in English so I was able to understand the importance of the place. If you head downstairs you will find more exhibits – costumes and palaquin as well as the miniature display of the parade. You can also sit and have your photo taken like the painting.

  • Palak Thakur

    Hello, team @Jeonju all about korea 🤗🤗🤗

    the Royal Portrait Museum is one of the newest attractions of Jeonju, located within the Gyeonggijeon Shrine. Royal Portrait Museum is a valuable museum as a new tourism resource of Jeonju as well as Gyeonggijeon Shrine and the Portrait of King Taejo, as well as other various high-class exhibitions to preserve, manage, and enhance the glorious cultural assets of Joseon royal family. The museum is comprised of one above-ground level and one underground level with an area of 1,193.71 square meters. The Portrait of King Taejo and six other king’s portraits (Portrait of King Sejong, King Yeongjo, King Jeongjo, King Cheoljong, King Gojong, and King Sunjong) are exhibited on the first floor.

  • Human Bhattarai

    Location please

  • Natashaz Grangerz

    As I love Korean history, this place is a must visit for me.
    I would love to see The royal portrait of Taejo by my own eyes.

  • Jed Rattikal

    Another place that will be on my plan trip when visit Jeonju.
    Thank you for always suggesting the new interesting places!

  • Soontare Suntares

    I have never heard about the Royal Portrait Museum before so this is new to me. Since taking photo of the portrait is prohibited, I must visit myself to see it. So excited to see it.

  • Rashmika Heshan

    I am very interesting about Korean histry. I like The Royal Portrait Museum. it is very attractive . Thank you so much about this post and intresting photos

  • Ever Enrique Castillo Osorio

    This place is really beautiful and the design is very traditional. I have been lucky enough to visit this place a couple of times, and would gladly go one more time.