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The small settlement of Jeonju in South Korea may not feel like a city but by definition it is. But instead of skyscrapers and bright lights, you can expect modest hanok houses and traditional local cuisine.
Jeonju is worth visiting during any South Korea itinerary simply because it’s so different
This city was voted a UNESCO city of gastronomy in 2012 which only made me more excited as I’m head-over-heels in love with Korean food!
JEONJU KOREA ESSENTIALS
Accommodation: Booking.com / Hostelworld
Jeonju activities: Viator
Getting there: flight / bus / train (Trip.com)
Where is Jeonju?
Jeonju is in West Korea, halfway between Seoul in the north and Busan in the south. If you just have a week in Korea, it would make a nice pitstop as you journey between the two megacities.
Getting to Jeonju, Korea
One thing to know about public transport in South Korea: it’s seriously efficient. Unlike countries in Southeast Asia where night buses and long days in transit are a necessity, things are a breeze in South Korea. Both buses and trains are quick and comfortable.
By train: The journey takes just under 2 hours and cost 30,000 won ($25) including a free drink and cake
By bus: If you’re travelling on a budget, my best Korea travel tip is to take the bus. They take around 3 hours and depart from Jeonju Express Bus Terminal. Booking bus tickets online is a faff so it’s best to just turn up on the day. Buses depart regularly so you shouldn’t have any problems.
Can you visit Jeonju as a day trip from Seoul?
Yes! If you have limited time, you can easily see Jeonju Hanok Village during a day trip from Seoul. But I always enjoy
Where to stay in Jeonju
When I noticed there were no hostels in Jeonju, I was initially disappointed as a solo traveller in South Korea who likes to meet other people. However, I then learnt that Jeonju has some of the best-preserved hanok houses in the country, dating back to the 14th century.
Staying in a
Simply translating as ‘Korean house’, hanoks are modest buildings displaying traditional Korean architecture. They’re typically made with dark-coloured wood and elegant, sloping ceilings, set around sleepy courtyards.
Korean architecture is deeply holistic, representing a spiritual connection between the inhabitants and their surroundings.
While there are plenty of
My room was basic like most
What to do in Jeonju
Next in my Jeonju travel guide, what to do, see and eat during your visit. There are only a few attractions in Jeonju compared to Seoul or Busan but is that such a bad thing?
Not at all. Jeonju is the antidote to big, busy cities and just what I needed at the time.
Here are some of the top attractions and places to go in Jeonju…
Eat the best bibimbap in Jeonju
My sightseeing in Jeonju began with bibimbap and that’s exactly how I want all my travel adventures to start!
Would you believe that the photo below is just of my side dishes? Jeonju is the original hometown of the dish so it would be rude to leave without tucking into at least one bowl.
In case you don’t know – bibimbap translates as ‘mixed rice’ and is a tasty mess of egg, veggies, beansprouts, kimchi and pepper sauce. If you’re travelling Korea on a budget, eating this affordable dish is one of the best ways to keep the costs down.
If you’re looking to try bibimbap in Jeonju (spoiler – you should), I’d highly recommend Family House. There are plenty of restaurants in Jeonju that serve bibimbap but honestly, you can’t do better than this place.
My bibimbap with 12 side dishes was 12,000 won. Bargain! These sides included kimchi, asparagus, glass noodle salad, pickled jelly, gooseberries, syrup-soaked sweet potato and more.
Jeonju Hanok Village
If you’re not staying in one (and even if you are), ensure you visit the famed Hanok Village. This was well worth the hype: a preserved traditional village with some cultural finds along the way.
Things to do in Jeonju Hanok Village include visiting the calligraphy and sake museums or simply strolling the peaceful streets, trying Korean snacks or renting a traditional hanbok outfit.
Pose in a photobooth
Jeonju may have deep traditional roots but who doesn’t love a selfie? There are a few modern touches dotted around Jeonju Hanok Village including these fun photobooths. The ultimate millennial souvenir!
Eat at Nambu Market
For Korean food and a taste of local life, head to the biggest local market in Jeonju. Nambu Market has been selling groceries, hot dishes and colourful fruit and veg for over 200 years.
Google says Nambu Market is open all day and evening but I didn’t find this to be the case. It was closed when I visited at 6pm but apparently it’s open on Friday and Saturday nights. The best time to visit is for breakfast or lunch.
There wasn’t quite as much hot food as I was hoping for but I did find some tasty Korean fried chicken. It’s not old-school Korean food but it was delish.
Hike to Omodae Viewpoint
Being a low-rise city, it’s not too difficult to capture Jeonju from above. Walking up to Omodae Viewpoint is an easy 5-minute climb up a couple of flights of wooden stairs.
Snap some photos of the idyllic Hanok Village before returning to ground level… and perhaps rewarding yourself with a bowl of bibimbap for that oh-so-strenuous 😉 hike.
Jaman Mural Village
I love the diversity of Korea. Who would expect a vibrant and modern street art village in this traditional town? South Korea somehow marries the old and new so well; good news for me as I love street art.
The most colourful place to visit in Jeonju is Jaman Mural Village, just a short walk from the
Jeonjuchun River walkway
During my time in Jeonju, I took several early evening runs beside the Jeonjuchun River. Whether your motivation is staying fit and healthy while travelling or simply experiencing the peaceful Korean countryside, you can’t go wrong.
For an easy, flat walk with beautiful views, follow the Silver Grass path along the Jeonjuchun River from Ssajeondari Bridge to Jeonju Ecomuseum.
Seohakdong Art Village
One spot I read about before visiting Jeonju was Seohakdong Art Village. After checking it out, I can’t say it was the best thing to do in Jeonju as it was fairly small and sleepy. However, if you’ve got a spare hour, take a walk around this part of town. There are a few art galleries, shops
Address: Jeollabuk-do, Jeonju-si, Pungnam-dong.
Sip on makgeolli
Alcoholic milk? Believe it or not, this beverage is a
There are plenty of places in Jeonju to try makgeolli but you can’t go wrong with Yetchon Makgeolli Restaurant.
1 day itinerary for Jeonju Korea
Include these things to do in Jeonju for the perfect day in this gorgeous city…
Morning – wander Jeonju Hanok Village. Sample local snacks, take photos in the booths or simply soak up the atmosphere.
Lunch – stop at Nambu Market for hot food (I would highly recommend the Korean fried chicken).
Afternoon – walk to Jaman Mural Village. Afterwards, take a loop around Seohakdong Art Village.
Evening – head for dinner at Family House for your bibimbap feast.
Evening drinks – Visit Yetchon Makgeolli Restaurant to try the famous Jeonju beverage.
South Korea essentials
- Copy of Lonely Planet Korea.
- A Korean phrasebook & dictionary.
- To stay connected, a 4g SIM to collect at Seoul airport or a rental pocket Wi-Fi device
- A handy bumbag to keep your belongings secure.
- Reusable coffee cup (collapsable) for hot takeaway drinks.
- A reusable water bottle that you can fill up with filtered water (your accommodation will have this).
- Alternatively, a filtering water bottle that allows you to safely drink tap water.
- Metal straw and cloth bag set to reduce the use of plastic straws.
- Travel luggage – I use I recommend the Osprey Farpoint (men’s) (women’s).
- A camera – I use the Sony DSC-HX350 Digital Compact Bridge Camera which I think is one of the most affordable options based on the zoom and quality of photos.
- A GoPro if you’re into making videos – I use the HERO8 Black.
- Solo travel pick: a tripod or mini GorillaPod to get yourself in the shot – I use the Manfrotto tripod and Joby GorillaPod.
Thanks for reading my guide to Jeonju Korea
Check out my other South Korea blogs:
- The ultimate South Korea bucket list
- Is Korea expensive? A complete cost breakdown
- 30 South Korea travel tips
- Solo female travel guide to South Korea
- South Korea 2 week itinerary
- 5 day Seoul itinerary
- The ultimate guide to Seoul street food
- How to spend 3 days in Busan
- 20 best foods to try in South Korea
- Visiting Jeju Island without a car
- Tips for visiting the DMZ from Seoul
- The best Busan day trips
See you next time,
Rose
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VISITING SOUTH KOREA?
These are my trusted resources:
Getting around by air – I use Skyscanner to find the best-value flights, using the ‘search by month’ tool to find the cheapest dates. You can also use the ‘to anywhere’ feature if you’re flexible on where you’re going.
Buses – buses are comfy and efficient. It’s tricky for foreigners to book online so it’s best to turn up on the day.
Trains – use Trip.com, partner of Korail (the official railway network of Korea) to book your seats in advance. The website accepts international payment options, unlike Korean rail websites. Click the three stripes in the top right corner then the flag to change it to English.
Driving in Korea – use Rentalcars.com to compare car rentals. Hiring a car will be especially useful on Jeju Island.
For hotels in Korea, I use Booking.com – they also have self-catering apartments. You can filter by review score and price to find the best-rated budget places. For hostels, I use Hostelworld.
Browse South Korea tours and activities on GetYourGuide. I also check Viator and Klook in case they have a better price.
For food tours with passionate local chefs and foodies, check out EatWith.
Need travel insurance? I use True Traveller (for UK & Europe residents) since it’s affordable but covers everything you’d need including various activities, valuables and pre-existing conditions. Unlike some companies, they insure you if you’re already travelling / don’t yet have your flight home booked. Get a quote.
For travel insurance for other nationalities, I recommend Hey Mundo and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest Safety Wing.
Check out my resources page for more travel discounts and tips!
I had honestly never heard of this place before, but it looks so nice and charming, and colorful. It seems like art is a big thing here which is awesome. So pretty
Jeonju looks like a fab place to wander around and get lost! I’ve always wanted to visit South Korea! xx
Is Jeonju cheaper compare to big cities like Seoul and Busan? In terms of their food pricing, transport, etc?
I think it’s a bit cheaper yes, although street food is more prevalent in big cities like Seoul so it’s more restaurant dining in Jeonju. In terms of Jeonju, you can get all around by foot so you don’t need any transport. Hope that helps!