12 Things to Do in Jeonju and Why It’s Korea’s Chilled-Out City

A Guide to Visiting Jeonju, South Korea

You may be more used to Seoul’s busy streets. But if you want to get away from it all when you visit South Korea, there’s always Jeonju to go to.

Jeonju is a slow city, according to Cittaslow International, and is the capital of Jeollabuk-do.

And it’s an ideal destination to escape to if crowded streets drive you nuts.

I swear I felt transported back in time when I stepped into the city.

Jeonju is a really relaxed place that does things the old-fashioned way. It has loads of traditional-style, historical buildings, and it feels like the cultural capital of South Korea.

Throw in traditional Korean architecture from the Joseon Dynasty and the “open museum” vibe and I felt like I was walking through a set of zombie K-drama Kingdom (without the snarling zombies, of course).

There were beautiful hanoks, no skyscrapers in the city skyline and hardly anyone around.

But there are so many ways to chill out when you visit Jeonju.

And here are 12 reasons why this laidback city should be your next destination in South Korea and why you should go.

What to do in Jeonju to get your chill on

1. Go on a Korean food pilgrimage and try Jeonju's Bibimbap

Bibimbap is life in Jeonju, a traditional Korean dish you must try at least once.

In fact, it’s the birthplace of the dish. Typical ingredients are beef, bean sprouts, and gochujang—a sweet and spicy red chili paste.

You know a dish is legit when it makes it to the top 10 lists. Bibimbap is no exception; it’s number 8 on the Ultimate Eatlist book by Lonely Planet.

I was lucky enough to have a meal at Gajok Hoegwan - probably Jeonju’s most famous bibimbap restaurant, where they serve up this dish traditional Korean style. These guys do everything the time-honoured way, so you can’t go wrong here.

Leave some space in your belly for banchan (side dishes) as there’s plenty to try here.

2. Visit the charming Jeonju Hanok Village

One of the main attractions in the city is the traditional Jeonju Hanok Village, which has 750 traditional Korean houses.

The houses are heated with ondol, a unique floor heating system. It's part of Korean culture to sit on the floor, and these floors make it comfortable for you to do so.

Oh, and the beautifully-tiled roofs that point upwards: stunning, and an architect's dream come true.

Don't forget to try street food, including mochi, meatball and octopous skewers, and makgeolli (rice wine).

3. Rent a hanbok to look like medieval royalty

If you’ve always wanted to look like Ju Ji-Hoon, Bae Doona or Kim Hye-jun then there’s only one option - hanbok rentals.

One of the best things to do in Jeonju is rent a hanbok and put on your makeup and outfit.

I admit I wouldn’t typically do this. And it may seem super touristy at first.

But the locals do it, too, so don’t be afraid of sticking out like a sore thumb. Plus, it’s very fun, and there’s no better way to appreciate hanok houses than by dressing the part.

You can rent a hanbok from many shops, similar to the shops around the Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, which will also help you pick out an outfit.

There are ceremonial outfits worn by Crown Princes and Princesses and even Kings and Queens and it’s a great way to experience Korean culture.

Oh, and you should totally go to the Jeonju Hanok Village to wear your outfits, maybe hang out at traditional tea houses or take an Instagrammable photo in front of a hanok house, which leads me to my next point.

4. Stay in a hanok to travel back in time

If you’re looking for a unique stay in Jeonju there are plenty of great hanok stays for travellers.

You can sleep on traditional futon-style bedding in traditional houses without sacrificing modern amenities like air-con, heating and free wifi.

5. Catch the Jeonju International Film Festival

If you’re lucky enough to be in the city when the film festival is on, you should totally check it out. It’s a great chance to watch indie films and avant-garde cinema.

6. Check out the Jaman Mural Village

Korea has some amazing mural villages and Jeonju’s Jaman Mural Village is one of them.

Catch buskers, admire cute graffiti from popular anime like Doraemon and Spirited Away and chill out at Daldongnae Coffee Shop for coffee and a view of Jeonju.

Jaman Mural Village is walking distance from the hanok village, and while it is a bit of steep walk up, there's plenty of vibrant murals you can feast your eyes upon along the way, and it'll be well-worth stretching your calves for.

Pro tip: from the mural village, head to the nearby Omokdae Viewpoint on a small hill for a stunning panoramic view of Jeonju.

7. Peace out at Deokjin Park

For some history and nature, check out Deokjin Park, which has a pond from the Goryeo dynasty. It’s also a great place to level up your photography skills with beautiful lotus flowers everywhere.

Oh, and getting here is not too complicated, too, being a quick 30-minute bus ride away from the Jeonju Hanok Village.

8. Get a taste of history at the Confucian School

History lovers, you’re in luck. For some rich history, head to the Confucian School, which was a national education centre during the Joseon period.

See the ginko tree planted over 400 years ago and the main building, Daesungjeon, where Confucius’ tables are stored.

9. Eat till your belly bursts at the Nambu Market

From street food to rice wine, the Nambu Market is a paradise for chowing down on traditional Korean eats.

The night market takes place on Friday and Saturday nights and is a superb spot to sample a medley of local snacks—think tteok galbi (grilled patties), fish cakes, tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), and boribap (steamed barley served with vegetables, a fried egg, and pollack stew).

You can even top up your boribap with sesame oil, bean paste, and chilli paste too!

Oh, and Nambu Market is close to other spots like the Jeonju Hanok Village and Pungnammun, so it's a pretty convenient place to stop by for a quick meal on a Friday evening.

10. Pay a visit to the historic Gyeonggijeon Shrine

If you're looking for things to do in Jeonju that involve admiring the city's traditional architecture, you can't go wrong with a visit to the Gyeonggijeon Shrine.

Erected centuries ago in 1410, it houses the portrait of King Tae-jo, who founded the Joseon Dynasty.

This historical landmark is located in Gyeonggijeon Palace and is a must-go for history buffs looking to visit Jeonju for a blast of the past.

11. Marvel at the Jeondong Catholic Cathedral

One of the more underrated things to do in Jeonju is to head to a Catholic church, which might not be one of the first things in mind on your itinerary, but hear us out.

Located at the entrance of the Jeonju Hanok Village, the century-old Jeondong Catholic Church was completed in 1914; its stunningly unique combination of Roman and Byzantine architecture makes it one of the more stand-out buildings in the city.

12. Admire the impressive Pungnammun Gate

Again, a short distance away from the Jeonju Hanok Village lies the 600-year-old Pungnammun Gate, surviving turbulent times like the Japanese colonial era to become the iconic symbol of the city that it is today.

Fun fact: there were once four gates for each direction but today, Pungnammun is the last gate-standing.

Come here to admire traditional Korean architecture, including its beautiful stone walls, tiled roofs, and a jongru, a bell tower from the Goryeo dynasty.

Honourable mentions:

You can also check out art galleries and museums like the Jeonju Crafts Exhibition Hall and the Royal Portrait Museum if you have spare time and are spending multiple days in the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jeonju worth it?

Jeonju is worth visiting! The Jeonju Hanok Village is a real highlight where you can rent a hanbok and soak up the charm of a traditional Korean village.

With its beautifully preserved hanok houses and vibrant cultural scene, this UNESCO city is a must-see in Jeollabuk-do, South Korea.

How long to spend in Jeonju?

When planning things to do in Jeonju, a day trip is perfect—arrive in the morning and leave in the evening. But if you want to take it easy, staying for 24 hours is ideal.

What is the signature dish of Jeonju?

When it comes to things to do in Jeonju, trying the signature dish, bibimbap (mixed rice bowl), is a must. This famous dish is so beloved that the city hosts a Bibimbap Festival every October.

How to get around Jeonju?

When you visit Jeonju, getting around is a breeze! You can hop on a bus, drive, or enjoy a stroll. Buses are the most affordable option and a great way to see the city.

What's Jeonju's weather like?

How to travel from Seoul to Jeonju?

If you’re coming from Seoul you can take the KTX train. It’s fast, cheap and convenient. Trains run daily from both cities and take around 1.5 hours.

Exploring the rest of Jeollabuk-Do

Jeonju is part of the Jeollabuk-do region (North Jeolla province), but you can do many other things on a trip here.

If you have time we recommend you check out the rest of the region. Here are some other places in Jeollabuk-do that all you nomads can visit and add to your bucket list, especially if you’re looking for day trip ideas:

Things to do in Gunsan

Check out the beautiful Seonyudo Island

For impeccable views and a taste of the island life in Korea, clear your schedules for a trip to Seonyudo Island.

But this island is more than just a scenic spot that's Instagram-ready. There's plenty of history and culture behind this island, having been the headquarters of the navy during the Joseon Dynasty.

In terms of things to do at Seonyudo Island, you can try the Seonyu Sky SUN Line, a thrilling zipline that stretches 45-metres across the ocean with stunning beach views.

There's also the Jangjado Island Skywalk, a short walk away that offers up uninterrupted vistas of the surrounding islands. Oh, and you can dig for shellfish here too.

Things to do in Gochang

Try digging for clams at a mudflat experience

When in Korea, do as the Koreans do. And one of those activities involves digging for clams at a mudflat in Gochang County.

It’s a fun experience to see how the locals get food for their hometown.

Even the tractor that brings you to the mudflats feels like you've stepped in a Korean version of George Miller's Mad Max.

The Korean Tourism Organisation even has this ultra-cool promo video of your regular ajusshi driving around like Max Rockatansky around the mud flats.

Don't worry about getting dirty with the mud here, though. You can rent boots and gloves for the whole experience; all you've got to focus on is your haul for the day.

Go hiking at the Ramsar Ungok Wetlands and admire the Gochang Dolmen sites

Korea is home to some seriously stunning nature, reflected in the Ungok Ramsar Wetlands.

The Wetlands, once farmland of nine villages, made way for a nuclear power plant (some of the previous residents even had their tombstones in the park).

But after the farmers left, Mother Nature did her part and slowly recovered, which a governor discovered in 2009.

Today, the park is an area of ecological importance, home to endangered species and massive stone monuments called dolmens.

In fact, one in the park weighs a whopping 300 tonnes!

You can take a tram ride along the Ungok Reservoir between 10am to 5pm. And if you're into hiking, there are a few trails to choose from, each ranging from one to four hours.

Feel like a true blue K-superstar at the Borinara Hagwon Farm

There are hardly any more gorgeous places in Korea than the Borinara Hagwon Farm, a massive barley farm used as a filming location in plenty of K-dramas.

Diehard fans of the series "Goblin" will be pleased to know they, too, can check out the spot where Ji Eun-tak tried to pull out a sword from his chest.

There's a stunning canola field beside the barley field of beautiful yellow flowers that look right out of a dream.

One of the best things to do here is to walk these fields of gold and snap photos for the gram (or TikTok, whichever you choose).

Jeollabuk-do is worth it

While there are plenty of things to do in Jeonju, many people only spend a day or two there.

But it’s worth spending more time to get to know the city, beyond the traditional hanok village.

And this goes for the whole Jeollabuk-do region if you want to find some secret spots.

Anyway, if you haven’t already, add Jeollabuk-do to your bucket list. You won’t regret it.