1Lucky Trail better to walk slowly
Where is the best place to start the alley tour in the Jeonju Hanok Village? As history has been piled up for a long time, let’s start at the 600-year-old ginkgo tree, which emits a holy spirit.
Next, Seunggwangjae meaning ‘inherit the light’, is the space where the president of Royal Culture Foundation, Yi Seok, the last prince of the Joseon Dynasty, has been residing. Seunggwangjae is the space to share and learn about the history and etiquette of the royal family. Etiquette classes and rice cake mallet pounding programs require advanced booking.
The stairs next to the guardian tree of the village, which is over 500 years old, are connected to Omokdae Observatory. You can also see a well, which can’t be found these days, over the low fence as you walk along the trail. People believed that a well was connected to the underwater palace of the Dragon King in the past. Even though you can’t meet the Dragon King, you can look around the Mural Painting Alley of the TV drama ‘Goblin.’
600-year-old Ginkgo Tree
It is said that this 600-year-old ginkgo tree was planted by Woldang Choi Dam in 1383 (the 9th year of King Wu’s reign during the Goryeo period) for descendants to eliminate random thoughts like a ginkgo tree resisting insects and learn from the tree. It is said that you may get good spirits when you breathe in and out five times in front of this 600-year-old ginkgo tree. Close your eyes and take a deep breath five times, and your mind will be filled with good luck, so be happy and healthy. Wait a moment! You never want to miss the brooklets across from the ginkgo tree and Choimyeonghui-gil. The Choi Myeong-hui Literary House and the alley with the site of the birthplace of Choi Myeong-hui have lots of interesting things, including hidden treasures that may surprise you.
- 33, Eunhaeng-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju
Seonbi Alley
Seonbi Alley enriches the eyes and mind from the start to the end. The Seonbi-gil Story of the Hanok Village is written in front of the main gate of the head family house of sir Choi Dam, who planted the 600-year-old ginkgo tree. Take time to read it. You may see the mural painting showing a flower rain and umbrellas on the other side of the fence. You must take a photo under the umbrella! It is strongly recommended to be a hero in a fairy tale. Dongnakwon, next to the fence, is a Hanok Stay accommodation with a 100-year history. A cat was drawn on the fence in the alley by caricature artist Kim Wan who lives in the Hanok Village. The alley was renovated as an exhibition hall with a roof for tourists and residents.
- 33-13, Eojin-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju
Seunggwangjae
The last prince of the Joseon dynasty, the grandson of King Gojong, lives in Seunggwangjae. As a cultural space showing the history and etiquette of the royal family, Seunggwangjae means ‘inherit the light.’ It’s also good to experience the diverse programs, including rice-cake mallet pounding and tea etiquette, which require advance bookings. Do not miss the alley with the Detached House of Yi Daek-gu in front of Seunggwangjae. The bamboo fence and the flowers creeping over it give off an attraction that can’t be missed.
- 12-6, Choimyeonghui-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju
Omokdae Guardian Tree of the Village
Omokdae Guardian Tree of the Village has protected this area for over 500 years. One day, parents who caught a disease went to a mountain, leaving their son and daughter because they worried about infecting their young children. The son set off to find his parents but froze to death. The sister waiting for her brother died. It’s said that the Omokdae Guardian Tree of the Village was grown on the spot where the sister died.
Make a wish below the Guardian Tree of the Village and hang a good luck pouch with your wish written inside on the tree, and your wish may come true. So never pass by the tree and take the time to make a precious wish. Under the Guardian Tree of the Village, the Gyodong Tea House has served traditional tea at the same price for the past 20 years. Just drop by the tea house and feel the elegant mood while refreshing your spirit with a cup of tea. There are stairs next to the tree. If you miss the stairs, it will be a big mistake.
- Gyodong Tea House: 65-5, Eunhaeng-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju
Hanok Yard Well Story
It was believed that the well was connected to the underwater palace of the Dragon King. The well was sacred because people thought nature and human affairs coincided in a well. So, mothers drew water from the well in the early morning and prayed for the longevity of their family members. While a well can’t be easily found these days, you can see a well in the corner of a yard over the low fence in the Jeonju Hanok Village. The flowers in the yard with the well are so beautiful. The platform for crocks for sauces and condiments reminds us of grandmothers when we were young. Take several steps further, and you can find a mural painting alley describing the TV drama ‘Goblin’ staring Gong Yu.
- Well (Proof Spot): 85, Hyanggyo-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju
- Goblin Mural Painting: 93, Hyanggyo-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju
- Owl Mural Painting: 54-8, Jeonjucheondong-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju
- Joseon Chef Seo Yu-gu: 104, Hyanggyo-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju
Jeonjuhyanggyo Confucian School Ginkgo Tree
Jeonjuhyanggyo Confucian School was originally near Gyeonggijeon Hall. However, when Gyeonggijeon Hall was founded to enshrine the portrait of King Taejo Yi Seong-gye, some insisted that the spirit of King Taejo couldn’t rest because of the voice of Confucian scholars reading books. Thus, it was moved to its present location in 1603. It seems that King Taejo’s spirit might have been delighted by the voice of Confucian scholars, but it was not. Pass through Manhwaru, the entrance of Jeongjuhyanggyo Confucian School, and go inside. You will see the 420-year-old ginkgo trees in the front yard of Myeongryundang and Daeseonjeon Hall.
- 139, Hyanggyo-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju
- Open Hours: 09:00-18:00 (17:00 in winter)
- 063-288-4548
Omokgyo Bridge
Stand in the middle of Omokgyo Bridge, which links the Jeonju Hanok Village to the National Intangible Heritage Center, and you can see the Dongosa Temple on Seungamsan Mountain. Stand in front and properly appreciate the clear wind and sound of Jeonjucheon Stream. The best place to hear the stream on the way to Cheongyeonru Pavilion on the Namcheongyo Bridge. The waterside of Jeonjucheon Stream is beautiful, and the clean scenery is listed as one of the 100 Beautiful Cycle Paths of Korea. There is a traditional swing along the waterside facing the Cheongyeonru Pavilion. It is strongly recommended to feel the refreshing wind as playing on the swings under the Omokgyo Bridge. You need to jump over the stepping stones under the Omokgyo Bridge to reach the swings. Stepping from broad stone to broad stone, you can closely see and listen to the bright sound of Jeonjucheon Stream.
- 24, Jeonjucheondong-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju (in front of Wanpanbon Cultural Center)
- Bike Rental Shop: on the waterside in front of 30-1, Jeonjucheondong-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju / 09:00~18:00(closing on Mondays) / 1,000 KRW per rental
2Beautiful alleys for the best photo in life
Pass the art bench created by the ‘magical touch’ of a local artist who inscribed a sentence from an epic novel, Honbul, written by Choi Myeong-hui. Choimyeonghui-gil was formed to permanently depict the sentences in that epic novel. Over the tile fence at Choi Myeong-hui Literary House, you can see the History Hall in the Jeonju Hanok Village, where you can feel the elegant mood of bamboo shaking in the wind.
Omokdae Observatory is the perfect spot to take photos with a panoramic view over the Hanok Village. The alley smoothly winding between Jeonjuhyanggyo Confucian School and the Jeonju Traditional Culture Training Center is also beyond comparison!
Moreover, there are the ’10 Scenic Views of Hanok Village’ alleys showing the fantastic scenery of the Hanok Village. You will take many photos because of the magnificent harmony of small streams, colorful flowers, and green plants along Eunhaeng-ro and Omokdae-gil. Join the etiquette class or rice-cake mallet pounding by advance bookings.
Choimyeonghui-gil
Choimyeonghui-gil has lots of hidden treasures. For the art bench with drawings by local artists and good texts from the epic novel ‘Honbul’ on the car free alley, the flower drawing on the fences, and winding forest trail next to Choi Myeong-hui Literary House, photos are essential. With any of the backgrounds, the most beautiful photos will be created. A big-mouthed smiling doll family is intimidating. A Hanok accommodation with a beautiful yard on the opposite side is free to stay.
- Choi Myeong-hui Literary House (Proof Spot): 29, Choimyeonghui-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju (10:00~17:00(closing on Mondays))
- Fan Cultural Center: 93, Gyeonggijeon-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju /10:00~17:00 (closing on Mondays)
- Site of Birthplace of Choi Myeong-hui: 26-51, Choimyeonghui-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju
- 600-year-old Ginkgo Tree and Seonbi Alley: 33, Eunhaeng-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju
Alley next to the Jeonju Hanok Village History Museum
The alley next to Jeonju Hanok Village History Museum is the best photo spot, where you can make the masterpiece because the bamboo leaves are shaken with the wind between the low fences of Hanok. The alley appeared in the mobile phone advertisement of a company. Then, how about being a commercial model in this alley today?
Leave the alley and look around the intersection. You can find the ginkgo tree pavilion and a stream. Seunggwangjae, where the last prince of the Joseon dynasty has been staying, the fabulous mud-walled huts and a bamboo alley are opposite. Close your eyes and listen to the sound of water from the water curtain fountain winding around crape myrtle tree, a small waterfall, the stream, and you may feel like you are in a forest valley.
- Jeonju Hanok Village History Museum (Proof Spot): 17-10, Choimyeonghui-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju
- Ginkgo Tree Pavilion: 75-5, Pungnam-dong 3-ga, Wansan-gu, Jeonju
Omokdae Deck Observatory
Omokdae Deck Observatory is recommended to take the best photo with a panoramic view of the Hanok Village as the background. Use the alley next to the traditional garden of the Crafts Exhibition Hall, and you will see a forest trail toward Omokdae. Pass the Omokdae Guardian Tree of the Village, with five-color lucky bags, and you will see the deck stairs, which are the starting point of Omokdae Dulle-gil. Do not give up if you don’t like going up stairs. It’s only several steps to Omokdae Deck Observatory. You can see the beautiful vista with a fantastic view of the Hanok Villagespreading like a picture. Take front, back, and side photos. Never miss any scene.
- Alley, 65-13, Eunhaeng-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju
10 Scenic Views Alley of Jeonju Hanok Village
The 10 Scenic Views of the Jeonju Hanok Village were selected and described on walls with texts and drawings in this alley. So, this alley has the story on those views. Let’s check them one by one. At the 10 Scenic Views Alley entrance, the Snoopy family greets you. Next, a big turtle greets you under the 10 Scenic Views drawing.
‘Happy to be here today.’ It seems that someone wrote this sentence wishing that everyone visiting here feels the same. Take several steps further very slowly, like a turtle, and you can see 4 tree trunk benches. Those benches were made for visitors to rest for a while after walking to this place.
- 97-16, Hyanggyo-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju
Jeonjuhyanggyo Confucian School Alley
Jeonjuhyanggyo Confucian School is always filled with visitors. However, it’s easy to miss the alley between Jeonjuhyanggyo Confucian School and Jeonjudongheon Government Office. You must not miss the alley because of the photo spots hidden inside. While the long alley seems to be a dead-end alley, you should not be deceived. Walk through the alley and emerge into a fabulous Hanok at the end. The bending alley shows different attractions from other alleys. Firewood and the chimney look chic in the backyard of Jeonjudongheon Government Office. A few know this alley. While you are at it, go around the corner of the alley and go into Jeonjudongheon Government Office. You may miss something if you leave only after seeing the firewood in the backyard. Enter the Jeonju Traditional Culture Training Center, and you will see the House of Jang Hyeon-sik and Jeonjudongheon Government Office. Imagine being the owner of this house for a while. Sit on the floor and take a photo. Look around inside the house. No one will say anything. The Jeonju Hanok Village is so charming no matter how many times we see it.
- (Proof Spot) 131-25, Hyanggyo-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju
- Jeonju Traditional Culture Training Center: 119-6, Hyanggyo-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju / 09:00~17:00 (Closing at Sundays)
Eunhaeng-ro Omokjeong
Along Eunhaeng-ro road, the winding stream presents the sound of water and the variety of flowers blooming along the stream is pretty. Walk along Eunhaeng-ro road toward the Namcheongyo Bridge, and you will see the beautiful pavilion, ‘Omokjeong.’ The is an animal-shaped water fountain, and the curtain falls next to the pavilion. The car decorated with pretty flowers is the best background for taking a photo. It’s also good to see the Hanok accommodation with a cozy yard next to Omokjeong. At the starting point of the stream, there is a small intersection below Omokjeong. There is a millstone excitedly spinning with the flow of water. Let’s watch it for a while. It’s interesting and exciting.
- 76, Eunhaeng-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju
Rectangular stream
Eunhaeng-ro has a long and winding stream. There is another stream hidden in the Jeonju Hanok Village. It’s an exciting and interesting site for everyone because of the pretty pavilion and winding stream. The present site is the former Munhwa Pencil plant in the past. The Munhwa Pencil plant, the second pencil plant following Dong-A Pencil in Daejeon, was built here in 1949. Until it was moved to Palbok-dong, Jeonju in 1978, about 130 employees worked here. The sawdust from the pencil plant was used as fuel for the residents. The residents remember that the plant was helpful because it distributed defective goods to village children.
- Pretty cafes and Hanok with beautiful yards: Around 81-8, Omokdae-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju
3Jeonju Hanok Village Alley Tour, along with the stories
The course starts from Jaman Mural Village, a restricted area during the Joseon period. Pass Omokdae Supermarket and Wongwang Supermarket, which act as the unofficial tourist information centers, operation at the entrance of the Hanok Village for over 30 years.
Next, pass the two fountains famous for the delicious taste of water to the extent that King Taejo Yi Seong-gye never forgot the water from the fountains. After that, the Hyundai Supermarket shows off its appearance with a signboard, which makes us feel the lapse of 50 years. A stationery store and a snack stand in front of Seongsim Girls Middle School and High School remind us of school days, just as the alley brings back memories.
Jogyeongdan-ro Jaman Mural Village
You can easily get to Jaman Mural Village by crossing the Omokdae Overpass from Omokdae Pavilion. As the village is the cradle of Jeonju Yi Clan, it’s not an ordinary site. Walking along the alley, you will find the stele with the writing ‘Jamandonggeumpyo.’ It’s the stone indicator acknowledging it’s a restricted area where the public couldn’t access. It was by order of King Gojong, who deified Jaman-dong, as the living foundation of the ancestors of the Joseon dynasty in the 1900s. Every corner in the alley presents new scenery. Famous celebrities, including Michael Jackson, Anne of Green Gables, Marilyn Monroe, and Frida Kahlo, the Mexican artist, are vividly described.
- 1-8, Jaman-dong 1-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju (Jamandonggeumpyo)
Omokdae Supermarket/Wongwang Supermarket
Two supermarkets act as the unofficial tourist information centers of the Hanok Village and have been operating at the entrance of the Jeonju Hanok Village for over 30 years, Omokdae Supermarket and Wongwang Supermarket. The esteemed owners of Omokdae Supermarket know everything about the Jeonju Hanok Village. They give information on Hanok Village history to the tour courses without asking anything in return. Don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions. A few steps further, the owner of Wongwang Supermarket has been operating the supermarket on the same site for 3 generations. The skill of the owner is not ordinary. All works based on the Galaxy Express 999 cartoon characters to the train model are made by the owner. If you walk watching only in front of you, you may miss those works.
- Omokdae Supermarket (Proof Spot): 53, Girindae-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju
- Wongwang Supermarket: 49, Girindae-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju
Twin Fountains and the Yangsajae Story
What does twin fountain mean? Twin fountain means two fountains, an upper one and a lower one. The taste of the water from this fountain is so delicious that King Taejo Yi Seong-gye never forget it. It is said that Jeonju Bean Sprout Soup with Rice became famous because the bean sprouts are grown using water from this twin fountain. It is said that you will have twins after having water from the twin fountain in this village. The elderly twins have been living in this village since they were born. The Jeonju Municipal Government implemented the Twin Fountain Plaza Construction Project. You will be surprised by the new plaza on your next visit. Yangsajae is near this village. Yangsajae, the L-shaped Hanok, is the house for developing classical scholars. Yangsajae is where the youth prepared for the licentiate qualifying examination. The building was an annex of the Jeonjuhyanggyo Confucian School during the Joseon period and was renovated in 1875 (the 12th year of King Gojong’s reign). Yangsajae is open to tourists for Hanok Stay experiences now. You can stay here for one night at any time. Take several steps further in front of Yangsajae, and you will see the Haengbokheon-gil Angel Wing mural painting. Drop by this place and be an angel.
- Yangsajae (Proof Spot): 40, Omokdae-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju
- Haengbokheon-gil Mural Painting: 83-20, Eunhaeng-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju
- Twin Fountain: 11, Omokdae-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju
Hyanggyo-gil Hyundai Supermarket
The signboard still has the telephone number from when the supermarket opened 56 years ago. It tells the history of the grandfather and this supermarket. While it was an old signboard, it contains the history of Hanok Village now. So, residents opposed the change to a new signboard. The owner's grandfather said that he is happy just watching tourists all day long. While he doesn’t speak English, he communicates with foreign customers using eyes and hand signals nearly perfectly. It will be great if the owner's grandfather stays healthy and greets us in this supermarket on our next visit. Take a few steps further after the Hyundai Supermarket, and you will see Minhwa Alley.
- 112, Hyanggyo-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju
Alley bringing back memory
Suppose you have a memory of a stationery store where you hesitated selecting stationeries with friends during childhood. In that case, this alley will bring such a memory back. From those days, the hairpins and claw machine are still in front of the stationery store, to our surprise. Then, children, and even adults passing by, stop in front of the stationery store for a while. The grandmother in the Tteokbokki store next to the stationery store is the eldest member remaining in this alley. The grandmother wraps the paper cup with Tteokbokki with newspaper, worrying if the cup is too hot. It’s just a thousand Won, but its taste is perfect. Go down from the Tteokbokki store, and you will see the snack store ‘Nauijip.’ The owner has been in this alley from when her mother-in-law ran this store. The store name was originally ‘My Home,’ but the signboard couldn’t include English words in the past. ‘Nauijip’ means ‘my home’ in Korean. In the exciting alley of memory, indulge in reminiscence.
- 151, Gyeonggijeon-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju
Gyodong Art Gallery
The present director presents the fantastic Gyodong Art Gallery for tourists by renovating the Baekyang Underwear plant, which was operated by her parents-in-law in the past, to an art gallery. The art gallery was a meaningful place. About 400 female factory workers in the Baekyang Underwear plant made money to support their younger brothers and sisters and put every endeavor to realize their dreams by attending night school. On the broad site of about 8,000 m2, the Choi Myeong-hui Literary House, the Fan Cultural Center, the Gyodong Art Gallery Main Building, and the 2nd Building are located. Enter the art gallery, and the masterpieces are displayed in the marvelous space. It’s an unexpected gift you can encounter during the Hanok Village tour.
- Gyodong Art Gallery: 89, Gyeonggijeon-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju / 10:00-17:00 (closed on Monday)/Free admission
- Gyodong Art Gallery II: 25, Choimyeonghui-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju / 10:00-17:00 (closed on Monday)/Free admission
Korean Paper Art Alley
The Traditional Korean Paper Center in the middle of the alley is the traditional Korean paper art studio operated by a traditional Korean paper master with over 30 years of experience. Korean paper is produced using the traditional method. It’s lucky to see the production process of Korean paper. It’s also good to directly see and select diverse works from shrouds to daily supplies made with traditional Korean paper. The alley maps drawn by handicraft artists, which you can see as walking along the alley, look cute and charming.
- 100-10, Hanji-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju