Things to do in Jeonju, South Korea - Part. 2

Jeonju Hyanggyo (Confucian School)

The Jeonju Hyanggyo is a Confucius school originally established at the Gyeonggijeon Shrine site in Jeonju, Korea, sometime early in the 15th century, during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).

At the time of the Second Japanese Invasion in 1592 the Gyeonggijeon Shrine and the Jeonju Hyanggyo were completely destroyed and therefore had to be rebuilt at its present location in 1603.

The hyanggyo was designated as a Historic Site (Treasure) No.379 by the Korean government in 1992. There are a number of "classroom" buildings in the site where the Confucius beliefs were taught to students hundreds of years ago. 

The hyanggyo always offers you a variety of festivals and traditional ceremonies / programs. Confucius scholars hold ancestral rites at the site, as well as the National Rite to Confucius that is held in spring and winter every year. 

Holding the National Rite to Confucius.

You will also be able to take part in lots of different activities. One of the most popular activities includes coming-to-age ceremony, Korean traditional wedding ceremony and Korean traditional calligraphy lesson. 

Coming-to-age ceremony in Korean traditional style

Calligraphers demonstrating Korean traditional calligraphy.

The participation fees for the official programs offered by the hyanggyo are usually completely FREE, however you must apply in advance if you're keen since most of the programs is on a first come first served basis and can only accomodate the limited number of participants.

Address : 26-3, Gyo-dong, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do

Opening Hours : 09:00 ~ 18:00 in summer, 09:00 ~ 17:00 in winter

Admission Fees : Free

Inquiries : +82-63-288-4544 / 4548 (Available from 09:00 ~ 18:00)

*To make an application, visit the official website of Jeonju Hyanggyo.

Pungnammun Gate

Pungnammun Gate is the south gate of the castle that enclosed Jeonju during the Joseon Dynasty and was designated as the National Treasure No.308 in 1963. The gate was established as a fortification to protect the city Jeonju, which was the provincial governor's capital during the Joseon Dynasty. 

There used to be gates in all 4 directions but all of them were destroyed. Pungnammun gate was restored and now it's the only gate remaining in Jeonju. There's so much history in this site since it has gone thorough lots of sufferings during the Japanese Invasion, also from an unidentified fire, and even from the city planning project by King Sunjong. 

Address : 1, Pungnammun 3-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do

Opening hours : Open all year round

Admission Fees : Free

Inquiries : 1330 Travel Hotline +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese), +82-63-281-2166~7

Jeonju Jeontong Sul Museum (Traditional Liquor Museum)

Oh, liquors and alcohols, how universal yet still so much fun? Let's get boozed up with the history of Korean liquors at Jeonju Traditional Liquor Museum. Don't be disappointed already cause you will be having tastings, too!

The entrance of Jeonju Jeontong Sul Museum building. Source from the museum's official website. 

This quite a small sized museum exhibits various liquors from almost all regions of Korea. The museum provides detailed descriptions about the liquors, such as the history, traditional methods used to make them, traditional liquor containers/ glasses and so many more. The museum is determined to educate our generation to pursue a more admirable drinking culture and also to better familiarize people with Korean traditional liquors.

Fun activities are also available.

1. Sul lesson : The lesson will teach you about the history, makings, and drinking cultures of Korean Sul. Held in every spring and winter. 

2. Dansulbitgi : 20 minute Sul making activity. Price 7,000 KRW.

3. Hyangumjurye : 50 minute lesson where you will be provided with a detailed education about the traditions and mannerisms of Korean drinking culture. Price 10,000 KRW for adults, 8,000 KRW for adolescents. 

*Sul : Alcohols / liquors in Korean 

 Inside of the museum. Picture source from the museum's official website.

Address : 74, Hanji-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do

Opening Hours : 09:00 ~ 18:00 (Closed on every Monday)

Admission Fees : Free (Extra charge for activities)

Inquiries : +82-63-287-6305

Jeonju National Museum

Picture Source

Jeonju National Museum opened in 1990 and is now highly regarded as one of the most renowned museums in South Korea for holding a massive collection of 40,000 works. The collection includes heritages of ancient stories and historical materials, regional artworks, and a lot more. The museum has endeavored to collect, conserve, research, exhibit, and educate on the cultural heritages of the province since it first opened in 1990. 

The map of the museum. Picture source from the museum's official website.

Exhibitions consist of Special Exhibitions, Ancient Culture Room, Fine Arts Room, Historical Archive, Seokjeon Memorial Room and Outdoor Exhibition Area. If you're interested in seeing special exhibitions, you can check the theme and the duration of the exhibition from the official website. 

Seokjeon Memorial Room in particular, is dedicated to renowned calligrapher Seokjeon Hwang Uk and will show you his works which were donated by his son. You can also find family relics, and collections of ancient books besides calligraphies and letters. The room is a must-see especially if you're into oriental, Korean traditional calligraphy works. 

Address : 900, Hyoja-dong 2-ga, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do. 

Opening Hours : 10:00 ~ 18:00 (Last admission is due 17:50) on weekdays.

10:00 ~ 19:00 on weekends / holidays.

Open til 21:00 every Saturday from March to October.

Closed on the 1st of January, Seol (Lunar New Year's Day), Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day).

Admission Fees : Free

Inquiries : +82-63-223-5651 

For more detailed info / guides, visit the museum's official website.