Jeonju Travel Guide, South Korea

Jeonju Travel Guide-Home of Tradition

The capital of North Jeolla province, not far from Seoul and even closer to Daegu, is well known for being the place where tradition and its spirit survived. It has a population of about 640 000 and it is famous for its private learning academies, known as hakwon-s. The curriculum of these schools comprises everything you might think of, from traditional crafts to computer skills. The fact that the symbol of the city is a traditional open fan illustrates exactly the combination of history and the openness to future. The city is known to export teachers to other regions. Beside teachers, a lot of farmers live here. Next to the rural and traditional spirit, the spirit of technology is harmoniously integrated. A few examples are: the presence of Samsung Sound and Culture Hall – a modern concert complex, the branch stations of some Korean broadcasting networks, some producing their own shows, the Jeonju film festival attracting about 50000 visitors each year.

Jeonju Travel Guide - City of Food

Food is not only about eating, it is also about the delight of all senses and feeding the soul. Probably all across Asia you will discover plenty of marine products, cereals and fresh vegetables, still the people of Jeonju say about their food that it contains beside nutrients, philosophy and sincerity. Let’s take for instance the local food bibimbap. At first look, it is a mixture of rice, vegetables and meat. But the rice is boiled in a soup made of cow bones, in a bronze bowl, manufactures in a traditional manner, with talent and passion.

Omogary is another successful combination of catfish, mandarin fish, hot pepper, radish leaves, and cabbage. Probably you have eaten bean sprouts before, though the ones in Jeonju are of a special quality given by the water, the love for the soil and its gifts.

Stone pot rice is about mixing tradition and new food culture. It is a strange, healthy and good tasting combination, including: green onion, sesame, soy sauce, barley, chestnut and of course rice.

If you think about drinking, try beside wines (there is also a museum of wine) a liquor called makgeolli. It takes care of your body (contains amino acids and proteins) and your soul, which will be filled with enthusiasm. An ironic saying warns that it also takes care of your pockets. It is the attempt of reaching unity, a harmonious coexistence that is felt as well in food and in table arrangements.

Jeonju Travel Guide - Places to Visit

While being in Jeonju, it would be a pity to miss the Buddhist temples. Some were founded in ancient times and restored; Jeonju Travel Guide recommends Jinbuk temple built during Shilla dynasty, Seungam- burnt in 1592 during the Japanese invasion in Korea and rebuilt in 1740, but during the 20th century some new ones appeared: Seonlin in 1962, located at the basis of Girin peak, Yaksuam, founded by a Buddhist priestess in 1985.

There is also a traditional inn, probably built in the same period as the Jeonju fortress. A few classic places to be visited by tourists are: The Hansol Paper Museum, illustrating the history of paper since the ancient Egyptians, the Gaeksa building dating from 1471- a sort of hotel for important visitors, the Hanok traditional village and the Jeondong Catholic Church. This church has stained glass showing the first Korean martyrs executed in1791: Kwon Sagyeon and Yun Jichung. It is another sample of Korean tolerance, harmony between people and their faith.