[english.visitkorea.or.kr] A quaint and peaceful breeze sings in tune with the punggyeong bells as the warm sunlight gently taps on your shoulders. This is the image of Jeonju that many rave about after visiting, and words like these can take you back to the city’s many charms and attractions.
Popular sites like Hanok Village are the most well-known, but there are many more captivating places to be discovered, including Cheongnyeon Mall, Deokjin Park, Jeonju Zoo, and more. This column will outline some of these attractions, guiding you to the unique areas of Jeonju’s lesser-known.
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Photo: Lotus flowers at Deokjin Park and Yeonjijeong Pond
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Beautiful lotus flower walkways in Deokjin Park
Deokjin Park is one of the largest and most popular green areas in Jeonju. Every year near the end of June, the place bursts to life with lotus flowers in full bloom. Due to such a breathtaking view of its landscape, the park has earned the nickname “Deokjin Chaeryeon,” where chaeryeon is the term for floral patterned palanquin. A musical fountain operated at nighttime gives the place a romantic, calm environment, attracting visitors at late hours as well.
In order to enjoy the best view of the flowers, take the Yeonhwagyo Bridge, which crisscrosses the giant patch of lotus flowers. On the midway point of the bridge, the three-story Yeonhwajeong Pavillion offers great panoramic views of the picturesque area.
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Photo: Jeonju Zoo
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Meet animal friends and plant life at Jeonju Zoo
Next stop is Jeonju Zoo, located just about 1 kilometer away from Deokjin Park. The park was opened first in 1978 with 106 different species and about 670 animals in total. During the cherry flower season in mid April, the park stays open until night hours, giving more time for groups of families and others to have an eye-opening, experiential time.
Besides the zoo, the property also houses an amusement park called DreamLand, where children are sure to be entertained the whole day without a second to be bored. Adrenaline junkies can get their fill on the roller coaster, and other thrill seekers can find plenty of fun on the pirate ship ride, in the ghost house, as well as 12 other exciting attractions available.
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Photo: Jeonju Nambu Traditional Market & Night Market
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New hot spot, Jeonju Nambu Traditional Market & Night Market
If you are a traveler seeking to experience the local culture, a must stop for you is Jeonju Nambu Traditional Market, which is located near Pungnammun Gate of Hanok Village. The exact date of establishment is still unknown, but experts postulate the market must be as old as Pungnammun Gate, meaning it would have been built during the middle of the Joseon Dynasty (1506-1637). According to folklore, the Jeonju Nambu Traditional Market was once highly influential in determining the national market price of rice.
Despite the large grocery retailers in Korea putting smaller, traditional markets out of business, Jeonju Nambu Traditional Market continues to thrive and flourish, just as bustling as it always was.
The energy in the market doubles once you go up to the second floor of Jeonju Nambu Traditional Market. Shops and stalls on this floor, called Cheongnyeon Mall (literally “youth mall”), have a different, more youthful style. Equipped with younger looks and a more energetic atmosphere, 35 shops in total attract people with delicious and affordable local foods as well as ethnic food ranging from a variety of countries. The night market opens on Fridays and Saturdays, starting at 6 p.m., and draws in large crowds every week.
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Photo: Sign to Cheongnyeon Mall (left) / Map showing market directions (right)
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Cheongnyeon Mall: Overflowing with youthful energy
The Cheongnyeon Mall, housed on the 2nd floor of Jeonju Nambu Traditional Market, was not founded for commercial purposes, but rather a start-up ground for young entrepreneurs to stimulate low employment rates. Previously, the place was mostly used for storage, but now 32 unique stores successfully operate here.
Their charming and creative interiors and exteriors add more reason to visit each shop, including self-made murals, interesting maps, and posters with catchy phrases. Businesses in Cheongnyeon Mall have extended to restaurants, bars, handicraft stores, coffee shops, galleries, board game rooms, and more, all offering a high quality service that defeats the stereotype of traditional markets. Cheongnyeon Mall is open all year round, however, open hours may vary by store.
Jeonju’s famous street foods not to be missed!
No journey is complete without some lip-smacking morsels to munch on, and Jeonju Hanok Village [Slow City] is no exception. Street food in Jeonju is known to be as mouthwatering as it is diverse, and many visit the city for the sole purpose of grabbing a bite of these delicacies! From skewered octopus to vegetables broiled over charcoal, and assorted dumplings with various fillings to deep fried twisted bread, there is no shortage of tempting choices to be had. Unique eateries near Gyeonggijeon Shrine, Jeondong Catholic Church, and Omokdae are also worth a try!
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Photo: Street burger “Gilgeoriya” (top left) / Twisted bread stick “Mojeong kkwabaegi” (top right) /
Handmade dumplings “Daurang” (bottom left) / Skewered octopus and vegetables “Munkkochi” (bottom right)
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* Gilgeoriya burger: Marinated pork, onion, cabbage, and Cheongyang peppers mixed in with a special sauce and stuffed into a baguette bun, this burger will fill you up to the brim.
- Price: 4,000 won
* Mojeong kkwabaegi: A scrumptious work of art, you won’t be able to put down this light, non-sweet snack.
- Price: 2,000 won
* Daurang dumpling: From giant pan-fried whole shrimp and fried dumplings to stir-fried glass noodles and dumplings fried until golden brown, there are over 10 different styles of homemade dumplings to choose from.
- Price: 1,500 won - 2,000 won
* Munkkochi: Plump octopus tentacles on a skewer and fried golden brown, this morsel is perfected with bonita fish and covered with a special sauce. Its delectable taste gets rid of the smell of the octopus, so even people who don't like the smell can try it without hesitation.
- Price: 3,000 won