Introduction of Jeonju Hanok Village

 

Jeonju has a millennium-old history of being home to many dynasties and reigns of royalty.

 

Jeonju Hanok Village has 700 traditional Korean houses, Hanok that are still home to residents today. Hanok Village is the best-preserved living traditional village. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Korea. Jeonju also hosted the FIFA World Cup 2002, which saw grand scale refurbishments to many areas in Jeonju for World Cup visitors.

Many traditional and historic sites are excellently preserved in Jeonju such as Gyeonggi Palace, Jeondong Catholic Church, Pungnam-dong, Omokdae, Hyanggyo, Gwonhwon Fortress ruins, Namgo Fortress and many others historic sites. There are also traditional culture learning centers such as art crafts exhibition halls, master products exhibition centers, Hanok Living Experience centers, traditional alcohol museum, Hanji centers, and herbal medicine experience centers. People can also participate in learning about and making traditional art crafts such as Hapjukseon or Taegukseon (fans) along with trying out the traditional tea shops and restaurants. Jeonju offers visitors much to see, do and eat.

Historically, the neighboring area of Kyo-dong, Pungnam-dong and the urban Hanok are the living record of Korea’s modernization process and the transformation of housing since 1910. Many scholars and civil organization demand the preservation and management of the area with important governmental authority to provide preservation, improvement and management under strict supervision. Jeonju’s urban Hanok Village is the only place that so well preserves the old traditional streets, houses and structures from Korea’s past.

Pungnammun

Pungnam gate symbolizing Jeonju was originally South gate among 4 gates of Jeonju castle and erected by Choi Yukeong, Jeonla governor in 1389 together with Jeonju castle. Treasure No. 308. South gate of the old Jeonju fortress. Believed to have been built in the 44th year of King Youngjo of the Joseon Dynasty (1768). Double pavilion with 8 layered roof, standing on Hongyemun Gate built on part of the fortress wall. The 1st floor has 3 kan of length and width, while the 2nd floor has 3 kan of length, 1 kan of width. In the front and rear on the inside of the 1st floor, there are 4 old pillars, reaching to the 2nd floor, thereby also supporting as pillars on the 2nd floor. This is not a usual arrangement of pillars in the Korean construction style of gate pavilions. Like a house with "Jusimpo," "Gongpo" is only on the pillars, but the overall structure follows the trend of a house with "Dapo." "Soesu" also follows the construction style of a house with "Dapo." The carvings of dragon head on the pillars and under the "Gongpo" in the middle of the front and back of the 1st floor are examples of decoration carvings which are characteristic of the late Chosun dynasty. (representation of old profile after the rebuilding in 1980) To Jeonju people Jeonju Pungnab gate is kind of symbol representing Jeonju. Seeing that Jeonju's representing citizen festival is Pungnab festival, the meaning of it well supposed. There is another nickname in Pungnab gate other than its unique name. Writing of Honam's first castle is hanging on as it is the only existing gate of Jeonju castle. Centered with Pungnab gate, Jeonju Korean-style village and South market are connected.

Omokdae and Imokdae

Viewing to the right along with Taejoro from tourism info center in Korean-style village is Omokdae, coming down along with overpass connected to Omokdae reaches Imokdae. It's the place where Lee Seonggae threw outdoor banquet in Jeonju when they were returning to Gaegyeong in triumph beating victory on the drum after subjugating Japanese invader Ajibaldo troop who were rampant in Whang Mountain in Namwon Wunbong. Here Lee Seonggae sang Daepungga which Yubang who founded Han country sang. With that he showed his ambition to found his own country. Knowing this, an official Jeongmongju stamping out his room and ran on horse alone to Mangeongdae in Namgo mountain fortress and recited a poem with his deploring mind. Now in Mangeongdae that poem is inscribed. In Omokdae and Imokdae the stone monument on which Gojong's handwriting is inscribed is stood. Until now the trace remains there as the place of royal residence of post Baekjae which Gyeonwheon determined to found its capital in Jeonju. Gyeonwheon's royal residence is located on Dongo mountain fortress to the East of Soengam Mountain of 306m sea level situated on Southeast of Jeonju. It has been evidenced the assertion that Dongo mountain fortress was Gyeonwheon's royal residence is true as Jeonju' castle name lotus flower Munwadang was found at old building site inside that mountain fortress while examining it in 1980. In Wadang the name of the castle 'Jeonju castle' is inscribed with decoration of lotus flower pattern.

Jeondong Catholic Church

Jeondong Catholic Church in entrance of Korean-style village is elegant and unsophisticated. Jeondong Catholic Church is established in the exact place that Pungnam gate was located when the first martyrs Yun Jichung and Gwan Sangyeon were excuted in Shihae persecution in 1791. Jeondong Catholic Church, which was built from 1907 to 1914, is the cradle of faith that preserving martyrdom place. It is said that the church's cornerstone was erected with the stones from the rampart of Pungnam gate, the execution place, after destroying them. As the first Western style building in Honam province with Romanesque style, it became an attractive place with the cornerstone indicating martyrdom place and stained glasses with colors and paintings of martyrs Kwon Sangyeon, Yun Jichung and Yu Jungchul and Lee Sunyee couple.

Tombs of Catholic Martyrs

In the early 17th century Catholic Church was first introduced through religious books from China and was studied among several scholars. But back then any other religions or sciences apart from Confucian were prohibited strictly, there fore more than 10,000 people were executed until freedom of religion was allowed in 1886. It is well known that Korean Catholic Church was not brought in by foreign missionaries but was an unprecedented case and established by volunteer efforts of Korean people. Especially in Jeonju there were lots of believers who moved in order to escape from prosecution and the first martyr of Korea was also from Jeonju province. Jeonju is the first autonomous parish in Korea. A virgin couple in Jeonju were martyred in 1790 when the persecution of Catholics was at its height - they were Jongchol, a son of Ryu Hanggum, and Inugalda (Yuhae, or Sooni), a daughter of Lee Yunha. Ryu Jongchol was strangled to death at the Jeonju prison in the 2nd year of King Sunjo (1802). His wife, Inugalda, was sentenced to be a government slave at Byokdong (present Byokdonggun Pyongbuk) 4 days after her husband's strangulation in the prison. Immediately after that, she was transferred to a place of execution and was executed there. In 1337, Father ku Marciano moved from Isu to Chimyongjasan (Sungamsan or Jung Baui) the corpses of the virgin couple, along with those of Shinhee, wife of Ryu Hanggum, Lee Yukhee, wife of Ryu Gwangum, Ryu Joongsung (Gangju Doryong), first nephew of Ryu Hnggum, and Moonchol, younger brother of Ryu Jongchol, and erected a big crossat the site, thereby praising their pious religion. Jeonju Parish fixed it, erecting a sacrifice stone board, and building a cathedral in the basement.

Hanbyeokdang

Hanbyeokdang is a many-storied building made by cutting the cliff of Balsanmeori at the foot of Seungamsan Mountain, and was called Hanbyeokcheongyeon, one of the eight scenic views of juice. The area west of from it was called Jaman-dong or Juryu-dong. Since it was well-known not only in the Jeonju area, but also as a scenic view of Honam, Hanbyeokdang has been frequently visited by poets and visitors who have composed many poems about it. The poems and prose in Honameupji written by 19 eminent writers including Lee Kyongjun, Lee Kyongyo, Lee Kibal, and Kim Jinsang, give us a glimpse of the refined pleasures of that period. We cannot tell the exact year when Hanbyeokdang was named as such for the first time, but it was apparently first called "Woldangru." The phrase "Hanbyeok" in the name is derived from the phrase "Byeokokhanryu" and it was apparently named by later generation.

Donggo Mountain Fortress

The Mountain Fortress has a peculiar formation because it relies on the cliff of strange rocks of Seungamsan mountain, and in its west and north sides, it utilizes the appearance of the land embracing the valley in the shape of a straw basket. It also has wings to the south and the north. The structure of the mountain fortress is to have the ridgeline as an inside fortress, to set up an ambulatory road on the outer slope, and to build a stone wall outside of it. The height of the fortress wall is around 6m. The size of the fortress: the circumference of the outer fortress is 1,588.3m; the length of east and west axis is 314.0m; the length of the south and north axis is 256.0m; the length of the north wing is 112.0m; and the length of the south wing is 123.0m.

Jeonju Bibimbap Food&Drink

Jeonju Bibimbap is - Korea’s best dish

Bibimbap is cited as one of the best dishes amongst three most popular dishes of the Chosun era. Now, bibimbap is one of the best-known Korean dishes internationally, the one most favored by foreigners. The bibimbap rice is cooked with fresh kongnamul then topped with thirty different vegetables along with ginkgo, a fried egg, pine nuts, chestnuts, walnuts and other ingredients. This is a whole foods dish offering a balance of proteins, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and fat. Bibimbap is a wellness food that contains the wisdom and philosophy of ancient Korea, now loved throughout the world.

History of Jeonju Bibimbap - Originating from the royal table

There are many hypotheses regarding the origins of the bibimbap; from the royal table, a ritual food, the Donghak revolution, a farming season food or royal flight during war time; but the most reliable of these is the royal table origination. It was first served at the royal table but was then passed down and spread amongst the lower classes. According to records, people started to eat bibimbap in Jeonju two hundred years ago. Jeonju bibimbap owes its popularity to perfectly steamed rice topped with freshly-cut vegetables (10 different ingredients in Jeonju) combined with the excellent cooking skills of the local women.

Korean Table Food&Drink

 

 

A table filled with side dishes, Jeonju Korean Cuisine

You can taste almost every kind of food at the Jeonju Table d’hote, whether from the field, the mountain or the sea. Fresh seafood comes from the west coast of the Korean peninsula, grains are produced in the neighboring rich fields, and vegetables are collected from the mountain areas. All provided the rich toppings of Jeonju Bibimbap and ingredients for Jeonju dishes. They are known as the Jeonju Table d’hote, which boasts soup, stews, stir fried (or seasoned) vegetables, pickled seafood and other tasty treats, comprising more than 30 different side dishes.Jeonju cuisine is famous not just for its splendid side dishes but also for its generosity, thanks to liberal amounts of food. The Jeonju 10 Flavors make up the table and all are locally produced and have contributed to the flourishing of the region’s cooking. Jeonju cuisine still retains the flavors of the past with great excellence in taste and service, found nowhere else but here.

Jeonju Baekban[Full Course] Food&Drink

 

A table for everyday Jeonju people

Baekban is the name of what average local Jeonju residents ate in the past, a serving of rice and side dishes and today it still boasts a large number of side dishes. Travelling in Jeonju will soon fill any empty spots in your tummy, and many restaurants specializing in Baekban are found in the area of the former Jeonbuk Provincial office, where the Jeolla area governor’s office was located in the Chosun Dynasty. Jeonju Baekban was popular with local residents. Professor Song Hwa-seop of Jeonju University states that ‘Kongnamul gukbap is popular outside the four gates of Jeoju Eupseong (fortresses), and Baekban was popular among residents who lived within the fortresses itself’.Baekban restaurants are mostly found where there are large firms or offices nearby, such as the former Jeobuk Provincial office site, the Jeonju City Hall area and the Jeonju Deokjin park area. Jeonju Baekban is also called ‘Homemade Jeonju Baekban’.

Kongnamul Kukbap[Bean Sprouts Soup]

 

 

Jeonju Kongnamulgukbap and Moju, for anytime of the day

The Jeonju-produced Kongnamul is known as the best in Korea because the Jeonju soil is ideal for growing Kongnamul. The breed of beans for Jeonju Kongnamul is called the ‘mice eyes’ bean, and its soft texture is an ideal food for relieving hangovers.Historic records cite that Koreans long ago ate Kongnamul to relieve famines in the Goryo and Chosun dynasties. Detailed recipes for Kongnamul are seen in 1910, and tradition records that it first originated in Jeonju. The traditional Jeonju Kongnamul gukbap is made by boiling rice and kongnamul in a Tukbaeki (unglazed earthen pot) with lots of seasonings. Instead of boiling, though, the hot soup can be added instead to the bowl of rice, which is Nambusijang-style gukbap.These two different types of gukbap are popular with drinkers of alcohol in Jeonju. These gukbaps are low in cost, relieve hangovers and take the edge of hunger for families, working class people and friends.

Jeonju Makgeoli Food&Drink

 

 

The best place to meet up with your friends, the Jeonju Makgeoli streets

You don’t need to worry about side dishes and no time is wasted in ordering. Just holler ‘one kettle of Makgeoli!’, and everything is served at once. With another order of Makgeli, a new side dish is served, then again different side dishes with the next. A true luxury for the eyes, the mouth and the tummy

-Cited from the “Tenth Planet”, Korean Travel Authors Association, 2006.

Land of Co-existence and Harmony, where insiders and outsiders live together

There should be no distinction of insiders or outsiders, and any distinction vanishes when drinking Makgeoli. Jeonju has long been known for harmony, equality and the coexistence of variety. Bimbap and Makgeli are the symbol of harmony.

Here, outsider means those who only eat the side dishes and don’t drink the Makgeoli, while insiders mean people who only drink the alcohol without tasting the side dishes! You might be sober even after numerous shots or drunk even after having none.

Seonunjae's Introduction

www.seonunjae.co.kr

sonnen@empas.com

82-10-3624-3288

Experience traditional Korean Hanok guest house at Seonunjae amid the elegance of Jeonju and the characteristic style of the hanok house.

Seonunjae is located in Jeonju’s Hanok Village. Your hosts speak  English, and will help make your stay in Jeonju as safe and comfortable as home.

The establishment has 6 guestrooms, all equipped with restrooms and shower facilities.

Each room has individual climate control and air conditioning, allowing each to be maintained at an optimum temperature.

Seonunjae is the perfect spot to make happy memories with your beloved family, lover or friends in Jeonju.

Come to the hanok village of Jeonju, the slow city, for an enjoyable and relaxing time at the pleasant travel haven of Seonunjae.