Jeonju is a culturally vibrant city with a tradition for being a centre of music, dance, art, calligraphy and gourmet cuisine. Located in the south-west part of the Korean Peninsula, Jeonju is the capital of the North Jolla Province. The city has had a chequered history under the Joseon and Baekje dynasties and was the capital of Baekje during the Three Kingdoms Period. A number of historical remains from the period have been preserved here.

Handmade paper, mulberry paper - called hanji, fans and exquisite calligraphy were the indigenous products that projected Jeonju to fame in the centuries gone by. The fans and mulberry paper were exported to other countries in the east, especially to China, where it was prized immensely.

Soccer mania is big in Jeonju and the city is home to the professional Korean soccer team, Cheonbuk Dainos. The recently constructed soccer stadium, the Jeonju World Cup Stadium, was built for the World Cup 2002. This state-of-the-art sports arena has a seating capacity of over 42,400 spectators. Located close to the Jeonju Interchange, the stadium is easily accessible from Jeonju Station in 20 minutes, or from downtown in 30 minutes and 70 minutes from Gunsan Airport.

Among the many attractions and historical sites to see in Jeonju, the foremost is the Gyeonggijeon Shrine. The shrine was built in 1410 to honour King Tajeo, who founded the Joseon Dynasty. Alongside lies the Jeonju Gaeksa where rituals were performed to venerate the monarch. This building was the government guesthouse and visiting dignitaries stayed there.

The Miruek Temple belongs to the late Silla Kingdom. The temple area has stone ruins, including a standing Buddha, the Miruekri Stone Lamp, the Miruekri Three-storey Stele, and various stone lanterns. Another interesting site is the Pungnammun Gate, which is the south gate of the old Jeonju Fortress. King Gongyang of the Gorveo Dynasty built the gate in 1398.

The Jeondang Catholic Church is one of Korea’s loveliest churches, a synthesis of Romanesque and Byzantine architecture. The Hansol Paper Museum has an array of exhibits about the hanji paper that Jeonju is known for. The museum has a production centre where visitors can learn how to make their own hanji paper.

If you have a little time on your hands, broaden your sightseeing itinerary with a trip to the Gui Reservoir in suburban Jeonju. Situated at the base of Mt. Moak, the Gui Reservoir is a popular weekend and holiday destination and is also a hotspot for hiking and fishing. The area has some spectacular scenery and is a wonderful place to relax awhile.

Jeonju’s people have a long tradition of hospitality and their prowess in producing great cuisine is well known. The speciality is bibimbap, a rice dish spiced with red pepper paste and a number of herbs. Kongnamul gukbap is another local speciality using bean sprout soup boiled with rice. You can sample the local cuisine and traditional Korean food at the many restaurants and eating places around town.

Jeonju pulsates with cultural performances throughout the year. The annual Jeonju Daesaseup Nori is a concert celebration of classical music and performing arts, including narrative solo singing or pansori. The Jeonju International Film Festival in April-May is an extravaganza of alternative cinema and other films. Two other interesting festivals are Pungnam, also in April-May and the Hanji Paper Festival in May.

Getting there: Jeonju is 230 km south of Seoul. There are express buses and trains from the capital to Jeonju, which take about 3 hours by road, and slightly longer by rail. The city can be accessed on efficient highways and expressways. Gunsan Airport is 60 km away from the World Cup Stadium and it is convenient to get here by shuttle bus in about 70 minutes.

Accommodation: A vast range of hotels, motels, inns and youth hostels are available in Jeonju. The inns are particularly comfortable and economical.

For detailed country & visitor information, see South Korea.