Jeollabuk-do(Jeonju-si)

Organized to promote the excellent qualities of Korea’s traditional paper Hanji, the previous Jeonju Paper Culture Festival was renamed the Jeonju Hanji Culture Festival. As the name suggests, the festival’s main specialty is paper, featuring all kinds of products made from Hanji as well as contests, exhibitions, hands-on programs for visitors, and a traditional market.


Jeollabuk-do(Jeonju-si)

Chimyeongjasan is a sacred site for those of the Catholic faith and a famous pilgrimage attraction in the southeastern region of Jeonju. Perched upon a steep ridge of Seungamsan Mountain behind Hanbyeokdang Pavilion, the area is the final resting place of well-known Catholic couple Yu Jung-cheol (John), Yi Sun-I (Rugalda), who vowed to remained virgins for all eternity. Situated upon the couple’s grave is “Miracle Rock,” a naturally formed rock that is said to be shaped like Jesus and the Virgin Mary. The site is also home to a 4-meter-high stone cross that can be seen from as far away as Hanbyeokdang Pavilion.The 200-meter prayer hike named “The Golgotha Way of the Cross” is one of the most popular pilgrimage routes for Catholics visiting the mountain area. Leading up from the parking lot and Monmartre Square (rest place), the entire path to the summit is strewn with flowers, making the prayer walk an ideal place for a stroll and some quiet meditation.


Jeollabuk-do(Jeonju-si)

The Jeonju History Museum opened its doors in 2002, showing the public the long and fascinating history of Korea. The museum is divided up into different exhibits that are permanently on display. The first exhibit is the Donghak Farmer’s Revolution (the 1894 uprising against colonial Japan). This event played a very important role in the development of the city of Jeonju. The second main exhibit area is dedicated to remembering the organized people’s revolt (의병운동), in which citizens spontaneously came together to fight the Japanese invasion. There is also a special area dedicated to the independence movement where Korea gained its freedom from Japan. There are many other exhibits dedicated to key uprisings and other such important events in Korean history. Various documents and materials are on hand for viewing, as well as a special exhibition room which has themed events. 


Jeollabuk-do(Gunsan-si)

First opened on September 30, 2011, the Gunsan Modern History Museum covers the history of Gunsan's transformative role as an international trading port. The museum exhibits past images of Gunsan showing its rise and importance as a West Sea maritime distribution port.  


Jeollabuk-do(Iksan-si)

The Ssamgneung (Twin Tombs) in Iksan are stone chamber tombs that were unearthed during an academic excavation survey in 1917. At the time of the survey it was discovered the tombs had already been illegally excavated, most likely during the reign of King Chungsukwang of the Goryeo Dynasty. Though looters had stripped the tombs of any burial accessories, the wooden coffins were found to be relatively intact. The coffins were severely damaged in the aftermath of the Korean War, but were later restored by the Jeonju National Museum. When they were first found, the twin tombs measured 3.1 meters high and 0.5 kilometers wide, but some of the original wood was lost during the tombs’ tumultuous history and the restoration that followed. The larger of the restored tombs now measures 30 meters in diameter and 5 meters in x_height while the smaller tomb measures 24 meters in diameter and 3.5 meters in x_height. On January 21, 1963 the tombs were designated Historic Site No. 87. The Twin Tombs are roughly 200 meters apart, with the tomb in the east called Daewangmyo (big royal tomb) and the one in the west Sowangmyo (small royal tomb). The interiors of the tombs are done in the same style as the stone chamber tombs found in the tomb cluster of Neungsan-ri, Buyeo. Considering that the nearby Mireuksaji Temple Site was built during the reign of King Mu of Baekje Dynasty, it is highly likely that the Twin Tombs are those of King Mu and his wife, Queen Seonhwa.


Jeollabuk-do(Jinan-gun)

The temple located upon Maisan Mountain was called Sangwonsa Temple during the early Joseon Dynasty and was later known as Jeongmyeongam Hermitage. According to the Korean Language Society, the temple began to be called Eunsusa (meaning ‘Silver Water Temple’) after King Taejo (the founder of the Joseon Dynasty) visited the temple and remarked that the water flowing nearby was as clean and smooth as pure silver. The temple is home to the largest known Beopgo (Buddhist drum used for rituals), which was produced in 1982. A stone sculpture and a statue of Granny Samsin (a goddess that looks after babies’ births and keeps them healthy) also stand at the temple. However, the temple’s most treasured assets are its two Natural Monuments: Emerald Gaiety (a climbing vine, Natural Monument No. 380) and the Cheongsil Pear Tree (Natural Monument No. 386). Reverse icicles, though found all over the mountainsides, are most readily and abundantly found in the Eunsusa Temple area.


Jeollabuk-do(Iksan-si)

Starting in 1989, archeologists undertook a 20-year-long excavation project at what is now known as the Wanggung-ni Historic Site. During excavation it was discovered that the area had been the site of the royal palace of King Muwang of the Baekje Dynasty from 600 to 640 AD. After the passing of the king, several key buildings of the palace were dismantled and a temple was built. Even today, the outer wall of the royal palace can still be seen, standing as a testament to the site’s unique history. Relics found at the site serve as important documentation of the construction of the royal palace and the lifestyle of the king. Significant discoveries at Wanggungni include 14 building sites (including Jeongjeon Hall where the king took care of political affairs and held ceremonial rituals), the site of the most impressive garden of the Baekje Dynasty, a ceramics workshop site, and remnants of a large palace restroom.


Jeollabuk-do(Gimje-si)

Located near the entrance of the Moaksan Provincial Park, Geumsansa Temple (금산사) was established by King Beop, or Beopwang, of the Baekje period (599AD). The Buddhist temple features over ten designated cultural properties including Mireukjeon, a national treasure, as well as other attached buildings. The country’s only three-story building containing a Buddha statue, Mireukjeon was built with wood and has a single-open floor inside. In spring, cherry blossom trees come into full bloom from the mountain entrance all the way to Geumsansa; and in winter Buddhist adherents come to bow before the statue of Mireuk bodhisattva inside Mireukjeon or walk in circles around the pagoda. The statue is the largest indoor standing Buddha in the world reaching 11.82 meters of x_height. The two other Buddha statues standing on right and left of the Mireuk bodhisattva are 8.8 meters tall each.* Important Cultural PropertiesMireukjeon (National Treasure No. 62)Noju (Treasure No. 22)Seogyeondae (Treasure No. 23)Hyedeogwangsa Jineungtapbi (Treasure No. 24)Geumsansa Ocheungseoktap (Treasure No. 25)Geumsansa Bangdeunggyedan (Treasure No. 26)Geumsansa Yukgak Dacheungseoktap (Treasure No. 27)Geumsansa Dangganjiju (Treasure No. 28)Simwonam Bukgang Samcheungseoktap (Treasure No. 29)Geumsansa Daejangjeon (Treausre No. 827)Geumsansa Seokdeung (Treasure No. 828)


Jeollabuk-do(Gochang-gun)

At the Gochang Dolmen Museum, visitors can view diverse relics and learn about the Bronze Age and the dolmen (tomb, gravesite, etc.) cultures of the world. In addition to a variety of exhibition halls, the museum also features interactive exhibit spaces that help visitors further explore the main themes of the museum. There is also a mock-up of an ancient dugout hut where visitors may take photos. Outside the museum is the Bronze Age theme park, which features a life-size pre-historic village replica, a dolmen experience zone, and an exhibition zone displaying a representative memorial service from the Bronze Age.


Jeollabuk-do(Jeonju-si)

Korea Expressway Corporation Arboretum (Jeonju Arboretum) is located in a relatively warm region of the country, reaching 20-30 meters in altitude. Operated by Korea Expressway Corporation, the garden is a nonprofit aboretum that is free and open to the public. The garden was built to restore the local environment that was damaged during the construction of an expressway in 1972, starting with nursery field. The builders then began collecting plants in 1983, and eventually opened the garden in 1992. The arboretum now sees an average of 200,000 visitors per year. The garden operates various hands-on programs and summer educational programs due to its diverse plant species.