Jeollabuk-do(Gimje-si)

Gimje Horizon Festival, held from late September to early October every year since 1999, takes place at Byeokgolje Reservoir, which is the heart of the Honam rice bowl. The festival aims to show the importance of Korea’s farming culture, which is a foundation of the nation, with the theme of sky and land meeting at the horizon. The festival also aims to promote the regional image and economy. Many dynamic and active programs are available for festival-goers to participate in before the golden horizon.Byeokgolje, the largest irrigation facility in the world, built 1,700 years ago during Baekje (King Biryu, 330), is embraced by the city of Gimje. Thanks to Byeokgolje, the area of Gimje is the birth place of Korea’s rice farming and agricultural culture. During the Baekje period, it was called ‘Byeokgolgun’ (a village of rice) which came from the fact that this area was the first area to start rice farming.During the festival, domestic and overseas visitors can take part in various hands-on programs feeling Korean farming culture in Byeokgolje (Historic Site No. 111). Visitors of all ages can easily take part in these programs to educate, inspire, and enjoy with a theme of spacious plains to the horizon. Events include kite-flying, rice-farming, catching grasshoppers, Korea Straw and Plants handicraft, making rice over an open fire, and other activities to entertain visitors.


Jeollabuk-do(Jeonju-si)

Deokjin Park is a representative city park of Jeonju. Officially designated a city park in April 1978, the park is centered around a natural pond, which dates back to the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). The park is such a landmark of the area that the lotus flowers blooming in the park’s large pond are considered one of the most impressive attractions of Jeonju. The park spans an area of 13,000㎡ with the pond covering about two thirds of the southern sector. An arch-shaped suspension bridge stretches across the middle of the pond, offering up-close views of the lotus blossoms.Park designers created a traditional pavilion and a water iris garden in honor of the park’s historical background and added an artificial waterfall and wooden bridge for visual effect. The park also houses nine stone monuments including the Children’s Charter, engravings of Shin Seok-jeong and Kim Hae-gang’s poetry, and the statue of General Jeon Bong-jun.The park is the site of the annual Dano Changpomul (Water Iris) Festival, a much-anticipated event held on the day of Dano (a Korean traditional holiday that falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month). During the celebration, women wash their hair in iris-infused water from the pond to wish for good health in the coming year.


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(Namwon-si)

Namwon Chunhyang Festival is thought to be one of the best traditional festivals in Korea and famous performance art festival for two consecutive years, selected by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The festival is annually held to commemorate Chunhyang’s continual devotion with Lee Mongryong despite all the trials and hard situations she endured, based on the famous Korean love story, Chunhyangjeon.


Jeollabuk-do(Jeonju-si)

The Jeonju Traditional Culture Center offers visitors a chance to both witness and experience a series of various cultural traditions. Pansori, Minyo, traditional dances and performances are all open for the public to enjoy throughout the year. Jeonju’s most famous food, bibimbab (rice with mixed vegetables) and other Korean cuisine can be sampled at the Traditional Restaurant Hall. Traditional wedding ceremonies are also held at the Traditional Wedding Hall.


Jeollabuk-do(Jeonju-si)

Located in Jeollabuk-do province, Hanbyeokdang Pavilion has been designated Tangible Cultural Property No. 15. In 1404, a civil official from the Joseon Dynasty built this structure as a country house. Hanbyeokdang was built at the foot of Seungamsan Mountain with beautiful views of the Jeonjucheon River below. A large highway has since been built nearby taking away from the natural beauty. In the past, many writers often sought out Hanbyeokdang Pavilion to find inspiration in their writing. The pavilion is well known for the beauty of the mountain mist flowing down the mountain, thus making it one of the 8 must sees in Jeonju. 


Jeollabuk-do(Jeonju-si)

The Jeonju National Museum was established in 1990 as an institute for the research, preservation, and exhibition of Jeollabuk-do’s most prized cultural treasures. The museum houses over 30,000 artifacts, a majority of which were excavated from the Jeollabuk-do area, and has on exhibit over 1,300 pieces spread throughout 5 exhibition halls and 1 outdoor exhibition hall. The museum also serves as a venue for numerous cultural activities and educational programs, providing visitors with the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Korea’s proud history.


Jeollabuk-do(Muju-gun)

The Muju Firefly Festival takes place in the pure environment of Muju, a natural habitat for fireflies and the marsh snails the fireflies feed on. The festival offers many attractions and activities but the highlight of the festival starts after 8:00 pm when the fireflies begin to light up the night sky.


Jeollabuk-do(Buan-gun)

Byeonsan Beach along with Daecheon Beach and Manripo Beach, is one of the three most popular beaches on the west coast of Korea. Byeonsan Beach is known for its white sand beach and fir trees. Since the water is tranquil and not very deep, this beach is a favorite summer vacationing spot for over a million people every year. What really draws the crowds to this shore is its 2km-long white sand beach and Bangpungrim, the windbreaker fir forest. The low tide lets the white sand beach extend out so far that you would have to walk a good 30 minutes to reach the end. During the summer, the Bangpungrim provides cool shade, and during the winter, acts as a buffer against the cold wind. The beach looks especially beautiful during low tide.You can taste the fresh fruits and vegetables that are produced in the surrounding mountain areas. You can also have fresh seafood from the nearby fishing villages. The only drawback of Byeonsan Beach is that accommodations are limited and you might be better off staying in the neighboring town of Gyeokpohang.


Jeollabuk-do(Gunsan-si)

The name of Samangeum signifies the breakwaters that enlarge and freshen the Mangyeong•Gimje Plains, famous for their fertile soil.