Jeollabuk-do(Jeonju-si)

Historic Site No. 339, Gyeonggijeon Shrine was erected in 1410 and holds the portrait of King Tae-jo, the founder of the Joseon Dynasty. The King and his wife’s mortuary tablets are enshrined here at Jogyeong Shrine. The structure was partially destroyed during the invasion of foreign forces from 1592-1598. The existing structure was remodeled in 1614. Inside Gyeonggijeon, the portraits of King Tae-jo and other successive kings such as Sun-jong, Cheol-jong, Yeong-jo and many others can be found on display. The carriage used to move the mortuary tablets as well as carriages used to transport dignitaries and individual chair-like carriages are also on display.


Jeollabuk-do(Gochang-gun)

Seonunsa Temple was built during the Baekje Dynasty (18 BC-678 AD). It was originally a very large temple, but much was lost during the Jeongyujaeran (the 2nd Japanese Invasion in 1597). Seonunsa Temple includes the treasured relics of Daeungbojeon, Manseru, Yeongsanjeon, and Myeongbujeon Pavilions, together with four additional Buddhist grottos that include Dosoram.Soenunsa Temple is famous for its camellia flowers. On the low hill behind the Daeungbojeon Pavilion, there are numerous camellia trees. In the spring, the brilliant camellias shower Seonunsa Temple in vibrant colors. These flowers, which frequently appear in literature as well, are designated as Natural Monuments. Seonunsa temple is also known for its beautiful surroundings throughout the year. In the spring, cherry blossoms, and in the summer sangsa flowers decorate the road to the Dosoram area, and fall leaves and winter sceneries are beautiful as well.The Budo Field, a gathering place for monks' relic is another must-see spot at Seonunsa Temple. There are Budo fields at other larger temples, but those in Seonunsa Temple are located in a lush grove with several small Budo towers that blend beautifully with the surrounding trees. You can also see Jinheung Cave and the huge Maaebul (rock-carved Buddha) when you visit the Dosoram area.


Jeollabuk-do(Buan-gun)

Buan Cine Theme Park is a large film production complex in Gyeokpo-ri, Byeonsan-myeon, Buan-gun measuring a total of 148,400 square meters in area. The park is comprised of a two main sections: a folk village (89,696 m²) and an indoor studio called Sunset Village (58,704m²). Inside the folk village, Korea’s representative royal palace (Gyeongbokgung Palace) has been recreated along with traditional houses of the noble class, village schools, traditional streets, a pond, a fortress, and more. The park became famous after serving as the main filming location for popular Korean movies “The King and The Clown” (2005), “Hwang Jin-yi” (2007), and “The Sword With No Name” (2009).


Jeollabuk-do(Gochang-gun)

Dolmens are stone graves that were built during the prehistoric era. These stone landmarks are often compared to the pyramids of Egypt and England's Stonehenge. They are mostly found in Northeast Asia and are particularly abundant in Korea where the total number of known dolmen is estimated to be around 30,000.One of the areas with the largest concentration of dolmen (over 447 dolmen) is the Gochang Dolmen site in Jeollabuk-do, Gochang-gun, Jungnim-ri. Gochang Dolmen Site holds more dolmen than Hwasun and Ganghwa and boasts dolmen of a variety of shapes sizes, ranging from those under 10 tons to those over 300 tons.Dolmen at Gochang, Ganghwa, and Hwasun serve as proof that the area was inhabited since the Bronze Age. The Gochang Dolmen Site was officially registered with UNESCO on November 29, 2000.


Jeollabuk-do(Muju-gun)

Deogyusan Resort (former Muju Resort) is located in Mt. Deogyusan, and is a representative mountain resort. It blends in beautifully with the scenery of Mt. Deogyusan National Park, and is the perfect place to enjoy winter sports.Deogyusan Resort is great place to relax all year round, with Alps-style first class hotel and a variety of convenience facilities in its 2,200,000 pyeong area. The resort is especially famous for its ski courses, and many enthusiasts come here during the winter. At Manseonbong Peak (1,215m) skiing grounds, there is a lift that can handle 13,000 people at once, and there are a variety of courses from beginners' to professional levels.Seolcheon Peak (1,520m) skiing ground where Asian Universiade competition officially opened, has a variety of gondolas and lifts, along with a hot spring to relax after skiing. The outdoor hot springs with snow-covered mountains is especially famous.In addition to the aforementioned facilities, you can enjoy tennis, mountain climbing, MTB, and horse riding, and at the theme-based shopping mall, Carnival Street, there are interesting products to see and food to enjoy. You can buy famous brand products from all over the world here cheaply, so look around.


Jeollabuk-do(Namwon-si)

The Namwon National Gugak Center envelops visitors in the enchanting world of Korean folk music, a genre known for its explicit beauty. Recruiting only the nation’s top performers in each discipline, the center offers a variety of regular folk performances such as musical plays, Pansori (epic stories told through song), folk songs, Gaya harp concerts, Samulnori, and more, representing all types of Korean traditional music.The center is located in Namwon, the birthplace of “Dongpyeonjae Pansori,” and offers a regular “Pansori Performance” through which visitors can hear the authentic melodies of Dongpyeonjae Pansori, handed down from generation to generation.In addition to performances, the center is home to a folk music reference room and a traditional Korean instrument gallery displaying approximately 60 different kinds of instruments along with pictures of famous performers. Among the instruments on display, of particular note are Gangneung Province’s “Sogu” (small drum) and the traditional Jeju folk instrument the “Muak.”Nearby attractions include Gwanghallu, a garden from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) and Ojakgyo, the bridge from the epic love story of Gyeonwoo and Jiknyeo. Namwon is also famous as the setting of the ancient novel “Chunhyangjeon,” which is celebrated with Chunhyang, a folk festival that takes place each year on May 5th.


Jeollabuk-do(Muju-gun)

Deogyusan National Park covers Geochang-gun of Gyeongsangnam-do and Muju-gun of Jeollabuk-do. Starting from Mt. Deogyusan's main peak, Hyangjeokbong, the ridges are about 1300m above sea level, and as it stretches southwestward for about 18km, it branches out in many directions to create a long series of mountains. For every branch of the mountain ridgeline, there are matching valleys at Mt. Deogyusan. Among these valleys, Mujugucheondong Valley, stretching 25km from the Deogyu peak to Seolcheon River on the north, is the most famous. There are 33 wonderful scenes in the valley that are praised for their beauty, called Gucheondong 33 Kyeong. Susimdae is a valley 400m deep. Because water as clear as jade flows through here, it is also referred to as Suhwa. Deogyusan also has three valleys that are grouped together: the Chilyeon, Jeoksang, and Munan. Among them the Chilyeon Valley is the most beautiful. It is famous for its Chilyeon Waterfall, where clear water passes by thick pine forest and winds through a series of rock formations. This water current has created seven ponds, and the way they are all lined up makes up for a very interesting view. Clear water circulates into each of these ponds, and then flows into another pond to create a series of seven segmented waterfalls. The Chilyeon Waterfall complements the surrounding old pine trees and maple trees. In the summer, many vacationers, and in the fall, people looking for autumn colored leaves visit this area. Mt. Deogyusan has many beautiful valleys, waterfalls, pine forests, and intresting rock formations. Mujugucheon-dong local officials, in conjunction with the National Park Administration Office, provide visitors with many convenient facilities in order to make for a pleasurable stay.


Jeollabuk-do(Buan-gun)

Naesosa Temple was built by Buddhist Monk Hye-Gu in 633 AD during the Baekje Dynasty and was rebuilt by Monk Cheong-Min in 1633 during the Joseon Dynasty. The Daeungbojeon (the main hall) was built at this time. In 1986, the temple area (radius of 500m) was named a culturally protected area.On both sides of the main gate (600m across) are large fir trees, which also line the path into the temple. As you continue down the walkway, you’ll come across a row of cherry trees. Just before the temple itself, are four gods called Sacheonwangsang that “guard” the temple. Upon reaching the temple itself (just past the guards) the first thing you’ll notice is the 1000-year-old Dangsan tree. Long ago, people used the base of the tree as a site of prayer.Housed in Beomjonggak is a bronze bell that can be found in many Buddhist Temples. This particular bell was made during the Goryeo Era and is engraved with three images of Buddha, called “Samjonsang.” The center building of the temple, called “Daeungbojeon” is also an artistic masterpiece, decorated with splendid colors and designs. The flower Salmun doors featuring lotus and Chrysanthemum flowers add another element of traditional beauty to the building.Of all the temple treasures, Haewuso (meaning “a place that gets rid of worrries”) is not to be missed. True to its name, you’ll almost find yourself forgetting all your worries as you listen to the soft swaying of the surrounding bamboo grove.


Jeollabuk-do(Jeonju-si)

Jeonju Hyanggyo is a Confucian school that was established during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) and is designated historical treasure No. 379. This was a national education center during the Joseon period. The school was originally located at the Gyeonggijeon Shrine site, but was relocated in 1603. The mortuary tablets of seven Chinese Confucian scholars and 18 Korean scholars are enshrined in the main building of Daeseong-jeon.


Jeollabuk-do(Jeonju-si)

Jeondong Catholic Church in Jeonju (Historic Site No. 288) was built in honor of Roman Catholic martyrs of the Joseon Dynasty on the very same spot the martyrs lost their lives. The land was purchased by French Priest Baudenet in 1891 (28th year of King Gojong), but construction of the church did not begin until 1908. The church was designed by Priest Poinel, who also designed the famous Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul. Construction was completed in 1914, a time during which Korea was under Japanese rule. Though originally built just outside of Pungnammun Gate, the site of the martyrs, the church was later moved to its current location for expansion.The first Romanesque building in the Honam region, the Jeondong Catholic Church is made of gray and red bricks and bears a striking resemblance to the Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul. Not only considered one of the most beautiful Catholic churches in Korea, some even go so far as to say it is one of the most beautiful structures in all of Korea, citing the church’s unique combination of Byzantine and Romanesque architectural styles. The rectangular building is topped with three Byzantine bell towers (to the right, center, and left) and boasts arched ceilings, several of which meet in the form of a cross.It is interesting to note that some of the bricks used in construction of the church were made using materials from the Jeonjueupseong Fortress, which was torn down by the Japanese. It is also said that the cornerstone of the church came from a wall of Jeonjueupseong Fortress near Pungnammun Gate.