Jeonju Hanok Village

Jeonju Hanok Village is Korea's largest concentration of traditional hanok houses, with over 700 buildings preserved. The village originated during the Japanese colonial period when Koreans built hanok in defiance of expanding Japanese commercial districts. Jeonju also holds deep historical significance as the ancestral hometown of Yi Seong-gye, founder of the Joseon Dynasty. Jeonju is often called Korea's food capital. It's the birthplace of bibimbap, and within the village you can try Jeonju bibimbap, kongnamul-gukbap (bean sprout soup rice), hanjeongsik (full-course Korean meal), choco pie (from PNB Bakery), and craft makgeolli. Street food is abundant too — skewers, hotteok (sweet pancakes), and Jeonju-style handmade ice cream all draw long lines. You'll see many people in hanbok — rental shops cluster at the village entrance, typically 10,000-15,000 KRW for 2 hours. Key sights include Jeondong Cathedral, Gyeonggijeon Shrine, and the Omokdae overlook. At night, traditional lanterns light up and the atmosphere transforms completely.