Nightly walk in Jeonju
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Tourists in hanbok, or traditional Korean costume, take part in “Ganggangsullae” (Korean circle dance) flashmob, which is a part of “Night Walk in Jeonju” program. / Courtesy of Jeonju Cultural Foundation
By Kwon Mee-yoo
The southwestern city of Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, is already one of Korea's top emerging tourist destinations, as the small city is full of charms combining tradition and modernity.
Jeonju is the only Korean city that made it into the Lonely Planet's top Asia spots for 2016, as the town is well known as the "birthplace of bibimbap" and for its hundreds of "hanok" or Korean houses.
The city might still be under the radar for tourists who mainly visit metropolises such as Seoul or Busan, but Jeonju has a variety to offer including its famous Jeonju Hanok Village and an interesting array of food.
Media facade on the Pungnammun Gate, the only surviving gate of the Jeonju Fortress
Jeonju offers "Night Walk in Jeonju ― Cheonnyeon Butdam" only twice, from Aug. 12 to 13 and Sept. 30 to Oct. 1, as part of the Cultural Heritage Administration’s (CHA) night heritage travel program. Jeonju is one of the 10 cities selected to take part in the nocturnal event along with Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Gangneung and Gunsan.
"Jeonju is a small city, but attracts over 10 million of tourists a year. The famous Jeonju Hanok Village is bustling with lively tourists, but night at the village is totally different from the day. The night walk program will offer a chance to stroll through the city in peace, offering solitude amid the swirl of urban life," Kim San-young, promoter of the project, said.
Most cultural properties in Jeonju are open to the public only before sunset, so Night Walk offers a rare chance to visit them at night.
Tracing history
Jeonju has a rich cultural heritage coming from Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) as the city is home to the Joseon Royal Household of the Jeonju Yi clan.
Gyeonggijeon is a shrine that holds memorial portraits and ancestor tablets of the Yi family. Erected in 1410, the most-treasured portrait housed in the shrine is a royal portrait of Joseon's founder King Taejo. This portrait is the only surviving portrait of the first king of Joseon, as others were damaged during the Imjin War (1592–98).
During the night opening, visitors can enjoy a traditional tea ceremony.
Omokdae Pavilion on a hill past Gyeonggijeon is a great spot to enjoy a night view of the Hanok Village. Hanbyeokru, a summerhouse next to Jeonju Stream, also offers a spectacular nightscape of the moonlit city.
The Jeondong Catholic Cathedral, constructed in 1914, is often picked as one of the most beautiful churches in Korea for its unique combination of Byzantine and Romanesque architectural styles built with gray and red bricks. The cathedral is also known as the filming spot for the 1998 film "A Promise" starring Park Shin-yang and Jeon Do-yeon.
A concert titled "Cheonsang Jieum" will be held at cathedral, providing an opportunity to fully enjoy sacred music by the Catholic choir and the Caritas Chamber Orchestra.
Cultural performances galore
Jeonju is also a city of rich cultural traditions with a high number of intangible cultural assets.
The National Intangible Heritage Center presents "Shadow Orchestra," a combination shadow play and classical music.
At Jeonju Hyanggo, a Joseon-era Confucian academy, visitors can enjoy traditional Korean music as part of the "Night of Sanjo" concert.
Jeonju is the only city which successfully protected the "Joseon Wangjo Sillok" (The Annals of the Joseon Kingdom) during the Imjin War and visitors can relive the spirit through an outdoor escape game, "Protect the portrait of King Taejo."
Held at Nambu Traditional Market right next to village, participants will pick sides and visit various sites in the market and the village to collect clues in order to protect or steal the royal portrait.
For more information, visit jeonju-night.kr or call 063-275-6945.