Meeting Point

Seoul Train Station, or your Hotel Lobby

Seoul Station

We take the KTX bullet-train 90 minutes south to Jeonju City

Jeonju Station

We'll arrive at Jeonju Train Station, and grab a taxi to our first stop.

Scenic Pavilion

Hanbyeok-dangru is a very charming traditional pavilion built in 1404 and overlooking the river from a rocky cliff, a place where scholarly gentlemen gathered to enjoy discussions and entertainment for more than five centuries.

Jeonju Hyanggyo Historic Academy

We will then walk to Jeonju Hyanggyo, the very important Neo-Confucian private academy where the best young scholars were trained. You will experience a grand Hanok school-complex featuring huge ginkgo trees surrounded by several original buildings -- an inspiring atmosphere!

Omok-dae hilltop lookout

We then stroll over and up to the Omok-dae hilltop lookout to get great views over the famous Hanok Village, and see a stone monument erected ther for Taejo Yi Seong-gye himself -- because he held a victory banquet here.

Jeondong Catholic Cathedral

We'll next visit the Jeondong Cathedral, the historic, beautiful Romanesque structure in the heart of Jeonju City, finished in 1914 and providing a stark contrast to the old Joseon architecture all-around. It is captivating in its complex soaring design and its statues of Korean Catholic martyrs of trhe 1800s; your guide will explain its importance in spiritual history.

Gyeonggi-jeon Shrine with Royal Portrait Museum

Right across the street we'll pass through the grand front-gate and walk through this large and celebrated complex erected in 1410. It features fascinating history exhibits surrounded by lovely grounds shaded by numerous ancient trees. While here you might feel as if you are immersed in one of the great historical Korean movies or TV-dramas…

Hanguk-jip Bibim-bap restaurant

By then we will be very hungry for lunch, and enjoy a well-deserved stop at Hankookjib [a.k.a. the Hanguk-jip, literally meaning "Korean House"], the oldest traditional restaurant in Jeonju. Bibim-bap is one of the most famous dishes of Korean cuisine, premium rice mixed with vegetables, a fried egg, small slices of marinated premium Korean beef, sesame seeds and oil, and savory spices – served with sumptuous side-dishes! This restaurant opened in 1952 during the Korean war, and has been operated by three generations of a family devoted to its own tasting home-made sauces and the very best ingredients – earning it the highest reputation, and official designation by both the Michelin Guide and the South Korean government.

Jeonju Hanok Village

Happily sated, we will then stroll all-through the Jeonju Hanok Village, visiting some of the many interesting quirky places there, such as art exhibits, cultural presentations, a hanja [traditional mulberry paper] studio, and charming themed cafes -- while getting ‘instagramable’ views of the traditional houses in their narrow alleyways!

Leaving Hanok Village

When our time runs out, we will taxi back to the train station.

Jeonju Station

we will ride the bullet-train back to Seoul, 90 minutes, arriving back whenever you wish, by our pre-arranged plan.

Ending Point

Seoul Train Station, or your Hotel