Jeonju City Guide

South Korea

Jeonju City Guide

North Jeolla

Jeonju is a city in North Jeolla Province, South Korea, known for its traditional culture and great food. The Hanok Village is a popular spot for experiencing Korean heritage. It's quieter than big cities, ideal for travelers wanting a slower pace and cultural immersion.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Excellent
9

Famous for bibimbap and other local dishes. Some international food spots exist. Vegetarian choices are growing but limited. Late-night food is popular near Hanok Village and universities.

Local Dishes:
Jeonju Bibimbap, Kongnamul Gukbap, Makgeolli
International Cuisine:
Western, Chinese, Japanese
Vegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Good
6

Nightlife is relaxed with bars and pubs mainly near the university and downtown.

Coffee Culture
Good
7

Many cafes around Hanok Village and universities serving quality coffee.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tipping is not customary or expected in restaurants, taxis, or services.

Top Attractions
Jeonju Hanok Village
Cultural
Traditional Korean houses and culture.
Gyeonggijeon Shrine
Historical
Royal portrait museum.
Jeondong Catholic Church
Historical
Historic church building.
Omokdae and Imokdae
Nature
City viewpoints with good views.
SIM Cards

Buy SIM cards at major airports or convenience stores. SK Telecom, KT, and LG U+ offer good coverage. eSIMs are available. Passport required for registration.

Available at:
Airports (Incheon, Gimpo)
KT stores
SK Telecom stores
LG U+ stores
Convenience stores (GS25, CU)
Recommended Apps
KakaoTalk(Communication)
KakaoMap or Naver Map(Navigation)
Papago(Translation)
Kakao T(Transportation)
Shuttle(Food Delivery)
Coupang(Shopping)
MangoPlate or SikSin(Food)
KorailTalk(Transportation)
VisitKorea(Tourism)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Excellent
8

Generally clean with good waste management.

24/7 Services
Good
7

Convenience stores open 24/7 and some late pharmacies. Limited 24/7 clinics, major hospitals have ERs. Food stalls near university areas open late.

Groceries
E-Mart
Homeplus
Lotte Mart

Supermarkets like E-Mart, Homeplus, and Lotte Mart stock local and some imported goods. Nambu Market has fresh produce and local specialties. Supermarkets open 10 AM to 10-11 PM. Traditional markets open earlier but close earlier too. Some supermarkets close two Sundays a month.

Cashless Payments
Widely accepted

Card payments are accepted everywhere, including small shops and taxis.

ATMs

ATMs are common at banks, convenience stores like GS25 and CU, and subway stations. Most accept international cards but check your bank’s fees.

Schools
International

Local public/private schools teach in Korean. Jeonju Foreign School offers an American curriculum. International school options are limited.

Available Schools:
Jeonju Foreign School

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Available
4
Available Spaces:
Jeonju Creative Economy Innovation Center
Focus on startups; offers coworking facilities.
University Incubators
Shared office spaces at local universities.
Work-Friendly Cafés
Excellent
Cafe Oneway
Good Wi-Fi and seating.
Cafe Madang
Comfortable for working.
Starbucks
Multiple locations with Wi-Fi.
Ediya Coffee
Multiple locations, good for work.
A Twosome Place
Multiple locations for working.
Alternatives:
Jeonju Public Library
Quiet study areas with Wi-Fi.
University Libraries
Good spots for quiet work.
Hotel Lobbies
Some offer Wi-Fi and seating, not guaranteed for non-guests.
Digital Nomad Community
Poor
3

Small but growing community, mostly local startups and cafes.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Excellent
8

Good parks and riverside areas. Plenty of shaded walking and running spots.

Running
Excellent
8

Good running paths along Jeonju Stream and in parks. Generally safe but watch out for fine dust during spring.

Gyms
Available

Several gyms and fitness centers available.

Available Gyms:
Curves Jeonju
Local fitness clubs
Public sports centers
Tennis
Limited
5

Tennis courts at public sports centers, some require booking.

Padel
Poor
2

Padel is uncommon but may exist in some clubs.

Yoga
Limited
5

Several yoga studios offer different styles; English instruction varies.

Martial Arts
Limited
5

Dojos offering Taekwondo, Hapkido, Judo; limited English instruction.

Skiing
Poor
0

No skiing facilities in the area.

Water Sports
Poor
2

Limited water sports like kayaking on nearby rivers.

Surfing
Poor
0

No surfing; Jeonju is inland.

Diving
Poor
0

No diving; Jeonju is inland.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Excellent
8

Jeonbuk National University Hospital has some English staff. Private clinics are easier for short wait times. Pharmacies are widespread but limited English.

Hospitals:
Jeonbuk National University Hospital
Pharmacies:
Local 약국 (pharmacies)
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water is safe to drink.

Common Scams
Price inflation in tourist areas, Online scams mostly, Unsolicited offers

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Good
7

Many parks with playgrounds and cafes with play areas. Baby supplies available at major stores. Family attractions include Hanok Village and Jeonju Zoo.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Limited
5

Moderate acceptance; few dedicated spaces or events. Discrimination not common but society remains conservative.

Pet Friendly
Limited
4

Pet policies vary; many places don't allow pets, especially in Hanok Village. Vet services available. Strict pet import rules.

Communities
Expats in Jeonju (Social)
Jeonju International Community (Social)

Quick Facts

Population
653,055
Power Reliability
Excellent
9/10

Power is stable and outages are rare and brief.

Mountains
Available

Surrounded by hills and mountains. Moaksan Provincial Park is nearby with easy access.

Languages
Korean(95%)
English(15%)
Emergency
112
Police
119
Fire & Medical
1330
Korea Travel Hotline

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
1
🏔️
Earthquake
Low Risk
3

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Fine dust (air pollution)
March, April, May, Winter months
Fine dust can affect air quality in spring and winter.
Heat
July, August
Summers are hot and humid.

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