Gyeonggijeon Shrine

Gyeonggijeon Shrine was built in 1410 to house the portrait of King Taejo, the founder of the Joseon dynasty and a native of this region. It sits at the edge of the Hanok Village, screened from the street by a curved wall and entered through a gate flanked by ancient trees.

The complex is compact but atmospheric: tiled pavilions set around stone-paved courtyards, with a main hall that houses the royal portrait behind screens. A small museum inside shows historical documents and artefacts relating to the Joseon royal line. The garden at the rear, less visited than the front courtyard, has some of the oldest trees in the city.

Entry is cheap, the grounds are quiet on weekday mornings, and the combination of classical Korean architecture and ancient trees makes Gyeonggijeon one of the most photogenic spots in Jeonju.

things to do jeonju hanok village sight historic house
A story
Gyeonggijeon houses a portrait of King Taejo, the founder of the Joseon dynasty — but this is not just any portrait. It is one of only a handful of surviving original royal portraits from the Joseon era; most were destroyed by fire or war. During the Japanese invasions of the 1590s, the portrait was evacuated and hidden in the mountains, carried by officials who risked their lives to preserve it.