If you're travelling to Korea but would want to explore somewhere rather than the usual Seoul/Jeju/Busan, you might be pleased to know that there is a free shuttle bus to Jeonju. I went there last year and am glad to know that it is still happening this year. For more information, please refer to the website: http://shuttle.dongbotravel.com/en/
Since Lissya and I have both been to Seoul before, we decided to explore more of what is outside for Seoul. And since there is a free shuttle bus to Jeonju, we decided to take up the offer. You have to ballot for it so it is not definitely that you will get these seats.
We arrive early at 8am to wait for the bus. Bought some snacks for breakfast but at the rest stop, I had to of course buy this walnut cookie again. <3 Best to eat it while it is still piping hot. The bus ride took about 3 hours or so and I was feeling unwell so I kind of slept my entire bus ride away.
The bus stopped us outside some tourist information centre where it is a distance away from the hanok village. Honestly, there was no guide to ask but I guess you can ask the tourist information centre. We were quite lost despite taking a pamphlet and a map so we just decided to walk around first. There was very little high rise buildings in the hanok area which I really appreciate. But after a while, you might find it boring because all you walk past are hanoks. Being there on a friday, there was not much people around so the whole area feels very deserted.
But one good point is that you can take a picture and somehow still be the only one in it. :)
The hanoks were charming, at first. After a while, they just look all the same. We were still excited at first, shooting from all angles hahahah.
We decided to travel to some famous sites in Jeonju. They were mostly or rather all cultural places. So if you are not into culture, this is a place you might want to skip. Shopping was kind of limited to cultural stuff and little ornaments. Clothings were also the kind of "I love Korea" shirts, obviously targetted at tourists.
It is already mid-late May by then. Cannot remember if the flowers are real or not. I don't remember that they are. I don't think the flowers still bloom so brightly by late spring. In fact some may already consider it summer.
When in Jeonju, we have to eat Jeonju bibimbap of course. Honestly the best bibimbap that I've eaten in my entire life. I seldom eat bibimbap, everything is too raw for me. But the only two times I ate bibimbap in Korea, I finish them all. <3
And look at the amount of side dishes that came along with it. I didn't want to waste food but I was so stuffed. I really couldn't help but to stop eating.
We then went to this place called Gyeonggi Palace. I can't remember if we have to pay for it. Probably 1,000 or 2,000won at most. And it was the best decision I've made in Jeonju. There was an English tour (hahah refer to the tour guide's hands in my picture) although there was quite a bit of confusion about the tour and when it started etc. But the tour guide was really good and explained really well. Most fruitful 1 hour in Jeonju :)
The tour guide was introducing to us "the naked tree" because this tree has no bark at all. It is said that if you rub the tree, the leaves will move because it feels ticklish due to it having no bark. Quite interesting how it works. Maybe it's the wind, maybe it really is true.
We went up this pavilion that was reconstructed after some war. I think it is meant to store all the ancient books, which were apparently mostly all burnt during the war. Sorry I can't remember too clearly which war it was. We had to bend and kind of crawl up because the steps were really really high and steep. Coming down is also a torture. But really interesting place.
We stopped by to take a picture at the bamboo garden thereafter. :)
Ended the day with a J-cone ice-cream. I wouldn't say that Jeonju is a must-go but if you want to experience something outside of city life, you get about 6 hours here in Jeonju for free. The bus reaches here around 11am but leaves at 5pm. There is time for a meal and some walking around. The hanok village is not big and if you walk fast, you can cover the entire place in an hour. But still, half a day did bring an interesting experience afterall. :)
Think I had takeaway for Bonjuk as dinner. Bonjuk is a famous Korean porridge restaurant. Headed there one night at nearly 9pm and the ahjumma told me they are closed for the day. So when the bus reaches back at 8pm, I quickly rushed there to get my porridge. Definitely comforting to end it the cold night with a warm porridge. (:
