Jeonju Hyanggyo, Historic Confucian school in Wansan-gu, Jeonju, South Korea
Jeonju Hyanggyo is a historic Confucian school from the Joseon Dynasty in Wansan-gu, Jeonju, South Korea. The compound includes several traditional buildings: the Daeseongjeon shrine hall, the Myeongnyundang lecture hall, and the student quarters known as Dongjae and Seojae.
The school was first built during the Goryeo Dynasty at a different location, then moved to its current site by order of King Seonjo during the Joseon Dynasty. It was damaged during Japanese invasions in the 16th century and rebuilt at this spot in 1603.
The site is widely known for its ginkgo trees, which turn bright yellow in autumn and draw visitors from across the country who come to photograph them. Many people sit on the toenmaru, the wooden veranda of the Myeongnyundang, and watch the leaves fall over the old stone walls.
The site is on Hyanggyo-gil street in Wansan-gu and is within walking distance of Jeonju Hanok Village. Entry is free and visitors can walk around the grounds freely during the day.
The Myeongnyundang lecture hall here is considered the oldest surviving Myeongnyundang in South Korea. The two ginkgo trees in front of Daeseongjeon were planted because, in Confucian thought, ginkgo trees represent honesty and purity.
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