Jeonju Gyeonggijeon, Royal shrine in Jeonju, South Korea
Jeonju Gyeonggijeon is a royal shrine in the Hanok Village area of Jeonju, South Korea, built to house and honor the portrait of King Taejo, founder of the Joseon Dynasty. The main hall, called Jeongjeon, sits on a stone platform and is built from wood with layered brackets under its curved roof, and a T-shaped ceremonial courtyard stretches in front of it.
The shrine was first built in the early 15th century under the name Eoyongjeon, during the early decades of the Joseon Dynasty. It was destroyed during the Japanese invasions of the late 16th century and rebuilt in the early 17th century, restoring its role as the keeper of the royal portrait.
Gyeonggijeon sits inside Jeonju Hanok Village, where traditional tiled-roof houses line stone-paved paths. During certain evenings, the shrine hosts a program called "Walk with the King," where lanterns light up the grounds and visitors hear stories about life during the Joseon period.
The site is easy to walk through and lies within Jeonju Hanok Village, making it a natural stop during any visit to the area. Admission is charged, though certain days of the month offer free or reduced entry, so it is worth checking before you go.
North of the main hall stands a smaller shrine called Jogyeongmyo, added in the 1700s to honor ancestors of the royal family with their own memorial tablets. Many visitors walk past it without realizing it is a separate area with its own distinct purpose.
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