Jeonju Hyanggyo is a Confucian School, which was a national education center during Joseon Dynasty and located in Jeonju Hanok Village (전주한옥마을.) It is believed to be built originally during Goyreo Dynasty at a different site, but the current one was rebuilt by King Seonjo in Joseon Dynasty at the present location. It is a beautiful historic place where the traditional Korean architectural structures are well balanced with the surrounding nature.
Location
Jeonju, Jeollabukdo
The front gate of Jeonju Hyanggyo, Manhwaru (만화루)
Many movies and K-dramas were filmed here including “Sunggyungwan Scandal (성균관스캔들)” and “Love in the Moonlight (구르미 그린 달빛).” Take a peaceful stroll here, just a few minutes away from the lively main streets of Hanok Village.
Inner gate, Ilwolmun (일월문), meaning the gate of the sun and the moon. The center door was for the kings.
Daeseungjeon (대성전). This is a shrine to five great Confucian philosophers including Confucius.
Two gingko trees stand in front of Daeseongjeon on each side, East and West. These trees are about 400-year old and it is believed that these gingko trees were planted because they chase off bugs, which implies wishes for the students become honest and uncorrupted.
Passing the inner gate, here stands Myeongryundang (명륜당). This building was a lecture hall, and it is still occasionally used for some events or lectures.
Dongjae & Seojae. These were pupils’ dormitory.
Jeonju Hyanggyo has different charms in each season, but it would shine the brightest during autumn. If you want to see it covered with golden blanket, here is a link for it.