77 Hands-On Modern Life Themes at Jeonju Nanjang

What kind of place is Jeonju Nanjang at 33-20 Dongmun-gil?

Jeonju Nanjang is a theme-park-style experiential museum that recreates modern-era daily life. Official information introduces it as a space where visitors can see, touch, and experience exhibits directly, and explains that its development took three years and six months.

The official theme guide numbers the attractions from 1 to 77. Review materials describe more than 70 themed zones and capacity for approximately 1,000 people, with a viewing time of about one hour.

Following the 77 numbers takes you from childhood to town shops

The themes are divided into childhood, numbers 2–12; mother’s era, numbers 14–20; and youth, romance, and play culture, numbers 21–31. Cheongsachorong-gil follows at numbers 32–39, Yaksok Dabang is number 40, military life is numbers 43–46, and the train station is numbers 47–49.

In the latter section are the waterwheel mill, number 51; town shops, numbers 52–65 and 72–77. By floor, the guide lists Gunsan Theater, number 71, on the first floor; the traditional playground, numbers 67–68, on the second floor; Hwagae Market, number 69, on the third floor; and the observatory, number 70, on the fourth floor. It is easier to navigate by checking the numbers and floors together.

Sacks of rice, laundry bats, and coal-briquette carriers are hands-on exhibits

Free activities include moving sacks of rice and using a laundry bat. This activity involves striking and smoothing fabric with a laundry bat, while at the streamside laundry area, visitors can wash handkerchiefs or small pieces of fabric using traditional methods.

Visitors can also carry a coal-briquette carrier on their shoulders, and pound grain with a mortar at the waterwheel mill. The rice-cake-making activity at the mill is marked as “scheduled” in the official information, so it is difficult to state that it is currently operating.

The 7080 arcade and 1970s go-go club feel more vivid to adults than to children

The 7080 arcade has classic games such as Galaga and Tetris. The comic-book room is free to use, and at Busan Radio Shop, visitors can play songs themselves on LP records.

The go-go club features 1970s music and lighting. Near Yaksok Dabang is an actual 110-year-old well, where visitors can use a bucket to draw up spring water from below. Public information does not confirm whether photography is prohibited or whether English information and audio guides are available.

The second-floor traditional playground and military-life section involve plenty of movement

At the second-floor traditional playground, numbers 67–68, visitors can play table tennis, use a karaoke room, and play basketball games. Traditional archery with a bow and target, jegichagi, and spinning tops are also available, so the route is not limited to viewing static exhibits.

The military-life section, numbers 43–46, includes riding in a tank, a firearms experience, and a barracks experience. Official information warns that guardians should take care of elderly visitors, children, and people with disabilities when using slopes, stairs, and play facilities.

After traveling from Jeonju Station to Dongbu Market, it is a five-minute walk

From Jeonju Station, take a bus at the Jeonju Station First Greeting Road stop, get off at the Dongbu Market stop, and walk to Jeonju Nanjang. The official walking section takes five minutes. Regular buses toward Jeonju Station are numbers 535, 511, 513, 514, 515, 520, 521, 522, 541, and 543.

From Jeonju Express Bus Terminal, board at the Kookmin Bank Geumam Branch stop, get off at the Byeongmugwancheong stop on Girin-daero, and walk six minutes to Jeonju Nanjang. Regular buses in this direction are numbers 101, 752, 190, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475, 479, and 487; Circular 7-1 is also listed.

Walk 400 meters from the Hanok Village public parking lot

For visitors arriving by car, the official information recommends using the Hanok Village public parking lot at 100 Namnosong-dong, Wansan-gu, Jeonju, Jeonbuk. The parking lot is approximately 400 meters, or about a five-minute walk, from Jeonju Nanjang. The current number of available spaces and parking fees are not provided in the Jeonju Nanjang information.

Pay particular attention to the address before visiting. The address provided by the user is 33-20 Dongmun-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju, Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, while the official directions page lists 33-6 Dongmun-gil and 34-1 Pungnam-dong 2-ga, Wansan-gu, Jeonju, Jeonbuk. It is safest to confirm the destination address by calling 063-244-0001.

Closing times vary from Monday through Sunday

Jeonju Nanjang states that it operates 365 days a year. From Monday through Thursday, hours are 10:00–19:00; Friday, 10:00–19:30; Saturday, 09:30–19:30; and Sunday, 09:30–19:00. Last admission is one hour before closing.

The individual adult admission fee is 7,000 won, or 6,500 won online. Seniors, people with disabilities, and national merit recipients pay 6,000 won, or 5,500 won online; teenagers pay 6,000 won, or 5,500 won online; and children pay 5,000 won, or 4,500 won online. Admission fees apply from 36 months of age. Group rates apply to groups of 20 or more.

The official website is http://www.jjnanjang.com/ and the main telephone number is 063-244-0001. Smoking is prohibited throughout the museum, and outside food and pets may not be brought in or admitted. Slopes and stairs along the visitor route may make access inconvenient for wheelchair and stroller users.