A November Trip to Jeonju Hyanggyo: Embracing the End of Autumn
In the fading days of autumn, November beckons a visit to Jeonju Hyanggyo.
As November progresses, we approach the end of autumn. It's only a matter of time before the vibrant red leaves begin to fall. Every year around mid-November, I eagerly anticipate the golden transformation of the ginkgo trees at Jeonju Hyanggyo, and finally, they have turned a beautiful yellow.
Ginkgo trees, a symbol of autumn, can be found in many famous spots across the country, such as the Gokgyocheon Ginkgo Tree Road in Asan, the Mungwang Reservoir, Dodong Seowon, Hwadam Botanic Garden in Gwangju and the Ginkgo Tree of Bangyeri. Here, I'd like to introduce Jeonju Hyanggyo, a notable autumn foliage destination in Jeollabuk-do and a worthwhile addition to your autumn travel itinerary.
Jeonju Hyanggyo opens its doors to the public, allowing visitors to admire its 400-year-old ginkgo trees free of charge, only once a year. I arrived at Jeonju Hyanggyo at 10 AM on Sunday, November 23, 2025. Despite arriving when the Hyanggyo opened, the interior was already bustling with people.
The ginkgo trees on either side of Manhwaru, located at the entrance of Jeonju Hyanggyo, greet visitors with their full bloom. However, the ginkgo tree on the left side of Manhwaru had already shed many of its leaves when I visited.
Nevertheless, the ground was adorned with a carpet of yellow ginkgo leaves, and I could easily spot people gathering the fallen leaves in their hands and tossing them into the air, fully enjoying the autumn atmosphere.
The ginkgo tree photo zone on the left side of Munhwarlu is a popular spot during autumn.
If you want to capture beautiful photos here, I recommend visiting around 4 PM to 5 PM. During this time, you can utilize the light filtering through the ginkgo trees to take stunning, memorable shots.
Passing through Naesammun, the Daeseongjeon building comes into view. Surrounding Daeseongjeon are buildings that once served as residences, and ancient ginkgo trees boasting impressive age, all adorned in yellow hues.
Just a week prior, the ginkgo trees at Daeseongjeon still showed hints of green, but after a week, they had completely transformed into a vibrant yellow.
During the peak autumn season, the 13th Jeonju Hyanggyo Calligraphy Exhibition was also being held at the bustling Jeonju Hyanggyo.
If I were to pick a representative spot for ginkgo trees in Jeonju Hyanggyo, it would undoubtedly be the ginkgo trees in the courtyard in front of Daeseongjeon. The combination of the serene beauty of traditional Korean architecture and the sight of 400-year-old ginkgo trees evokes a sense of awe. The ginkgo trees, tinged with yellow, surrounding the Dongjae and Seojae buildings centered around Myeongnyundang, create a majestic ambiance.
I could feel a sense of leisure while watching couples and families gather in small groups on a relaxing weekend, taking photos and chatting on benches.
The representative photo zone of Myeongnyundang is the block paved pedestrian path between Dongjae and Seojae. If you take a photo with the Myeongnyundang ginkgo tree as a backdrop, you can capture a memorable shot.
Jeonju Hyanggyo is truly a place where every corner is beautiful. As November draws to a close, immerse yourself in the beauty of autumn at Hyanggyo, adorned with golden hues.
Jeonju Hyanggyo from Above
Article, Photos = Reporter Lim Deok-gi
Source :https://blog.naver.com/jbgokr/224091199665
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