Pungnammun Gate
풍남문
The only surviving gate of Jeonju's ancient city wall, the south gate of Jeonju's fortress town in the Joseon period. It is a landmark linking Hanok Village and Nambu Market.
Pungnammun Gate was the south gate of Jeonju's fortress in the Joseon period. Jeonju's city wall originally had four gates, but the other three and the wall were demolished in 1907, in the early years of Japanese rule, leaving only this one. The gate was first built in 1389, in the late Goryeo period. It was destroyed during the Imjin War, and it was rebuilt and renamed 'Pungnammun' in 1734, a name meaning 'south of Pung and Pei'. Pung and Pei were the hometown of Emperor Gaozu of Han, and the name refers to Jeonju as the birthplace of the Yi dynasty. The surviving pavilion was rebuilt in 1768 and restored in 1980, and it is a National Treasure of South Korea. The gate is a granite arch topped by a two-storey wooden gate tower with a hip-and-gable roof. Plaques reading 'Pungnammun' and 'First Fortress of Honam' hang on the inside and outside of the tower. It is lit at night and stands out clearly in the centre of the traffic roundabout. Visitors cannot climb the tower. Most stop by the roadside or in the direction of Nambu Market to take photos, and a visit takes about 15 minutes. It is the main route between Hanok Village and Nambu Market. It was also the site of the 1894 Donghak Peasant Army's occupation of Jeonju, and every May a Donghak commemoration event is held here. Getting there: walk about 5 minutes from Jeondong Cathedral, or take the bus to the 'Pungnammun' stop. Note that the gate is surrounded by a traffic roundabout, so use the crosswalks when crossing the road.
Opening hours
All day (exterior only)
Nearby sights
- Jeonju Nambu Market
- Jeondong Catholic Cathedral
- Gyeonggijeon Shrine
- Jeonju Hanok Village
- Omokdae
- Jeonju Traditional Wine Museum
- Jeonju Gaeksa (Pungpaejigwan)
- Jeonju Hyanggyo