Chungcheongnam-do Events

The province’s calendar mixes ancient history with one of Korea’s most improbable modern festivals.

Boryeong Mud Festival — mid-July, Daecheon beach

The province’s best-known event by a wide margin, and one that started as a marketing exercise. Mineral-rich mud from the tidal flats near Boryeong was being used for cosmetics, and in 1998 the producers staged a festival to promote it. It grew into a two-week gathering that draws over a million people to the beach for mud pools, mud slides, mud wrestling, a mud prison, body painting, concerts and fireworks, with a substantial international crowd among the Korean one. It is chaotic, unserious and genuinely good fun, and the mud does actually come from the flats. Accommodation in Boryeong books out; many people come from Seoul on a day trip by train.

Baekje Cultural Festival — late September or early October, Gongju and Buyeo

The two old capitals share a festival of processions, reconstructed court ceremonies, lantern floats on the Geum river and historical performance, marking the kingdom’s heritage. It is the more substantial of the province’s events and is well worth timing a visit around.

Geumsan Ginseng Festival — September or October

The national ginseng market town holds a harvest festival with tastings, cooking and a vast open market.

Seosan Haemieupseong festival — October

The walled fortress hosts a period festival with reconstructed Joseon military drills, craft stalls and traditional games inside the walls.

Cherry blossom — early April

The roads around Gongju and the reservoir routes are lined with cherries and busy for the ten days they last.