The Boryeong Mud Festival is an annual summer event held in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province, South Korea, centered around Daecheon Beach. Started in 1998, the festival offers a variety of experiences and fun activities using Boryeong’s mud, providing visitors with enjoyment and relaxation.
The Boryeong Mud Festival is a massive annual event held at Daecheon Beach in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province, South Korea. This festival is an experience-based celebration that welcomes people of all ages and nationalities, making it a global summer highlight.
The 2024 Boryeong Mud Festival will be held at Daecheon Beach in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province, from July 19 (Friday) to August 4 (Sunday), lasting for 17 days (보령머드축제) (Torn Tackies Travel Blog). Daecheon Beach is a renowned tourist destination in Boryeong, offering an ideal location for enjoying various mud experiences along with its beautiful shoreline.
The Boryeong Mud Festival is held in the area of ‘Daecheon Beach’ in Boryeong City, Chungcheongnam-do. The methods to use public transportation to get to Daecheon Beach are as follows.
By Train:
KTX: Take the KTX from Seoul Station to Iksan Station. From Iksan Station, take a bus to Boryeong. The total travel time is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Mugunghwa Train: Take the Mugunghwa train on the Janghang Line from Seoul Station and get off at Boryeong Station (Daecheon Station). The journey takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes to 4 hours.
By Bus:
Express Bus: You can take an express bus from the Seoul Express Bus Terminal or Dong Seoul Bus Terminal to Boryeong (Daecheon). The travel time is around 2 hours and 30 minutes to 3 hours.
Intercity Bus: Another option is to take an intercity bus from the Nambu Bus Terminal to Boryeong. The travel time is similar to the express bus.
Local Bus Transfer: To reach Daecheon Beach, take a local bus from the Boryeong Intercity Bus Terminal or Boryeong Station. The journey takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Let me introduce the main events and programs of the 2024 Boryeong Mud Festival. This festival offers a variety of exciting events and performances along with numerous mud experiences.
Mud Experience Zones:
Mud Pool: This is the most popular activity where participants can freely play in a large mud pool. It’s often enjoyed together with the mud slide.
Mud Slide: Participants can slide down a long slide, getting covered in mud from head to toe.
Mud Prison: Participants enter a mud-filled prison where they enjoy a short, intense mud shower.
To participate in the festival, advance reservations are required, and tickets can be purchased online or on-site. Ticket prices vary depending on the activity zone and the date, with more detailed information available on the official Boryeong Mud Festival website (Wikipedia). For instance, tickets to enter the mud experience zone generally range from 10,000 to 20,000 KRW, and prices may be higher for special events or package tickets (Rove.me).
During the festival, the mud experience zones operate from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, with extended hours on certain days. Additionally, various performances and events are scheduled, providing participants with a more diverse experience.
For more detailed information and to purchase tickets, visit here.
I spontaneously attended the Boryeong Mud Festival with my friends. We drove from Incheon to Boryeong, gearing up for the hot weather (32°C) with hats and UV protection masks purchased from Daiso. Due to my sunlight allergy, I wore a rash guard and leggings, while my friends brought old clothes.
Upon arrival, we saw various local specialties and events lined up. The festival runs from July 21 to August 6, featuring major events like the World K-POP Festival and Psy’s Hype Show. We bought tickets for the general mud experience zone and received wristbands, which are required for entry and should be kept intact.
The storage lockers, located near the ticket booth, were easy to find and the staff explained their usage clearly. The mud experience zone was smaller than expected but packed with fun games and rides. We participated in a mud pool game where our team won, and enjoyed various slides and activities. A waterproof phone case and removing shoes are essentials for participation.
We also enjoyed free mud painting and a vibrant performance in the middle of the day. After an exciting day, we headed to the shower facility, which provided hot water – a nice touch after a long day. Given the intense heat during the day, visiting in the evening is recommended.
Hello! I’d like to share my experience from the 26th Boryeong Mud Festival held in 2023. The festival ran from July 21 to August 6, and I spent my time in the general zone. For the mud festival, I packed swimwear, a hat, slippers, and a waterproof bag. Make sure to wear dark-colored clothes that can get dirty and dry quickly.
The entrance ticket is a wristband that allows free entry and exit. Although the activity area seemed small at first, there was plenty to enjoy, especially with the beach nearby. I explored various booths, getting temporary tattoos and face painting. The main mud zone hosted scheduled programs, including pig wrestling games, which were incredibly fun. I won in a 5-on-5 pig wrestling match!
I also enjoyed various activity zones, including slides, obstacle courses, hitting zones, and holding zones. The holding zone, where water poured down, was particularly challenging but fun. There were dance performances and filming for the TV show “My Little Old Boy” on stage. It was exciting to see celebrities like Lee Young-ja and Jeon Hyun-moo.
I also did some doodling with mud and cleaned off at the water stations near the exit. Showers are available for a small fee, so keep that in mind. Concerns about mud smell or skin irritation were unfounded in my experience. I highly recommend visiting next year!
5. Exploring Around the Festival: Attractions Nearby
5-1. Top Tourist Spots Near the Festival
Near the location of the Boryeong Mud Festival at Daecheon Beach, there are several tourist attractions that visitors can enjoy in addition to the festival. Here are some notable spots around Daecheon Beach:
Muchangpo Beach: Muchangpo Beach is about a 30-minute drive from Daecheon Beach and is famous for its beautiful sunsets and the “Moses Miracle,” where the sea parts to reveal a path to a nearby island. Visitors can enjoy swimming and shellfish collecting here.
Seongjusan Natural Recreation Forest: Seongjusan Natural Recreation Forest is located about a 40-minute drive from Daecheon Beach. It offers lush forests, hiking trails, and various recreational facilities, making it an excellent spot for nature lovers seeking relaxation.
Boryeong Coal Museum: Located in Boryeong city, the Boryeong Coal Museum provides insight into the history of the coal industry. It features various exhibits and a coal mine experience, making it an educational trip for those interested in industrial history.
Cheongso Station: Cheongso Station is a small train station about 15 minutes from Daecheon Beach, famous as a filming location for the Korean movie “Transformation.” It’s a picturesque spot ideal for photography enthusiasts.
Daecheon Port: Daecheon Port is close to Daecheon Beach and is known for its fresh seafood. The Daecheon Fish Market offers a variety of seafood that visitors can purchase or enjoy on-site (Torn Tackies Travel Blog) (Rove.me) (Wikipedia).
5-2. Recommendations for Accommodations and Dining
When visiting the Boryeong Mud Festival, accommodation and dining are essential parts of the experience. Near Daecheon Beach, there are various lodging options and restaurants.
Make sure to attend the 2024 Boryeong Mud Festival to revel in the joy of playing in the mud and creating unforgettable memories. It’s a festival for everyone, and I hope to see you there! Enjoy your mud festival adventure!
