Exploring Korea: A Festival to Remember – Over the Sea, Under the Sun, Into the Mud

By Neha Bisht

Each summer, South Korea bursts into color, rhythm, and laughter – but nothing quite prepares you for the playful chaos of the Boryeong Mud Festival, held on sun-kissed Daecheon Beach. My journey to this iconic event wasn’t just a spontaneous weekend getaway; it was a chance to dive, quite literally, into one of Korea’s most unique cultural experiences. The idea of attending the Boryeong Mud Festival had been on my bucket list since I first heard of it. Originating in 1998 as a clever marketing campaign for Boryeong’s mineral-rich mud cosmetics, it quickly became an international sensation.

Armed with sunscreen, a change of clothes, and a heart full of curiosity, my friends and I set off early in the morning. We booked KTX tickets to Boryeong and, from there, took an intercity bus to Daecheon Beach, where the famous festival was being held. As we got closer, the buzz of excitement grew stronger – colorful banners, happy crowds, and the distant sound of music signaled that we were entering a celebration like no other.

Before diving into the mud madness, we decided to try something I had never done before – sky biking and zip trekking over the sea. Daecheon Beach is famous for this attraction, and I was both nervous and excited. It was my first time riding a sky bike suspended over the sea, with a stunning panoramic view that stretched endlessly. The sun was blazing, but the staff thoughtfully handed us umbrellas to shield our heads from the intense heat. Pedaling slowly in the sky with the wind in my hair and the sea beneath my feet was simply surreal.

Next came the sky zip trek, and that’s when things got even more thrilling. This was my first time zip trekking, and honestly, I was scared at first. The zip trek was done in pairs, and I could feel my heart pounding as we waited for our turn.

But once they gave us that gentle push, the fear disappeared, replaced by pure excitement! I even managed to record a video of my ride, though I was secretly panicking that my phone might slip from my hand and fall into the sea. But the video turned out amazing – it captured both my screams and the stunning view as my friends and I flew through the air together. After landing, we climbed up to the zip trek tower café on the top floor. Sitting there with a coffee in hand, looking down at the tiny people, boats, and beach below, I felt a quiet sense of joy and accomplishment. It was a moment of peace before the chaos of the mud.

The mud festival was just a short walk away, still on Daecheon Beach. By the time we got there, the festival was already in full swing. We dropped off our belongings in a locker, bought a day-pass wristband, and started roaming around the festival. There were mud pools, mudslides, mud wrestling zones, even mud obstacle courses – all bordered by food stalls, music stages, and cheering crowds. Because we arrived late, we couldn’t try everything, but we still managed to soak up the best parts.

We headed straight to the gray, gooey mud bath, where people were jumping in, rolling around, and throwing mud on each other like carefree kids. On one side, music was blasting and water was being sprayed on those who wanted to rinse off or take a break from the mud. I had never played in mud like this before – it felt oddly liberating. Some people had completely covered their bodies with mud and were sitting quietly, letting the minerals soothe and relax them. We joined in the fun, throwing mud at strangers who soon became our mud buddies. Once they realized how fun it was, they started throwing mud back, and it turned into a hilarious group play session. We laughed so hard that we barely noticed how tired we were getting.

Eventually, we washed off under the water sprinklers, dancing along to the music one last time. Then we explored the rest of the area, where there were water games for both adults and kids. We tried a few – just enough to keep the adrenaline flowing. After all that playing and splashing, hunger hit us hard. We wandered through the festival food stalls, which had a mix of Korean street food and seafood specialties. Everything smelled amazing, and we found ourselves refueling with delicious bites as we chatted about the crazy fun we’d just had.

By around 6 p.m., the festival started winding down. Eventually, it was time to rinse off. There were large public showers, and the sight of hundreds of people scrubbing themselves clean was a spectacle in itself. The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in gold and pink as the waves crashed gently nearby.

Freshly showered and extremely exhausted, we walked barefoot along Daecheon Beach, reflecting on the day, taking photos near monuments, and even playing a bit in the sand. Since it was the last day of the festival, there was going to be a fireworks display at night as the grand closing ceremony. Unfortunately, since we had to return to Gwangju that evening, we missed the fireworks. But honestly, the day had already given us more joy than we could have hoped for.

My trip to the Boryeong Mud Festival was a day full of first-time thrills, mud-soaked laughter, and memories I’ll cherish forever. From trying sky biking and zip trekking for the first time to laughing like kids in a mud bath, every moment was filled with freedom and fun. This incredible festival taught me that sometimes, the best way to feel truly refreshed is to get a little dirty first. Even though we couldn’t see the fireworks, our hearts were already full. And I know that someday, I’ll go back – not just to relive the fun but to create new muddy memories all over again. It became a soft-spoken reminder of stillness, sacredness, and the quiet beauty of slowing down.

Tip: This year the Boryeong Mud Festival is scheduled from July 25 to August 10. Go early in the morning to enjoy the full festival along with the other attractions. Take an extra pair of clothes, slippers, sun protectors, personal toiletries, and towels.

Cover Photo by Neha Bisht.