The Traveller's Magazine
If you’ve ever needed an excuse to cover yourself in mud with millions of other people, then we’ve found one. Introducing the Boryeong Mud Festival, an annual event in Boryeong, South Korea that has us wishing we were in Asia this summer.
The Boryeong Mud Festival is an experience you will never forget, we can guarantee it! It’s not for the faint of heart though, you definitely shouldn’t go anywhere near Daecheon Beach if you don’t want to leave soaked with mud caked on every inch of your body.
Festival History
The festival first started in 1998 but by the time 2007 rolled around it was already attracting more than two million people to the town of Boryeong, just 200km south of Seoul. The mud comes from the nearby mud flats and is taken to the festival grounds by truck where it is turned into Mud Experience Land. Girls, get in on this because the mud is super rich in minerals which is why it is most commonly used in cosmetics and face masks. Consider it a day out at the spa like you’ve never had before!
Festival Logistics
While the festival runs for two weeks, the biggest weekend is the final one when the festival is closed with a huge fireworks display. This year the festival kicks off on July 14th and runs until the 24th. Key activities: mud wrestling (that’s a give in), mud sliding, mud swimming in a “mega tub”, even a mud massage zone.
How to get there:
- From Seoul Central City Bus Terminal, take the express bus to Boryeong. From there, you can take a local city bus to Daecheon Beach.
- From Yongsan Station or Yeongdeungpo Station take the train to Daecheon Station. From there you can take a local bus to the beach.
Would you be into a mud festival?
