Experience the Dirtiest Festival in Korea

In the tradition of world-class festivals such as Woodstock, Glastonbury and Tail Creek, comes the good-dirty fun of the Boryeong Mud Festival. Entertaining millions of visitors every year, this annual award-winning event is a highlight. Running for ten days, festival-goers take part in activities, and in the process, get covered in mud: head to toe. But this is mud-lathering with benefits; Boryeong mud does great things for your skin. No wonder the South Koreans are known for their skin-product alchemy!

Photo Credit: Boryeong Mud Festival

In a country where festivals are in no shortage, the Boryeong Mud Festival, or Mudfest, as it’s affectionately known, is the king of fiestas! Tourists and locals alike flock to this otherwise sleepy hollow for two weeks every July to get… dirty. Weirdly enough, the festival first started to champion cosmetics made from the mineral-rich mud found around the district. Eleven years later, this annual summer event, just two hours southwest of Seoul, still brings together the local community and boosts tourism. But now, it’s more about the party than promotion. This year, the Mud Festival will kick off on July 17th and continue till July 26th! And with over 15 different activities available, participants are sure to have a mud-tastic time!

Photo Credit: Boryeong Mud Festival

Well – mud – definitely expect mud. The celebrations take place both in Boryeong town and at Daecheon Beach where mud is bought in from nearby mudflats. Speaking of the dirty brown stuff, there’s mud: baths, facials, fountains, pools, slides, massages, wrestling and loads more mud-related malarky. And while we’re still on all things muddy, there’s even a mud prison! You’ll also find other fun stuff, from food stalls to beach parties and activity stands. To make the most of the mud madness, visit on a weekend when the big-hitting events are on. Some areas have admission costs, and some are free, but all are fun. 

Photo Credit: Boryeong Mud Festival

Dress for mud-friendly success. Any self-respecting mud-goer knows what attire is mud worthy – your swim-wear. Minus any clothes that mud is likely to mangle, head down to Boryeong for a one-of-a-kind beach experience! If you’re insistent in trying to minimise your down and dirty, you can pull on your gumboots and hope for the best. 

Photo Credit: Boryeong Mud Festival

Your one-day pass allows you entrance to all ticketed areas and events; from mudslides to an inflatable playground. Team up for a Mud Football comp, catch a parade or a show and to earn your full Mudfest stripes – stay overnight. But you’ll need to book ahead as this festival gathers more and more mudmentum. From budget options to fancy hotels – plan ahead.

Photo Credit: Boryeong Mud Festival

To get Mudfest, the best Korea Mud Festival, take the route which makes most sense for you. Five times every day, a bus motors to Boryeong from Stop 09D on floor one of the Incheon International Airport. You can buy tickets at the terminal or pay the driver in cash. If you’re keen for this music festival mud scene, from Seoul’s CBD, hop on an express bus from the Central City Bus Terminal. They set off for Boryeong pretty much every hour. If trains are more your style, Yongsan Station and Yeongdeungpo Station have frequent train departures to Daecheon Station. To make a transport plan, book online a month in advance. 

Get ready for a mud-filled adventure at Daecheon beach, and book your Daecheon Beach Mud Festival tickets through Klook for a hassle-free experience. With our roundtrip transfers, logistics are taken care of. All you need to worry about is cleaning up after all that muddy fun!

After the memories of mud start to dissolve, there’s a way you can keep the laughs coming. If you’re heading back to Seoul, book your Nanta Show Ticket in Seoul. An immersive, non-verbal performance that blends martial arts, music, acrobatics and culinary skills, these performers bring the culinary absurdity. Be the audience for some on-stage cooking in Korea’s longest-running 90-minute show!

Good internet access can make or break your trip to Mudfest. Get high-speed 4G LTE internet on the go with your South Korea 4G Prepaid SIM Card. With this canny card, you get voice and text message service, easy top up and the opportunity to extend more SIM validity on your mobile device. Incoming voice calls and text messages are free, so you’ll be easy to contact. Pick up this excellent travel accessory at any major airport in South Korea.

Want unlimited train rides in South Korea on almost all KORAIL-operated trains? The Korea Rail Pass (2, 3, 4, or 5 Days) is on-track for you! Choose the perfect pass for your visit: 3/5 consecutive days, 2/4 days within a 10-day period, and Saver Passes for groups of 2-5 travelling together. Redeem your voucher at any metro station for easy, economical travel. 600 stations and 80 different routes are at your beck and call, and you get instant tickets.

So you’ve let your muddy wild-child run lose, now it’s time to try something more demure – get decked out in traditional Korean Hanbok! Think loud colours and plain cuts. In this special occasion formal dress, you’ll channel the Joseon period. The Hanbok Experience (Hanboknam Gyeongbokgung Store) with Korean Hairstyling is all about attention to detail. Choose from over 500 Hanboks, then style-up and accessorise your hair with daenggi decorations. You and your beau can even try wedding-themed Hanboks, then take some hilarious pics in film and TV show-themed sets.