Boryeong Mud Festival

The Boryeong Mud Festival is a lively annual event held each July on Daecheon Beach near Boryeong, South Korea. Over two weeks, visitors enjoy mud pools, slides, games, and music, all centered around the region’s mineral-rich mud.

• Held every July on Daecheon Beach, Boryeong
• Features mud pools, slides, and mud skiing competitions
• Mud is rich in minerals and used in local cosmetics
• Ends with a large fireworks display
• Attracts visitors from all over the world

What it is

The Boryeong Mud Festival transforms Daecheon Beach into a playground of mud-based activities, drawing crowds from across South Korea and beyond. At its heart is the belief in the health and beauty benefits of Boryeong’s mineral-rich mud, which is used in local cosmetics. The festival offers a joyful escape from daily routines, inviting people of all ages to let loose, get messy, and enjoy the sense of community that comes from shared, playful experiences. For many, it’s a highlight of the Korean summer, blending relaxation, wellness, and exuberant fun by the sea.

Where it comes from

The festival began in 1998 as a creative response to economic challenges in Boryeong after the closure of local coal mines. Inspired by the mud’s skin-friendly qualities, first discovered in the early 1990s, local leaders saw an opportunity to promote mud cosmetics and boost tourism. The idea grew from a small mud massage house and cosmetic business into a full-scale festival, thanks to the efforts of local officials and academics. Its first edition exceeded expectations, and the event has since become internationally known, drawing visitors from around the world.

How it is celebrated

During the festival, Daecheon Beach is transformed with giant mud pools, slides, and even a mud prison, all designed for visitors to dive in and play. Mud skiing competitions and body painting with colored mud add to the excitement. A large stage hosts live music, contests, and visual performances, while the seafront market offers mud-based cosmetics and wellness treatments like massages and acupuncture. The festival’s atmosphere is energetic and welcoming, with people of all backgrounds joining in the fun. The celebrations culminate in a vibrant fireworks display over the beach.

Joining in

Visitors can join the festivities by purchasing tickets online or at the venue. The main events take place at Daecheon Beach in Boryeong, about 200 km south of Seoul. Expect a lively, crowded scene with plenty of opportunities to participate in mud games, enjoy music, and sample local products. It’s best to wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, and to come ready for both relaxation and high-spirited play. The final weekend is especially popular and draws the largest crowds.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Boryeong Mud Festival, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Boryeong Mud Festival on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Official websiteOfficial site
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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