Jeollabuk-do(Jeongeup-si)

Jeongeup is well known as the birthplace of the Donghak Peasant Revolution, staged against oppressive corrupt officials. Mt. Naejangsan in Jeongeup is also known as the best place to enjoy autumn leaves. Another worthwhile destination is the city’s National Bullfighting Festival, which features Korea’s unique bullfights. This is a great opportunity to learn about and experience Korea’s unique bullfighting tradition and the local cattle market. Designated as one of Korea’s Ten Best Regional Cultural & Tourism Festivals by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the National Bullfighting Festival has been recognized as a major Korean festival. Festival Overview: In its ninth consecutive year, the National Bullfighting Festival was previously held in May. However, it now is also held in autumn to coincide with the glorious autumn foliage season on Mt. Naejangsan. Unlike Spanish bullfights, in which a matador faces the bull, the Korean version of bullfighting has two bulls fighting against each other. Spectators shout enthusiastically as these powerful animals fight to win by pushing and goring their opponent. In addition to the Nationwide Bulls Championship Title Match, which is the main event, there will also be a program featuring a variety of pet animals and a cattle show as well as the photo exhibits. Festival Highlights: Jeongeup ranch and farm products are renowned for their high quality. Located near the bullfighting arena, a promotional pavilion and market sell Jeongeup’s hanu beef, and visitors can purchase high quality beef at inexpensive prices. Visitors will enjoy the festival’s ambience in the evening too when there will be a campfire and fireworks display.


Jeollabuk-do(Gimje-si)

Since 2008, Gimje-si has hosted the Gimje Moaksan Festival, famous for its cherry blossoms. During the festival, the mountain is packed with visitors from the province and urban areas to enjoy the cherry blossoms. The districts of Geumpyeong Reservoir and Cheongdo-ri gil Road nearby make for a great drive to see all the cherry blossoms, and a reason that brings visitors back again year after year. Moaksan Mountain, with its thousand years of Silla Dynasty, is located in Geumsan-myeon of Gimje. Geumsansa, Gwisinsa, Suwangsa, and Daewonsa Temples are enveloped by Moaksan Mountain. Standing tall in the eastern part, it allows you overlook the Honam plains at a glance. It is also noted for its scenic beauty as well as lots of cultural properties, including national treasures. It even topped the list of the four best natural scenic views in the Honam region. Geumsansa Temple was established in the Baekje period (599 AD) featuring over ten designated cultural properties, including Mireukjeon, the country’s only three-storey building. In spring, the temple is thronging with tourists coming to see the beautiful cherry blossom trees in full bloom along the Bangdeunggyedan stairs that enshrines Sari, a cremated remain of Buddha.


Jeollanam-do(Damyang-gun)

Featuring history, culture, and evergreen bamboo tree forests as a clean and ecological city, Damyang holds Namdo Food Festival in the area of Damyang Stadium in front of Juknokwon. This festival introduces a food exhibition hall that comprises of a variety of representative food in Namdo, and an event offering various healthy foods. Other events include parades, food contests, sampling, agricultural products sales market, food ingredients hall, food market and cultural art performances alike to entertain visitors.


Gangwon-do(Sokcho-si)

Sokcho-si holds the Sokcho Sunrise Festival in the area around Sokcho Beach on the first day of the New Year. This year, the festival aims to provide a venue for the union of the locals and tourists, to deliver messages of hope and pride to citizens, and enhance the image of Sokcho as a tourist city full of positive energy to tourists. The festival offers many attractions and entertainment for visitors.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Hadong-gun)

Hadong is famous for being the first tea plantation site in Korea. Unlike other tea production sites, which typically use machines for processing, Hadong continues to produce tea using time-honored traditional methods. As a result, it produces particularly high-grade teas, which are often sold at high prices.During the festival, visitors can sample a variety of Hadong’s tea for free and purchase their favorites at bargain prices. The festival offers visitors a unique and entertaining combination of events and hands-on experiences, drawing a large number of visitors every year.


Gangwon-do(Chuncheon-si)

To commemorate ten million visitors to Chuncheon since the beginning of operations on the Gyeongchun Line, Chuncheon Lake Starlight Nation Festival will be held in the area of Chuncheon MBC Building and M Square from April to December for all tourists to enjoy.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Cheongdo-gun)

Cheongdo Seedless Persimmon Festival is held in October at an outdoor stage in Cheongdo-gun. ‘Bansi’ (seedless persimmon) features an astringent taste with a flat-shape, unlike the long-shape of gotgam (a peeled persimmon that is dried in the sun through natural drafts) spreading through Sangju and Yeongdong. Cheongdo Bansi is tender, high in sugar and easy to eat and process as it has no seeds. Thus, Cheongdo hosts the Cheongdo Bansi (Seedless persimmon) Festival to promote their specialty product.


Gyeonggi-do(Gwacheon-si) , Seoul Grand Park

Organized by the Gwacheon-si Office and sponsored by the National Institute of Intangible Heritage, 'Eolssu! Arirang Gukak Festival (얼쑤! 소리꽃 아리랑)' is taking place at Sangsang Hall, located inside of Gyeonggi Sori Initiation Hall. Visitors can participate in the event every Saturday (4 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m.), beginning October 25 and lasting until December 13, 2014, with no need to purchase tickets. Including many traditional songs like Arirang and dance performaces widely known to the public, some unique programs such as Gyeonggi minyo (folk song) will also be showcased here.


Gyeonggi-do(Yangpyeong-gun)

Sponsored by Yangpyeong-gun Office, the Mulmalgeun Yangpyeong Icefish Festival takes place in Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do each winter. Visitors can eat warm fish cakes and roasted chestnuts at the festival. Aside from ice fishing, other traditional winter games and activities such as kite-flying, top spinning, sledding and jjinbbang-making (steamed bun with red bean filling) will be available.During lunch, tteokguk (sliced rice cake soup), bingeohoe muchim (seasoned raw smelt salad) and bingeo twigim (deep-fried smelt) are available at the Women's Society of Soomy Land. One special trait of this festival is the offer of an all-inclusive experience package. After making a reservation, families can enjoy a full day of fun experiences from the moment they arrive until the time they head home with no additional fees to worry about.Mulmalgeun Yangpyeong Icefish Festival can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages: Children will look up to their fathers’ as strong men, pulling their sleds around the snow-covered ice; couples will look back on the festival as a warm winter memory, walking hand in hand; friends and co-works will remember the delicious food and joyful time they spent together.To attend the festival, visitors can make a reservation on the festival's official website.


Jeollanam-do(Boseong-gun)

Boseong is considered the birthplace of the commercial tea industry and is the largest producer of tea in the country. At the Boseong Green Tea Festival, some of the most popular festival events (most of which are held out in the green tea fields) are the hands-on experience programs such as picking tea leaves, making tea, and sampling green tea snacks. Other events such as the tea exhibition & sale, and a number of celebratory performances are also scheduled to be held during the festival period.