Travel Korea: 12th Boryeong Mud Festival 보령머드축제

Now on its 12th year, the Boryeong Mud Festival is the representative festival of Korea. It may not project a Koreanness in image but definitely this is the best festival that Korea could offer to any foreigners out there~ ^^v The festival is held every July for a week to 10 days. It attracts the most number of foreigners among the festivals in Korea. So it's like the biggest party ever for foreigners and of course Koreans who wanna mingle ^^ The party I mean festival lol this year was last July 11th to 19th.

There are many ways to go to Boryeong. I think it's very easy for those who will come from Seoul. Just take the train from Seoul or Yeoungdeungpo station going to Boryeong station. My group took the train from Yongsan station in Seoul to Cheonan then from Cheonan to Boryeong since we were not able to reserved the ticket earlier. The station was already filled with tourists. Then from the station it's either you take the bus or taxi. It will only take 10-15 minutes. If you are in group, taxi would be perfect since it would drop you to the exact location and the cost is not really expensive.
My friend reserved a room for us. There were 6 of us who shared the room. The room could probably fill 6 more people. The place was ok only that it was quite far from the main area, the Daecheon Beach. Again, since we didn't plan the trip that early, we were not able to get the minboks or rooms near the beach. But it was still ok. The hotels were really expensive. The normal rate is 30-50,000 won but during the festival it's way expensive for like 100-150,000 won a day..but you can always share it with your friends depending on your haggling sills (kakka chuseyo lines and that) lol

We just dropped our bags and headed to the main area. Since it was the first day (Saturday) and was still in the morning around 11sh, I thought I wouldn't see many people yet, I was wrong. You can see them in every corner ^^ I think weekends would be perfect and more exciting because of the number of people who will come. There were many English teachers, probably most hagwons were closed at that time. lol. Maybe we could call the event as English teachers in Korea gathering or something like that.

Then we joined the crowd of people bathed in mud. There were many activities. The main area had performances on the stage and simultaneously mud wrestling, mud slide, mud prison and more other muddy activities. haha. Mudsoap were also given for free. The activities were so much fun. The whole place was also crowded. Hotels, restaurants and people drinking were everywhere. But it was totally safe. Night activities were also wild. This time with no mud, people just gathered in the main area to dance, party and sing. Some drunk foreigners ran to the stage naked which fueled laughter. For me the festival was not Korean in image. It was more of like a festival in Europe, or probably Mardi Gras where people just come to enjoy.

You should give it a try! Get wet, wild and dirty!