Boryeong Mud Festival

When: Held every July; exact dates announced annually and span roughly a week to ten days.

Where: Daecheon Beach, Boryeong, South Korea.

Cost: Free to enter the site; many mud attractions, concerts and special zones may charge for tickets or activities.

Don’t miss: Mud wrestling and giant mud slides on the beach, plus evening live music and fireworks.

Boryeong’s Mud Festival began in 1998 as a marketing idea to promote cosmetics made from the mineral-rich Daecheon mud flats; it quickly grew into a major summertime public event that attracts both domestic and international visitors.

Most activity is concentrated on Daecheon Beach and the adjacent festival grounds: daytime mud baths, slides and mud wrestling create a slapstick, hands-on atmosphere, while beauty tents sell mud-based products; evenings bring live music, DJs, parades and fireworks, making it part beach party, part promotional fair.

The festival runs annually in July in Boryeong; organizers publish exact start and end dates each year, so check the official site ahead of travel. Peak crowds occur across the weekends - daytime mud attractions are busiest in the afternoon, with major concerts and fireworks scheduled for weekend evenings.

If you want a slightly quieter experience aim for weekday mornings, while late-afternoon to night is best for the concert-and-fireworks atmosphere.

Fly into Incheon International Airport (most international flights) via Seoul and then travel to Boryeong by intercity bus or train; buses depart from Seoul Express Bus Terminal and trains run to Daecheon Station with a short taxi or local bus to Daecheon Beach. The journey from Seoul takes about 2.5 - 3 hours by road; arrive at least a day early and book accommodation well in advance for July weekends.

• Bring an old swimsuit, quick-dry clothing and a towel because you will be covered in mud at Daecheon Beach in Boryeong.
• Wear water shoes or sandals with grip; the mud and beach can be slippery and sharp objects may be hidden in crowds.
• Leave valuables in your hotel safe or use a waterproof phone pouch; pickpocketing risk rises in dense, drunk crowds.
• Stay hydrated and apply waterproof sunscreen - July is hot and humid, and shade is limited on the beach.
• Book hotels and intercity transport at least several weeks ahead for July weekends, and buy tickets for popular concerts/attractions early.
• Be respectful of local staff and facilities: use the festival shower/changing areas to rinse off and follow any posted rules about where to put mud and waste.