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Every summer, the coastal city of Boryeong in South Korea becomes the centre of one of the country’s most thrilling festivals. The Boryeong Mud Festival is a loud, vibrant and completely unfiltered celebration of mud. For two weeks, Daecheon Beach transforms into a sprawling mud-themed playground. It is filled with giant slides, obstacle courses, pools, paint booths, and stages where music blasts into the evening. Travellers arrive to party and be completely covered in Boryeong’s mineral-rich grey mud, known for its skincare properties and cooling touch.
Boryeong Mud Festival History And Significance
Photo: Jirka Matousek / Wikimedia Commons
Back in 1998, the town of Boryeong was looking for a new way to introduce people to its local mud. The mud here, taken from the tidal flats near Daecheon Beach, is rich in minerals that help improve skin health. The organisers invited people to the beach to feel the mud themselves, to slide in it, roll in it and enjoy it. Over the years, the Boryeong Mud Festival became a summer highlight, not just for Koreans but for travellers across the world. It honours the healing qualities of the region’s mud and celebrates the freedom that comes from letting go and just enjoying the moment.
How To Reach
Photo: Trainholic / Wikimedia Commons
By Rail: From Yongsan Station in Seoul, take a KTX or Mugunghwa train to Daecheon Station. The ride takes between 2 to 2.5 hours. Once you arrive, it’s a 15 to 20 minute taxi ride to Daecheon Beach. Local buses also run that way, though they may take longer.
By Road: Go to the Seoul Express Bus Terminal and take a bus to Boryeong Bus Terminal. The journey usually takes about 3 hours. From the terminal, taxis are easy to find, or you can catch a local bus to the beach. If you’re driving, take either the Gyeongbu Expressway or Seohaean Expressway from Seoul. On a good day, it takes just under three hours. There’s parking near the beach, but it fills fast, especially on weekends.
Timings And Venue Of The Festival
Photo: Kai Hendry / Wikimedia Commons
The 28th Boryeong Mud Festival will run from 25 July to 10 August 2025 at Daecheon Beach in Boryeong, South Korea. This beach, set in Chungcheongnam-do, is long, flat, and easy to move around. During the event, the beach becomes the Mud Expo Plaza. This is where all the action happens with the mud pits, games, music and more.
Timings:
- Monday to Thursday: 1 PM – 6 PM
- Friday to Sunday: 10 AM – 6 PM (closed 1:30 – 2:30 PM)
- Closed on 24 July for safety check
What To Expect: Atmosphere, Crowd And Vibe
Photo: yochika photographer / Shutterstock
Boryeong Mud Festival Korea has a fast pace, but it doesn’t feel overwhelming. You’ll see people walking around soaked in grey mud, laughing with strangers or lining up for the next slide. Locals mix with international tourists, and it’s common to see families with children sharing space with young travellers. Throughout the day, music keeps the mood high. In the evening, lights come up around the main stage, and the beach turns into an open-air concert. Some stay to dance near the speakers, while others relax at the back or sit along the edge of the sand. There are calm areas, places to rinse off, grab food, or just sit down for a while before heading back into the action.
Major Activities At The Boryeong Mud Festival
Photo: SIRASONY / Shutterstock
Here are the Boryeong Mud Festival activities which welcome visitors to join any activity that catches your eye:
- Mud Wrestling: Two people enter a mud ring and try to push each other down. It’s not rough or serious, just silly, quick fun that gets a big reaction from the crowd.
- Mud Slides: Long, muddy ramps lead into deep pools. You can go solo or with friends, sliding right into the thick grey mud at full speed.
- Obstacle Course: Climb, crawl, and run through soft barriers. Everything is covered in mud, so you’ll slip a lot, but that’s part of the fun.
- Mud Painting: Staff and artists use coloured mud to paint designs on your skin. Some people walk around with full-body art before rinsing it off.
- Mud Pools: These are open pools filled with cool, soft mud. You can lie down, float, or just sit and talk with others.
- Evening Concerts: As it gets dark, DJs and K-pop performers take over the main stage. People dance, jump, and cheer, still covered in mud.
- Family Area: A quiet zone with shallow mud pools for children. Staff are always there, and it’s kept safe and clean.
- Mud Spa Booths: You can try a quick facial or treatment using Boryeong’s mineral-rich mud, the same used in local skincare products.
- Miscellaneous Activities: Beach sports like volleyball, small parades and street acts, mud-related workshops and painting booths, craft areas and pop-up shops, and fireworks on weekends.
Festival For Families And Kids
Photo: Hypnotica Studios Infinite / Wikimedia Commons
There’s a section just for children at the Boryeong Mud Festival called the Family Zone. It’s set up away from the busy mud pits and the mud here is soft and not too deep. Only kids between 3 and 14 can enter, and they have to be with a parent the whole time. It’s calm compared to the rest of the beach. If you’re coming with kids, this is the safest spot for them to join in.
What’s Inside:
- Small slides made for kids
- Low mud pools
- Foam tunnels
- A few games that are easy and safe
- Staff nearby watching the area
Tickets For The Mud Festival
Photo: Stinkie Pinkie / Wikimedia Commons
Here are the different types of tickets with thei prices:
Regular Zone (Over 140 cm):
- Weekdays (Monday – Thursday): ₩10,000 / ₹620 (Adult), ₩9,000 / ₹560 (Teen)
- Weekends (Friday – Sunday): ₩14,000 / ₹870 (Adult), ₩12,000 / ₹740 (Teen)
Group Discounts (20+ People):
- Weekdays: ₩9,000 / ₹560 (Adult), ₩8,000 / ₹500 (Teen)
- Weekends: ₩12,000 / ₹740 (Adult), ₩10,000 / ₹620 (Teen)
Family Zone (Kids 3-14):
- Weekdays: ₩5,000 / ₹310 (Parent), ₩9,000 / ₹560 (Child)
- Weekends: ₩7,000 / ₹435 (Parent), ₩11,000 / ₹680 (Child)
Note:
- Booking a ticket is easy, but availability is limited, 30% online, 70% offline.
- Online booking is available in advance, and offline ticket counters open daily from 10 AM.
- Tickets cannot be reissued if lost, and entry is only allowed with a valid hand ring (wristband).
- Final ticket sales close at 5 PM, and the last entry is at 5:30 PM.
- Parents with Family Zone tickets can enter with children, but cannot access the Regular Zone.
- Tickets are only valid on the day of issue.
- If online tickets sell out, you can still purchase them at the booth (limited quantity).
Where To Stay
Photo: Max Vakhtbovycn / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Daecheon Beachfront is the best area if you want to stay near the festival. Hotels nearby include Hotel Wooyeon Flora, Ocean View Hotel and Hanwha Resort Daecheon. Downtown Boryeong is about 15 minutes away by car. The hotels here are slightly cheaper and the area isn’t as crowded. Hotels in this area include Hotel Skypark Daecheon, Bellino Hotel and Boryeong Hotel. There are budget guesthouses too which are smaller places, often run by locals. Most people staying here travel by bus or taxi to get to the festival. These spots are popular with students and travellers on a tight budget. Guesthouses to consider include Boryeong Basecamp Guesthouse, JJ Motel and Daecheon Backpackers.
What To Eat
Photo: makafood / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Around Daecheon Beach, you’ll find small vendors, open-air stalls, seafood grills, and local restaurants. The most popular choice during the day is fresh seafood. Grilled clams, squid skewers, and steamed shellfish are available right along the beachfront. Most stalls serve straight from the grill, and everything is cooked fresh. Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), hotteok (stuffed pancakes), and twigim (deep-fried vegetables or squid) are easy to grab and eat on the go. Many visitors head to Korean BBQ spots after sunset. For those who prefer non-seafood options, there are noodle places and kimbap shops near the main road behind the beach. Vegetarian dishes are limited, but bibimbap (vegetable rice bowl) is easy to find.
What To Pack And Wear For The Mud Festival
Photo: Hypnotica Studios Infinite / Wikimedia Commons
- Wear old clothes that you won’t mind getting ruined. Most people stick to a basic swimsuit or an old t-shirt and shorts.
- Bring sandals that stay on your feet. Flip-flops will come off easily in the mud.
- Pack a change of clothes and shoes for after the festival. You’ll need something dry and clean.
- A towel is important if you plan to use the public showers.
- Use a waterproof pouch or phone case to protect your device.
- Keep a plastic bag in your backpack for storing wet or muddy clothes.
- Apply sunscreen before heading out, even if it’s cloudy.
- Carry some cash because not every stall takes cards, and it’s quicker to pay with cash for food or lockers.
Festival Rules And Safety Tips
Photo: Jirka Matousek / Wikimedia Commons
- You need a valid hand ring (wristband) to enter the paid mud zones.
- Don’t enter the Water Park Zone with mud still on your body. Wash off first at the rinse areas.
- The ground gets very slippery so walk carefully to avoid falling.
- Sandals, slippers, or sneakers are not allowed inside the main zones. Use the shoe storage area at the entrance.
- Keep valuables at home. Lost items are not the organisers’ responsibility.
- Food and drinks are not allowed inside the mud zones.
- Smoking and alcohol are banned in all activity areas.
- Drunk or aggressive behaviour will lead to removal from the site.
- Don’t take photos or videos in restricted areas. Follow all posted signs.
- Pets are not allowed in any experience zone. They’re only permitted in the designated pet area.
The Boryeong Mud Festival isn’t just about getting messy. It’s about stepping into something different and not holding back. You don’t need a plan or a schedule, just show up, wear old clothes, and join in. The energy, the people, and the setting make it worth the trip. If you’re thinking of going this year, book your stay early and check ticket options in advance. For stays, travel help, and full festival packages, plan your trip with TripXL.
Cover Photo: ST_Travel / Shutterstock
