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By Lee Jin-a
October is known as "the month of festivals" in Korea. According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, about 27 percent of 693 festivals held this year run in October.
For people who have not decided where to go, The Korea Times has selected five major events at which visitors can see the country's beautiful fall scenery and learn about traditional Korean culture.
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"Seoul Eulalia Festival" / Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization |
From Oct. 7 to 16, the "Seoul Eulalia Festival" is held at Sky Park in Seoul's World Cup Park, where visitors can enjoy the refreshing nature right in the city. Sky Park will open until 10 p.m. so tourists can climb the hills and get a stunning view of the Han River at night. The festival is free.
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| "Andong Mask Dance Festival" / Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization |
In Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, the world-famous "Andong Mask Dance Festival" is held from Sept. 30 to Oct. 9. It offers more than 50 programs, including lessons in traditional Korean mask dance, related performances and competitions at the Hahoe Folk Village and Mask Dance Theater. For the village, tickets are 3,000 won ($2.70) for people over 19 and 1,000 won for children. The theater tickets cost 7,000 won for adults and 5,000 won for children.
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| "Jinju Namgang Yudeung (Lantern) Festival" / Korea Times file |
The "Jinju Namgang Yudeung(Lantern) Festival," celebrating the lantern lighting custom during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), is held from Oct. 1 to 16. Visitors get to float lanterns on the Namgang River in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province. The cost to participate for people over 19 is 10,000 won and 5,000 won for children.
For mountain hikers, The Korea Times recommends two festivals: the "Soyo Maple Culture Festival" and the "Mindung Mountain Eulalia Festival."
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| "Soyo Maple Culture Festival" / Courtesy of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism |
Mt. Soyo, in Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province, boasts maple trees covered in gold and rust-colored leaves. Mt. Mindung, in Jeongseon, Gangwon Province, is covered in fields of fire grasses and visitors can enjoy the fall breeze at the mountain's top.
For Mt. Soyo, adult tickets are 1,000 won and those for children 300 won. Mt. Mindung has no entrance fee.
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| Mt. Mindung, Jeongseon, Gangwon Province / Korea Times file |
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