Visiting Korea During Chuseok: What You Need To Know

Introduction

Chuseok, also known as Korea’s Harvest Festival, is the busiest months in Korea. Unfortunately, it's also the worst time to travel. You would need to make reservations in advance as most of the stores, restaurants, and activities are closed off. But fear not, Seoulmates—we'll cover all you need to know in our guide to make your Chuseok trip to Korea stress-free.

What is Chuseok

Chuseok, a holiday, holds great significance in Korea. According to the lunar calendar, it is celebrated around the fall equinox and is sometimes referred to as the Korean Thanksgiving. This year, it is September 16–18.

 

Avoid Intercity Travelling

The Korean Harvest Festival is a significant holiday where Koreans take the time out to meet their parents and give them gifts. At this time, many travel to their hometowns--out of Seoul, which is why it's important to be prepared for heavy traffic and delays on the highways and public transit.


The buses and trains are also crammed, so intercity traveling is usually not recommended. It's ideal to schedule your trip to South Korea before or after Chuseok. Just stay away from intercity travel on the first and last days of Chuseok if you're already there.
 

Visit Beaches

If you want to avoid the business of the holidays, then you can go to the many awesome beaches. Since everyone is leaving Seoul, the beaches are nearly deserted, yet the hotels by the shore are still open. While you may not find as many restaurants open, there’s always a convenience store at the corner waiting to welcome you.
 

Avoid Folk Villages

South Korea has many great tourist attractions, one of them being the Folk villages where you can see what a traditional Korean village looks like, see traditional performances, and even play classic Korean games. 

It may be on the ‘top things to do in Korea’ but not during the Harvest Festival, you’d end up waiting in line for hours, and get pushed around like a lost puppy in the crowd. You should definitely check out places like the Korean War Memorial, Everland theme park, of Nami Island if you're seeking for some adventure.

Bike Riding

 

You can skip public transportation by taking the bicycle. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery–especially if you’re in Seoul. The Han or Bukhan rivers are pretty. However, it's important to note that the roads may still be crowded with people. 

Bicycling down the road is the best during Chuseok as Seoul at this time offers pleasant weather that allows you to enjoy yourself. It is neither excessively hot nor overly cold.
 

Try Traditional Foods

If you’re in Seoul during the Korean Harvest Festival, then don’t miss out on trying different traditional Korean delicacies like Songpeyon (rice cakes), Japchae (stir-fried glass noodles), Galbijjim, Jeon, Namul, and Yakgwa also referred to as chewy, delicious fried honey cakes. These dishes are often enjoyed in Chuseok with family and friends as they not only offer a taste of Korean culture, but also represents the spirit of joy that the festival brings. 
 
If you’d like to experience Chuseok yourself without going to Korea, Seoulbox’s September box offers tasty snacks, candies, fun goodies and Seoulzine, a magazine that offers insights on what Chuseok is, its traditions, and how you can celebrate it.   

Respect Traditions

Last but not the least, it’s crucial that you are mindful of local customs as Chuseok is a time for family gatherings and paying respects to ancestors. You can greet the locals with a ‘Chuseokhaseyo’ which means ‘Happy Chuseok’, with a slight bow as a symbol of esteem. 
 

Conclusion

Traveling to Korea during the Korean Harvest Festival may be a unique and fascinating experience, providing a glimpse into the heart of Korean culture and tradition. Even if there are some challenges, such as congested transportation and a lack of free activities, you can still have an incredible trip if you plan ahead of time.
 
Chuseok is a chance to deepen your understanding of Korea, whether it's by sampling regional specialities, admiring serene coastline views, or simply honouring and observing customs. Let's toast to the holidays and, in Korean, Chuseokhaseyo!
 

 

 

Image Sources:
https://www.officeholidays.com/holidays/south-korea-harvest-festival
https://hiddenlanes.com/blog/tavel-during-chuseok
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g297884-d1458553-r618852657-Haeundae_Beach-Busan.html
https://www.seoulinspired.com/chuseok-seollal-activities/
https://www.reddit.com/r/korea/comments/g70u88/cycling_from_seoul_to_busan_is_an_absolute_dream/
https://www.eater.com/21507882/korean-chuseok-2020-holiday-feast-celebrating-during-covid-19-pandemic
https://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Society/view?articleId=121606
 

Author : Aaliyah