‘Bugok Oncheon Festival’ Held in Changnyeong

From the 29th to the 31st... Benefits and Experiences of Bugok Hot Spring Water with the Highest Nationwide Temperature

The 29th Bugok Oncheon Festival, hosted by Changnyeong-gun, Gyeongnam Province, and organized by the Bugok Oncheon Tourism Association, will be held for three days from the 29th to the 31st in the Bugok Oncheon Tourist Zone in Changnyeong.

Changnyeong-gun holds the Bugok Oncheon Festival annually to promote the excellence of Bugok Oncheon, which boasts the highest water temperature in Korea at 78℃, and to contribute to the revitalization of the Bugok Oncheon Tourist Zone by hosting a unique festival with various performances and participatory events.

The Bugok Oncheon Festival will be held from the 29th. The photo shows the 28th Bugok Oncheon Festival. [Image provided by Changnyeong-gun]

The festival begins with a mountain spirit ritual at the foot of Deokamsan Mountain, the source of the hot spring water. The event features a water intake ceremony performance where the Chilseonnyeo (Seven Fairies) draw the hot spring water, followed by a hot spring water transport parade. Then, the Onjeongje ceremony, praying for the eternal immortality of the hot spring water for generations to come, is held as a pre-ceremony event.

The festival grounds, covered with fully bloomed cherry blossoms, offer various outdoor programs that can be enjoyed with the hot spring water. At Hanul Park and the small park, where free foot baths are available, visitors can directly experience the benefits of Bugok Oncheon water, which has the highest temperature in the nation.

Eggs boiled in the 78℃ hot spring water are provided free of charge to participants, and a youth busking performance will be held at Hanul Park to enhance the excitement of the foot bath experience. Additionally, unique programs such as the Love Foot Washing Ceremony, hot spring water cooling contest, and boiled egg eating contest will take place.

Celebratory performances will run throughout the festival without a dull moment, including the HOT Live Bugok Oncheon Festival on the 29th, the opening celebration on the 30th, and the Citizens’ Harmony Healing Concert and National Acoustic Guitar Competition on the 31st.

Meanwhile, during the festival period, the 20th Changnyeong National Folk Bullfighting Competition will also be held at the Sohimgyoru Stadium in Bugok-myeon, providing even more diverse attractions.

A county official stated, “Bugok Oncheon, with the highest water temperature and excellent hot spring components nationwide, was designated as Korea’s first hot spring city.” He added, “We hope many tourists visit the Bugok Oncheon Festival, where various programs allow them to experience the hot spring water and enjoy themselves to the fullest.”