Punggi Ginseng Festival Reaches Midpoint with 250,000 Visitors Already... Continues Until the 13th

Colorful Performances and Experiences, Purchase of 'Top-Quality Ginseng' Also Available

The 2024 Gyeongbuk Yeongju Punggi Ginseng Festival has attracted 250,000 visitors in just five days since its opening, gaining significant popularity.

The festival, which began on the 5th, has received positive reviews for its venue layout designed for convenience and smooth movement, as well as its rich, well-organized daily programs.

Visitors purchasing ginseng at the Punggi Ginseng Festival.

Tourist An Jinhong (age 42, Jeonju) said, "I come to the festival every year to buy Punggi ginseng," adding, "This year, the weather is great, so my whole family is enjoying a happy autumn outing together with a variety of experiences."

The Yeongju Punggi Ginseng Festival is held every year during the ginseng harvesting season, offering visitors the chance to purchase high-quality Punggi ginseng at affordable prices. It also features a variety of programs that highlight the region's unique characteristics, establishing itself as Korea's representative health festival that attracts many tourists.

This year's festival, under the theme "Millennium Health Punggi Ginseng, Found It in Punggi!", will run until the 13th at Namwoncheon in Punggi-eup, the main production area of Punggi ginseng, and at the Ginseng Culture Popup Park.

This year, the festival was selected as an "Honorary Cultural Tourism Festival" by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and is being praised for its even more substantial and well-prepared programs compared to last year.

At the festival venue, various experiential events are held daily, including performances that tell the story of the region's history and culture such as the traditional play Dendongeomejeon, as well as activities to make ginseng more delicious and familiar, such as ▲Ginseng Liquor Making ▲Ginseng Peeling Contest ▲Ginseng Injeolmi Rice Cake Pounding.

In addition, the Yeongju Punggi Ginseng Festival Organizing Committee is adding to the excitement with special events such as "Find the Golden Ginseng!" where ginseng buyers can win a golden ginseng (pure gold, 1 don) through a lucky draw.

Tourist Kim Kyunghee (age 63, Gwonseon-gu, Suwon), who found the golden ginseng, said, "I'm grateful to my sister who picked the golden ginseng for me," adding, "In ten days, my first grandchild will turn 100 days old, and I want to give it as a gift. Thank you for creating such a wonderful memory."

For the remainder of the festival, a variety of cultural performances will continue daily, including ▲Rock Festival (10th) ▲National Powerful Dance Festival (11th) ▲Sobaeksan Yeongju Punggi Ginseng Song Festival (12th). At the closing performance on the 13th, popular singers such as Kim Suchan, My Jin, Bae Eunhee, Jang Yeju, Lim Mijeong, and Jang Haon will grace the finale of the festival.

Park Namseo, Mayor of Yeongju, said, "This year's festival encapsulates the history and culture of the birthplace of Korean ginseng, making it the best health festival," and added, "I hope you visit the festival, take care of your family's health with Punggi ginseng, the 'health food of the world,' and experience the culture and history of Yeongju."

The Punggi Ginseng Festival, which has reached its turning point, continues until the 13th.