Yangju City in Gyeonggi Province announced on June 11 that it will host the 8th Yangju Hoeamsaji Royal Festival from June 13 to June 15 at the Hoeamsaji site.
This year’s festival, held under the slogan “Let the World Know About Yangju Hoeamsaji! Part 2,” is a historical and cultural event designed to widely promote the historical significance and cultural appeal of Hoeamsaji. The city plans to present a variety of programs centered around eight key highlights.
The festival’s main attraction, “King Taejo Yi Seonggye’s Royal Procession,” is a storytelling performance inspired by the royal procession of King Taejo as recorded in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty.
On June 13, the opening ceremony titled “The Royal Time Begins Again” will be held at Okjeong Lake Park, featuring a historical reenactment that includes a tribute procession and King Taejo’s royal parade. On June 14, the city parade “People of Yangjugol, Welcome the Royal Procession!” and the opening royal procession “The King’s Return, Fantasia” will captivate both citizens and tourists.
On the evening of June 14, the themed performance “Hoeamsaji, the Great Monastery of Rest” will take the stage. This performance, which combines VR drawing, lighting displays, dance, and sword dance, vividly depicts the connection between King Taejo Yi Seonggye and Hoeamsaji. In addition, the nighttime lighting attraction “Oreubit: Hoeamsa Re,” which received great acclaim last year, will also be presented to further immerse visitors in the experience.
The “Old&New Hoeamsaji Special Performance” consists of three segments connecting the past, present, and future. The first segment features traditional performances by the Rakum Gugakdan and Dongrak Yeonhui Troupe. The second segment is the youth dance competition “Joseon Hip Youth Dance Contest,” where participants showcase their dance skills through a mix of traditional and contemporary music. The third segment is the high school cooking contest “High School Chef,” where aspiring chefs from across the country compete in culinary arts.
The festival has prepared content for the entire family to enjoy together. Programs include the parent-child history quiz “Ring the Bronze Bell,” the outdoor yoga program “Hoeamsaji Forestival,” and a variety of hands-on, recreational, and educational activities designed for all generations.
Hoeamsaji, which was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in March 2025, is a site of immense historical value. The city has organized exploration programs such as “Find the Eight Treasures of Hoeamsaji” to help visitors naturally learn about the site’s heritage.
Citizens will play the main roles in the royal procession, reenacting historical figures, while local organizations will voluntarily operate the food market. This ensures that festivalgoers can enjoy the event in a clean environment at reasonable prices. The active participation of citizens is expected to further enhance the quality of the Hoeamsaji Royal Festival.
The citizen promotional group “Hoeami” held its launch ceremony on May 25 and has since begun its activities. In addition to promoting the festival on social media, the group will provide a range of support services, including assisting visitors on site.
The festival incorporates ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) principles throughout, including eco-friendly campaigns, reducing single-use products, and expanding facilities for the socially disadvantaged, to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
A Yangju City official stated, “The Yangju Hoeamsaji Royal Festival is a leading festival in northern Gyeonggi Province, combining both elegance and fun. We will do our utmost to promote the value of Yangju Hoeamsaji to the world.”
Meanwhile, the Yangju Hoeamsaji Royal Festival has been selected as a Gyeonggi Representative Tourism Festival for four consecutive years, including 2025.
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