The breath of the ancient fortress wall, a thousand-year story unfolding at Gochang Moyangseong Festival
Do you dream of a special time where past and present coexist? If you wish to walk along a tranquil fortress wall with a gentle autumn breeze, and fully experience the wisdom and excitement of our ancestors that you thought were lost, then now is the time to pay attention to Gochang Moyangseong Festival.
This festival, unfolding in a place where the breath of history comes alive Gochang Fortress, offers a special opportunity to experience Gochang’s splendid cultural heritage, preserved for over five hundred years, with all five senses, going beyond mere sightseeing.
As you follow the footsteps of ancestors who walked upon the best-preserved fortress wall in Korea, making wishes, you too will soon become the protagonist in a thousand-year-old story.
Moyangseong, a History and Culture Festival Embracing Traces of Time
Gochang Moyangseong Festival is a historic festival unfolding against the backdrop of Gochang-eupseong (Moyangseong), the most beautiful and best-preserved fortress in Korea. Built in the first year of King Danjong’s reign (1453) to defend against Japanese invasions, this fortress itself is the history and pride of Gochang. The festival, centered on Moyangseong, carries on past traditions and incorporates modern sensibilities, welcoming countless visitors every autumn.
For what reason did this festival begin?
Gochang Moyangseong Festival began from a deep desire to honor and carry on the wisdom and community spirit of our ancestors, going beyond a simple local festival. The ‘Dapseongnori,’ originating from the legend that women carried stones to complete the fortress when it was built, symbolizes that spirit and has become a core program of the festival. This plays an important role in reflecting on the value of the historical space that is Gochang-eupseong and promoting community harmony.
Festival Basic Information at a Glance
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Festival Name | Gochang Moyangseong Festival |
| Host | Gochang County |
| Period | October 15, 2026 ~ October 19, 2026 |
| Operating Hours | 10:00 ~ 22:00 |
| Location | Gochang-eupseong area, Gochang County, Jeollabuk-do |
The Path Where Legend Becomes Reality, the Mystique of ‘Dapseongnori’
The highlight and most special experience of Gochang Moyangseong Festival is ‘Dapseongnori’. A beautiful legend passed down states that if you walk around the fortress wall once, leg ailments will be cured; twice, you will enjoy eternal youth and longevity; and three times, you will ascend to paradise. This legend is realized as an actual experiential program at the festival, offering visitors a special meaning.
- One Round: The story that leg ailments are cured
- Two Rounds: Steps wishing for eternal youth and longevity
- Three Rounds: Making a wish containing the desire for ascension to paradise
During the day, you can enjoy the traditional Dapseongnori while experiencing the peaceful ambiance of Gochang-eupseong, and at night, the ‘Night Dapseong Ganggangsullae Moonlight’ unfolds under the moonlight, creating a fantastic atmosphere, harmonizing with Ganggangsullae. The sight of residents and tourists holding hands and dancing together showcases the true meaning of the festival.
Diverse Programs Connecting Past, Present, and Future
Gochang Moyangseong Festival is filled with a variety of programs in addition to Dapseongnori. Programs that harmonize tradition and modernity will offer unforgettable memories to visitors of all ages.
Main Programs to Delight Your Eyes and Ears
- Street Parade: A large-scale procession involving over 1,000 residents, expressing the past, present, and future, magnificently marks the opening of the festival.
- Returns 1453: With the theme ‘Journey to the Past,’ you can explore the interior of Gochang-eupseong and enjoy an experience as if you’ve returned to the Joseon Dynasty in 1453. Through immersive historical experiences, you can glimpse the life and culture of that era.
- Ganggangsullae Moonlit Night: This program, held in conjunction with the night Dapseongnori, creates a space of harmony where everyone unites under the beautiful moonlight to dance Ganggangsullae.
Ancillary and Experiential Programs to Satisfy All Five Senses
Interesting Ancillary Programs
- Flea Market: A place where you can find hidden treasures like handicrafts and souvenirs from Gochang.
- Drone Show: A spectacular drone show adorning the night sky makes the festival night even more radiant.
- Family Zone: Various play and relaxation spaces are prepared for family visitors.
- Food Stalls & Traditional Pub: You can enjoy delicious food made with fresh local specialties from Gochang and the ambiance of a traditional pub.
- Direct Sales Market: An opportunity to directly purchase agricultural and local products from the Gochang region from producers.
Participatory Programs to Enjoy
- Children’s Carrot Market: An educational experiential activity where children directly buy and sell items, learning economic concepts.
- Traditional Games Experience: You can have a fun time by directly experiencing our unique traditional games such as Yunnori and Tuho.
- Various Experiential Programs: A variety of experiences, such as Tteokmechigi (rice cake pounding) and Hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) experience, are prepared to help you deeply understand Korean culture.
Why Should You Visit Gochang Moyangseong Festival Now?
Every autumn, Gochang is imbued with the scent of history and culture. In particular, Gochang Moyangseong Festival, which will take place from October 15 to 19, 2026, offers a special experience where you can rediscover the value of fading traditions and enjoy it together with the whole family. It will be a time to feel the festival with all five senses and communicate with the past, going beyond merely seeing it with your eyes.
- Become a Protagonist in Legend: Make wishes for health and happiness through Dapseongnori, and create special memories.
- Time Travel into History: You can experience an exciting journey back to the Joseon Dynasty through Returns 1453 and the Street Parade.
- Experience the Taste and Charm of Gochang: Taste fresh local specialties at the Direct Sales Market and experience the flavors of Gochang at various food stalls.
- Joy with Family and Friends: It’s full of programs where everyone can laugh and have fun together, including a drone show, family zone, and traditional games experience.
As autumn deepens, why not walk along the traces of time at Gochang Moyangseong Festival and create unforgettable memories with your loved ones? This special festival will make your autumn even richer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What kind of festival is Gochang Moyangseong Festival?
Gochang Moyangseong Festival is a historical and cultural festival held against the backdrop of Gochang-eupseong (Moyangseong), the best-preserved fortress in Korea. You can enjoy various historical experiences and cultural performances, including the traditional Dapseongnori.
Q2. What are the main attractions of the festival?
The most representative is Dapseongnori, and other main attractions include the Night Dapseong Ganggangsullae Moonlight, a street parade involving over 1,000 residents, and the historical experience program, Returns 1453.
Q3. What meaning is contained in Dapseongnori?
Dapseongnori is a representative traditional experiential program of Gochang Moyangseong Festival, based on the legend that if you walk around the fortress wall once, leg ailments will be cured; twice, you will enjoy eternal youth and longevity; and three times, you will ascend to paradise.
Q4. What food can be enjoyed during the festival?
Various food stalls featuring local specialties from Gochang will be operated, and you can directly purchase fresh local agricultural products at the direct sales market. A traditional pub is also available.
Q5. Are there programs suitable for enjoying with children?
Yes, a wealth of diverse participatory programs and entertainment for children are prepared, including the Children’s Carrot Market, traditional games experience, and family zone.
