Rising interest following the APEC Summit and Korea-Japan Summit, spotlighting traditional culture and festivals

Gyeongsangbuk-do is welcoming returning visitors and tourists by hosting special cultural events across the province during the Chuseok holiday, connecting traditional culture, world heritage sites, and festivals.

Building on the momentum of Gyeongju serving as the venue for the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and Andong hosting the Korea-Japan Summit, Gyeongsangbuk-do has drawn attention as a leading cultural tourism hub representing South Korea. To sustain this growing domestic and international interest and channel it into regional tourism, the provincial government has prepared a variety of programs for family visitors during the holiday.

Museums and cultural facilities across the province—including the Sangju Museum, Gyeongsan City Museum, Cheongdo Museum, and Yecheon Museum—will host traditional cultural experience events such as yutnori (traditional board game), tuho (arrow-pitching), songpyeon-making (half-moon rice cakes), and Korean traditional music performances. These programs allow families to reflect on the meaning of the holiday and experience the festive atmosphere of Chuseok.

Events utilizing world heritage sites will also take place. Hahoe Village, Yangdong Village, and Sosu Seowon will offer free admission on Chuseok Day. Andong Hahoe Village will feature reenactments of traditional lifestyles and artisan experience programs; Sosu Seowon will host traditional pungmul (percussion) and regional cultural artist performances; and Yangdong Village will offer traditional game experiences like tuho and yutnori.

At festivals and tourist destinations, visitors can encounter both traditional and global cultures. The "2026 Andong International Mask Dance Festival," designated as a global festival by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, kicks off right at the start of the Chuseok holiday and runs through October 4 around the former Jungangline Andong Station, the Mask Dance Park, and Hahoe Village. Domestic and international mask dance performances and the World Mask Dance Competition will be held.

At the Hoban Square in Gyeongju Bomun Tourist Complex, family-oriented participation programs such as mood light and key ring making, as well as a treasure hunt, will be operated. The Expo Grand Park will host cultural and artistic events, including traditional folk games, taekwondo performances, and vocal healing concerts. Free admission benefits will also be provided to three-generation families and visitors wearing hanbok (traditional Korean attire) or traditional costumes from other countries.

Alongside abundant sights, Gyeongsangbuk-do is establishing a safe tourism environment. The province plans to prevent safety accidents by conducting pre-inspections on facilities expected to draw large crowds during the holiday, including performance venues, tourist accommodations, campsites, and sports facilities, focusing on facility safety, fire-fighting equipment, and operational management status.

Park Chan-woo, Director-General of Culture, Tourism, and Sports at Gyeongsangbuk-do, stated, "We have prepared rich cultural events where people can enjoy traditional culture, world heritage sites, and festivals all at once across Gyeongsangbuk-do during the Chuseok holiday. As we have arranged a wide variety of sights and activities to enjoy, we hope families will spend a joyful and meaningful holiday together in Gyeongbuk."