What’s on for Chuseok?

If you haven’t got plans for Chuseok yet, you may be wondering what you’re going to be able to do. Here are a few tips for making plans:

Travel Abroad

If you haven’t booked something yet, you’re probably out of luck. While Chuseok and Lunar New Year (Sollal) are times for crowed roads and hours with your family doing not much of anything but cooking and eating, more and more Koreans are heading not just out of town, but out of country. This is especially true when these long holidays fall next to a weekend. The Philippines and South East Asia are popular destinations, as are China and Japan. Proximity is certainly key. I managed a trip to Japan for ten days last year, but planned a bit in advance.

Travel Within Korea

If you ask most people who have lived here more than a year about traveling around Korea on Chuseok/Sollal, most will say, “Don’t.” The regular two hour bus ride from Seoul to Daejeon has taken some people more than 12 hours. Don’t even ask about Seoul to Busan. Additionally, train tickets for the period tend to sell out within a few hours of becoming available since most people don’t like to sit in the gridlock.

However, Chuseok is one of my favourite times to head into Seoul; you’re going against traffic and it’s really amazing to see the city virtually empty (some train tickets may also be available). Traditionally, Gyeongbokgung and Changgyeonggung Palaces in Seoul host special events showing traditional games and activities during the festival period. KNTO makes the following recommendations:

At Chuseok, palaces and folk villages are strongly recommended for those who would like to experience Korea’s traditional holiday. Traditional performances and traditional hands-on programs will be held from September 24 to 26 in the Korean Folk Village and the Namsangol Hanok Village.
The four major palaces in Seoul – Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Deoksugung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace – will allow visitors to enter the palaces for free if they wear hanboks (traditional Korean costumes) from September 24 to 26. In addition, Korean traditional plays such as Neolttwigi (seesaw jumping), Tuho Deonjigi (arrow throwing), and Jegichagi (tassel kicking) can be enjoyed for free in front of the entrance of Changgyeonggung Palace and inside Deoksugung Palace for the Chuseok holidays (September 24-26).

They also were kind enough to include a list of major locations closures and openings during the holiday period.

There are a few of us going on an extended bike trip (3 days, 150-200km) and a few more people would be welcome. Top health not necessary but a bike in good condition and a willing spirit are a must. See the link for more details as they develop.

Staying in Daejeon

SEM International is hosting its annual “Chuseok Outdoor Event with Foreign Friends [외국인을 위한 추석행사]”

â–ª When : 26th(Wednesday) September, 2007 10:00 a.m. ~ 5: 30 p.m.
▪ Where : Jang-Dong Recreation Forest 장동휴양림 (계족산)
& Munui Culture Asset Complex(대청 문의마을)
â–ª Host : SEM International
▪ Sponsor: DAEDEOK INNOPOLIS 대덕특구본부

Full program information at the link above. I’ve gone to the Lunar New Year festival in the past and it was a good time. It was hands-on experience with some elements of traditional life.

Making the Most of it

If you’re stuck in town, you can always hook up with people and stoop at the local corner store, but many things will be closed down (especially family owned business), with large retailers running on reduced hours. Almost everything will be closed Tuesday morning, with some businesses reopening after lunch. Buses (and the subway, I presume) will be running on holiday schedule.

Tagged as: event, festival, holiday, korea, special, traditional, traffic, travel