Mud Raves Make Boryeong Mud Fest a Hit with Foreigners

Mud raves, mud wrestling and even a mud marathon were just some of the messy attractions on offer at the 14th Boryeong Mud Festival from July 16 to 24.

The annual festival, which is held in the city in South Chungcheong Province, two hour's drive from Seoul, has become so well-known that it now attracts more foreigners than Koreans.

One of the charms of the festival is the innovative way in which it lets visitors unwind through a series of mud-related programs and activities. The large mud pool, one of the most popular attractions, became a place for festival-goers to shake off all their worries and roll around in some good old skin-cleansing sludge.

Meanwhile, the mud slide did a good job of transporting revelers back to their childhood days, after which they could relax and rejuvenate with a mud massage. Energetic children also got in the fun at an area marked Kid's Land, which allowed them to let loose and cause as much mud-cloaked havoc as they could without the pesky interference of adults.

The mud used at the festival is taken from mud flats that lie some 45 km away from Daecheon Beach. Known for its high quality, the mud is treated to remove impurities and used to make local beauty and health products such as mud powder, which has earned a reputation for being good for the skin.

Boryeong is famous for its beautiful beaches such as Daecheon and Muchangpo. Daecheon Beach, the longest on Korea's west coast, is covered with soft sand formed from tiny broken shells. The 3.5 km-long and 100 m-wide shore gently slopes for 50 m before extending into shallow waters, making it optimal for family bathing. It is considered one of the best places Korea has to offer those looking for an affordable summer vacation.