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Some 39 million people will travel to their home provinces to celebrate Chuseok or Korean Thanksgiving with their families. They are unlikely to escape traffic congestion, either on their way there or on their way back. Traffic jams will be heaviest between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Monday and between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Wednesday. It is expected to take eight hours to go to Busan from Seoul by car and seven hours to Gwangju. Returning to Seoul from Busan will take nine hours and from Daejon six.
But if you are stuck in Seoul during this year¡¯s Chuseok holidays, which are longer than usual, spend some time enjoying traditional folk games at old palaces and amusement parks in the capital. During the Chuseok holidays, game events will be held at four palaces and 13 royal tomb gardens. Admission for visitors in hanbok or traditional Korean dress is free.
¡ß Events at the palaces
¡â Gyeongbok Palace -- A tightrope-walking performance will be presented by the Namsadang troupe, who starred in the movie "The King and the Clown", in front of Geunjeong Gate at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 25 and 26. (02-732-1931)
¡â Changdeok Palace -- A folk game contest will be held in front of Donhwa Gate at 11 a.m, 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Sept. 25. The games are tuho, the four-stick game, the shuttlecock game and the top spinning game. Individuals or families of four can participate. (02-762-9513)
¡â Changgyeong Palace -- A reenactment of an 18th century ceremony to mark the 50th birthday of King Yeongjo will be performed at Myongjeongjeon at 2 p.m. on Sept. 23. Songpa Sandae mask dances will be performed in front of Yanghwadang at 2 p.m. on Sept. 25. (02-762-9515)
¡â Deoksu Palace -- A Pyongtaek farm music performance will be presented in a yard at Hamnyeong Hall at 2 p.m. on Sept. 25. (02-771-9954)
¡â Jongmyo Shrine -- 500 traditional Korean cookies will be given out on a first come, first serve basis in front of Hayeonshi at 11 a.m. Instant photographs will be available. (02-762-3552)
¡ß Major museums
¡â National Museum of Korea -- Kim Joo-hong and Noreummachi will perform Samdo mask dances, a "gut" or rite where a shaman offers a sacrifice to the spirits known as Pan, and road shows at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 24 and 2 p.m. on Sept 25 and 26. The crossover concert "Flamenco and Percussion" will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 25. Movies will be shown free of charge at 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., including "Night at The Museum" (Sept. 24), "Robot Taekwon V" (Sept. 25) and "The Pursuit of Happyness" (Sept. 26). (02-2077-9224)
¡â National Folk Museum -- Various folk performances, seasonal events and educational programs are scheduled until Sept. 26. A special Chuseok gut to wish for health and prosperity will be held at 2 p.m. on Sept. 25, and a Seodo folk performance will be held at 2 p.m. on Sept. 26. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 25 and 26, visitors can participate in hands-on programs including making sotdae (a pole signifying prayer for a good harvest) or paining folk art. (02-3704-3107)
¡â Seoul Museum of History -- A traditional Chuseok cultural event will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 25. Visitors can enjoy folk music by Peru's Yuyariy and the Namsadang troupe. There will also be hands-on programs such as top spinning games, mask performances, spinning wheels and making rice candies and songpyon. (02-724-0192)
¡ß Amusement parks
Amusement parks across the country are preparing Chuseok events including folk performances and hands-on programs.
¡â Lotte World (www.lotteworld.com)
Lotte World is hosting a big Chuseok festival from Sept. 23 to 26. There will be tightrope-walking by master Kwon Won-tae, farm music by a 25-piece band, and a magic show by Kim Jung-woo. Visitors can try their hands at programs like rice cake making, slap-match games and chestnut peeling. On Chuseok day on Sept. 25, visitors in traditional Korean dress can enter the folk museum free of charge.
¡â Everland (www.everland.com)
The Everland 2007 Chuseok folk festival lasts until Sept. 30. Namsadang performances will be presented at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. daily. There will also be shuttlecock games, tuho and four-quarter games. Children who play by the rules will get souvenirs such as picture cards or paper dolls. Seniors over 55 get in free.
¡â Seoul Land (www.seoulland.co.kr)
Seoul Land is presenting a Chuseok Special from Sept. 24 to 26, including Samulnori and folk games. A special program will allow foreigners to learn about the holiday. The park will close at 10 p.m. daily during the holidays. Other attractions include a Korean farm products promotion, a laser show and a character parade.
¡â COEX Aquarium (www.coexaqua.com)
COEX Aquarium is hosting a Chuseok diving show until Sept. 26. Divers in traditional Korean dress will play tuho and seesaw underwater, followed by a question and answer program. There will also be a family photograph contest.
¡â Busan Aquarium (www.busanaquarium.com)
Busan Aquarium is holding a special "full moon on a coral reef" event in a 7-m deep water tank until Sept. 26. Select visitors can take photos with divers in traditional Korean dress.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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