Paju Gaeseong Ginseng Festival

The 21st Paju Gaeseong Ginseng Festival will take place from October 17 to 18, 2026, around 164 Imjingak-ro, Munsan-eup, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do, with the official registered location also listed as 177 Imjingak-ro. Admission is free. It has not yet been announced whether visitors will need to make advance reservations. Unlike the 20th festival, held from October 18 to 19, 2025, the 21st festival in 2026 will be held one day earlier, from October 17 to 18.

From October 18–19, 2025, to October 17–18, 2026

The 20th festival in 2025 was held from October 18 to 19, while the 21st festival in 2026 has been moved one day earlier, to October 17–18. This year’s venue encompasses Paju Imjingak Tourist Site and Pyeonghwa Nuri Park. It is hosted by Paju City and organized by the Paju Gaeseong Ginseng Festival Organizing Committee.

The theme for 2026 is “Running Together, Enjoying Together! The Gaeseong Ginseng Festival Runs Again.” The 20th festival in 2025 reportedly achieved total sales of KRW 880 million, including 7.5 tons of ginseng. The 2026 information includes free admission as well as the Moonlight Theater and a Youth Festival.

From Exit 1 of Munsan Station to Imjingak by shuttle running 09:00–17:00

The official tourism information lists a route from Munsan Station to the festival venue using Bus 9710 and the combination of village buses 058A and 058B. Bus 9710 departs from Gwanghwamun; get off at Hanjin 1-cha, then take either 058A or 058B from Munsan Station to Imjingak.

Tourism information also lists a free shuttle bus from in front of Exit 1 of Munsan Station to the festival venue. It is shown as operating frequently from 09:00 to 17:00. However, you should confirm before departure whether this shuttle schedule will apply unchanged on the 2026 festival dates.

For the Gyeongui Line, the listed route is to travel from Munsan Station to Imjingang Station and then walk to Imjingak. The train list from Munsan Station to Imjingang Station includes 09:35, 10:35, 15:45, and 17:20. An itinerary focused only on daytime activities can therefore be considered feasible as a day trip, but because the Moonlight Theater end time and the last train toward Seoul have not been published, it is safer not to calculate an itinerary that stays for the evening events as a day trip.

Jangdan Sambak cooking competition with around 20 teams and the 2024 ginseng price list

Approximately 20 teams will participate in the 2026 Jangdan Sambak National Cooking Competition, presenting dishes made with Paju’s ginseng, beans, and rice. The schedule also includes the opening ceremony, pre-ceremony performances, the “Festival of Prosperity and Harmony” stage, and busking by artists from the Paju area.

The Moonlight Theater is an evening movie-screening event, while the Youth Festival features performances led by teenagers and young adults. Hands-on activities such as making ginseng soap, the Paju Gaeseong Ginseng Master Exhibition, and a ginseng auction are also planned, allowing visitors to combine cooking competitions, performances, shopping, and participatory activities in one place.

Direct ginseng sales outlets, local specialty restaurants, agricultural and specialty product vendors, and processed-food vendors are scheduled to operate. Sales information from 2024 listed the price of 1 kg of ginseng as KRW 90,000 for premium large, KRW 82,000 for extra-large, KRW 74,000 for large, KRW 64,000 for medium, KRW 54,000 for small, KRW 46,000 for mixed-size, and KRW 36,000 for irregular ginseng. However, 2026 prices and the fees and payment methods for activities, including card and cash payment, have not yet been announced.

The standard booth size for 2026 participants is 5 m × 5 m. Recruitment categories included agricultural and specialty product or processed-goods sales booths, ready-to-eat processed foods, paid and free activity booths, specialty restaurants, and street artists. Vendor applications were accepted in person from July 27 through 17:00 on August 21, 2026; submissions by mail and email were not accepted.

2026 operating hours and matters requiring confirmation at 031-940-5282

The daily operating hours for 2026 and the start times of each stage have not yet been announced. The event inquiry telephone number is 031-940-5282, where you can confirm the Moonlight Theater end time, whether reservations are required for each activity, and whether the shuttle will operate.

Whether English signs, English leaflets, or interpretation services will be available has also not been announced. It is difficult to assume that explanations of the cooking competition or bids at the ginseng auction will be available in English. If Korean-language guidance is unavailable, it is more realistic to plan an itinerary centered on performances and shopping.

The parking location and fees, temporary parking operations, rain-related procedures and cancellation criteria, and stroller and wheelchair accessibility have not been confirmed. The conditions may not suit travelers who want to watch the consecutive stage performances, busking, and movie screening quietly, or travelers who need guaranteed English guidance and a late return route. Before departing, check the official festival page for daily schedules, reservations, parking, and rainy-weather operations, and contact 031-940-5282 if necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are the dates different from 2025? — The 20th festival in 2025 was held from October 18 to 19, while the 21st festival in 2026 will be held from October 17 to 18.
• Can I find out the 2026 ginseng prices in advance? — The 2026 prices have not been published. The official sales information available for reference is from KRW 90,000/kg for premium large ginseng in 2024 to KRW 36,000/kg for irregular ginseng.
• Can I return immediately after the Moonlight Theater? — Since the Moonlight Theater end time and the last train toward Seoul have not been published, it is safer not to calculate the nighttime return as a feasible day trip.
• How do I get from Munsan Station to the festival venue? — A free shuttle is listed in front of Exit 1, and routes are also listed using Bus 9710, village buses 058A and 058B, and the Gyeongui Line from Munsan Station to Imjingang Station.