SEOUL — Chuseok is one of South Korea’s biggest family holidays, but in 2026, the celebration is also becoming an invitation to discover a side of the country that many visitors miss.
As millions of people travel across South Korea during the Sept. 24–27 holiday period, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) is encouraging travelers to look beyond Seoul and explore regional heritage sites, mountain landscapes, museums, traditional festivals and family-friendly cultural experiences.
The initiative, promoted through the official VisitKorea platform, highlights destinations designed to appeal to multiple generations traveling together — from royal history and traditional culture to forests and outdoor attractions.
Where Chuseok Meets Korea’s Royal History
One of the featured destinations is the Yeongneung Royal Tombs in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, the burial site of King Sejong the Great and Queen Soheon.
The site offers visitors a chance to experience Joseon-era royal heritage away from the country’s busiest urban attractions.
During Chuseok, Korea’s royal heritage sites also become particularly accessible. VisitKorea says the four major Seoul palaces — Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung and Changgyeonggung — along with Jongmyo Shrine and the Joseon royal tombs are offering free admission during the holiday period.
From Contemporary Art to Mountain Forests
The Chuseok travel campaign isn’t limited to historic landmarks.
Art lovers are being directed toward the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Cheongju, while travelers looking for autumn scenery can head farther into the countryside.
The Baekdudaegan National Arboretum in Bonghwa, North Gyeongsang Province, is among the nature destinations highlighted by the campaign. Mount Deokyu in Muju, North Jeolla Province, also offers mountain scenery and an escape from crowded urban areas.
Around 40 national recreational forests are also offering free admission during the Chuseok holiday, although accommodation and camping fees can still apply.
For families, that creates a different way to experience the holiday — combining Korea’s cultural heritage with its autumn landscapes.
Andong Brings Traditional Performance to the Holiday
One of the most culturally distinctive events taking place during Chuseok is the 2026 Andong Maskdance Festival, running from Sept. 24 to Oct. 4.
Held in Andong, a city strongly associated with Korean traditional culture, the festival features Korean mask dances alongside performances by international mask-dance groups. It also includes parades, food and other cultural activities.
That makes Andong particularly notable during this year’s holiday because visitors can combine Chuseok travel with one of Korea’s major traditional-performance festivals.
Chuseok Is About More Than Travel
At its heart, Chuseok remains a family and harvest holiday.
Celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, it is traditionally a time for families to gather, honor ancestors and share food. In 2026, Chuseok Day falls on Sept. 25, within a holiday period extending from Sept. 24 to Sept. 26 according to VisitKorea’s holiday guide, while Korea.net describes the broader public holiday period as Sept. 24–27.
Traditional foods are central to the celebration. Songpyeon, the half-moon-shaped rice cake associated with Chuseok, is among the best-known seasonal foods, alongside dishes such as jeon, japchae and yakgwa.
For visitors, experiencing these traditions outside Seoul can offer a closer look at how Korean heritage is connected to individual regions and communities.
A Different Korea Awaits Beyond the Capital
The KTO’s campaign reflects a broader effort to encourage travelers to discover regional Korea rather than concentrating their trips exclusively in Seoul.
Its digital travel platform has also been connected with national cultural databases so visitors can search for local festival schedules and park operating hours through smartphone services, making it easier to plan around the holiday.
From royal tombs in Yeoju and art in Cheongju to forests in Bonghwa, mountains in Muju and mask dances in Andong, the message is straightforward: Chuseok can be experienced through many different parts of the country.
And for travelers arriving in South Korea this week, the most memorable part of Chuseok may be found not in the familiar streets of Seoul, but somewhere farther down the road.
WWC ONE MEDIA G,A
