Bonghwa Pine Mushroom Festival
Oct 15 – Oct 18, 2026 · Gyeongsangbuk-do
Overview
Launched in 1997, the Bonghwa Pine Mushroom Festival was held throughout Bonghwa County, centering on pine mushroom harvesting experiences, pine mushroom dish tastings, and local specialty sales. With the active participation of local residents and the widespread recognition of the excellence of the mushrooms, the festival gradually established itself as a representative autumn gourmet festival in South Korea. In particular, the festival is growing beyond a simple consumption event into a comprehensive festival where culture, tourism, and the economy harmonize by spreading the values of nature conservation and coexistence and linking with traditional performances, experiences linked to local agricultural products, and tourism circulation programs.
Why go
Running since 1997, this is one of South Korea's best-known autumn gourmet festivals, built around freshly harvested pine mushrooms — a prized local specialty. Visitors can try mushroom-harvesting experiences, taste pine mushroom dishes, and buy the produce directly from Bonghwa County growers along Naeseongcheon Stream.
Getting there from Seoul
Bonghwa is in the mountains of Gyeongsangbuk-do and has no direct KTX service, so the typical route from Seoul is an ITX-Saemaeul or Mugunghwa train from Cheongnyangni Station on the Yeongdong/Taebaek line (often via a change at Yeongju), or an intercity bus bound for Bonghwa. From Bonghwa's town center, the festival grounds along Naeseongcheon Stream are a short local bus or taxi ride away.
Tips
- Entry is free, but some hands-on activities (like mushroom harvesting) may cost extra, so bring some cash.
- Mid-October in Bonghwa's mountain terrain can turn cool in the evenings, so pack a light jacket.
- Check the day's program on arrival, since tasting and harvesting sessions tend to draw crowds and may need early sign-up.
Best for: food lovers, families, nature, day-trippers.
Photos
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization
Other festivals in Gyeongsangbuk-do
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Ginseng is one of Korea’s best-known health foods, valued for its ability to help restore energy and support the immune system. Every October, when ginseng is considered to be at its best, the Yeongju Punggi Insam Festival is held in Yeongju, one of Korea’s leading ginseng-producing regions. With health and wellness at its heart, the festival offers exhibitions and hands-on activities for visitors of all ages. Special programs include the Gaesamteo Ritual Ceremony, Reenactment of Governor Ju Sebung’s Procession, and the Ginseng Grand Ritual. Visitors can also enjoy dishes made with nutritious Punggi ginseng and take part in fun activities such as ginseng peeling. The festival is also a great place to shop for fresh ginseng, red ginseng, and a variety of processed ginseng products made by local growers, all at reasonable prices.
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Dates and programs can change. Check the official site before you go. Official site