Geumsan World K-Insam Festival

Held in Geumsan, Chungcheongnam-do, long known as the home of ginseng with a history spanning more than 1,500 years, the Geumsan World K-Insam Festival invites visitors of all ages to experience ginseng in every form. The festival features hands-on programs such as ginseng digging, red ginseng facial mask treatments, red ginseng foot baths, traditional ginseng culture experiences, and the International Ginseng Trade Fair, along with opportunities to shop for ginseng products at reasonable prices. Across the festival grounds, visitors can also enjoy healthy dishes made with ginseng and medicinal herbs. Held annually since 1981, the festival has become one of Korea’s leading industry-based festivals. It has been named one of Korea’s Top Cultural Tourism Festivals by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism 10 times and was selected as an Asian Specialty Festival by IFEA World in 2024. Today, the Geumsan World K-Insam Festival continues to grow as a global festival enjoyed by visitors from Korea and beyond.

Geumsan has been Korea's ginseng heartland for more than 1,500 years, and this festival lets visitors experience that heritage firsthand through hands-on programs like ginseng digging and red ginseng treatments. Held annually since 1981, it is a nationally recognised event, named a Top Cultural Tourism Festival by Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism ten times and selected as an Asian Specialty Festival by IFEA World in 2024.

Take an intercity or express bus from a Seoul bus terminal (such as Seoul Express Bus Terminal or Central City Terminal) directly to Geumsan; alternatively, ride the KTX from Seoul to Daejeon and continue to Geumsan by local bus or taxi. From the Geumsan bus terminal, the festival venue at Geumsan World Insam Expo Square is a short taxi or local bus ride away.

Ginseng Digging, Red Ginseng Foot Baths, Ginseng King Contest, Insamjejeon (Ginseng Harvest Ritual)