Gochang Moyang Fortress Festival
Oct 15 – Oct 19, 2026 · Jeollabuk-do
Overview
Gochang Moyang Fortress Festival has been held since 1973 to inspire admiration for the construction of the walled town, develop local culture, and encourage love and pride for Gochang residents. Main events include a celebration and memorial ceremony, with additional events ranging from a pansori performance and farming music to folk games and archery. Many people participate in the Dapseongnori event, where participants carry a rock on top of their heads and walk around the fortress three times. Doing this is said to cure all illnesses, grant a long and healthy life, and allow one into heaven.
Why go
Held every year since 1973, this festival celebrates Gochang's historic Moyangseong fortress with a commemorative ceremony, pansori singing, farming music performances, folk games, and archery. The highlight for visitors is Dapseongnori, where participants balance a stone on their head and walk around the fortress walls three times, a tradition said to bring good health and long life.
Getting there from Seoul
Gochang does not have its own KTX station, so the most direct option is an express bus from Seoul's Central City Terminal to Gochang Intercity Bus Terminal. Alternatively, take the KTX to Jeongeup Station and continue to Gochang by local bus or taxi.
Tips
- Admission is free, and the festival grounds are open daily from 10:00 to 22:00.
- Join the Dapseongnori walk around the fortress if you want to take part in the festival's signature tradition rather than just watch.
- Check the schedule for pansori and farming music performances so you can time your visit around the live events.
Best for: history buffs, families, cultural performances, walking the fortress walls.
Photos
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization
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Gochang Moyangseong Festival
Oct 15 – Oct 19, 2026
The Gochang Moyangseong Festival is a historical and cultural festival themed around Moyangseong, the fortress best preserved in its original form in Korea. Its signature program is Dapseong Nori (Walking the Fortress Wall), developed as a hands-on experience program based on the legend that walking around the wall once cures leg ailments, walking around it twice brings health and longevity, and walking around it three times leads to ascension to paradise. In addition, the festival runs Night Dapseong Ganggangsullae Moonlit Night, which blends Dapseong Nori with Ganggangsullae (traditional circle dance) to bring residents and tourists together; a street parade representing the past, present, and future with around 1,000 local residents taking part; Returns 1453, which lets visitors travel back in time while exploring inside Gochang Eupseong; and food stalls and a direct-sales market featuring local specialty products from the Gochang region.
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Dates and programs can change. Check the official site before you go. Official site