Getting muddied has never been more fun.
The annual Boryeong mud festival in Korea is back again for the 15th time
with its crazy mud wars and famed massages.
It is held at the Daecheon swimming beach in Boryeong, 190 kilometers
southwest of Seoul, from July 14-24, 2012.
It seeks to encourage the use of mud for cosmetic skin-care and to promote
tourism in the region.
About 2 to 3 million domestic and international tourists visit the beach
during the annual mud festival, which is one of the biggest in Korea, according
to the festival organisation.
Started in July 1998, the organisers believe that the mud in the area has
skin and health benefits and have since developed cosmetic products from it.
The organisers said on its website that visitors to the beach festival may
swim and massage with a mudpack at the same time. Furthermore, they may book
themselves mud massage packages if they'd like to take pampering to the next
level.
Taking place throughout the 10-day festival are also fringe events such as
mud wrestling, 'mud king' contest, mud sliding and fireworks displays.
In addition, there are up to 78 big and small islands for sightseeing if
tourists wish to make day trips nearby.
maryanns@sph.com.sg
Tourists play with mud during the 15th Boryeong mud festival at Daecheon
swimming beach in Boryeong, 190 kilometers southwest of Seoul on July 15, 2012.
Tourists play in mud during the opening day of the Boryeong Mud Festival at
Daecheon beach in Boryeong.
A tourist plays with mud during the opening day of Boryeong Mud Festival at
Daecheon beach in Boryeong.
Tourists play in mud during the opening day of the Boryeong Mud Festival at
Daecheon beach in Boryeong.
Tourists play in mud during the opening day of the Boryeong Mud Festival at
Daecheon beach in Boryeong.
Tourists play in mud during the opening day of the Boryeong Mud Festival at
Daecheon beach in Boryeong.
People play in the mud during the Boryeong Mud Festival at Daecheon beach in
Boryeong, about 190 km (118 miles) southwest of Seoul, July 15, 2012.
Tourists play with mud during the 15th Boryeong Mud Festival at Daecheon
swimming beach in Boryeong, 190km southwest of Seoul on July 15, 2012.
A couple plays in mud during the Boryeong Mud Festival at Daecheon beach in
Boryeong, about 190 km (118 miles) southwest of Seoul, July 15, 2012.
