When is the Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival 2025?

The festival is scheduled to be held from October 4 (Saturday) to October 19 (Sunday), 2025.

Is Jinju a good destination for family travel?

Yes, Jinju offers many family-friendly attractions such as the National Jinju Museum, Gyeongsangnam-do Arboretum, and Jinyangho Park, which are educational and easy to navigate with children.

How much is the admission fee for Jinjuseong Fortress?

Admission is 2,000 KRW (approx. $1.50 USD) for adults, 1,000 KRW for teenagers, and 500 KRW for children. It is free for children under 6 and seniors over 65.

What are the best photo spots for the Lantern Festival?

The riverside in front of Chokseongnu Pavilion and the pontoon bridge (floating bridge) are the best spots to capture the illuminated lanterns and the fortress night view.

How do I get to the festival venue?

Shuttle buses operate from major locations like Jinju Station on weekends. Since traffic is heavy around the fortress during the festival, using public transportation or shuttle buses is highly recommended.

Jinju Travel Guide: Namgang Yudeung Festival & Family Itinerary

Jinju is a wonderful city for traveling with children. It offers a perfect blend of history, nature, and hands-on experiences, making it highly popular as a family destination in South Korea. In particular, the Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival (Lantern Festival), held every autumn, is famous for the countless lanterns lighting up the Namgang River at night. In this guide, we will explore a Jinju family travel course that can be enjoyed in any season, along with essential tips for viewing the Lantern Festival and the best night view photo spots.

Jinju Travel Namgang Yudeung Festival

Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival

The Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival is a representative cultural festival held every autumn around Jinjuseong Fortress and the Namgang River. Various shaped lanterns float on the river, while traditional and creative lanterns are exhibited along the fortress walls. With fireworks and cultural performances taking place in the evenings, it attracts many family visitors. During the festival, a temporary floating bridge (pontoon bridge) is installed, allowing visitors to walk across the river. Photo zones and experience booths are also set up along the riverbank. It is the best time to enjoy the vibrant nightlife of Jinju while gazing at the illuminated lanterns on the water.

Various colorful lanterns floating on the Namgang River in Jinju

Jinju Yudeung Festival

Festival Schedule

2025 Scheduled Dates: October 4 (Sat) ~ October 19 (Sun)
Key Events: Opening parade, fireworks, water lantern exhibition, crossing the pontoon bridge
Location: Jinjuseong Fortress & Namgang River area

Recommended Viewing Route

Basic Route: Enter Jinjuseong → Visit Chokseongnu Pavilion → Riverbank → Pontoon Bridge → Lantern Zone
If traveling with children, it is best to avoid the Lantern Zone during peak crowded hours (19:00–21:00).
If you want to see the lanterns up close, starting your viewing from the entrance of the pontoon bridge is convenient.

Parking & Transportation

About 30 temporary parking lots are operated, and shuttle buses run mainly on weekends and holidays.
Major Shuttle Routes: Innovation City ↔ Gyeongnam Culture & Art Center, Jinju Station ↔ Namgang Riverbank
During the festival, some roads around the fortress are controlled, so using public transportation is highly recommended.

Night View Photo Spots

Riverside in front of Chokseongnu: The representative spot capturing both the fortress walls and the lanterns reflected in the water.
On the Pontoon Bridge: Allows for close-up shots of the lanterns floating on the river.
Entrance to the Lantern Zone (Riverbank): A great location to capture portraits with the lanterns in the background.
Pro Tip: The best time for photography is around sunset to 19:00 (Blue Hour) for the most balanced exposure.

Recommended Jinju Travel Itinerary

Jinju is a city where major tourist attractions are clustered near the city center, making it easy to get around. You can visit multiple places in a single day, making it suitable for family trips. The itinerary consists mostly of walking courses through the fortress, museums, and nature parks, which is manageable even with children. The following courses are organized for a great visit regardless of the season.

Recommended Courses

One-Day Course

Jinjuseong & Chokseongnu → National Jinju Museum → Namgang Riverbank Walk → Watch the Lantern Festival

2 Days 1 Night Course

(Day 1) Gyeongsangnam-do Arboretum → Jinju Bronze Age Museum → Accommodation
(Day 2) Jinjuseong & Museum → Namgang Lantern Festival → Jinyangho Park

Transportation Tips

Jinjuseong, National Jinju Museum, and the Namgang Riverbank are within walking distance of each other. The Arboretum and Bronze Age Museum are about 20–30 minutes away by car.
Traffic in the city center is heavy on weekends and during the festival, so it is better to visit the outskirts (Arboretum, Bronze Age Museum) in the morning.
If you are with children, focusing on indoor activities during the day and the Lantern Festival in the evening can help reduce fatigue.

Jinju Family Travel Spots: Detailed Guide

Jinjuseong Fortress & Chokseongnu Area

Jinjuseong Fortress is a historic site of the Battle of Jinju during the Imjin War (Japanese invasions in the 1590s). You can enjoy a walk along the fortress walls following the Namgang River. Some sections have gentle slopes, making them accessible for strollers. Inside the fortress, there are major historical sites such as Chokseongnu Pavilion, Uiamsa Shrine, and Uigisa Shrine. The restored watchtowers and cannon areas are particularly popular with children. Chokseongnu Pavilion is also known as a prime night view spot where you can see the river and the festival lights together.

Visitor Information

Location: 626 Namgang-ro, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
Hours: Mar–Oct 05:00–23:00 / Nov–Feb 05:00–22:00
Admission: Adults 2,000 KRW (approx. $1.50 USD), Youth 1,000 KRW ($0.75), Children 500 KRW ($0.35)
Free Admission: Under 6 years, over 65 years, visitors with disabilities, etc.

Jinjuseong Fortress

National Jinju Museum

The National Jinju Museum is a space dedicated to the history of the Imjin War and the Great Battle of Jinju. Through artifacts and models, visitors can easily understand the situation of the battles, making it educational for children. In addition to the permanent exhibition, there is a children's experience room (reservation required). It is a great place to include in your itinerary as you can enjoy a cool indoor environment after walking around the fortress walls.

Visitor Information

Location: 626 Namgang-ro, Jinju-si (Inside Jinjuseong Fortress)
Hours: 09:00–18:00
Closed: Mondays, Jan 1, Seollal & Chuseok holidays
Admission: Free
Children's Experience Room: Advance reservation required (10:00–17:00)

National Jinju Museum

Gyeongsangnam-do Arboretum

The Gyeongsangnam-do Arboretum is a nature learning space featuring various plants and walking trails. The forest paths are well-maintained, making it easy to walk with children, and the scenery changes beautifully with every season. The arboretum includes a greenhouse and a Forest Museum, allowing for visits even on rainy days. On weekends, forest interpretation programs are available, attracting many families.

Visitor Information

Location: 386 Sumokwon-ro, Ibanseong-myeon, Jinju-si
Hours: Mar–Oct 09:00–18:00 / Nov–Feb 09:00–17:00
Closed: Every Monday, Seollal & Chuseok holidays
Admission: Adults 1,500 KRW (approx. $1.10 USD), Youth 1,000 KRW ($0.75), Children 700 KRW ($0.50)

Gyeongsangnam-do Arboretum

Jinju Bronze Age Museum

The Jinju Bronze Age Museum exhibits living tools and relics from the Bronze Age. In the indoor exhibition hall, you can see farming tools, pottery, and weaponry used at that time, while the outdoor area features restored dwelling sites. Educational programs where children can have hands-on experiences are also available, making it helpful for history learning. It is located near Jinyangho Lake, so it is good to visit both together.

Visitor Information

Location: 1353 Hoban-ro, Daepyeong-myeon, Jinju-si
Hours: 09:00–18:00 (Winter season 09:00–17:00)
Closed: Every Monday, Jan 1, Seollal & Chuseok holidays
Admission: Free
Experience Programs: Operated on some weekends/holidays (Inquiry required)

Jinju Bronze Age Museum

Forest of Jinju (Mt. Worasan)

"Forest of Jinju" at Mt. Worasan is a forest experience space located close to the city center. The trails, playgrounds, and observation decks are well-organized, making it great for walking with children. Inside the forest, there is a children's experience center called "Woodland," where nature play and woodworking experience programs are operated. Forest commentary programs are available on weekends by reservation. It offers plenty of shade in summer and gentle slopes in winter, making it a burden-free hike.

Visitor Information

Location: 313 Dareumsan-ro, Jinseong-myeon, Jinju-si
Hours: 09:00–18:00 (Some programs require advance reservation)
Closed: Every Monday, Seollal & Chuseok holidays
Admission: Free (Fees apply for experience programs)

Forest of Jinju

Jinyangho Park

Jinyangho Park is the largest lake park in Jinju, offering both walking paths and relaxation areas. The trail along the lake is flat, making it suitable for walking with children. Cherry blossoms bloom in spring, and autumn foliage colors the park in fall, attracting visitors all year round. From the observatory, you can see the panoramic view of Jinyangho Lake, and there are children's playgrounds and fountains, making it an ideal family picnic spot.

Visitor Information

Location: 2146 Namgang-ro, Jinju-si
Hours: Open 24/7 (Facilities like the observatory may have separate hours)
Admission: Free
Parking: Free parking available within the park

Jinyangho Park

During the Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival, the Namgang River and Jinjuseong Fortress display their most vibrant scenery. You can explore the fortress and museums during the day and enjoy the lantern lights in the evening for a fulfilling day. Even if you miss the festival season, the Arboretum and Jinyangho Park are excellent Jinju travel destinations for families at any time of the year.