In October, when the landscape is painted in brilliant hues of autumn foliage, travels to experience a thousand years of history, diverse festivals, and autumn sentiments unfold across Chungnam.

The provincial government announced on the 28th that it has published the October issue of "Monthly Chungnam" under the theme "Following Autumn, Staying in Chungnam," introducing major autumn travel destinations across the province.

◇ Walking Through a Thousand Years of History: Gongju and Buyeo

In Gongju and Buyeo, which embrace the history and world heritage of Baekje, the "72nd Baekje Cultural Festival" will be held from October 3 to 11, offering a chance to encounter the history and culture of Baekje from a thousand years ago.

In Gongju, visitors can explore the artifacts excavated from the Tomb of King Muryeong and the history of Ungjin Baekje at the National Museum of Gongju, and experience the Baekje tales recreated through media art at the Baekje Culture Hall.

Along the pine tree paths of the Royal Tombs of King Muryeong, visitors can encounter Baekje history, and the Gongju Sanseong Market Night Market operates until October 17. The recommended course for Gongju is: National Museum of Gongju → Baekje Culture Hall → Royal Tombs of King Muryeong → Gongju Sanseong Market (Night Market Sept. 4 – Oct. 17) → Gongju Baekje Cultural Festival (Oct. 3 – 11).

In Buyeo, visitors can appreciate artifacts of Sabi Baekje, including the gilt-bronze great incense burner of Baekje, at the National Buyeo Museum, and feel the ambiance of the Baekje royal garden at Gungnamji Pond.

At Jeongnimsa Temple Site, visitors can examine Baekje’s architecture and sculpture culture through the five-story stone pagoda and seated stone Buddha statue, while at Busosanseong Fortress, they can tour Nakhwaam Cliff and Goransa Temple to discover the history and legends of Sabi Baekje.

At the Seongheungsan Love Tree, it is great to capture travel memories in photographs against the backdrop of an open panoramic view and autumn scenery. The recommended course for Buyeo is: Buyeo Baekje Cultural Festival (Oct. 3 – 11) → National Buyeo Museum → Gungnamji Pond → Jeongnimsa Temple Site → Busosanseong Fortress → Seongheungsan Love Tree.

◇ Walking Along Ancient Scenery: Seosan and Dangjin

In Seosan, visitors can enjoy an autumn trip where the traces of Baekje, ancient temples, and the scenery of the West Sea harmonize.

At Seosan Haemi Eupseong Fortress, visitors can tour the appearance of a Joseon Dynasty military garrison, and enjoy the Haemi Eupseong Festival from October 9 to 11.

In addition, the Triad of Stone Buddhas in Undong-ri, Seosan allows visitors to examine the beauty and artistry of late Baekje Buddhist sculpture.

At Buseoksa Temple, visitors can encounter tranquil mountain temple scenery; at Ganwolam Hermitage, unique views of land and island shifting with the ebb and flow of tides along with sunset; and at Hwanggeumsan Mountain, they can walk along coastal cliffs and forest paths to appreciate the scenery of Elephant Rock and Garorim Bay. The recommended course for Seosan is: Triad of Stone Buddhas in Undong-ri, Seosan → Haemi Eupseong Fortress (Seosan Haemi Eupseong Festival Oct. 9 – 11) → Buseoksa Temple → Ganwolam Hermitage → Hwanggeumsan Mountain.

In Dangjin, visitors can enjoy autumn nature at Samseonsan Arboretum, and encounter ancient history and culture through the Myeoncheon Eupseong Festival held from October 10 to 11 at Myeoncheon Eupseong Fortress.

At Sinri Holy Site, visitors can look back on the history of Catholicism while viewing golden fields, and at Solmoe Holy Site, tour the birthplace of Father Kim Dae-geon, Korea's first priest.

At Hapdeokje Reservoir, a World Irrigation Structure Heritage, visitors can enjoy a walk alongside autumn flowers, and at Hapdeok Cathedral, encounter the history of Korean Catholicism and its beautiful bell tower.

At Sapgyoho Tourist Site, visitors can enjoy the Drone Light Show held until October 17, and at the Pyeongyeongsa House and Sim Hun Memorial Hall, examine the life, anti-Japanese spirit, and enlightenment ideology of Sim Hun, who wrote the novel "Evergreen Tree." The recommended course for Dangjin is: Samseonsan Arboretum → Myeoncheon Eupseong Fortress (Myeoncheon Eupseong Festival Oct. 10 – 11) → Sinri Holy Site → Solmoe Holy Site → Hapdeokje Reservoir → Hapdeok Cathedral → Sapgyoho Tourist Site → Pyeongyeongsa House & Sim Hun Memorial Hall.

◇ Walking Through Brilliant Moments: Cheonan and Gyeryong

In Cheonan, visitors can examine the history of the Korean independence movement at the Independence Hall of Korea and enjoy autumn scenery by walking along a 3.2-kilometer maple tree forest path.

At Cheonan Central Market, visitors can feel the vitality of the old downtown, and at the Town Hall Observatory, command a panoramic view of downtown Cheonan from a 47th-floor observation space.

At the Cheonan Stadium, the Cheonan Heungtaering Dance Festival is held from October 1 to 5, followed by the "2026 Bbang-Bbang Day Cheonan" from October 17 to 18.

At Seongseong Lake Park, visitors can appreciate lake scenery and night views along the ecological exploration path and Seongseong Mulbitnuri Bridge, and feel the autumn sentiments of forests and mountain temples at Taehaksan Natural Recreation Forest and Gwangdeoksa Temple.

At the Cheonan Museum, visitors can examine the history of Cheonan from prehistoric times to modern times, and at Cheonan Samgeori Park, enjoy the parades and performances of the Heungtaering Dance Festival. The recommended course for Cheonan is: Independence Hall of Korea → Cheonan Central Market → Cheonan Stadium (Cheonan Heungtaering Dance Festival Oct. 1 – 5, 2026 Bbang-Bbang Day Cheonan Oct. 17 – 18) → Seongseong Lake Park → Taehaksan Natural Recreation Forest → Gwangdeoksa Temple → Cheonan Museum → Cheonan Samgeori Park.

In Gyeryong, visitors can enjoy a unique autumn trip following military culture, nature, history, and legends.

The Gyeryong Military Culture Festival, held from October 1 to 5, presents military band and honor guard performances, street parades, military equipment and barrack experiences, and Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) experiences. At the Gyeryong Military Experience Center, visitors can try virtual combat simulations and virtual reality experiences.

At Sagye Historic House, visitors can encounter the life of Sagye Kim Jang-saeng, a master of Yehak (study of Confucian rituals) in the mid-Joseon Dynasty, and the ambiance of the historic house. At Gyeryongmun Gate, they can enjoy refreshing views overlooking Gyeryongsan Mountain and feel the harmony of tradition and modernity. At Ipam Reservoir, visitors can take a waterside walk along autumn scenery, and at Hyangjaksan Healing Forest, find leisure in nature through forest paths and forest healing programs.

Along the Gyeryong Security and Ecology Trail "Haneulsori-gil," visitors can walk along the forests and valleys of Gyeryongsan Mountain to encounter spaces imbued with history and legends, such as Simsindang Shrine, Yongsan Sip-i-ilminhoe Stone Inscription, Amyongchu, and Yongdong Reservoir. The recommended course for Gyeryong is: Gyeryong Military Culture Festival (Oct. 1 – 5) → Gyeryong Military Experience Center → Sagye Historic House → Gyeryongmun Gate → Ipam Reservoir → Hyangjaksan Healing Forest → Gyeryong Haneulsori-gil (Simsindang Shrine, Yongsan Sip-i-ilminhoe Stone Inscription, Amyongchu, Yongdong Reservoir).

◇ Walking Along Delicious Roads: Hongseong and Yesan

At Hongju Eupseong Fortress in Hongseong, visitors can feel the ancient ambiance of the fortress, which served as the gateway to the West Sea during the Joseon Dynasty. Through the "2026 Hongseong Global BBQ Festival" held around the Hongseong Hongju Eupseong Fortress area from October 29 to November 1, visitors can taste various barbecue dishes utilizing Hongseong Hanwoo (beef) and Handon (pork).

On Jukdo Island, visitors can encounter the harmonious scenery of bamboo forests and the sea, and at Namdanghang Marine Fountain Park, enjoy a nocturnal musical fountain where music and lighting harmonize.

At Namdang Sunset Observatory, visitors can appreciate West Sea sunsets, and at Namdanghang Port, taste seasonal jumbo prawns through the Hongseong Namdanghang Jumbo Prawn Festival held until November 8.

At Hongseong Sky Tower, visitors can view the scenery of Namdanghang Port and the West Sea at a glance from a 65-meter-high observatory. The recommended course for Hongseong is: Hongju Eupseong Fortress (Hongseong Global BBQ Festival Oct. 29 – Nov. 1) → Jukdo Island → Namdanghang Marine Fountain Park (Hongseong Namdanghang Jumbo Prawn Festival Sept. 4 – Nov. 8) → Namdang Sunset Observatory → Hongseong Sky Tower.

In Yesan, visitors can meet the style and taste of autumn following historic houses, traditional markets, forest paths, and thousand-year-old temples.

At Chusa Historic House, visitors can meet the life and art of Chusa Kim Jeong-hee, and at the newly renovated Chusa Museum last July, examine the teacher's art world, including Chusa-che (Chusa calligraphy style) and epigraphy.

At Yesan Sangseol Market, visitors can enjoy diverse foods, and at the Yesan Market Samguk Festival held from October 22 to 25 centered on the themes of chrysanthemums, noodles, and gukbap (soup with rice), experience the autumn scenery and tastes of Yesan.

At Deoksan Metasequoia Road and Deoksan Hot Springs Hwangtotgil (red clay path), visitors can enjoy forest walks and barefoot walking, and at Sudeoksa Temple, feel the autumn sentiment of a thousand-year-old temple harmonized with autumn foliage. The recommended course for Yesan is: Chusa Historic House → Chusa Museum → Yesan Sangseol Market (Yesan Market Samguk Festival Oct. 22 – 25) → Deoksan Metasequoia Road & Deoksan Hot Springs Hwangtotgil → Sudeoksa Temple.

Detailed travel courses and festival schedules can be checked on the Chungnam Tourism website and official Chungnam Tourism social media (SNS) channels.

A provincial government official stated, "October is a season to encounter various travel charms in the province, ranging from Baekje history and culture to autumn festivals, nature, and gastronomy," adding, "We hope you will enjoy the ripening autumn scenery and romance across Chungnam by following the regional travel courses."

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