Festivals
Sanbuk AI Gimjang Festival 2026: A Day Trip from Seoul (Nov 7–8)
A Day Trip from Seoul
The Sanbuk AI Gimjang Festival (산북AI김장문화축제) is a kimchi-making festival at Sanbuk Sports Park (산북체육공원) in Sanbuk-myeon (산북면), Yeoju-si (여주시), Gyeonggi-do (경기도). In 2026 it runs for two days, Saturday, November 7 to Sunday, November 8, and admission is free. The Sanbuk Poomsil Festival (산북품실축제), which has run for 22 years, opens this year under the new name; the official site lists it as the ‘1st’ festival, while Korea Tourism Organization materials also note it as the ‘22nd Sanbuk Poomsil Festival’ subtitle.
From Seoul, take the Gyeonggang Line (경강선) to Gonjiam Station (곤지암역) or Yeoju Station (여주역), then a taxi to Sanbuk. This guide covers gimjang reservations and bringing your own kimchi container, the announced programs, the Gyeonggang Line, express bus and bus 140, a Saturday day-trip plan, on-site food and restaurants in Sanbuk and Yeoju downtown, plus Silleuksa (신륵사), Dojasesang (도자세상) and Yeongneung (영릉). The recommended day is Saturday, November 7.
At a glance
Dates: Saturday, November 7 – Sunday, November 8, 2026
Hours: 09:00~18:00 per Korea Tourism Organization materials · Gimjang hours: 09:00~17:00 (official site)
Venue: Sanbuk Sports Park (36 Geumpum 1-ro, Sanbuk-myeon, Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-do)
Admission: Free (gimjang, some activities and food are paid)
From Seoul: Gyeonggang Line Pangyo (판교) → Gonjiam about 22~24 minutes, then taxi about 25~30 minutes, or Pangyo → Yeoju about 49 minutes, then taxi about 35~40 minutes. Seoul-Gyeongbu (서울경부) express → Yeoju about 1 hour 10 minutes
Last ride back: Gyeonggang Line Gonjiam→Pangyo around midnight / Yeoju→Pangyo holiday 23:25 · Seoul-Gyeongbu express from Yeoju 22:00
Last checked: October 13, 2026
In this guide
- Venue and contacts
- Why go — arrive empty-handed, leave with a year of gimjang
- Festival program
- Getting there
- Sample itineraries
- Where to eat
- Tips for foreign visitors
- Nearby · Sources
Venue and Contacts
| Venue | Sanbuk Sports Park (산북체육공원) 36 Geumpum 1-ro, Sanbuk-myeon, Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 여주시 산북면 금품1로 36). For navigation, enter ‘산북체육공원’ (Sanbuk Sports Park) |
|---|---|
| Nearest station | Gyeonggang Line Gonjiam Station (곤지암역) — taxi about 25~30 minutes. Gyeonggang Line Yeoju Station (여주역) — taxi about 35~40 minutes. From Yangpyeong Station (양평역) on the Gyeongui–Jungang Line, taxi about 30~35 minutes |
| How long | Gimjang, lunch and side programs fill a full day. For Silleuksa and Dojasesang, a short stop on the Yeoju downtown side before you head back works better |
| Parking | 7 temporary lots, about 300 spaces in total (official guidance) |
| Contact | Sanbuk AI Gimjang Festival Committee · Sanbuk-myeon Administrative Welfare Center phone 031-883-0031 (weekdays 09:00~17:00) Official site 산북김장.com |
Why Go — Arrive Empty-Handed, Leave with a Year of Gimjang
Worth knowing: What matters at this festival is arriving empty-handed and leaving with a year’s worth of gimjang. Reserve online at least 5 days before your participation date, and bring your own kimchi containers. Gloves, aprons and packing vinyl are provided on site.
What is gimjang?
In Korea, gimjang (김장) is the practice of making a large batch of kimchi for the winter. Families and neighbors salt napa cabbage, mix in seasoning, pack it into containers and share it. In 2013 UNESCO inscribed “Kimjang, making and sharing kimchi in the Republic of Korea” on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
For foreign visitors this is less a day to taste kimchi than a day to make a full year’s batch yourself. The festival slogan is “Healthy, tasty, simple, fun—come empty-handed and take home your family’s gimjang for the year.”
Book and choose your package first
The jeolim baechu (절임배추, pre-salted napa cabbage) used in the activity is cabbage that has already been salted in brine and drained. At home, salting the cabbage is the time-consuming step, so at the festival you start with that cabbage ready and move straight to mixing in the seasoning. Rubber gloves, aprons and other hygiene items are handed out on site—you only need to bring containers to take the kimchi home.
The gimjang activity is paid and comes in packages. Gimjang Experience 1 (김장체험1) is 68,000 won for 10kg of jeolim baechu plus 4kg of seasoning filling. Gimjang Experience 2 (김장체험2) is 53,000 won for 20kg of jeolim baechu only; participants bring their own seasoning. Without the activity, you can also pick up jeolim baechu only, 20kg for 48,000 won, by drive-through or on-site pickup.
Online booking closes 5 days before the participation date, with a maximum of 80kg per person. Free cancellation is available 5 days before the event, and walk-up registration at the on-site headquarters is possible but may sell out early. Up to 2 people per 10kg join free; extra people are charged separately. Gimjang is for ages 8 and up, and one table seats up to 6 (up to 4 people below 40kg, up to 6 at 40kg or more).
AI activities and family programs
The AI in this year’s name is not just branding. The official site lists an AI Master Gimjang Practice Hall, an AI Gimjang Master Challenge Hall and an AI Gimjang Robot Experience Hall.
Beyond gimjang there is a 2km round-trip family walk on the Yongdamcheon (용담천) trail, a cheerful sports day, kids’ activities such as millstone grinding, injeolmi (인절미) and kkakdugi (깍두기), photo zones and stamps. On Saturday, laser survival sessions start every 20 minutes from 14:30; the last session starts at 16:10.
Good to know
Without kimchi containers or a cooler, it is hard to take your kimchi home. Bring containers with your booking confirmation, and plan how much volume will fit in a taxi or train seat.
Festival Program
Below are the programs announced on the official site, plus items that list times. Pumba (품바) performances and fireworks appear on the list.
Announced programs
| Program | Details |
|---|---|
| Gimjang Experience 1 | 68,000 won · 10kg jeolim baechu + 4kg seasoning filling. Online booking (5 days before participation) or on-site headquarters |
| Gimjang Experience 2 | 53,000 won · 20kg jeolim baechu; participants bring seasoning |
| Jeolim baechu only | 48,000 won / 20kg · drive-through or on-site pickup. Pickup without the activity |
| AI Gimjang halls | AI Master Gimjang Practice Hall · AI Gimjang Master Challenge Hall · AI Gimjang Robot Experience Hall |
| Laser survival | Saturday, November 7, sessions start every 20 minutes from 14:30 (last start 16:10) · 5,000 won per person · 10~20 people per session. Book on the site or at the on-site headquarters |
| Family walk | 2km round trip on the Yongdamcheon trail. Finishers receive a souvenir |
| Kids · family activities | Cheerful sports day · millstone · injeolmi · kkakdugi · photo zones · activity stamps |
| Pumba · fireworks | On the program list. |
Good to know
When a full stage timetable by date and time appears on the official site (산북김장.com), this guide will add it right away. If you go on Saturday, book a laser survival session between 14:30 and the last start at 16:10.
Getting There
Sanbuk Sports Park sits northwest of Yeoju downtown and Yeoju Station, so from Seoul the taxi leg from Gonjiam Station is shorter than from Yeoju Station. Official guidance is about 25~30 minutes by taxi from Gonjiam and about 35~40 minutes from Yeoju. You can also take a Seoul-Gyeongbu express bus to Yeoju, then a taxi.
| Option | Times · duration · fare |
|---|---|
| Gyeonggang Line Pangyo → Gonjiam |
Metropolitan subway Gyeonggang Line About 22~24 minutes Transfer between Shinbundang Line and Gyeonggang Line is at Pangyo. Some trains terminate at Bubal (부발)—check for Yeoju or Gonjiam destinations |
| Gyeonggang Line Pangyo → Yeoju |
About 49 minutes Holiday last train Yeoju→Pangyo 23:25. Before you head back, check the board for short turns to Bubal |
| Return Gyeonggang Line Gonjiam → Pangyo |
Saturday last train around midnight Timetable shows the 23:49~23:52 range. Use same-day Korail and station boards |
| Express bus Seoul-Gyeongbu → Yeoju |
06:30~22:00 range, about 1 hour 10 minutes Last Yeoju→Seoul-Gyeongbu is also 22:00. Pick same-day departures on KOBUS |
| City bus 140 Yeoju Station → Sangpum Nonghyup |
Yeoju Station 07:00 · 11:20 · 14:50 · 18:40 (2025-01 table) About 1 hour 30 minutes Get off at Sangpum Nonghyup (상품농협), then about 350m to Sanbuk Sports Park. Only 4 trips a day—match times with a taxi |
| Taxi Gonjiam · Yeoju → festival |
Gonjiam about 25~30 minutes · Yeoju about 35~40 minutes (official guidance) Destination ‘산북체육공원’ or Geumpum 1-ro 36. Fare follows the meter and surcharges |
Our pick
For a Saturday day trip, Pangyo → Gonjiam → taxi has the shorter taxi leg. If you want Silleuksa, Dojasesang and Yeoju ssalbap (여주쌀밥) on the way home, exit toward Yeoju Station.
Good to know
Kimchi containers need seat or luggage space. Before you leave the grounds, decide whether you will return via Gonjiam or Yeoju and lock in the last train or express time.
Last leg to the festival
- Bus: From Yeoju Station take 140 → get off at Sangpum Nonghyup, then about 350m. Four trips a day
- Ttokbus (똑버스): Since March 2026, on-demand buses (Ttokbus) run in Sanbuk, Geumsa (금사) and Heungcheon (흥천) myeon. Call via the ‘Ttokta (똑타)’ app or phone 1688-0181; daily 06:00~24:00; adult transit card 1,650 won. Service stays inside the operating zone, so it is not a direct ride to the station
- Taxi: From Gonjiam Station, Yeoju Station or Yeoju Comprehensive Terminal, ‘산북체육공원’. Official guidance: Gonjiam about 25~30 minutes, Yeoju about 35~40 minutes
Sample Itineraries
Below is a Saturday, November 7, 2026 Seoul day-trip example via Gyeonggang Line Gonjiam Station and taxi. Shift the blocks to match the train you booked. Finish your gimjang reservation at least 5 days before the participation date.
Tip
To hit laser survival (sessions start 14:30~16:10), finish gimjang and lunch in the morning so the afternoon is less rushed. If your kimchi containers are bulky, leave extra time for the return train.
Day trip (Sat, November 7) — Gonjiam Station + taxi
| Time | What to do |
|---|---|
| 08:00 range | Board the Gyeonggang Line from Seoul or Pangyo → Gonjiam Station (about 22~24 minutes from Pangyo) |
| 08:40–09:20 | Gonjiam Station → taxi → Sanbuk Sports Park (about 25~30 minutes). Destination ‘산북체육공원’ or Geumpum 1-ro 36 |
| 09:30–12:00 | Confirm at headquarters/booking, then gimjang activity. Gloves and aprons on site; bring kimchi containers. Walk the AI halls in this block too |
| 12:00–13:30 | On-site suyuk (수육) and haejangguk (해장국), or Poomsil Sanghoe Natural Table (품실상회 자연밥상) · Baekkop Sigye (배꼽시계) (Where to eat) |
| 14:30–16:10 | Laser survival (Sat, every 20 minutes) or family walk and photo zones. Keep finished kimchi in the shade or a cooler |
| 16:30–17:30 | Taxi → Gonjiam Station. Leave time to load bags and kimchi containers into seats |
| Evening~midnight | Gonjiam → Pangyo on the Gyeonggang Line. Last train around midnight. To leave earlier, a Yeoju express plan (from Yeoju 22:00) also works |
Alternative — return via Yeoju Station + Silleuksa · Dojasesang
After the festival, send the taxi toward Yeoju downtown · Yeoju Station for a short look at the Namhan River (남한강) area. Silleuksa (sunrise to sunset, free) and Yeoju Dojasesang (10:00~18:00, last entry 17:00, closed Mondays) sit close to each other. For dinner, add Gyori Yeoju Ssalbap (교리여주쌀밥), then catch the holiday last train from Yeoju at 23:25 (to Pangyo) or the express at 22:00. Yeongneung (King Sejong’s tomb) is better as a short stop only if time remains—do not force it into the same day.
Where to Eat
Right after gimjang, on-site suyuk and gukbap (국밥) are closest. In Sanbuk-myeon, nearby options are Poomsil Sanghoe Natural Table and the tonkatsu shop Baekkop Sigye. When returning via Yeoju Station, add downtown Gyori Yeoju Ssalbap.
Tip
It is a day of gimjang seasoning smells and busy hands. On-site food centers on suyuk and haejangguk; plan Yeoju ssalbap as a meal before you head home.
Festival food (official website): suyuk 25,000 won · seonji haejangguk (선지해장국) 6,000 won · ugeoji doenjangguk (우거지된장국) 6,000 won. Sold only during the festival inside the grounds (Sanbuk Sports Park).
Photograph the menu board and point with your finger when you order. Eat first when lines are short between gimjang sessions.
Poomsil Sanghoe Natural Table (품실상회 자연밥상), “dolsotbap and ganjang-gejang”
A Korean restaurant on Gwangyeo-ro (광여로) in Sanbuk-myeon. Signature dishes are Yeoju-rice dolsotbap (돌솥밥), ganjang-gejang (간장게장) and jeyuk (제육). It is a short drive from the festival, so it works well instead of the booths.
Type: Korean · dolsotbap
Signature dishes: Dolsotbap · ganjang-gejang · jeyuk
Hours: Ask the restaurant before you visit
Tip for foreign visitors: Dolsotbap comes as a full table set—say your party size first
Getting there: About 14 minutes on foot from the festival (Sanbuk Sports Park) (about 1.1km) · about 2 minutes by car
Address · phone: 1293 Gwangyeo-ro, Sanbuk-myeon, Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-do
Visitor review: Poomsil Sanghoe Natural Table visit notes (Naver Blog, 2025-05) — a Korean post; use your browser's translate feature
Baekkop Sigye (배꼽시계), “Sanbuk handmade tonkatsu”
A tonkatsu and Korean Western-style restaurant at 987 Gwangyeo-ro, Sanbuk-myeon. The focus is handmade tonkatsu, with garlic, cheese and fish-cutlet options. A few minutes by car from the festival, so it works for lunch or an early dinner.
Type: Korean Western · tonkatsu
Signature dishes: Handmade tonkatsu 13,000 won
Hours: Tue–Sun 11:00~20:00 · break 16:00~17:00 · closed Mondays
Tip for foreign visitors: There is a break time, so check the sign or notice around 16:00 to see if it is closed
Getting there: About 4 minutes by car from the festival (Sanbuk Sports Park) (about 3.1km)
Address · phone: 987 Gwangyeo-ro, Sanbuk-myeon, Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-do · 031-886-0086
Visitor review: Baekkop Sigye main branch visit notes (Naver Blog, 2026-09) — a Korean post; use your browser's translate feature
Gyori Yeoju Ssalbap (교리여주쌀밥), “Yeoju downtown rice set”
A rice-set Korean restaurant on Sejong-ro (세종로) in Yeoju downtown. From the festival it is about 30 minutes by taxi, so it fits better before returning via Yeoju Station than as a direct hop from Sanbuk. The signature is Yeoju ssalbap jeongsik (여주쌀밥정식).
Type: Korean · Yeoju ssalbap
Signature dishes: Yeoju ssalbap jeongsik 19,000 won
Hours: Call before you visit
Tip for foreign visitors: The set comes with many side dishes. Say your party size and spice preference first
Getting there: About 3 minutes by car from Yeoju Station (about 1.3km). From the festival, taxi about 30 minutes
Address · phone: 304-1 Sejong-ro, Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-do · 031-884-9997
Visitor review: Gyori Yeoju Ssalbap lunch review (tudolls, 2026-05) — a Korean post; use your browser's translate feature
Tips for Foreign Visitors
- Booking: Reserve the gimjang activity online at least 5 days before the participation date. Walk-up registration is possible but may sell out early.
- Kimchi containers: Gloves, aprons and packing vinyl are provided on site. Bring your own kimchi containers. Up to 2 people per 10kg join free.
- Choose a package: Before you leave, pick Experience 1 with seasoning (68,000 won), Experience 2 with cabbage only (53,000 won), or jeolim baechu pickup only (48,000 won).
- Maps: Save ‘산북체육공원’, ‘곤지암역’ and ‘여주역’ in Naver Map or KakaoMap. Google Maps alone may lack city-bus and taxi detail.
- Payment: Payment methods can differ by gimjang booking and booth. Do not assume cash or cards—follow the booking page and on-site guidance.
- Last rides: Gonjiam→Pangyo around midnight, holiday last Yeoju→Pangyo at 23:25, last Yeoju→Seoul-Gyeongbu express at 22:00. Leave time to reach the station.
- Translation: Read menus and booking screens with Papago or device translate, and confirm key numbers by pointing.
Good to know
The inquiry line 031-883-0031 is weekdays 09:00~17:00. For same-day weekend questions, ask at the on-site headquarters.
Nearby
From Sanbuk Sports Park to Yeoju downtown sights is about 30 minutes by taxi. For a day trip, Silleuksa · Yeoju Dojasesang as one pair works well; visit Yeongneung only briefly if time remains.
From Yeoju Station, Silleuksa, Yeongneung and the Birthplace of Empress Myeongseong are all within about 10 minutes by car (about 5km). Come down toward Yeoju Station after the festival, pick one stop, then return to the station for your train. Yeongneung and the Birthplace of Empress Myeongseong are closed Mondays, but both are open on the Saturday and Sunday of the festival.
Silleuksa Temple (신륵사), “a temple on the Namhan River”
A temple on the Namhan River in Cheonsong-dong (천송동), Yeoju. There is a multi-story brick pagoda and the Gangwolheon (강월헌) area; it pairs well with Dojasesang and a riverside walk. Admission has been free since May 2023.
Getting there: Taxi from Yeoju Station or the festival. About 30 minutes by car from the festival
Hours: Sunrise~sunset · open year-round
Price: Free (from May 2023)
How long: 40 minutes~1 hour 30 minutes
Visitor review: Silleuksa visit notes (Naver Blog, 2026-05) — a Korean post; use your browser's translate feature
Yeoju Dojasesang (여주도자세상), “Gyeonggi Living Ceramic Museum”
A ceramics museum and exhibition space at 7 Silleuksa-gil (신륵사길). It connects well on foot from Silleuksa, and admission is free. Hands-on programs and special exhibitions may carry a separate fee.
Getting there: Riverside path continuing on foot from Silleuksa. Address 7 Silleuksa-gil
Hours: 10:00~18:00 (last entry 17:00) · closed Mondays
Price: Free (hands-on programs separate)
How long: 40 minutes~1 hour
Visitor review: Yeoju Dojasesang visit notes (Naver Blog, 2026-09) — a Korean post; use your browser's translate feature
Yeongneung & Nyeongneung (영릉·녕릉), “royal tombs of Sejong and Hyojong”
Joseon royal tombs of King Sejong and Queen Soheon, and King Hyojong and Queen Inseon. They belong to the UNESCO World Heritage Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty. November hours are 09:00~17:30 (last entry 16:30); closed Mondays. The festival Saturday and Sunday are not Monday closures.
Getting there: Access from Gyeonggang Line Sejongdaewangneung Station (세종대왕릉역) or Yeoju Station. About 30 minutes by car from the festival
Hours: November 09:00~17:30 (entry ~16:30) · closed Mondays
Price: Individuals (ages 25~64) 500 won
How long: 1~2 hours
Visitor review: Yeongneung visit notes (Naver Blog, 2026-09) — a Korean post; use your browser's translate feature
Birthplace of Empress Myeongseong (명성황후 생가), “the house where Empress Myeongseong was born”
A restored birthplace of Empress Myeongseong, queen of King Gojong of Joseon, with the house, a memorial hall and Gamgodang (감고당) on one site. About 8 minutes by car from Yeoju Station, so it works well instead of Silleuksa on a day you return via Yeoju Station. Admission is free; in November it closes at 5 p.m.
Getting there: About 8 minutes by car from Yeoju Station (about 5km). About 37 minutes by car from the festival
Hours: November–February 09:00~17:00 (entry until 30 minutes before closing) · closed Mondays
Price: Free (parking for small cars 1,000 won)
Address · phone: 71 Myeongseong-ro, Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-do · 031-881-9730
How long: 40 minutes~1 hour
Visitor review: Birthplace of Empress Myeongseong visit notes (Naver Blog, 2026-09) — a Korean post; use your browser's translate feature
Sources
- Official website: 산북김장.com · Reservations · Gimjang activity · food · AI activities · Side activities · Directions · parking
- Korea Tourism Organization · press: VisitKorea festival detail · Yeoju Journal · Gyeonggi Domin Ilbo
- Trains: Gyeonggang Line station timetable (dataful) · Station-to-station times from Pangyo (Geulgeori) · Yeoju Station timetable (korailinfo) · Korail
- Buses: Seoul-Gyeongbu–Yeoju express timetable · KOBUS booking · Yeoju city bus 140 · Sanbuk Ttokbus service report
- Where to eat: Baekkop Sigye (Diningcode) · Gyori Yeoju Ssalbap (Diningcode) · On-site food from the official website gimjang page
- Nearby: Silleuksa (VisitKorea) · Yeoju Dojasesang (VisitKorea) · Yeongneung (VisitKorea) · Birthplace of Empress Myeongseong (Yeoju Sejong Culture & Tourism Foundation) · Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty visitor info
- Gimjang culture: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage “Kimjang, making and sharing kimchi in the Republic of Korea” (2013) — Korea Tourism Organization festival detail introduction
- Illustrated maps (3): WonderGrid. Distances and times are measured along road and walking routes from the festival (Sanbuk Sports Park)
Last checked: October 13, 2026