Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival

The tradition the festival claims descends from the sixteenth-century siege of Jinju, when lanterns floated on the Nam were used for signalling and as messages to families outside the walls; the modern festival dates from 2000. For about ten days in October the river below Jinjuseong fortress fills with lit lantern sculptures - large figures anchored in the water, tunnels of small lanterns, floating bridges strung with them - and visitors write wishes on paper lanterns and set them off themselves. The fortress walls above are lit, which gives the whole thing its setting and is why it photographs the way it does. It is an evening event; daytime is only setup and market. It has grown large enough that some areas are ticketed and the bridges charge, which surprises people who expect a free civic festival.

What you actually see

• The floating lantern figures - large anchored sculptures on the river.
• The lantern tunnels - strung walkways and floating bridges.
• The wish lanterns - written and released by visitors.
• Jinjuseong lit above - the fortress walls over the water.

When to go

October, over about ten days, after dark - there is nothing to see by day. Weekends are extremely crowded; a weekday evening is far better.

Honest expectations

Parts are ticketed and the bridge crossings charge separately. The crowd on the riverside path moves slowly. The historical link to the siege is the festival's framing rather than a continuous tradition.

Nearby

Jinjuseong fortress and Chokseongnu are directly above the river.