Free admission, gift vouchers and more: South Korea's autumn heritage travel campaign

A program to promote visits to South Korea's national heritage sites — spanning history and nature — kicks off in earnest during the autumn travel season. The initiative links free admission at key sites with accommodation and transportation discounts and a range of on-site activities, aiming to boost regional tourism and local economies at the same time.

The Cultural Heritage Administration and its affiliate, the Korea Heritage Promotion Service, said Monday they will run the "Monthly Visit Course — Autumn" promotion from September through November as part of the broader "National Heritage Visit Campaign."

The Monthly Visit Course program selects heritage routes suited to each season and offers travelers a range of benefits. The summer edition, which ran from June through August, drew more than 30,000 participants. This autumn, the program will center on five routes: the Path of Gaya Civilization, the Path of Baekje Ancient Capitals, the Path of Mountain Temples, the Path of Prehistoric Geology, and the Path of a Millennium Spirit.

During the promotion period, holders of a National Heritage Visitor Passport will receive various benefits on a first-come, first-served basis, including free admission at key sites and gift vouchers. At Buyeo's Busosanseong Fortress and Naseong Wall, and at Gyeongju's Daereungwon Cheonmachong Tomb, the first 1,000 visitors will receive free admission along with a 5,000-won Onuri gift voucher. Pocheon's Hantangang World Geopark Center (first 1,000 visitors) and Pocheon Art Valley (no limit) will also offer free entry. At Iksan's Wanggungni Ruins and Yeoncheon's Jeongokni Ruins, the first 1,000 visitors will receive a 5,000-won gift voucher — Onuri at Iksan and a Yeoncheon Love gift voucher at Yeoncheon. Visitors to sites along these routes can also receive up to 3,000 won off transportation costs through the Tmoney Go app and a 20,000-won discount on accommodation through the Yeogieoddae platform.

Experiential programs are also on offer. Along the Path of Mountain Temples, temple stay programs will run at half price at Magoksa in Gongju, Beopjusa in Boeun, Bongjeongsa in Andong, Songgwangsa in Suncheon, and Tongdosa in Yangsan, with 250 spots across two formats — immersive and rest-focused. Along the Path of Prehistoric Geology, passport holders can ride the Pocheon Art Valley monorail free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis for the first 1,000 visitors, while the Hantangang World Geopark Center in Pocheon will offer geo-cart tours open to all visitors without a passport.

Cultural tie-in events will also run throughout the season. At the DMZ International Documentary Film Festival, held Sept. 10–16, organizers will distribute a limited-edition craft beer produced in collaboration with Seven Broi, along with fan-decorating kits. A World Heritage Festival will be held at the Gaya Tumuli from Friday through Sept. 10, and media art events will take place at Gyeongju's Daereungwon (Sept. 4–27), Iksan's Mireuksaji Temple Site (Sept. 4–27), and Buyeo's Jeongnimsa Temple Site (Sept. 7–27).

An online participation program called "National Heritage Bookmark" will launch Sept. 4, operating as a platform where visitors can share their experiences. Audio guide services, previously available for the Path of Baekje Ancient Capitals and the Path of Mountain Temples, will expand to cover the Path of Gaya Civilization and the Path of a Millennium Spirit, offered in multiple languages and sign language.

Full details on the Monthly Visit Course — Autumn benefits are available on the official National Heritage Visit Campaign website.