Have you heard the how Grandma Ppong was left behind when the tigers were rampaging Jindo island? This sweet little old granny prayed to the gods and asked them to open the sea so she could reunite with her family on the island where they all fled. Since this popular story came to light there’s been a festival each year honoring her passage across the sea. While the morning parting with torches is most popular, there are other Jindo Sea Festival highlights you absolutely need to check out! If you’d like to go to the Jindo Sea Parting Festival, you can easily book a tour here.
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Global Festival
Ordained with mini flags from around the world over tent stands, you can totally guess what this part of the festival is. Countries represented were America, China, Japan, Korea, Russia and Turkey. You want to try Tsingtao beer? China has got you covered. Maybe you just want beer and chicken? Head over to the Korea stand. Maybe you’re in the mood for cocktails a la strong? Go over to America! During the day there were even performances from Peru and at night live bands and more Kpop dancing.
Holi Hai
I was lucky enough to participate in the first Holi Hai on the beach at Jindo. During the spraying of the powder, there were Kpop dance performances (which we couldn’t see due to the high amount of powder in the air) and great Kpop music. The beach was pretty wet so my feet are still stained pink as I write this and I keep finding blue in my ears. Other than that, everyone was a great sport and it was exhilarating to participated in my very first Holi Hai!
Jindo Display
Before the main stage there is a little area with a house that shelters Jindo puppies. If you love dogs like I do or you want to pet a puppy, this is a great opportunity. I love animals so much and I couldn’t pass up a chance to hug one of these smart and adorable dogs. In the late afternoon there was a stage event showcasing all the cool tricks Jindo dogs can do. These included painting, fetching baskets with certain hangul phrases on them, and jump rope. To easily book a tour to the Jindo Sea Parting Festival, click here.
Grandma Ppong
While walking down the road by the sea, there’s stands showcasing everything from alcohol, convenience stores, and other interesting activities. We found a booth where we could write a wish to Grandma Ppong and tie it over by her statue (and maybe get our wishes heard by the Gods). I wrote mine in cursive and Spanish for all those who want to be nosey! You were then free to tie your ribbon on the ropes in front of Grandma Ppong’s statue.
Festival Boat
I’m not sure what the purpose of the boat was, but it was fun to hear them ringing bells, banging gongs, and making merry. It was relaxing to watch as the sea breeze cools you from the hot sun and makes you feel refreshed.
Escape Under a Cherry Tree
If you’ve grown tired of all the people and crowds of the festival, these cherry trees are located at the farthest parking lot of the festival toward the entrance. It was a great find and quiet place to collect your thoughts or take a relaxing nap. And don’t forget to easily book your Jindo Sea Parting Tour here.
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13 Comments on Highlights You Don’t Want to Miss at the Jindo Sea Parting Festival
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Wicked! I was at Jindo too this year, but having participated in Holi last year on the beaches of Busan (and not having brought any crummy white clothes) I didn’t really want to chance it. Looks like you had a great time at the festival – I’d totally go back…it was a blast! What did you do on the Sunday?
No way! We were at the same place at the same time? We definiotely have to meet up sometime! I live pretty close to Seoul. On Sunday, we went to a fortree. It was really nice to walk around and then we went up on a bus back to Seoul. It was a hectic but awesome weekend! What did you do?
What an amazing festival. My interest was particularly awakened by the Holi Hai. This has an uncanny resemblance to the Indian festival of colours- Holi, where Gulal or pink powder is sprayed on each other.
It’s actually inspired by the Indian Festival! It’s a beautiful and fun tradition!
Ugh, kicking myself over and over again for not making the time to see the sea parting while I was in Korea!!! I didn’t know there were so many cool things to do there! The global festival seems so fun and the Jindo puppy area? Omg too cute! Haha, that Holi Hai thing seems to be catching on like wildfire all over Korea.They just did their first one in Busan last year to so much success! It should be in Seoul by this time next year, no doubt about it! Glad you had fun! Living vicariously through you 🙂
Korea is so awesome and for such a small country, I’m also surprised that there’s so many things to do. I wish I could have gone to the one in Busan too. I hope Seoul does one so I won’t have to travel so far down south! I’m living in Vietnam vicariously through you! Keep up the amazing posts!
What a great festivals for an interesting story. That boat is pretty cool looking. I can only imagine how much fun it is for the performers on the ship! And those cherry blossoms never get old. I could sit under them all day long!!
I thought the makeshift boat was awesome too! It was so nice to escape under those blossoms when the sun was getting hot!
What a seriously cool festival! I just added this to the list of things I must experience! I love that there are different countries represented with their own little festivals within the festival. Have you found that your wish to grandma Ppong come true? I love, love, loved reading about this. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful experience!
I hope that my wish to Grandma Ppong comes true! Hahaha. This is definitely something everyone needs to experience at least once in their lives! Thanks so much for reading and I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
How do you pronounce the double p (like in Ppong)? Is it like a different consonant entirely, or still some kind of ‘p’ sound?
I had never heard of Jindo before , neither about the sea parting festival. I googled about it after coming across your article. What caught my attention in particular was the fact that “Holi” is a major festival of India . It’s really interesting to see how it is being celebrated in Jindo in South Korea!!