"Strolling Through Haengju Fortress Under the Starlight"... Goyang City to Open 'National Heritage Night Walk' on the 9th

"Haengjuga (Street) Yesuliya (Night)" Runs Through the 18th

Nighttime Content Expanded from 5 to 7 Programs

A Festival Created by Children, University Students, and Local Businesses Together

Mayor Min Kyung-seon: "We Will Develop It Into a Festival for Regional Co-Prosperity"

Goyang Special City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Min Kyung-seon) will hold its representative nighttime festival, "Goyang National Heritage Night Walk - Haengjuga (Street) Yesuliya (Night)," for ten days from October 9 to October 18 in the Haengju Fortress area. Themed "Haengju Under the Starlight," the festival will run daily from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with admission permitted until 9:00 p.m.

Han River as viewed from the summit of Haengju Fortress. Provided by Goyang City

After being selected for the National Heritage Night Walk program competition for the second consecutive year, this festival expands on last year’s "Five Nights" (night views, night history, night paths, night markets, and night stories) by adding two new features—night paintings and night snacks—to create a "Seven Nights" program. Children docents, university students, and local merchants participate in planning and operations to both provide historical and cultural experiences and to boost the local commercial district.

At the Great Battle Memorial Hall, 10 child docents will guide visitors through the history of the Haengju Great Battle in the program "That Night in Haengju." These professionally trained children will meet visitors four times a day from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. over five days on weekends and holidays.

Students majoring in Theatre and Film at Joongbu University will dress up as 10 historical figures—including General Gwon Yul and militia leader Kim Cheon-il—bringing characters to life throughout Haengju Fortress. They not only present the stories of these figures but also help guide visitors along the tour routes.

The night view experience "Haengju Eight Colors, Eight Nights" will feature landscape lighting at eight key sites: the Great Battle Gate, the Gwon Yul statue, Chunghunjeong Pavilion, the Haengju Great Battle Monument, and others. The "Haengju Gwageo Road" activity invites participants to stroll around the fortress with cultural tour guides and complete missions along two routes: the Scholar’s Path and the General’s Path.

The Scholar’s Path includes experiences such as drawing, the traditional game of Gonu, earth eating, and astronomy, while the General’s Path features archery, stone throwing, slap-match, and astronomy. For the final astronomy experience on both routes, members of Korea Aerospace University’s astronomy club will help participants observe constellations in the night sky. Advance reservations are available on Goyang City Hall’s integrated booking website, with 20 people per session.

2025 'Haengjuga (Street) Yesuliya (Night)' Haengju Great Battle Monument. Provided by Goyang City

At Chunguijeong Pavilion at the summit of Haengju Fortress, performances by Goyang Buskers and daegeum (bamboo flute) recitals will be held every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during the festival from 6:30 p.m. Special events on October 10 include a taekwondo demonstration by the Goyang City Taekwondo Demonstration Team, an opening declaration by the Municipal Boys and Girls Choir, and a fusion performance of rap with traditional Korean music.

The new "Green Haengju Byeolbam" will use artificial intelligence (AI) video technology to reinterpret Goyang’s Eight Scenic Views, screening this content on a large screen at Chunguijeong Pavilion. There will also be activities where participants can complete a drawing of Haengju Fortress with multi-colored stamps.

The food experience "Haengju Luncation" is inspired by tales of the Haengju Great Battle and the legend of Rice Grandma. Participants will taste rice balls, apricot jam, and misutgaru (grain powder drink) while listening to historical commentary. This program will be held twice each for international students and the general public on October 10 and 17, accommodating 20 participants per session through advance reservation.

Food alley vendors at Haengju Fortress and restaurants and cafes in the Haengju Oedong area will participate in the "Haengju Haenghwa-gil" program, extending hours and offering discounts or special services. During the festival, visitors who spend over 30,000 won at local businesses will receive gifts such as an LED rose as a souvenir.

After the festival, Goyang City plans to analyze the effects on the local economy and visitor satisfaction to inform its future cultural tourism policies.

2025 'Haengjugga (Street) Yesuliyya (Night)' Battle Memorial Hall. Provided by Goyang City

Mayor Min Kyung-seon said, "Haengju Fortress is Goyang's representative historical and cultural asset. By building a structure where local residents, students, and the commercial district participate together, we aim to create a festival model for regional co-prosperity, where culture and the local economy form a virtuous cycle. We will continue strengthening nighttime tourism content unique to Goyang."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.