Seongju Gayasan Mountain, where autumn lingers: Finding the scent of childhood at the Golden Fields Grasshopper Festival

A place where the autumn breeze lingers, Seongju's golden promise

Autumn in Seongju is particularly deep and rich. When the breeze descending along the ridges of Gayasan Mountain sweeps through the fields along the Daegacheon Stream, the whole world ripples in gold. This weekend, leaving behind the noise of the complex city, I visited Suseong-ri, Suryun-myeon, Seongju-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The 'Seongju Gayasan Golden Fields Grasshopper Festival' held here was more than just a local event; it was a precious time that allowed me to re-experience the pace of the season that I had forgotten.

As soon as I stepped out of the car, I was greeted by the savory scent of well-ripened rice and the refreshing air of Gayasan Mountain. The laughter of children flew on the breeze, and the rustling sound of rice straw mixed with every footstep of the people. Autumn here was a festival not just to be seen, but to be breathed in and touched with one's entire body.

A delightful commotion of touching the earth and chasing grasshoppers

The festival grounds were literally a large ecological playground. It brought back faded memories of childhood for adults and served as a vivid nature textbook for children. The backs of the children's hands were stained with dirt as they ran along the rice field ridges catching grasshoppers, but their faces were lit up with smiles even brighter than that. Their slow, crawling movements to catch the grasshoppers were so cute that just watching them made my heart melt.

It was more heartwarming because it was a festival that involved hands-on activities rather than just watching. Gloves covered in dirt from digging sweet potatoes, the serious profiles of children who had grown up quickly while focusing on apple fishing. Instead of artificial amusement rides, the harvest gathered directly from the land was the most honest gift that autumn could give. The sight of families laughing noisily while catching catfish by the clear waters of Daegacheon Stream was like a painting in itself.

A Seongju travel guide to enjoy more deeply

The festival is always refreshing thanks to the solid backdrop of Gayasan Mountain. When visiting the festival grounds, it is good to bring comfortable sneakers and spare clothes so that children can play comfortably while touching the earth. While the sun can be quite hot during the day, the breeze blowing from the valleys of Gayasan Mountain gets quite chilly as the sun begins to set. A light jacket is an essential preparation.

Usually, it is better to start early in the morning. I recommend a course where you focus on catching grasshoppers when the sunlight is at its best, and then take a slow walk along the nearby Daegacheon Stream in the afternoon to capture the tail end of autumn. There are also well-maintained trails nearby where you can feel the energy of Gayasan Mountain, so it might be nice to add some time for quiet contemplation after the bustle of the festival. Since the festival is held every year at the threshold of autumn, making it a habit to check the exact schedule on the Seongju-gun Office website before leaving is a must.

Seongju is a place that teaches me the 'aesthetics of waiting.' This golden festival, which I meet by waiting for autumn to ripen, makes me feel like I will visit this place again next year. On days when you want to listen to the sounds of the seasons, the fields of Seongju will always welcome you.