Finding the heart of Chuseok beyond Seoul

As millions of families across Korea prepare to pack highways and train stations as they move around the country for the Chuseok holiday, tourism officials are encouraging travelers to look past predictable destinations toward the country’s rich cultural heartlands. The Korea Tourism Organization launched a national campaign this week through its official travel portal VisitKorea, highlighting sites with free admission, outdoor nature reserves and immersive heritage programs tailored or multigenerational families. The curated list arrives at a time when domestic travelers are increasingly seeking authentic cultural experiences over expensive international getaways. Key destinations featured in the initiative span both historical and contemporary cultural landmarks. Travelers heading through Gyeonggi Province can visit the majestic Yeongneung Royal Tombs in Yeoju, the resting place of King Sejong the Great, while art enthusiasts can venture south into central Korea to explore the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Cheongju. Further off the beaten path in the mountainous