A Day as a Local - Makgeolli Making & Village Festival in Paju

This is a local one-day trip project where you can harvest crops directly in Paju and make your own makgeolli using local ingredients. Step out of the city and experience a special day making makgeolli with the local residents in Paju's rural village and enjoying the local festival.

1. Create your own unique ‘Signature Makgeolli’.
Make a makgeolli that is different from the ones you usually drink, crafted just for you. You'll add and blend the crops you harvested yourself with various local ingredients to find your own makgeolli flavor.You can experience how the aroma and taste change based on your choice of ingredients and how you combine them, helping you discover your favorite mix. Instead of just following a set recipe, you can taste, mix, and create a makgeolli that reflects your own preferences, even if you weren't familiar with makgeolli before.‘The taste of my favorite makgeolli’ will be a special experience.

 

2. From the land to my body, a day where I complete the flavors of Paju.
The crops harvested from the field today become special ingredients for my own makgeolli. You can experience the process of harvesting seasonal produce grown in Paju and turning it into a local food. As you touch the soil and see how the ingredients turn into a new-flavored makgeolli, you'll begin to look at what we eat and drink and the region that produces it in a different light.Get to know the flavors and stories of Paju up close.

 

3. Enjoy a true local festival in the rural village.
After the experience, you can enjoy a market, festival, and performances made by the villagers, immersing yourself in the daily life of Paju. You'll taste local produce and food, explore small shops and booths, and enjoy performances prepared by the village, having a relaxing and joyful time. As you eat, drink, and chat in the same space as the residents, you'll feel less like a tourist and more like a neighbor visiting the village. Enjoy the charm of local travel by genuinely joining the locals in their gatherings.

 

A day in Paju (October 17th or 18th)You will harvest local produce from the Dong-a area and experience the nature and countryside of Paju. Using the harvested produce and local ingredients, you'll make your own unique makgeolli. This experience is not just about learning how to brew makgeolli, but also about naturally discovering where our food and drinks come from and how they become part of local culture.
At the end of the trip, you'll enjoy flea markets, local festivals, and performances in the village, experiencing another side of Paju. As you taste local food and talk to the residents, you'll feel like a neighbor who came to visit Paju.

Main Activities

Local Produce Harvest Experience
Makgeolli Blending with Local Produce
Enjoying Local Festivals like Flea Markets and Performances

Additional Information

• This project is based on full participation for one day (October 17th or 18th).
• Activities include harvesting produce from the fields, so please wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
• The project will be conducted with a maximum of 30 participants.
• Since the program includes drinking, please adjust your alcohol intake according to your condition.
• If you have personal allergies or dietary restrictions, please check in advance before participating.

■ Project Activities

• Experience a local farm in Paju.
• Try blending your own makgeolli.
• Enjoy an exciting festival with performances and various foods.
• Basic materials and support needed for the program will be provided.

■ What's Included

• Program experience and operating costs are included.
• Costs for program materials.
• Transportation support within Paju for program participation.

What's Not Included

• Personal expenses that occur.
• Personal travel insurance costs.

This project takes place in the countryside of Paju, connecting traditional alcohol, agriculture, and local people and spaces.

It is not just a place to make alcohol; it connects local produce, traditional drinks, and local experiences so that people can stay in Paju and experience everyday life in the area.

We believe it is important to connect local products made by residents, village accommodations, and cultural content into one travel experience, helping visitors to support the area.

■ Location: Paju City, Gyeonggi Province

Paju, where the project takes place, is a city where you can experience traditional alcohol and rural atmosphere, as well as peace, art, and nature together. By visiting Paju's main spots before and after the program, you can enjoy your trip even more.

1. Heyri Art Village | A cultural village where art and taste meet

This is Paju's main cultural and artistic space, filled with galleries, museums, bookstores, small theaters, cafes, and workshops. It's fun to walk slowly through the buildings and alleys to see exhibitions and find spaces you like.

2. Imjingak Peace Park | A view of peace you can only find in Paju

This site represents Paju's history and local character well. You can walk through the wide Peace Park and the Imjingak area while reflecting on the history of division and the meaning of peace. Here, you can discover a different story of Paju, away from nature-centered cafe tourism.

3. Majang Lake | Nature healing while walking along the lake and forest

This is Paju's main natural tourist spot, featuring a suspension bridge over the lake and a lakeside walking path. It's nice to take a light walk or relax while enjoying the view of the lake and forest, making it perfect for enjoying Paju's nature after the program.

■This project will take place on Saturday and Sunday (October 17th and 18th).

■ We will provide transportation support like buses from Seoul, and we will inform the confirmed participants.

■ Up to 30 people can participate, and it will be a small-scale event where you can enjoy rural experiences and festivals comfortably.

■ Participants and Eligibility

• Anyone who needs a quiet break from their busy life.
• Anyone looking for a special and memorable weekend experience rather than just sightseeing.
• Anyone who loves makgeolli and traditional liquor, or wants to make them.
• Anyone who wants to naturally talk and connect with new people.
• Anyone who wants to stay local and have new experiences.

 

01Check out the project.	- See if there are specific participation dates or if you can join any time that fits your schedule! - Read stories from people who have actually participated in this project!
02Fill out the participation application.	- Please express yourself comfortably and honestly without pressure.
03Pay the project fee.	- After confirming the project registration fee or full payment, your application will be sent to the local agency. - (If needed) After the project fee payment, a Skype interview will be held for final confirmation. - If the local agency disapproves after review, you will receive a 100% refund of the registration and participation fees.
04Receive confirmation text for your payment.	- The day after you pay the project fee, we will confirm and send you a text message. If you don’t receive a text the next day, please contact us! (If you pay on the weekend, we confirm on Monday morning.)
05Project participation confirmation.	- It takes about 1 to 7 days for the local agency to review and finalize the application. - If you are finally accepted into the project, a staff member will contact you separately.
06Arrive and start the project.	- Participants will meet the staff upon arrival and have a local orientation. - After the local orientation, participants will learn about the information provided by the local agency and, during the project, always focus on safety while starting the project. - Local orientations may not be held depending on the local agency and are subject to change or reduction based on the situation.
07 Submit feedback after the project.	- After the project ends, participants will submit feedback, and we will review and issue a certificate.