Jeongseon Arirang Market, Traditional marketplace in Jeongseon-eup, South Korea
Jeongseon Arirang Market is a traditional open-air market in Jeongseon-eup, Gangwon Province, South Korea. It opens on specific days each month and draws farmers, herb sellers, and food vendors from the surrounding mountains.
The market was established in the 1960s, when Jeongseon was an active coal mining area and local trade was central to daily life. As mining declined, the market lost some of its role, but a rail connection opened in 1999 brought new visitors and helped revive it.
The market takes its name from Jeongseon Arirang, a traditional folk song that people in this mountain region have sung for centuries. On market days, local musicians sometimes perform near the stalls, giving shoppers a chance to hear this music in its natural setting.
The market opens on days ending in 2 and 7 each month, meaning the 2nd, 7th, 12th, 17th, 22nd, and 27th. Arriving in the morning gives you the widest choice of fresh goods before vendors start to pack up.
In 2012, the Korea Tourism Organization recognized the market as one of the country's notable travel destinations. A scenic train running through mountain passes brings visitors directly to the area, making the journey itself part of the experience.
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