The Winter Splendor of Gangwon Province: Ultimate Enjoyment with Snowball Fights and Ice Fishing

While Japan’s snow festivals are in full swing, Korea at the same latitude is also gearing up for a magnificent winter celebration. A series of vibrant snowflake festivals and ice fishing festivals are set to unfold. If you’re eager to experience a large-scale snowball fight or join thousands of people drilling holes on frozen rivers for ice fishing, grab your warm clothes and head to Korea to join this seasonal ice and snow carnival!

Gangwon Province, famous for the drama "Winter Sonata," is the region in Korea where snow falls earliest and the snow season lasts the longest. This year marks the 17th edition of the “Taebaeksan Snowflake Festival,” which will be grandly held in Gangwon Province. From January 22 to January 31, the main events of the festival will take place at Taebaeksan Provincial Park, Hwangji Pond, and resort ski slopes, featuring activities such as the “Guinness Challenge: Large-Scale Snowball Fight,” an “Opening Ceremony Performance,” and regular festival events.

The “Guinness Challenge: Large-Scale Snowball Fight,” held for the first time in Korea, will take place on the first day of the festival, inviting over 5,000 participants. International visitors hoping to break a world record can apply on-site. Throughout the festival, there will be massive snow sculptures, ski slopes, an Eskimo café, the Taebaeksan Snow Climbing Festival, snow boats, snowman building, a light and snow celebration, and more. A sledding area enjoyed by all ages will also be open.

Additionally, in Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon Province, there’s another representative Korean winter event — the “Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival.” It offers visitors the fun of ice fishing on the clean Hwacheon River, which is over 2 meters deep and frozen solid. Every winter, domestic and international tourists flock to the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival. This year’s event runs until January 31, with 9,000 ice fishing holes available along the river. Looking down through the holes, you can see mountain fish swimming beneath the ice. The freshly caught fish can be prepared on-site in the cooking area to your liking — as delicious sashimi or tender grilled fish.

Taebaeksan Snowflake Festival
Dates: January 22 – January 31
Location: Taebaeksan Provincial Park, O2 Resort, Hwangji Pond, and other venues in Taebaek Mountain, Gangwon Province
For more information: http://tour.taebaek.go.kr

Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival
Dates: Now – January 31
Location: Areas around the Hwacheon River in Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon Province
For more information: http://www.narafestival.com/07_global/?lang=cha

Read more: Ice Fishing on Abashiri Lake in Hokkaido (provided by Tripass Attractions)