By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Department, compiled and reported
Traveling to South Korea isn’t just about playing in the snow or skiing—there are also vibrant winter festivals themed around snow, snow games, and winter fishing. The ‘Hoengseong Sancheoneo Ice Festival,’ selected as a representative Korean festival by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, was also once chosen by CNN as one of the “Seven Wonders of Winter in the World.” It’s a beloved festival among foreign tourists and was held from January 6 to January 28, 2018, in Hoengseong, Gangwon Province. During the festival, there are not only ice fishing activities for sancheoneo (mountain trout), but also many other enriching experiences.
Ice fishing at the Hoengseong Sancheoneo Ice Festival. (Photo / Korea Tourism Organization)
A dreamlike landscape at the Taebaeksan Snowflake Festival, covered in pristine white snow. (Photo / Korea Tourism Organization)
In addition to the Hoengseong Sancheoneo Ice Festival, Pyeongchang—the host city of the Winter Olympics—also hosts the “Pyeongchang Trout Festival.” In addition to various enriching experiences such as ice fishing for trout, snow activities, and ice experiences, there are also winter folk games, ice rafting experiences, sledding trains, and more. Travelers heading to the Pyeongchang Trout Festival can take the Gyeonggang Line KTX to Jinbu Station, significantly reducing travel time.
Hoengseong Sancheoneo Ice Festival: challenging yourself to catch trout by hand in freezing weather. (Photo / Korea Tourism Organization)
Before January 10, you can also purchase the “Pyeongchang KORAIL PASS,” jointly developed by the Korea Tourism Organization and the Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) and exclusively available to foreign travelers. It can be used in February and allows unlimited rides on the Gyeonggang Line KTX. Holders of the Pyeongchang KORAIL PASS can enjoy various benefits provided by the Korea Tourism Organization, such as free or discounted coupons for sightseeing buses, a 10% discount on airport railway baggage storage and delivery services, and various other services.
Taebaeksan Snowflake Festival. (Photo / Korea Tourism Organization)
Another winter festival in Gangwon Province—“Taebaeksan Snowflake Festival”—is held from January 19 to February 11, 2018, with massive snow sculptures and ice landscapes set up in various locations across the city, including Taebaeksan National Park, Jungangno, and Hwangjecheon Pond. Once you enter the festival grounds, it feels like stepping into a silver-white world. Aside from photogenic snowy installations, the Taebaeksan Snowflake Festival also features a unique “ice igloo café,” where you can enjoy a steaming cup of coffee inside an ice igloo for a truly distinctive coffee experience.
[Info]
Hoengseong Sancheoneo Ice Festival
Festival Dates: January 6 to January 28, 2018
Festival Location: Hoengseong, Gangwon Province
Taebaeksan Snowflake Festival
Event Dates: January 19 to February 11, 2018
Event Locations: Taebaeksan National Park, Jungangno, Hwangjecheon Pond, and other urban areas
Pyeongchang Trout Festival
Event Dates: Ongoing until February 25, 2018
Event Location: Pyeongchang, host city of the Winter Olympics