Korean winter travel. Have you been there? I’d like to share three places in Korea for a winter travel that only locals know about.
Many places in Korea are still relatively unknown to foreigners. In Korea, where distinct four seasons are experienced, various winter festivals and events take place. Each region has its own unique winter festival, and I will introduce some of the unique winter festivals in Korea.
Korean winter travel. The last of three places known only to locals. 1st. The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival is an annual event held in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province, South Korea.
It is a festival that revolves around the local specialty, Sancheoneo (mountain trout), and features various events and experiential activities.
- Location: Hwacheon, Gangwon Province
- Period: Typically from mid-November to early December (the exact dates may vary each year)
The festival’s main activities and features:
- Sancheoneo Fishing Experience: Festival participants can engage in ice fishing for Sancheoneo in the frozen river, providing a fun activity for families and friends.
- Sancheoneo Cooking Experience: The festival offers various food experience programs using fresh Sancheoneo. Visitors can create special dishes using these fresh mountain trout.
- Sancheoneo Tasting: Food booths are set up at the festival grounds, offering a chance to taste dishes made with locally caught, fresh Sancheoneo. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy local cuisine.
- Cultural Performances and Events: Throughout the festival, there are diverse cultural performances and events, including performances by local artists and traditional cultural experiences.
- Sancheoneo-related Exhibits and Sales Booths: The festival also features exhibits and sales booths related to Sancheoneo, where visitors can purchase local products or gather information about them.
The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival is known as an event that offers a great opportunity to experience the local nature and culture while interacting with the local residents.
Official site link : https://www.narafestival.com
The next Pyeongtaek Light Festival is a winter festival held in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.
It is famous for its dazzling lights and decorations. This festival typically runs from November to February and takes place around ‘Paju Dream Park,’ one of the attractions in Paju.
- Location: Paju Dream Park area, Paju, Gyeonggi Province
- Period: Usually from mid-November to mid-February (dates may vary each year)
The festival’s main activities and features:
- Illuminated Landscapes: The Paju Light Festival decorates the Paju Dream Park area with numerous LED lights and projection mapping technology, creating a spectacular display. Visitors can enjoy an impressive experience with towering Christmas trees, glittering tunnels, and colorful lights.
- Projection Mapping Shows: The festival showcases various shows using projection mapping technology on buildings and large screens. Projection mapping, which utilizes building surfaces to convey special effects and stories, is one of the festival’s highlights.
- Diverse Cultural Programs: Throughout the festival, there are various cultural programs that visitors can enjoy for free. These include parades, performances, and events suitable for families.
- Food Trucks and Exhibition Booths: At the festival grounds, there are food trucks offering a variety of cuisine options and exhibition booths introducing local specialties. Visitors can savor different foods while immersing themselves in the festival atmosphere.
The Paju Light Festival is an event that combines dazzling lights and artistic illumination to create a fantastic winter atmosphere for visitors. It’s a great place to enjoy with family and friends.
Korean winter travel. The last of three places known only to locals is the Pyeongchang Trout Festival.
This festival is an annual winter event held in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, South Korea. It offers activities such as ice fishing for trout in the frozen river and various winter games.
- Location: Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province (mainly around Hwajinbu-ri, Jinbu-myeon)
- Period: Typically from mid-December to mid-February (dates may vary each year)
The festival’s main activities and features:
- Ice Fishing Experience: At the festival grounds, special holes are drilled into the frozen river for trout ice fishing. Visitors can enjoy the exciting experience of ice fishing, catching trout on the ice.
- Ice Fishing Competitions: During the festival, trout ice fishing competitions are held. Participants compete in various categories, such as catching the most trout or the largest trout.
- Sledding Experience: The festival grounds offer sledding courses on the ice. Families and friends can enjoy sledding on the ice-covered tracks.
- Ice Sculpture Exhibition: There is also an event showcasing various art pieces made of ice. Artists creatively sculpt ice to create beautiful works of art that decorate the festival area.
- Food Trucks and Traditional Market: Around the festival grounds, you can find food trucks and a traditional market offering a variety of foods and snacks. You can savor local specialties and enjoy the festival atmosphere to the fullest.