When winter comes, snow covers Korea, the land of kimchi turns into an icy paradise with a series of interesting activities. But to truly feel the beauty of winter here, you cannot miss two unique festivals: Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival and Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Fishing Festival. These are not only cultural events but also an opportunity for you to immerse yourself in nature, explore local traditions and enjoy the exciting cold of Korean winter .
Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival – Ice Art Monument
The festival takes place from January 1 to mid-February every year - the same day as the opening of the Alpine Village ski hill. (Photo: Collected)
Nestled in the mountains of Chungcheongnam-do Province, the Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival is like a dream made of ice. Every year, from December to February, when the weather is cold, the streams of Chilgapsan Mountain freeze, creating a majestic sight that is hard to find anywhere else.
Not only a natural phenomenon, the festival is also a stage for ice sculptors to show off their talents. From giant sculptures to delicate miniatures, all blend together to create a shimmering, sparkling world under the light reflected from the transparent ice.
Unmissable Experiences at the Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival
Coming to the Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival, you will admire the magnificent frozen fountain. Besides, there are many artistic ice sculptures and many other games for you to experience. (Photo: @greem_y.s)
Admire the ice masterpiece: The frozen fountain is the highlight of the festival, with giant ice columns tens of meters high. You will be amazed by the surreal beauty of nature combined with the talented hands of man.
Ice Skating and Snow Trekking: If you are an active person, the area surrounding the festival is the ideal place to try your hand at ice skating or snow trekking.
Check-in: Every corner at the festival is a perfect background for “million-like” photos. Don’t forget to bring a camera or smartphone with a spare battery because you don’t want to miss any moment.
Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Fishing Festival – Have fun and challenge the cold
The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Fishing Festival is scheduled to take place from January 11 to February 2, 2025. (Photo: Collected)
Located in Gangwon-do Province, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival is one of the most popular winter events in Korea . Held on the completely frozen Hwacheon River, this is an opportunity for tourists to try their hand at ice fishing – an activity that is both fun and challenging.
Every year, from early January to mid-February, the festival attracts millions of visitors. What makes it especially attractive is the opportunity to catch fresh mountain salmon (sancheoneo) right from under the thick layer of ice with a fishing rod and by hand.
Ice Fishing - A Unique Experience in Winter
Enjoy the icy charm of the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Fishing Festival, an attractive winter destination in Korea. (Photo: Collected)
With over 12,000 holes carved into the surface of the glacier, you can try your luck and skill to catch fresh salmon. Imagine standing on a frozen river surface more than 30cm thick, holding a fishing rod and patiently waiting for a mountain salmon (sancheoneo) to bite. That is the unique experience only available at the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Fishing Festival , held in Gangwon-do Province.
Bare-Handed Fishing: A “tough” but exciting activity! You will dive into a cold water tank to catch fish with your own hands. This is definitely a challenge not for those who are afraid of the cold.
Enjoy fresh fish right on the spot: After “hunting” the fish, you can bring them to the processing area to taste fresh sashimi or fragrant grilled fish.
In addition to fishing, the festival also has countless other activities for you to experience such as: Visiting ice sculptures and art exhibitions; Experience ice games such as mini skiing, sledding or horse-drawn carriage riding; Shopping and enjoying local cuisine at traditional markets.
Attending both festivals will give you a complete winter travel experience in Korea . You can start your journey at the Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival to admire the beautiful ice art, then move to the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Fishing Festival to experience the unique feeling of fishing. Let's plan a meaningful trip and experience the wonderful things that this Korean winter has to offer.
Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/han-quoc-mua-dong-trai-nghiem-le-hoi-bang-tuyet-v16056.aspx
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