Explore the Sancheoneo Hwacheon Ice Fishing Festival in Seoul, South Korea

If you are planning a winter trip to Korea and want to have an unforgettable winter experience in Seoul, let's explore this unique festival!

Sancheoneo Hwacheon Ice Fishing Festival – Korean Winter Specialty

Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival 2025 (January 11 to February 28). (Photo: Collected)

The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Fishing Festival takes place in Hwacheon County, Gangwon Province, about a 2-hour drive from Seoul. It is one of the largest and most famous winter festivals in Korea, held annually from early January to mid-February. Each year, the festival attracts over a million tourists from all over the world to participate in this unique experience.

Sancheoneo is a cold freshwater mountain trout that lives in the icy rivers of Gangwon Province. Ice fishing is the main experience of the festival, where thousands of small holes are drilled in the thick ice and participants cast their lines to catch fresh trout.

Ice Fishing Experience – An Exciting Winter Challenge

Challenge of catching fish with bare hands. (Photo: Collected)

Participating in the ice fishing festival is one of the most unique experiences in winter tourism in Korea . Visitors will be given fishing equipment, then choose a hole in the ice on the river surface and drop the fishing rod into the water. Interestingly, not only professional fishermen but also beginners have the opportunity to catch fresh Sancheoneo salmon. The feeling of excitement and thrill when a salmon is hooked under the cold water will definitely make you excited.

If fishing isn’t challenging enough, the festival also offers a more adventurous activity: bare-handed fishing. In this challenge, participants will wear protective clothing and dive into icy water, using their bare hands to catch salmon. This activity is popular with those who want to challenge themselves and enjoy the thrill, while also providing laughter to both participants and spectators.

Other activities at the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Fishing Festival

Enjoy grilled fish - The result of ice fishing. (Photo: Collected)

In addition to ice fishing , the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival also has many other interesting activities suitable for families and groups of friends. You can participate in ice skating, sledding, and even participate in ice and snow sculpture competitions. In particular, in the festival area, there are also food stalls where you can enjoy fresh Sancheoneo salmon grilled or processed into many other attractive dishes.

Traveling to Korea, don't forget to experience winter culture

The bustling atmosphere of the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Fishing Festival. (Photo: Collected)

The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Fishing Festival is not only a fun event but also a chance to learn more about the culture and life of local people in winter. During the festival, many traditional cultural activities are held such as folk dance performances, traditional music, and folk games. You can try making traditional Korean dishes or learn how to make crafts from ice and snow.

Besides, the scenery of Hwacheon is also worth exploring. With snow-capped mountains, peaceful space and fresh air, this is a great stop for those who want to escape the noise of the city and enjoy the true winter.

Suggested ways to travel from Seoul to Hwacheon

Photo: Collected

The festival takes place in Hwacheon, about 120km from Seoul, so when traveling to Korea, visitors can travel from Seoul to Hwacheon quite conveniently. You can take a bus from Dong Seoul Bus Station or Sangbong Bus Station to Hwacheon Bus Station, then take a taxi or local bus to the festival area.

If you prefer to drive yourself, from Seoul, you can take the Gyeongchun Expressway or Jungang Expressway to Hwacheon, the trip takes about 2 hours.

Seoul Korea tour is more interesting when combining the Fishing Festival experience with exploring famous winter destinations

Photo: Collected

After participating in the ice fishing festival , you can return to Seoul and continue to explore the winter experiences in Seoul. The capital of Korea in winter also has many interesting activities such as visiting snow-covered palaces, sightseeing at Namsan Tower, or enjoying hot street food at traditional markets.

Seoul is also famous for its Jimjilbang baths, where you can relax and warm up after a long day of outdoor activities. If you love skiing, you can combine your trip with famous ski resorts near Seoul such as Vivaldi Park or Alpensia Resort.

Winter travel to Korea is not only attractive because of the white snow scenery and cold climate, but also because of unique and interesting festivals such as the Sancheoneo Hwacheon Ice Fishing Festival . Participating in the festival, you not only have the opportunity to experience the new ice fishing activity , but also learn more about the culture and life of the people of the kimchi land in winter. Plan now for your memorable winter trip to Korea!