Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival, South Korea
South Korea has festivals that are more than just for fun and entertainment. These festivals are an excellent way to learn about Korean culture. Several festivals are held in various parts of the country throughout the year. The Hwacheoncheon Stream in Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do freezes in winter, making it the best place in Korea to enjoy winter! Locals and tourists alike visit the stream to ice fish. They drill a hole in the ice and fish for sancheoneo (Masou salmon), a type of trout found only in high-quality freshwaters. Along with all of this, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival offers a variety of fun snow and ice activities, making it the ultimate winter festival destination!
Since its inception in 2003, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival has been held each year when the Hwacheoncheon Stream is completely covered in ice.
About 1.5 million people, both locals and tourists attend the three-week-long ice fishing festival each year. Due to its close proximity to Seoul - just 1.5 hours - it is the ideal choice for a day trip in the winter. The best part is that it is a fun event for the whole family.
The Hwacheoncheon Stream in Gangwon-do is well known for its clear water and the native trout, Sancheoneo. And they are unquestionably the festival's main attraction. Three methods of fishing are popular in Sancheoneo: lure fishing in moving water, bare-handed fishing on the frozen stream, and ice fishing. Ice fishing, the festival's main attraction, is only feasible when the stream has frozen over to a minimum depth of 2 meters. The water in the stream is so clear that you can still see the bottom of it.
International visitors have access to a special visitor zone that increases their chances of catching fish. You can fish up to three sancheoneo per person in this zone, and the gear is provided after registration. One of the most enjoyable activities available at the festival is barehand fishing. You simply jump into the pool with the fish and must catch the trout with your hands! After registering, you will be given a t-shirt and shorts to change into before diving in!
The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival includes ice and snow sports just as much as ice fishing. The slopes offer exhilarating sled rides. Bobsleigh, ice soccer, and other sporting events are available for fans to enjoy. Even a biplane is set up if you want to fly over the frozen stream quickly!
The excitement of the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival can be felt throughout the small town of Hwacheon. The Lantern Street Festival features sancheoneo-shaped lanterns and LED light displays. Large ice sculptures can be found at the Hwacheoneo Cinema, making it the world's largest indoor ice sculpture plaza. Along with all of this, visitors can participate in traditional Korean folk games and take photos at the photo zone as a souvenir.
After all that fun, you can eat fresh fish dishes at any of the many restaurants located throughout the festival grounds and the city. Raw and fried fish, tteokbokki, fish cakes, and other savory fritters are available.
Time: Jan 14 - Feb 5
Location: Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea
