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Winter in Gangwon Province seems to have a very unique rhythm. When the Hwacheon River freezes over, the usually quiet small town suddenly becomes unusually vibrant. Among the crowds flocking here are travel bloggers like Ha Hien and tourists like Hieu Nguyen, who have all chosen Hwacheon as their destination for their winter trip to South Korea.
A lively atmosphere on the frozen river surface.
When Hieu arrived in Hwacheon, snow had been falling heavily since early morning. The sub-zero temperatures didn't dampen the atmosphere; on the contrary, the entire festival area seemed to vibrate with the energy of the crowd. On the frozen river, long lines of tourists patiently sat by the fishing holes, their breaths forming thin wisps of smoke. Hieu realized he was standing in the middle of a "living winter painting," where each person was a small, vibrant dot.
Hundreds of people flocked to the Hwacheon River to participate in the ice fishing experience.
Hieu tried ice fishing with the mindset of a first-timer. Initially, he felt awkward holding the fishing rod in thick gloves, followed by a sense of nervousness as he watched the ice gently ripple. Around him, groups of foreign tourists constantly encouraged each other. A group of European tourists nearby struck up a conversation, asking Hieu where he was from, then burst into laughter when all three of them… hadn't caught a single fish yet. Amidst the biting cold, these brief conversations created a strangely warm atmosphere.
The moment Hieu pulled the first Sancheoneo fish off the ice, cheers erupted not only from his group but also from strangers around them. The fish was grilled right there in the food court, the charcoal smoke mingling with the aroma of the hot fish, creating a very "real" feeling amidst the snow and ice. For him, it wasn't simply a tourist activity, but an experience that made him feel like he was truly living in a Korean winter.
Many European tourists enthusiastically participated in the festival.
After fishing, Hieu spent time exploring the ice house and ice sculpture square. Inside that frigid space, exquisite sculptures shone under the lights, transparent and sparkling. He walked slowly, admiring the view while listening to the children's excited shouts and the constant clicking of cameras. Outside, the crowds continued to pour in; the festival seemed endless.
From the ice and snow festival to a winter adventure in Gangwon.
For Ha Hien, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival wasn't just a stop on a tour, but an integral part of her winter exploration of South Korea. On the second day of her itinerary, Hien headed to Hwacheon. Under the snowfall, the landscape was covered in pristine white, making the entire town seem as if it were wearing the most perfect winter coat.
Upon arrival, Hien quickly immersed himself in the lively atmosphere on the frozen river with his rod for fishing for Sancheoneo trout – the symbolic fish of the Hwacheon region. Amidst hundreds of tourists intently fishing, he realized that the festival's appeal lay not in the adventure, but in the feeling that everyone could participate: from the elderly to children, from locals to international tourists.
But that wasn't all; Hien continued to experience a series of outdoor activities on ice and snow. The snow tubing and snow slides filled the air with laughter. A little further away was the ice skating rink, where many visitors tried balancing on the smooth ice for the first time. For those who enjoy a challenge, the approximately 200-meter zipline across the snowy landscape offered a thrilling and exhilarating experience.
Skiing activities are available for children and adults at the festival.
One of the most impressive stops for Hien was the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Sculpture Exhibition. Stepping into the frigid interior, he felt like he had entered another world: transparent ice sculptures, meticulously crafted by Korean ice sculptors, sparkled under the lights.
Inside the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Sculpture Exhibition Center
Besides sporting activities, visitors can spend time exploring spaces steeped in traditional culture. Areas offering archery, crossbow shooting, and traditional Korean games attract many families with young children.
As night falls, visitors can stroll along the festival's pedestrian street. The street is brilliantly illuminated, decorated with rows of lights and colorful salmon models. Music fills the air, traditional food stalls emit warm aromas, while fireworks displays light up the cold night sky.
The pedestrian street was brightly decorated with LED lights and fish figures – the symbol of the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival.
The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival, once voted one of CNN's "Seven Wonders of Winter," demonstrates that its appeal extends beyond just ice fishing. It's a suitable winter destination for many, especially families, offering a diverse range of activities, a safe environment, and easy participation.
The entrance fee includes a portion of grilled fish to enjoy on-site, saving visitors on food costs; while some local accommodations even offer free fishing experiences. Getting to Hwacheon is also quite convenient, taking only about 1-2 hours by round-trip bus from Seoul to Gangwon Province, making the festival a viable option for a Korean winter getaway.
