January Festival - The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival

The Hwacheon Sancheoneo (Mountain Trout) Ice Festival annually takes place in Hwacheon in Gangwon province. This virtually untouched region is known as the first area in Korea that freezes over in winter, and the river is covered with a thick layer of ice.


Visitors can try out ice fishing, and those who are feeling brave can try to catch mountain trout with their bare hands. As well as fun activities and performances, there is also an exhibition of ice sculptures that took 20 weeks to prepare. Visitors can sample raw and grilled mountain trout, both of which are delicious.

○ Period :  Saturdays and Sundays in January of every year

○ Venue : Hwacheongang riverside and neighboring areas

○ Contact : Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival Information Center ☎ 1688-3005(if in Korea)

○ For Tourist Information Call: +82-33-1330

○ Official website : http://www.narafestival.com (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

○ How to get there :

- From Dong Seoul Terminal, take a bus to Hwacheon. (First bus: 06:15, Last bus: 19:15 starts every hour, takes about 2hrs and 40 min. fare: KRW12,600)

 - Get off the bus at Hwacheon Bus Terminal. The festival venue is around 10 minutes walk from Hwacheon Bus Terminal.

○Fun activities:
- Sancheoneo Ice Fishing
- Catch Sancheoneo With Your Bare Hands
- Trying out the Trout
- Asia Ice Lights Square
- World Winter City Square