Nestled in the remote Chilgapsan Mountain a couple of hours outside of Seoul, the Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival transforms this rural valley retreat into a glittering icy world that looks straight out of a fairy tale. This frozen festival of winter delights includes a giant wall of bubbling ice, snowy sculptures, igloos, ice caves, snow statues, ice carvings, and all round winter fun for the whole family.

In this article you can find out what there is to see and do at the Chilgapsan Festival, including the various ice-based activities and attractions, how to get there by tour or public transport, and information about whether this festival is worth visiting or not. If you’re thinking of visiting this Korean ice fountain festival, and want to know why I think it’s definitely worth it, then keep on reading.

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links and I may earn commission for purchases made after clicking these links.

Why Visit The Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival 2024?

The Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival (칠갑산 얼음분수축제) offers visitors the chance to see a truly unique sight – massive structures crafted entirely from long icicles that appear to sprout up from the ground and have earned this winter festival the nickname of ‘Ice Castle’. The icicles, sparkling to create the illusion of frozen ice fountains, are man-made but that makes them no less magical.

With its stunning mix of dramatic natural scenery and dream-like illuminations, the Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival promises a fairy tale experience found nowhere else in Korea. This festival runs from December 23rd, 2023 to February 28th, 2024, which makes it one of Korea’s longest winter festivals and gives you plenty of opportunities to see it if you visit Korea during winter.

By day, you can explore illuminated ice caves and sculptures that get more fantastical each year. But it’s at night when the full effect comes alive, with rainbow-hued lights reflecting off the icy landscape synchronized to festive music. Visitors wander through this winter wonderland with hot chocolate in hand, snapping selfies and admiring over 50,000 tons of magical ice art crafted just for the festival.

Who Will Enjoy This Korean Winter Festival?

I think the Chilgapsan festival will appeal to couples and families, as well as anyone who enjoys playing in the snow. There are many rides and activities aimed at children, so this is a great way to keep them entertained during winter and gives them a fun, snowy playground to play in. Couples will enjoy strolling around the snow-covered landscape, posing for pictures in the many photo zones.

Warning about Korea’s winter weather: Winter in Korea can be very cold, especially during January and February, with temperatures dropping below zero degrees Celsius even during the day. If you are travelling with children, make sure they’re wrapped up well so they don’t suffer from the cold. There are lots of markets in Seoul that sell winter clothes and you can get heat packs and hand warmers, too.

What To Do At The Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival

The Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival provides a whole day of fun for people of all ages with lots of activities available for everyone, especially children. The main draw during the day is the ice fountain, sculptures and ice caves, with winter illuminations bringing the festival site to life once the sun sets. There’s also Korean festival food to try, snow and ice-based sports, and children’s rides.

Here are some of the best things you can see and do at this festival:

Ice Fountain, Ice Wall And Ice Sculptures

The towering ice fountains, which give this festival its name, and giant ice wall really have to be seen to be believed. Created by shooting jets of water which then freeze in place, they look truly unique. They look impressive during the day, but look even more extraordinary once the sun goes down and the lights are turned on, illuminating them in an ever changing rainbow of colours.

As well as the ice fountains, there are carefully created sculptures (inspired by Korean cartoons, Disney, and Pokemon), cute animals, and lots more. There are also ice sculptures shaped like the famous Korean turtle boat, a frozen Gwanghwamun Gate, wild animals, and a life-sized train made from ice.

Ice Caves, Igloos And Illuminations

Head into the ice caves and igloos to escape the cold and see gleaming blocks of ice lit up with vivid lights bouncing from frozen surfaces. There are several icy buildings to wander around and, as with the ice fountains, these look best when it’s dark so you can appreciate the illuminations at their fullest. Speaking of illuminations, there are lots of displays with pretty lights to see at night.

Snow And Ice Sports

There are plenty of winter sports to keep you busy and this festival is a great place to see snow in Korea as there are many snow machines working just in case it doesn’t snow. Slide down the snow sledding slope on a rubber ring or the ice sledding slope on a small sleigh. If you prefer flat surfaces, try the traditional Korean wooden sleighs and push yourself along the ice with short sticks.

Besides sledding, you can also try your hand at other winter sports and activities such as ice fishing, bare hand fishing in frozen tanks of water, a zip line past the frozen fountains, and a cow-drawn sleigh ride through the snow. If you want to try ice fishing, the experience here isn’t as impressive as dedicated ice fishing festivals like the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival, but it’s still fun.

Children’s Activities At The Chilgapsan Winter Festival

I saw lots of families at the Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival and there were plenty of activities for kids to enjoy, including a tractor-pulled ‘can sled’. These ‘cans’ looked like big cut out barrels with chairs inside, but were quite safe and let the kids feel like they were in their own personal car. The activities aren’t exactly on par with Disneyland, but they’re a good way to play in the snow.

As well as the sled and skis, children can try horse riding while being led around a course by a handler. There are also cultural activities and arts and crafts in small tents, but you might need to know a bit of Korean to understand what’s going on there. Activities will probably vary each year and may only be open during the busier weekend day, but I’m not sure so they could be available.

Food At The Chilgapsan Festival

Fans of Korean food won’t be disappointed with the range of Korean winter snacks at the Chilgapsan winter festival. Inside the festival grounds you can try various winter street foods on skewers, including chicken, rice cakes, and fish cakes, as well as deep fried fish. There’s also a cafe to get coffee, but don’t expect a chain store cafe, this is a temporary hut with a coffee machine inside.

The best part about the food at this festival has to be the roasted chestnuts, sweetcorn, and sweet potatoes. You can roast your own chestnuts on a log fire and cook the sweetcorn over hot coals. The sweet potatoes are roasted inside big metal drum ovens and served piping hot and steaming. These provide not only hot and delicious snacks, but also a fun experience to try at the festival.

For proper meals, there are some restaurants serving traditional Korean dishes such as tteok-guk (rice cake soup), haemul pajeon (Korean seafood pancakes), guk-bap (soupy stew with rice inside), and my favourite, donkasu (pork cutlet). There are simple meals like Korean curry and soybean sauce rice, too.

Sights Near Cheongyang Alps Village

Chilgapsan is the name of the mountain that the Cheongyang Alps Village, home to the ice fountain festival, is located by, which is why this festival is sometimes called the Cheongyang Ice Fountain Festival. If you want to explore more of this area during winter, there’s a really nice suspension bridge, the Chilgapsan Suspension Bridge (천장호 출렁다리), and reservoir near the entrance to the festival.

The reservoir looks really pretty when it’s frozen over and covered in snow, as you can see in the picture above. You can walk around the reservoir by following the wooden pathways, which are decorated with cute Korean messages along the way. You might be wondering why the suspension bridge has two giant chili peppers at each end. That’s because this area is famous for growing chilies.

Ticket Prices And Essential Festival Information

The entry fee for the Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival is ₩8,000 per person (children under 36 months are free). This gives you access to the festival grounds and access to the sculptures, ice fountains, ice caves, igloos, and other sights and facilities at the festival.

The sledding pass, which includes access to the sledding hill for ice sledding, snow sledding, and bob sledding, costs about ₩20,000 per person. There are also additional costs for the zip line, ice fishing and children’s activities, such as horse riding and the can sled. The prices for these activities aren’t available on the festival’s official website yet, but I’ll update prices here when they are.

For more information about this festival (in Korean), you can visit the official Alps Village website.

Tours To Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival 2024

Despite the Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival becoming more popular each year, there aren’t many tours. If you don’t have a car, taking a tour to the festival is the best option and gives you the benefit of a guaranteed direct journey there and back, as well as a guide who can tell you more about the festival.

Here are two tours that I recommend for the Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival:

Cheongyang (Chilgapsan) Ice Festival & Other Winter Sights from Seoul: This all day guided tour from various locations in Seoul will take you to some of the hottest winter destinations in Korea, including the Chilgapsan festival. There are various options to add on extra destinations, such as Nami Island, the Garden of Morning Calm, Eobi Ice Valley, and a strawberry picking farm

Price: From ₩62,200 (about $47 USD)

Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival at Cheongyang Alps Village from Seoul: This all day tour from Seoul will take you to the Cheongyang Alps Village to see the Chilgapsan winter festival. You can add on extras, such as ice sledding, snow sledding, and bobsleigh, as well as extra destinations, to give you a full winter experience in Korea. You get over 4 hours to enjoy at the festival.

Price: From ₩69,100 (about $53 USD)

I always recommend booking tours in advance when visiting Korea for these reasons:

Learn more: Paying in your home currency is usually easier and cheaper than converting money into Korean won. Booking ahead is one of the tips included in my guide to paying in Korea, which covers ways to save on travel money in Korea and alternatives to relying on exchanging cash to travel.

How To Get To The Chilgapsan Winter Festival

Cheongyang Alps Village is a resort located in North Chungcheong Province, which is south of Seoul and about an hour west of Daejeon. It’s about 3.5 hours away from Seoul by car and can be reached by car or guided tour. Here are details about how to get to this Korean ice fountain festival by each of those means. There are instructions in Korean on the festival website, too.

From Seoul To Chilgapsan Festival By Car: If you plan to rent a car in Korea, or you live in Korea and have your own car, then you can drive to the festival in just over three hours from Seoul. You can find the main festival location by searching for “칠갑산얼음분수축제” or “알프스마을영농조합법인” in Naver or Kakao map apps. Use the address shown below to get directions with a sat-nav.

Address in Korean: 충남 청양군 정산면 천장호길 223-35 없음

From Seoul To Chilgapsan Festival By Tour: There are various tours to the Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival from Seoul, as detailed in the previous section. Taking a tour is a convenient way to see the festival and to save time vs. organising your own way there on public transportation.

Please note: You can get to the Chilgapsan festival by taking a train from Seoul to Gongju and then transferring to a local bus, but the options for buses are very limited and don’t run late. I strongly recommend either renting a car or taking a tour rather than trying to get there by public transport. If you do want to try, there are directions (in Korean) on the festival website.

Best time to visit the Chilgapsan Festival: The best time to visit this festival is in the afternoon so you can enjoy snowy sights during the day, but don’t have to wait so long for the sun to set and to see the night lights and illuminations. Avoid visiting during the weekends if you can as it will be very busy.

Is The Chilgapsan Festival Worth Visiting?

Should you visit the Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival? In the words of my friend Tim, who kindly contributed a lot of the pictures for this article, this festival is, “Totally worth it!“. This festival has plenty to see and do and will keep people amused in the afternoon and evening. If you take a tour that also visits another winter destination, such as a strawberry farm, then it’s a great day trip from Seoul.

Families will find plenty to do with lots of the activities aimed at children, such as the sledding slope, horse rides, and the can sleigh. Even if you’re not travelling with children, the beautiful winter displays at the Chilgapsan festival offer couples and solo travellers the chance to take unique pictures with snowy backgrounds and icy buildings, sample traditional Korean snacks, and experience a Korean festival.

This festival is worth visiting, but please consider the weather during winter in Korea. It’s cold and dry, which can be tough for people not used to such conditions. Be sure to wrap up warm and bring skin cream to protect against the dryness. Gloves are a must and heat packs that go in your pockets can save your fingers. Be aware of the cold weather and you should be fine here.

A Special Thanks To Photos Of Korea

I want to give a big shout out and thanks to Tim from Photos of Korea for letting me use his incredible photos from this festival and for sharing his thoughts about the Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival, which he visited in 2023. You can see loads of incredible pictures of Korea’s lesser-known locations and festivals from his Facebook page, Instagram page, and his uploads on Unsplash.

2024 Winter Festivals In Korea To See Snowy Sights

Besides this Korean ice fountain festival, there are many other winter festivals that you should check out for exciting activities, incredible views, and cultural immersion. These festivals introduce you to traditional Korean culture in beautiful surroundings and with lots of delicious Korean festival food. Here are some of the other major winter festivals you can see in Korea:

Garden of Morning Calm Winter Illuminations: Exploring sculpted gardens and electric forests when the sun has set is like entering into a magical world, a true winter fantasia with lots of photo opportunities. Every year the garden has a range of themed areas that focus on animals, plants, and even love for the sweethearts.

Seoul Lantern Festival: This dazzling festival is held in Gwanghwamun Square outside Gyeongbokgung Palace, which gives over it’s large pedestrianised areas to massive themed lantern installations. These installations feature different concepts each year like aquarium scenes, starry nights, nature landscapes, and Korean folktales.

Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Fishing Festival: This is one of Korea’s best winter festivals and made it into CNN’s top 7 ‘Wonder’s of Winter’ for a good reason. The Hwacheon Sancneoneo Ice Festival attracts over a million people each year to try ice fishing (with a rod or bare handed). There are winter activities, ice sculptures, and a Korean Winter Village with cultural games and Korean festival food.

Learn more: Discover all the best festivals to visit in Korea this winter with this guide to Korea’s winter festivals, which includes ice fishing festivals, illumination festivals, New Year festivals, and lots more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival. These answers are based on my own experience and from research conducted to write this article.

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The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival is worth visiting because you get to experience a traditional Korean winter festival on a day trip from Seoul. There are also lots of other interesting ice-based games, cultural activities, and opportunities for sightseeing around this fish-focused town. This winter festival creates such a lively atmosphere it’s no wonder that it attracts over one million visitors every year.

In this article you can find out what there is to see and do at the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival, including the various ice-based activities and attractions, how to get there by tour or public transport, and information about other ice fishing festivals in Korea. If you’re thinking of visiting this fun winter festival, and want to know why it’s one of CNN’s “7 Wonders of Winter”, then keep on reading.

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links and I may earn commission for purchases made after clicking these links.

Why I Love The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival

This festival was the first winter festival that I visited when I moved to Korea and it’s one I’ve gone back to and will go back to again in the future as it’s pretty, fun, and has plenty to do. I bought a souvenir wooden fish from Hwacheon on my first visit and it still sits proudly on the top of my bookcase as a reminder of this festival. The fish I caught for lunch that day, however, has long since gone!

If I know people are coming to visit Korea in January and want to experience a unique winter festival that offers a fun day out from Seoul, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival is always the first I recommend to them. This festival provides a mixture of culture, sports, entertainment, involvement, and surprising sights that makes it so memorable. This is a great festival to visit as a group or family.

The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival runs from January 6th until January 23rd, 2024, right during the coldest part of winter in Korea when the river freezes over and there is ice over 40cm thick. Don’t worry, it’s perfectly safe to walk on, or even slide and sled on, even with all those holes drilled in it for you to catch fish through.

What To Do At The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival

The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival provides a whole day of fun for people of all ages with lots of activities available for everyone. The main draw is the ice fishing, which is one of the first things you see, but as you eyes stretch out over the icy river, you’ll notice a whole town alive with things to explore.

Here are some of the best things you can see and do at this festival:

1: Ice Fishing & Cooking

Ice fishing is the main attraction at the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival and one that people typically start with when they arrive. All along the long stretch of frozen river running through the town are temporary ice fishing spots right above where the fish are swimming in the cold waters below.

You will be given a small fishing rod and bag to store your catch in and then shown to your own little hole in the ice. Now it’s your chance to prove your fishing skills by trying to hook the fish out from the frigid waters below. Once you’ve caught a few (limit of 3 per person), you can go to the kitchens and grill the fish or have it prepared as sashimi (raw fish). Both go well with a Korean beer.

Ice fishing on the river is probably not something most people have done and it’s fun to try at least once. There are lots of fun photo opportunities and the fact that you can cook your fish afterwards is a tasty bonus. Slipping along on the ice is also fun, as is watching others fail at walking on it so well.

2: Bare Hand Ice Fishing Competition

For those who want to test themselves in the frosty waters, there’s the chance to join in the bare hand ice fishing competition that’s held on the shore of the river. This is exactly what it sounds like – catching trout with your bare hands in a giant pool of ice cold water. It’s also a great spectator sport.

The contestants jump in the pool dressed in shorts and an overly large t-shirt (provided) and stuff trout down their tops until the 5 minute time limit is up. There’s a special prize for anyone who finds a trout with a golden ring attached, but otherwise you get to keep 3 of the fish you caught. You can eat your catch in the same way as the ice fishing and there’s also a hot foot bath provided to warm you up after.

The competition starts every hour (10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00) with up to 40 people jumping in the pool together – both locals and brave foreigners who have joined in. A friend of mine tried it one time and he really enjoyed it, but was happy to be out of the cold water by the end. I think he managed to catch 2 fish, which is pretty good. Definitely don’t miss watching this.

3: Ice Sledding And Snow Sports

There are all kinds of icy winter sports and activities to try at the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival that don’t involve fish. You can try your hand at ice sledding in the traditional Korean way – on a small wooden box with two poles to push yourself along. Grab a box and give it a go.

Alternatively, you can jump in a giant inflatable ring and zoom down the snowy slopes, ending on the frozen river below. I spent quite a while doing this as it’s lots of fun. Fans of the Winter Olympics can try out curling, bobsleigh, and ice skating. If you want something more extreme, there’s also a zip line over the ice and ice suit walking (ice zorbing).

4: Ice Displays And Illuminations

The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival is home to ‘the world’s largest indoor ice sculpture plaza‘, according to the sign outside the entrance to one of the top attractions at this Korean festival. Inside this large building you’ll find a frosty wonderland of frozen ice sculptures of all different shapes and sizes.

One of the most impressive ice sculptures in this display is the large Korean-style traditional building, which resembles a small palace that you’d find in Seoul. There’s also ice slides, frozen fish sculptures, romantic photo zones, and lots of other interesting icy sights that no doubt change every year.

When the sun starts to set, which happens before 6pm in January, you’ll be dazzled by the beautiful winter illuminations and lanterns strung up throughout the town of Hwacheon. These cover the central street and also spread out across other key areas in the town. Unsurprisingly, a lot of the lanterns are shaped like fish to represent the famous sancheoneo mountain trout the town is famous for.

5: Winter Culture Village And Sights

Between the ice sports, fishing, illuminations, and strange people jumping into pools of freezing cold water are cultural activities to check out, including traditional Korean games like the ones seen on Squid Game, at the Winter Culture Village. Koreans are keen to introduce foreigners to their traditional culture and this ice fishing festival is an opportunity for you to learn more about Korean culture.

Some of the activities you can try at the Winter Culture Village include archery, slingshot shooting, fire fighting, and games like yut nori. You can eat Korean traditional foods, such as fried rice cakes and nurungji (scorched rice). There’s also performances with traditional instruments on the weekend.

Hwacheon is a town that’s crazy about fish and to show their love for their slippery friends, they’ve painted lots of colourful murals on buildings throughout the town. These make for interesting photo spots and holiday snaps. There’s also a giant rotating fish statue looking over the river that rotates from atop a tall tower. There are many unique sights like this to check out in Hwacheon.

Ticket Prices And Tour Options For This Festival

The fee for the main activities at the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival (ice fishing and bare hand ice fishing) is normally ₩15,000 per activity for anyone 11+. However, to encourage foreign visitors to join in this winter festival, there is a discount for all non-Koreans. Foreign visitors to the festival only pay ₩10,000 (~$9 USD) per activity and children under 6 year enter free.

What is included in the entry price? The entry fee for this festival allows you to enter the frozen river and try ice fishing with the provided fishing equipment. You get to eat the fish after you’ve caught it, prepared on a grill or as sashimi (raw fish) for an additional fee of ₩3,000 per fish. There’s a limit of 3 fish per person and you can take them home with you if you like.

Walking around the town and joining in cultural activities is free, as are some of the activities such as curling and badminton. Other activities at the ice fishing festival, such as sledding, bobsleigh, rubber tube slides, zip line etc., come with additional charges as follows:

Tours To The 2024 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival

There are a number of tours available to the Hwacheon Sancehoneo Ice Festival that depart from Seoul and are open only to foreign tourists. These tours include transportation to Seoul and back, a tour guide who speaks English, and entry fees to various activities, which means you can see the best of the festival for one price and without the hassle of organising your own transport.

Here are two tours that I recommend for the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival:

Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival Day Tour from Seoul: This 11 hour round-trip tour from Myeongdong and Hongdae will show you the best ice fishing festival in Korea with a professional English-speaking driver and guide. The tour fee includes ice fishing with grilled fish, 5 rides on the ice sled, the Ice Sculpture Square, and a complimentary ₩10,000 coupon to spend on other activities.

Price: ₩53,000 (about $43 USD)

Hwacheon Ice Fishing and Garden Of Morning Calm Lighting Festival: This combined tour from Seoul will take you to two of the hottest winter festivals in Korea – the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival and the Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival. The tour includes entry fee for the ice fishing activity with all equipment, an English-speaking guide, and entry to the Garden of Morning calm.

Price: ₩73,000 (about $55 USD)

I always recommend booking tours in advance when visiting Korea for these reasons:

Learn more: Paying in your home currency is usually easier and cheaper than converting money into Korean won. Booking ahead is one of the tips included in my guide to paying in Korea, which covers ways to save on travel money in Korea and alternatives to relying on exchanging cash to travel.

How To Get To The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival

Hwacheon is a town located in Gangwon Province halfway between Seoul and the east coast. It’s about 2.5 hours away from Seoul by car and can be reached by car, shuttle bus, or guided tour. Here’s some details about how to get to the ice fishing festival by each of those means. There are instructions in Korean on the festival website, too.

From Seoul To Hwacheon By Car: If you plan to rent a car in Korea, or you live in Korea and have your own car, then you can drive to the festival in a couple of hours from Seoul. The main festival location is “화천산천어축제”, but you will probably need to visit a temporary car park to park your car. The address of the festival is shown below. Use Naver Map or Kakao Map for directions.

Address in Korean: 강원 화천군 화천읍 중리 187-15

From Seoul To Hwacheon By Shuttle Bus: There is a special shuttle bus that operates for this festival exclusively for foreign tourists. This shuttle bus only runs once per day at 8:30am from Hongdae / 9:00am from Myeongdong and doesn’t include entry fees to any of the activities. The price for this shuttle bus is ₩20,000 per person.

From Seoul To Hwacheon By Tour: There are various tours to the Hwacheon Ice Fishing Festival from Seoul, as detailed in the previous section. Taking a tour is a convenient way to see the festival and to save time vs. organising your own way there on public transportation.

Please note: You can get to Hwacheon by bus and train from Seoul but this might be more expensive than taking the shuttle bus and definitely takes longer. I would recommend either using the shuttle bus or one of the tour options rather than trying to get there by public transport. If you do want to try, there are directions (in Korean) on the festival website.

Are Korean Ice Fishing Festivals Worth Visiting?

Should you visit an ice fishing festival in Korea this winter? In my opinion, you absolutely should. These winter festivals are a great opportunity to see snowy and icy landscapes, try a range of fun activities, eat delicious Korean festival foods, and create lasting memories from your time in Korea.

Just look at the guy in the picture. He’s standing in ice-cold water with a slippery trout in his hand and he’s got a big smile on his face. Whether you’re taking part or observing from the sidelines, there are so many entertaining sights and activities to enjoy at the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival.

The festival does involve a long trip from Seoul to attend, about 2.5 hours each way, but you get a full day of activities and unique photo opportunities. If you add a side trip to the Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival at the same time, you get your money’s worth in terms of travel time.

The only downside of this festival is its popularity. It can get busy on weekends, which might put some people off. As a tourist, you have the luxury to travel during the week and I would definitely recommend visiting on a weekday to avoid the crowds and get more time and space at the festival.

Other Ice Fishing Festivals In Korea

I would say that the Hwacheon Ice Festival is my favourite fishing festival in Korea, but it’s not the only ice fishing festival that’s on during winter. There are few other big ice fishing festivals that run at the same time of year and offer the chance enjoy more ice and snow-based activities in Korea.

Pyeongchang Trout Ice Fishing Festival 2024: Pyeongchang, home to the 2018 Winter Olympics, hosts a trout ice fishing festival each year with many people attending to try their luck with a rod. There are other events to enjoy, including bare hand fish catching, sledding, snow rafting, and a sleigh train. For extreme sports lovers, you can rent an ATV and zoom through the frozen landscape.

You can join this festival with a tour from Klook.

Inje Ice Fishing Festival 2024: Running for more than 20 years, this large ice fishing festival in Inje is a family-friendly winter festival that not only includes ice fishing, but a range of other activities, too. There’s the Ice Playground, Snow Playground, and Mountain Village, where you can build a snowman, learn to sled and ski, slide down slippery slides, see ice sculptures, and see cultural exhibitions.

Yangpyeong Ice Fish Festival 2024: Held in the Soomy Village resort, this winter ice fishing festival runs from December to February and hosts a range of activities for families and other visitors to enjoy. Besides ice fishing, you can experience kite-flying, top spinning, sledding, and making traditional Korean snacks (jin-bang).

2024 Winter Festivals In Korea To See Snowy Sights

Besides ice fishing festivals, there are many other winter festivals in Korea that you should check out for exciting activities, incredible views, and cultural immersion. Here are some of the other major winter festivals you can see in Korea:

Garden of Morning Calm Winter Illuminations: Exploring sculpted gardens and electric forests when the sun has set is like entering into a magical world, a true winter fantasia with lots of photo opportunities. Every year the garden has a range of themed areas that focus on animals, plants, and even love for the sweethearts.

Seoul Lantern Festival: This dazzling festival is held in Gwanghwamun Square outside Gyeongbokgung Palace, which gives over it’s large pedestrianised areas to massive themed lantern installations. These installations feature different concepts each year like aquarium scenes, starry nights, nature landscapes, and Korean folktales.

Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival: The Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival is a lesser-known gem among Korea’s winter festivals, but is fast becoming a must-see destination as a day trip from Seoul due to the unique ice fountains. There’s also a lot of delicious Korean winter foods to try, such as roasted chestnuts that you can cook yourself.

Learn more: Discover all the best festivals to visit in Korea this winter with this guide to Korea’s winter festivals, which includes ice fishing festivals, illumination festivals, New Year festivals, and lots more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival. These answers are based on my own experience and from research conducted to write this article.

Support In My Korea

Thanks for reading. If you want to help me to create more great content in the future, why not buy me a coffee? A strong coffee helps me write more and is a simple way to show gratitude for this free content.

Liked This? Pin It For Others

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Skate on frozen lakes, fish through holes in the ice, slide down snowy slopes, and marvel at illuminated landscapes glowing against the night – there are so many ways to embrace the magic of Korea’s winter! From frosty ice fishing festivals that turn into carnivals on ice to beaches that brighten the shore with artistic light sculptures, Korea puts on an incredible festival spread all winter long.

In this article I’ll introduce you to snowy adventures, eye-popping light displays, fishy festivals, and exciting New Year’s festivities. Bundle up, grab your mittens, and get ready to join in the frozen fun as we explore these fantastic winter festivals across Korea that you won’t want to miss!

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Why Visit Korean Winter Festivals In 2024?

Winter in Korea might be cold with early sunsets, but it’s also filled with blue skies, little rain, and lots of beautiful winter festivals that will cheer you up and wash away the winter blues. These frosty festivities provide the chance to see and join in unique Korean cultural celebrations that go back centuries.

Catching trout bare-handed in freezing waters, strolling hand-in-hand through magical illuminations, sledding down snowy slopes, or contemplating all the New Year has to offer you. There are so many incredible winter festivals in Korea that will make your trip to Korea an unforgettable adventure.

Perhaps the main reasons you should visit a Korean winter festival (or two) is that they’re a lot of fun, provide lots of unique opportunities to experience Korean culture, and look great in your travel photos. And if you’re from a country that doesn’t get much snow, it might be your best chance to enjoy it.

There are many awesome winter festivals to check out if you’re in Korea during winter that I’m sure you’ll love. Click the links below to jump to those festivals, or read on to discover all the festivals in this article. There are delicious Korean winter food festivals to check out at the end, too.

My Favourite Winter Festivals In Korea

There are so many astounding winter festivals in Korea, it’s hard to choose just 3. I love fun festivals where you can get your hands dirty and try something unique. I also enjoy learning about culture and witnessing something I can’t see back home, which is why I chose these Korean winter festivals.

1: Hwacheon Sancheono Ice Fishing Festival – this was one of my first festivals in Korea and I can still remember the taste of my freshly caught trout, sliding around on the ice, the beautiful night lights, and all the fun I had there. It really is a completely Korean experience.

2: Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival – the sights and colours at this winter festival are amazing, and really helped brighten up a dull wintry day. These gardens are a great place to check out any time of year, but even more so during the dark nights of a Korean winter.

3: Bosingak Bell Ringing New Year’s Eve Festival – I love to join in any kind of traditional festival when possible, and seeing in the New Year with something a bit different makes it a lot more memorable. Don’t miss the chance to see something unique as the New Year approaches.

2024 Korean Winter Festival Summary

There are so many winter festivals in Korea to check out from December to February. To help you see what festivals are on when you’re visiting, here’s a summary of the festivals by month. These festivals are included in the article and you can find more information about each in the following sections.

Please note, some festivals last for several months and therefore are included more than once.

Recommended Tours To Korean Winter Festivals

Why not take a day trip to a fun festival this winter? Travelling to Korea’s winter festivals by public transport can sometimes take longer and be more difficult than a guided tour. Here’s a collection of the best winter festival tours leaving from Seoul and Busan that you can add to your Korean itinerary.

Winter Festival Tours Leaving From Seoul:

• Cheongyang Alps Village Ice Fountain Festival Day Tour
• Eobi Ice Valley | Nami Island | Morning Calm | Railbike | Petite France
• Frozen Journey at Hantan Ice Canyon Day Tour
• Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Fishing | Morning Calm Lighting Festival
• Nami Island | Elysian Gangchon Ski | Garden of Morning Calm Tour
• New Year Sunrise Tour: Sokcho Beach 1 Day Tour
• Pocheon Apple | Strawberry Farm Day Tour
• Pyeongchang Trout Festival Ice Fishing Tour
• Snowyland | Alpaca World | Strawberry Picking | Ice Fishing | Morning Calm

Winter Festival Tours Leaving From Busan:

• New Year Sunrise Tour: Ulsan Ganjeolgot & Gyeongju

Ice Fishing Festivals In Korea 2024

The very first winter festival I visited in Korea was an ice fishing festival in Hwacheon and it was an absolute blast. Ice fishing has long been a traditional winter activity in Korea that is now celebrated at various festivals across the country and open for travellers to Korea to enjoy.

These festivals, held in January and February, contain a lot more than what the name suggests. Combining ice fishing with other winter activities, such as ice sledding, bare-hand fishing, ice sports, ice sculptures, and snowy displays, ice fishing festivals in Korea provide a whole day of fun.

The main reason to visit one of these winter festivals is to try your hand at ice fishing. When you go ice fishing, you’ll be given a small fishing rod and bag for your catch. Slide over the icy river or lake to an available hole and begin fishing for your lunch. Once you’ve caught a fish or two (and taken a few pictures for social media), take it back to get grilled and savour the taste of your hard-earned catch.

Here are 3 of the best ice fishing festivals in Korea in 2024 for you to enjoy:

Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Fishing Festival 2024

The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival is one of Korea’s most popular winter festivals held every January along a frozen river in Hwacheon County. Drawing over a million visitors each year, this iconic festival celebrates the mountain trout fish (sancheoneo) that live in the clean waters of the river.

Ice fishing sites, which come with all necessary equipment, are set up along the 1.5km stretch of frozen river where visitors can try ice fishing. Other activities include ice sledding, ice sports, and riding down the river on tube rafts, which is a lot of fun and what I spent a lot of time doing at this festival.

I recommend staying until it gets dark as at night the ice glows with colourful lights and sculptures and there are winter lights on display. Festival highlights are the ice fishing competition and the grand prize draw for all who catch a fish with their bare hands in the freezing pools!

You can join this festival with a tour from Klook.

Pyeongchang Trout Ice Fishing Festival 2024

Home to the 2018 Winter Olympics, you can understand why Pyeongchang would be the perfect place to host another of the best winter festivals in Korea. As with the Hwacheon Ice Fishing Festival, the main draw at this festival is the chance to catch your lunch in the frozen waters.

Head over to the large icy river and get ready to fish. There are also many fun events held throughout the festival, such as bare-handed fish catching (only for the very brave), sledding, snow rafting, and sleigh trains. You can even rent an ATV and go zooming about through the snowy landscape.

You can join this festival with a tour from Klook.

Inje Ice Fishing Festival 2024

This winter festival has a lot more to offer than just ice fishing. Running for more than 20 years now, the Inje Ice Fishing Festival has developed a range of other activities to enjoy. You can find family-friendly areas such as the Ice Playground and Snow Playground.

There are loads of ice and snow-based activities and sports for all ages. Learn to sled and ski, or just play around with the various slides and build a snowman. If you want to learn more about how Koreans survive the cold weather, visit the mountain village and join the cultural exhibitions and activities there.

There are currently no tours available, but there may be closer to the start of the festival.

Yangpyeong Ice Fish Festival

The Yangpyeong Ice Fish Festival is held in the Soomy Village resort, which is a couple of hours away from Seoul. This winter ice fishing festival runs from December to February and hosts a range of activities for families and other visitors to enjoy. Besides ice fishing, you can experience kite-flying, top spinning, sledding, and making traditional Korean snacks (jin-bang).

There are currently no tours available, but there may be closer to the start of the festival.

Other ice fishing festivals that might be on but I can’t confirm:

• Hongcheon Ggong Ggong River Ginseng Trout Festival 2024

Winter Light Festivals Across Korea

With the advent of winter in Korea, cities across the country light up with magical illumination and light festivals. These dazzling winter events feature artistic light installations, massive LED displays, neon sculptures, and seas of sparkling bulbs that transform cities into winter wonderlands.

Korea’s winter light festivals are a feast for the eyes and spirit, spreading joy during the long, cold nights. Families, couples, or anyone who wants to see magical wintry wonderlands as the sun sets will certainly enjoy these festivals. I go every year and never fail to be impressed with the displays.

The winter days are short and the sun sets early in Korea, making it the perfect time of year for bright and colourful lights. You’ll find many brilliant light displays in places that are usually areas of natural beauty throughout the rest of the year, as well as in popular city-centre areas and attractions.

Here are 5 of the best winter illumination festivals in Korea in 2024 for you to enjoy:

Garden of Morning Calm Winter Illuminations 2024

Another of my favourite Korean winter festivals, the Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival is one of the top spots to visit during the dark, wintry days. What makes this so special is the effort they put into making everything so colourful and alive with lights, even when the plants aren’t so alive.

Walking with your loved ones through these gardens and electric forests when the sun has set is like entering into a magical world, a true winter fantasia with lots of photo opportunities. Every year the garden has a range of themed areas that focus on animals, plants, and even love for the sweethearts.

If you take a guided tour from Seoul during winter, it’s almost guaranteed the final stop will be at the Garden of Morning Calm on the way back to the city. You only need a couple of hours to take everything in, and it’s only an hour from Seoul so you can be back in time for a late dinner in town.

You can join this festival with a tour from Klook.

Herb Island Light Festival 2024

The Herb Island Lighting Festival in winter and allows travellers to see Herb Garden, which is a popular destination year-round, transformed into a glittering winter wonderland with thousands of twinkling bulbs and light installations. The entire garden is electrified with millions of little lights.

This winter festival is a place for lovers to share a romantic stroll along the Magic Road, adorned with shimmering lights shaped like herbs, flowers, butterflies and other pretty designs. Friends can make lasting memories of their adventures together crossing the glowing arch of the Rainbow Bridge.

Sparkling tunnels of light and fluorescent mushroom sculptures make for whimsical photo ops that the whole family will enjoy. In the evenings, the lights sync with music for delightful performances. I recommend warming up with a hot herbal tea, fresh from the surrounding gardens.

You can join this festival with a tour from Klook.

Seoul Lantern Festival 2024

I love travelling to Seoul during winter, especially in the build up to Christmas as you can see lots of Christmassy scenes that remind me of home. One of my favourite festivals in Seoul during winter is therefore the Seoul Lantern Festival, which puts on a festive display of lights and lanterns.

This dazzling festival is held in the newly converted Gwanghwamun Square outside Gyeongbokgung Palace, which gives over it’s large pedestrianised areas to massive themed lantern installations. These installations are definitely the main draw, featuring different concepts each year like aquarium scenes, starry nights, nature landscapes, and Korean folktales. Last year there was a giant rabbit.

The Seoul Lantern Festival’s illuminated sculptures and immersive atmosphere attract over 2 million visitors every year, including me, making it one of Korea’s brightest and most popular winter lights events. If you want to experience a blend of Korean culture and winter lights in Seoul, visit here.

Seoul Winter Festa 2024

The Seoul Lantern Festival is part of the wider Seoul Winter Festa, which includes light displays at the newly opened Gwanghwamun Square (Seoul Light Gwanghwamun) and Songhyeon Green Plaza (Light Festa in Songhyeon). There’s also the impressive Seoul Light DDP where you can see digital light displays on the side of the futuristic Dongdaemun Design Plaza. That runs from December 21st until 31st.

Haeundae Beach Lighting Festival 2024

The Haeundae Lighting Festival covers Busan’s Haeundae beach in glittering lights and illuminations during the dark winter when it’s too cold to go swimming in the sea. As one of Korea’s largest winter light festivals, Haeundae features a dazzling array of over 800,000 LED lights and installations.

Gunam-ro Street becomes a neon forest with towering light tree sculptures. Along Haeundae Beach, light structures create aquatic scenes like waves, jellyfish, and glowing reefs in the sand. Meanwhile, Dalmaji Hill is covered in romantic illuminations for couples to stroll through.

I highly recommend spending an evening visiting this winter festival and grabbing a hot drink to watch the light shows choreographed to music. There’s also a show on Haeundae Beach with lasers and fireworks over the sea. This is certainly a very impressive and photo-worthy winter festival.

Busan Christmas Tree Cultural Festival 2024

Located in Busan’s bustling downtown Nampo area, close to Jagalchi Market and popular Busan attractions, is the Busan Christmas Tree Culture Festival. If you’re in Busan and want Christmassy sights, this is absolutely a winter festival you shouldn’t miss and probably can’t miss as a tourist.

Wandering around the streets of Busan during this festival is like walking the streets of London or New York, with rows of Christmas lights, a giant Christmas tree, musical performances, and lots of other Christmassy events going on in the area. There are even reindeer and snowman lanterns to see.

Jeju Light Garden Winter Illuminations

Opened in 2017, the Jeju Light Garden is a large garden that spans more than 11,900 square meters of Jeju’s beautiful lowlands and immerses visitors in a fantasy world of vibrant lighting displays synchronised to music. This is not technically a winter festival, but it’s a great place to see winter lights.

The garden is comprised of themed sections like the Rainbow Bridge, Water Light Cave, Moonlight Garden, and Jeju Forest, utilising thousands of LED lights to create stunning visual effects. Intricate animal light sculptures, neon portraits, and dynamic light tunnels reflect off the surfaces at night.

Visitors can take a romantic stroll along the illuminated walking paths and bridges to admire the bright splendour. With shows choreographed nightly to Korean pop songs and classical music, the Jeju Light Garden provides a whimsical ambience unlike anywhere else on the island.

Other winter illumination light festivals that might be on but I can’t confirm:

• Boseong Green Tea Plantation Winter Light Festival 2024
• DDP Light & Winter Festa Festival 2024

Korean Snow & Ice Festivals 2024

For winter lovers like me, Korea has no shortage of frosty festivals focused on snow and ice activities. Head to Korea’s snowy countryside regions, which are mostly in the north, to discover opportunities for skating on frozen lakes, sledding down mountains, building snowmen, and more snowy fun.

From elaborate snow and ice sculptures to professional ice carving contests, these festivals showcase stunning frozen creations while giving you a chance to see Korea’s rural charm. Put on your warmest winter gear and get ready to have fun in the Korean snow at these terrific winter festivals.

It doesn’t always snow in Korea, but when it does, the sights are breathtaking, with snow-capped peaks, blanketed trees, and shimmering frost-covered waters. I highly recommend getting out of the big cities if you want to see snow in Korea as it’s colder and the snow stays around longer.

Here are 4 of the best snow and ice festivals in Korea in 2024 for you to enjoy:

Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival 2024

The Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival is a lesser-known gem among Korea’s winter festivals, but is fast becoming a must-see destination as a day trip from Seoul due to the unique ice fountains. There’s also a lot of delicious Korean winter foods to try, such as roasted chestnuts you cook yourself.

The centrepiece of the festival is its majestic ice fountains, where water sprays from the ground and freezes, creating towering, shimmering structures that resemble frozen waterfalls. These ice fountains, like an enchanting ice kingdom, look best during the night when they are set aglow with colour.

Apart from the ice fountains, this Korean winter festival offers a variety of other snowy activities for you to enjoy. You can try ice sledding, ice climbing, and traditional Korean games. Children and those young at heart can play around the many snowmen and ice sculptures, perfect for photo opportunities.

You can join this festival with a tour from Klook. Please note, this is called the Cheongyang Ice Fountain Festival, but it is the same location. Cheongyang is the area, Chilgapsan is the mountain.

Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival 2024

Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival, located in picturesque Taebaeksan National Park, is a great place for snow lovers to enjoy winter festivities in rural Korea. Walk among gigantic snow and ice sculptures, join in the various fun activities on offer in this mountainous area, and try hiking, too.

There’s more to do here than just see the snow and natural beauty of Taebaeksan. For example, you can enjoy snow sliding, snow hiking, pop into an ice igloo, and see the various performances. Come on the weekend during the daytime for the performances, or any time for snowy beauty.

There are currently no tours available, but there may be closer to the start of the festival.

Daegwallyeong Snowflake Festival 2024

A family-friendly fun festival for lovers of snow, the Daegwallyeong Snow Festival is a good day out from Seoul or Busan. Located in the ‘Alps of Korea’, this festival is packed full of fun activities in the snow. Try snow sledding and enjoy sliding down the snowy slopes and into the soft snow below.

Furthermore, you can walk around huge ice sculptures representing building-sized structures, such as castles, people, characters, and more. There’s also performances during the day, parades, and a fireworks show to light up the skies at night, as well as obligatory night illuminations all around.

There are currently no tours available, but there may be closer to the start of the festival.

Sanjeong Lake Sledding Festival 2024

This is not really a festival, but it’s a cute destination outside of Seoul that’s lots of fun, especially if you’re travelling with children. The Sanjeong Lake Sledding Festival is held on Sanjeong Lake when it’s frozen over with thick layers of ice and you can safely enjoy sledding and riding and falling over.

Children will love a ride on the bright yellow duck sled train, which looks like something out of a fairy tale, or riding on a penguin pedal bike. When it snows, this area is gorgeous, with soft snow covering everything. Relax and stay warm at the food stalls, amusement park, and other attractions.

You can join this festival with a tour from Klook.

Other snow and ice winter festivals that might be on but I can’t confirm:

• Jaraseom Singsing Winter Festival
• Go-Go Ski Festival at High1 Ski Resort
• Gangwon Snow Festa

2024 New Year Festivals In Korea

As the winter chill sets in, Korea comes alive with festivals and events to welcome the start of a fresh year according to both the solar and lunar calendars. Yes, there are two new years in Korea, one on January 1st, and one that changes based on the lunar calendar, which is called Seollal.

Major New Year’s Eve festivals include the spectacular Bosingak Bell Ringing in Seoul and firework celebrations across the country to welcome the start of the new year. There are also traditional New Year’s Day events where Koreans watch the first sunrise of the new year by heading to the East Coast.

These lively festivals feature bell ringing ceremonies, fireworks shows, cultural performances, delicious holiday food, traditional games, and so much more. In Seoul, countdown festivities centre around Bosingak Bell and Seoul Plaza Ice Skating Rink and are free to enter, but might be rather crowded.

Seollal brings Koreans together to hold ancestral memorial rituals, dress in colourful hanbok, play folk games, and honour Korean heritage. There aren’t really any winter festivals in Korea that celebrate Seollal, but it’s a great time to be in Seoul as some attractions are free and certainly less crowded.

Here are 5 of the best New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day festivals in Korea in 2024:

Bosingak Bell Ringing New Year’s Eve Festival 2024

If you’re in Seoul for the New Year and want to join the locals in welcoming in the year ahead, head to Jongno for the Bosingak Bell Ringing ceremony. At the stroke of midnight, people will crowd around the gigantic bell in the Buddhist shrine and watch together as the bell rings out for the New Year.

Join in as people cheer and watch hundreds of balloons fly into the sky, celebrating the start of a new year and new opportunity for fortune and happiness in the year ahead. Bell ringing ceremonies take place at midnight across the country and you can find them in other major cities across Korea.

Lotte World Tower New Year’s Eve Fireworks

Winter festivals in Korea are often breathtaking, but few can compare to the sight of the world’s 6th tallest building alight with fire and colours on all 123 levels. With fireworks shooting off in all directions, reflected in the gorgeous Seokchon Lake below, this will be a sight not to miss.

If the celebrations for 2024 are the same as 2023, Lotte will put on a grand spectacle to welcome in the new year with 555 seconds of fireworks. This represents the 555 metres of the skyscraper. The festival starts at 8:30 pm with performances and attractions going on before the main event at midnight.

If you want to see what the fireworks at the Lotte World Tower look like, here’s a video of them from last year’s New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Homigot New Year Sunrise Festival 2024

Join thousands of Koreans celebrating the New Year by watching the very first sunrise of the year at Homgiot Sunrise Square. Wake up early, or stay out late, and see the sun hitting the crisp waves on the horizon. This is one of those winter festivals in Korea that is perfect if you’re alone or with others.

This particular New Year sunrise festival is the best place to see the first sunrise in Korea as Homigot Village near Pohang is the eastern-most point on the Korean peninsula. Therefore, it sees the sun before anyone else in the country. Be the first to welcome the New Year with this fun festival

There are currently no tours available, but there may be closer to the start of the festival.

Jeju Seongsan New Year Sunrise Festival 2024

Situated at a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is certainly a unique place to watch the sun rise in the New Year. The Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak is a volcanic cone rising out of the sea and connecting to Jeju Island. It offers fantastic views of the sea and the glowing light of the first sunrise of the year.

This is a very special location for Koreans due to it’s unique geography. It has been a famous spot for watching the sunrise since at least the 13th Century. The festival provides a chance to learn more about Korea’s rich history and to join in cultural activities and games before exploring Jeju in winter.

There are currently no tours available, but there may be closer to the start of the festival.

Gyeongpo & Jeongdongjin Sunrise Festivals 2024

If you’re staying in Seoul but want to watch the first sunrise of the year on the beach, then the easiest way is to head over to Gangneung and visit Gyeongpo Beach. This is one of my favourite summer beach destinations and easily accessible from Seoul thanks to the KTX high-speed train.

Not only is there the New Year sunrise to watch, there are also celebrations the night before right on the beach. Head to the beach for New Year’s Eve and watch fireworks shoot off over the rocking sea. Then stay warm in the bars and cafes along the coast. Once you’re done celebrating, check out Gangneung’s great cafes and keep staring out into the distance with a hot coffee.

There are currently no tours available, but there may be closer to the start of the festival.

Ganjeolgot Sunrise Festival 2024

If you’re near Ulsan at the start of the year, head to Ganjeolgot Cape and watch the New Year sunrise from the viewing spot above the rocky slopes. You can see some impressive views of the sunrise and join in with hundreds of other revellers in this popular sunrise point close to Ulsan. Stand in silence, clasp your hands together, and make a wish for the year ahead.

You can join this festival with a tour from Klook.

If you’re interested in seeing the sunrise on January 1st on Korea’s East Coast, here’s a tour that will take you to a lovely beach in Sokcho.

• New Year Sunrise Tour: Sokcho Beach 1 Day Tour – from Seoul

Other New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day festivals that might be on but I can’t confirm:

• Sampo Beach New Year’s Eve Fireworks Festival 2024
• Jeongdongjin New Year Sunrise Festival 2024
• Seogwipo Winter Sea International Penguin Swimming Festival 2024

About Seollal – New Year’s Day In Korea

There’s not just one New Year in Korea, but two. The Korean New Year, known as Seollal, is based on the lunar calendar and occurs sometime in January or February. Seollal spreads over several days and is one of two long public holidays in Korea – the other being Chuseok in autumn.

The dates for Seollal for the next three years are as follows:

*When major Korean holidays such as Seollal or Chuseok fall on a Sunday, there is often an extra day off granted so people get more time off work / school. It’s likely that the February 12th will be an extra holiday to account for the Sunday Seollal date in 2024.

Whilst there aren’t many big festivals occurring during Seollal, as Koreans spend time with their families, this is a great time to visit Korea. Seoul’s royal palaces, including Gyeongbokgung, are free to enter and there are cultural events put on to celebrate Korea’s rich cultural heritage.

Korean Winter Food Festivals 2024

If you’re a fan of Korean winter food, these tasty festivals will have your mouth watering. Although winter isn’t normally associated with food festivals, which are abundant in autumn harvest time, there’s still a few winter fruits and foods for you to enjoy eating, including winter strawberries and snow crabs.

For those visiting Jeju Island during winter, be sure to check out the tangerines and hallabong (big oranges). Winter is when they’re in season and you can find them in traditional markets for low prices. They’re sweet and juicy and absolutely irresistible – my favourite winter snack for sure.

Here are 2 Korean winter food festivals for you to visit in Korea in 2024:

Winter Strawberry Picking Festival

Winter welcomes the start of strawberry season in Korea, one of the juiciest times of year. There are several places to go strawberry picking, including in the major strawberry producing regions, Nonsan (Nonsan Strawberry Festival) and Yangpyeong (Yangpyeong Strawberry Festival). You’ll find big, juicy strawberries as you wander through the fields, picking them to eat later, or right then.

There are usually a feast of other activities at these festivals, such as strawberry cake making, strawberry jam making, and lots of other strawberry-based activities. Get your gardening gloves on and go out into the strawberry fields to gather some of the abundant red gems to fill your belly.

The easiest way to experience strawberry picking is with a tour from Klook. These tours typically stop at these festivals as part of a day trip that also visits other popular destinations in the area.

Uljin Snow Crab Festival

The Uljin Snow Crab Festival is dedicated to Uljin’s local delight, the snow crab. Whilst this might lack the glamour and excitement of other big winter festivals, it’s a chance to see how small town Korea celebrates. Witness the crab fancy-dress parade, crab fishing, and music performances. And, of course, try some delicious local crabs for dinner – perfect during a cold winter’s day.

Guide To Visiting Korean Winter Festivals

Here’s a brief guide to surviving and enjoying winter in Korea. There are a few things you’ll need to consider when you travel at this time, including the weather, getting around, and where to stay.

Weather In Korea During Winter:

There is no guarantee about how the weather will be during winter in Korea, except that it’s going to be cold and dry. Be sure to pack lots of skin cream as the dry air can be tough on your skin. Snow falls mostly in January and February, although you can also see some in December and March if you’re lucky. The snow is not constant, but can fall for up to a week at a time when it does arrive.

From late November the temperature quickly drops below 0 degrees Celsius at night and the days will be below 0 most of the time during January and February. The coldest I’ve seen the temperature drop was -18 Celsius at night. Make sure you bring lots of cold-weather clothes, such as a padded jacket and gloves, etc. Most indoor places and public transport will be well heated, no worries.

Getting To Winter Festivals In Korea:

Travelling around Korea is actually really easy, even if you don’t speak much Korean. There are great public transport options available in English, especially in big cities such as Seoul and Busan. To get around on all public transport, and taxis, too, you should definitely get a Korean transportation card such as the T-Money Card. You can buy one at Incheon Airport when you arrive in Korea.

Use apps and websites to help you navigate public transport in Korea. The best ones that I use regularly are Naver Map for planning where to go and Papago to translate any Korean into English. To book trains, use the Korea Rail website for train tickets between cities. You can book a taxi really easily using the Kakao Taxi app to call a taxi directly to your location.

Travelling outside of the big cities, however, can be a bit more difficult as there are not so many buses or trains and fewer English translations. Seeing as a lot of these festivals are in the countryside, you might want to consider booking a tour to travel to remote winter festivals. That’s why I’ve included tour links to festivals when I think it’ll save you time and hassle vs. trying to get there on public transport.

If you want to book a tour in Korea, I recommend using one of these tour companies:

• Klook
• Get Your Guide
• Viator
• Trazy

Seasonal Guides For Korea:

I think you’ll love these winter festivals and chances are you’ll want to come to Korea again later. No worries, I’ve got you covered for the other seasons in Korea, too. Check out my season-specific guides to Korea that will help you plan more amazing journeys in the Land of the Morning Calm.

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Discover all of the best things to see, do, eat, and enjoy during winter in Korea this year. Try out ice fishing from a frozen river. Play in the snow, go hiking, or do winter sports in Korea’s many mountains. Then sit back and relax with a bowl of hot, spicy Korean winter food.

This article will provide you with lots of essential information about what to wear and pack for your trip to Korea, special holidays during winter in Korea, and tips to help you get the most out of this cold season. Start planning your snowy winter trip to Korea right now.

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links and I may earn commission for purchases made after clicking these links.

What’s In This Winter in Korea Guide

There are many awesome things to do in Korea during winter, which means that this is quite a long article. To make it easier to find what you’re interested in, click the links below to jump straight to that section, or read on to discover all the amazing things that winter in Korea has to offer you.

Winter Activities In Korea

Not sure what to during winter in Korea? Want to know what Korean winter activities you can try when you travel? Here are some of my favourite winter activities to experience in Korea that will give you a memorable journey, show you snowy sights, and keep you warm during the cold days.

You can experience several of these activities in one day. One idea for you is to start a wintry theme park, seeing snowy sights and ice sculptures, then go skating on ice before heading indoors to soak in a steamy sauna. That’s certainly how I love to spend the cold days in winter when it’s freezing.

Visit A Wintry Theme Park

Korea’s theme parks are fun places to visit during winter as they hold winter or Christmas-themed parades, events and activities for the whole family to enjoy. Take in the festive sights and winter activities at each one, such as winter sledding, snowball fights, and illuminations.

Here are some of the best theme parks to check out for wintry fun when you visit Korea:

• Everland Resort
• Lotte World Adventure Seoul
• One Mount Snow Park Seoul
• Lotte World Busan

Warm Up At A Korean Sauna

There’s nothing better on a winter’s day in Korea than sitting in a hot, steaming pool or sauna, letting the warmth return to your bones. Korean saunas, known as jjimjilbang in Korean, are very popular in winter to escape the cold.

There are 2 places in a Korean sauna. The first is the bathing area, where you sit naked with people of the same gender. The second is a communal room where everyone can meet wearing pyjamas, relax, and sleep.

Want to visit an outdoor hot spring in Korea? Visit Onyang Hot Springs in Asan City, the oldest hot springs in Korea, used by locals for over 600 years to take away the winter chills. Prefer luxurious pampering in Seoul? Try the O Hui and Whoo Spa for an indulgent spa care package.

Try Ice Skating In Seoul

Ice skating is a popular Korean winter activity and there are ice skating facilities in major cities across Korea, such as in Seoul, Busan, Incheon, and Daejeon. Ice skating rinks appear in December and stay open until February.

You can find ice skating rinks both indoors and outdoors. The outdoor rinks, such as the one outside Seoul City Hall (Seoul Plaza Ice Rink), is a great place to try skating or to watch others sliding around on a sunny winter’s day. I love visiting ice rinks for the atmosphere and to experience a ride on the ice.

Want to try ice skating in Korea? The good news is you don’t need to worry about bringing your own equipment, you can rent it all at the skate rink. Here are some of the best ice skating rinks in Korea. These places are suitable for families and first time skaters.

• Mokdong Ice Rink in Seoul
• Lotte World Ice Rink in Seoul
• Grand Hyatt Ice Rink in Seoul
• Yeouido Hangang Park Ice Skating Rink in Seoul
• Seonhak International Ice Rink in Incheon
• Shinsegae Centum City Rink in Busan
• Daejeon Expo Plaza in Daejeon

Han River Park Sledding

After 3 years of absence, the sledding slopes have returned to Seoul and the Han River at Ttukseom Hangang Park. This is a family-friendly winter activity in Korea that everyone can enjoy. Grab a sled or rubber tube and zoom down the icy slope towards the river.

There is also a winter sledding park at Jamwon Hangang Park. As well as regular slopes, this park has slopes for younger fun-lovers and is designed for children under the age of 6. Perfect for introducing your children to winter sports. If you’re visiting Korea with children, definitely check out one of Seoul’s sledding parks.

Sample Korean Strawberries

Winter in Korea is when some of the best fresh fruit is available, including Jeju Island’s hallabong oranges and sweet strawberries. These juicy fruits grow in Korea from mid-December until early March and you’ll find them for sale in markets and shops. There are also a few places in Seoul that offer strawberry buffets with unlimited strawberry-based desserts and treats.

Want to pick strawberries in Korea? A more fun options it to pick your own strawberries at a strawberry farm in Korea. Why not book a day tour that includes strawberry picking as an extra to visiting another site? Visit Pocheon Art Valley in winter to harvest fresh strawberries from the wide fruit fields or this winter-only tour that includes the Garden of Morning Calm, too.

Experience Korean Coffee Culture

Korea, like me, is addicted to coffee. There are more than 75,000 coffee shops in the country and over 18,000 in Seoul alone. Winter is a great time to visit Seoul’s hot cafes, found in quiet back streets or in popular hanok villages, such as Bukchon Hanok Village.

If you want to experience Korean coffee culture outside of Seoul, be sure to visit Gangneung on the east coast, home to the Gangneung Coffee Street and Gangneung Coffee Festival. Enjoy a hot coffee, watch the waves, and stay out of the cold. Jeju Island also has great cafes which are perfect for cold-weather cafe hopping.

Besides coffee culture, you can also enjoy traditional Korean tea culture in Seoul and other places. Korean tea houses feature wooden floors and furniture, delicate and healthy teas, and a serene atmosphere to contemplate what Korean winter activities to enjoy next.

Take A Walk In The Snow

A free activity that everyone can enjoy during winter in Korea is a walk in the streets when snow falls. Korea’s cities can be drab during the day, but come alive with neon lights at night. During snowy days, which are more dark than light, seeing snow-covered streets and shining lights is a real treat.

You should definitely take a walk around Seoul and other historic cities, such as Gyeongju or Andong. Winter walks are especially rewarding as you can see fortress walls, palace grounds, hanok houses, and curved rooftops covered in snow when it’s cold enough.

Want to explore Seoul on foot? Check out these city walking trails in Seoul that you can enjoy in winter or any other time of year, all for free. It’s really the best way to see a city and get some exercise.

Here are some videos showing what Seoul looks like when it snows.

Ski Resorts And Winter Sports 2024

Fans of winter sports, or those who want to learn, will find plenty of places to ski and snowboard in Korea’s many mountains. The majority of Korea’s ski resorts are located between Seoul and the east coast in Gyeongi and Gangwon Provinces.

This is one of the most popular winter activities in Korea, so expect ski resorts to be busy on weekends. The weekdays can be quieter and provide a better ski or snowboard experience.

Ski Resorts In Korea 2024

There are 14 major ski resorts in Korea that open between December and February or March each year. The opening times of these ski resorts vary depending on their location, the onset of winter, and their elevation. The start of ski season in Korea is December and the end is February.

The first ski resorts in Korea open in early December and can be found in the northern part of Korea and around Seoul. The last ski resort to open for the season is Eden Valley, which is much further south, close to Busan. This opens around mid to late December each year.

The full list of opening dates for Korean ski resorts this winter can be seen below.

There are several family-friendly ski resorts in Korea that provide not only good ski facilities, they also have a range of other winter activities for the whole family to enjoy. The best ski resorts for families are Jisan Forest, Elysian Gangchon, Yongpyong, and Vivaldi Park.

Ski Resort Tours & Packages

Driving is the most convenient way to get to Korea’s ski resorts. If you rent a car in Korea, you can drive to the ski resorts in an hour or two from Seoul. Some ski resorts can also be accessed by a shuttle or tour bus from Seoul or nearby towns. Only drive if you’re comfortable driving in snow though.

One of the easiest ways to get to a Korean ski resort without public transport or hired car, is to book a ski-resort tour. There are many tour options available, from one-day trips to ski or play in the snow, to multi-day trips that include accommodation and equipment rental. I’ve added tours for you below.

An overnight stay is a good option for those who want to experience a sunrise in the snowy peaks and typically comes with all the necessary parts of the trip included, such as transportation, ski rentals, and accommodation. If you’ve never seen a mountain sunrise, I highly recommend it!

Here are some of the best ski resorts in Korea for winter snow sports and tour options for each. As these are located high up in the snowy mountains, with limited public access, tours are generally the best option to get to ski resorts, which is why I’ve added a couple of options for each location.

High 1 Ski Resort: This massive ski resort is one of the most exciting places to ski in Korea and comes with world-class skiing facilities. High 1 features 18 ski slopes covering 21km of snow-filled mountain paths that are suitable for any level, from beginners to experts.

Vivaldi Park Ski Resort: The most popular ski resort in Korea, with state of the art facilities and amazing courses. There are 12 slopes and 10 lifts here, with something suitable for any level, as well as Snowy Land – a family-fun play area to mess around in the snow.

Jisan Forest Ski Resort: Feauturing a range of slopes from beginner to advancd, Jisan Forest is a compact ski resort nestled in forested slopes that also has a snow sleigh park to play in and teaching area for people interested in learning to ski for the first time.

Alpensia Ski Resort: One of the main resorts used for the 2018 Winter Olympics, Alpensia Ski Resort offers a range of winter activities for levels of all ages. There are 6 courses for various skill levels.

Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort: The lovely Elysian Gangchon Resort offers skiing, snowboard, and snow sledding. You can also hike around the area and see the beautiful snow-covered Korean nature.

Yongpyong Ski Resort: Another resort used for the 2018 Winter Olympics. This is a large ski resort that has 28 slopes to choose from. Very popular with ski and snowboarding enthusiasts.

Eden Valley: Looking to ski close to Busan? This ski resort on the slopes of Sinbulsan Mountain has 7 slopes for different levels and has a ski school for those looking to learn to ski or board.

There are plenty of ski tours and day trips to ski resorts available. If you want to check out a different ski resort or package, these companies have a wide range of ski tours for you.

Winter Festivals In Korea 2024

I love travelling in Korea as it’s a country that has many wonderful festivals throughout the year, and winter is certainly no exception. Discover sparkling illuminations and glowing lanterns, see icy sculptures and snowy landscapes, and try your hand at winter activities in Korea such as ice fishing, sledding, listening to temple bells ringing on New Year’s Eve, and watching the first sunrise of the year.

Here are some of the different types of winter festivals you can experience in Korea, as well as some of the best of each type. For a more detailed list of what’s on, check out my guide to the best Korean winter festivals, which include lots more incredible winter festivals to check out.

Winter Illumination Festivals 2024

Once it’s dark, dazzling displays can be found at winter illumination festivals, such as at Cheonggyecheon Stream in Seoul or Haeundae Beach in Busan. The best places to see winter lights are usually outside the cities, in areas of natural beauty that transform into winter wonderlands. The sight of millions of lights provides a truly extraordinary experience.

Here are some of the most popular winter illumination festivals in Korea this winter.

Garden of Morning Calm Winter Illuminations 2024

Herb Island Light Festival 2024

Busan Christmas Tree Cultural Festival 2023-2024

Jeju Light Garden Festival 2024

Ice Fishing Festivals 2024

Several towns across Korea take advantage of the frozen rivers to put on winter ice fishing festivals. Grab a small fishing rod and bag, drop it into the ice, and then catch your lunch. There are many other activities, such as tubing, catching fish with your hands, and sledging. Furthermore, you can usually find snow & ice sculptures on display. My article about the Hwacheon Ice Fishing Festival will give you a taste of what’s on offer at these awesome winter festivals.

Here are three of the biggest ice fishing festivals in Korea this winter.

Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Fishing Festival 2024

Pyeongchang Trout Fishing Festival 2024

Inje Ice Fishing Festival 2024

Snow & Ice Festivals 2024

With the cold winter weather comes frozen rivers, snowfall, and wintry festivals to enjoy. Gangwon Province in Korea’s north-east is one of the best places for winter festivals as it’s the coldest part of Korea. At these festivals, you can see sculptures, icy waterfalls, snowy scenes, and winter lights. There’s also winter activities such as sledding and skiing. My article about the Chilgapsan festival will show you the beautiful snowy scenes you can expect at a Korean winter festival.

Here are three of the most popular snow festivals in Korea this winter.

Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival 2024

Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival 2024

Daegwallyeong Snowflake Festival 2024

New Year’s Eve Festivals

New Year’s Eve in Korea is celebrated in two different ways. The first is the traditional Korean way, where people come together to listen to the ringing of a giant bell to signal New Year at midnight. The other way to welcome to New Year is to watch fireworks displays light up the night sky. You can see fireworks displays across Korea for New Year’s Eve.

To celebrate New Year’s Eve in Korea in the traditional way, head to Bosingak Pavilion in central Seoul to see watch the giant bell ring in 2024. For fireworks performances, these can be seen at Lotte World Tower, along the Han River by Yeouido Park, and near City Hall Station.

Most large cities in Korea will have some official and unofficial fireworks celebrations for New Year’s Eve. It’s common to see fireworks being launched at beaches, too.

You can watch the 2022 New Year’s Eve fireworks at Lotte World Tower in the video below.

New Year’s Day Festivals

After celebrating New Year’s Eve at midnight, there are further New Year’s Day festivals held in Korea to welcome in the new year ahead. A popular tradition for New Year’s Day is to watch the first sunrise of the year on the east coast. There are New Year’s Day festivals in coastal towns to watch the sunrise, eat rice cake soup, and contemplate life.

Here are the best New Year’s Day festivals to see the first sunrise of the year in Korea.

Homigot New Year Sunrise Festival: Famous for being the easternmost point of Korea, therefore the first place to see the sunrise, this is the biggest sunrise festival in Korea. See the giant hand statue rising from the water and enjoy a range of festival stalls and activities.

Address in Korean:
경북 포항시 남구 호미곶면 대보리

Seongsan New Year Sunrise Festival: Located on Jeju Island’s easternmost point, this sunrise spot has been a place of celebration since the 13th Century. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is certainly a unique place to watch the sun rise in the New Year

Address in Korean:
제주 서귀포시 성산읍 성산리 78

Gyeongpo & Jeongdongjin Sunrise Festivals: These two sunrise festivals, located around Gangneung in the north-east, are both convenient festivals to witness if you’re staying in Seoul. Party all night and watch the sunrise before enjoying festival food and events.

Address in Korean:
강원도 강릉시 안현동 산1

Winter Sightseeing In Korea

Winter in Korea is as good a time to go sightseeing as any other time of year. Actually, it might be even better than in summer as the winter weather is dry and there are more blue skies. If the snow falls in winter, it’s even better and can look truly magical, creating beautiful photo opportunities.

Unfortunately, many trees and plants die off during autumn and don’t return until spring, which makes sightseeing in places of natural beauty less colourful. However, these places adapt to winter with light displays and other attractions that make up for the lack of nature.

What are the best places to go sightseeing in Korea during winter? There are plenty of places to see. These are popular places that you can visit all year round, with some additional features during winter that make them worth the trip, especially if there has been a recent snowfall.

Seoul’s Royal Palaces

Seoul’s royal palaces, such as the impressive Gyeongbokgung Palace, are impressive any time of year and should be on any Korean bucket list for travellers to Korea. When it snows, the curved palace rooftops catch the snow, creating a white crown for the colourfully decorated walls. Frozen ponds, palace walls, and falling snow provide the perfect background for a hanbok photoshoot.

How to get there: Take the subway to Gyeongbokgung Palace Station and use exit 5. The other royal palaces are within 20-30 minutes of Gyeongbokgung Palace by foot.

Address in Korean:
서울 종로구 효자로 12

Garden of Morning Calm

The winter illuminations at the Garden of Morning Calm are some of the best in Korea and visiting here during winter is just as fun as in any other season. Best viewed at night, this carefully crafted garden leads you down winding trails past hanok houses, sparkling ponds, and round pagodas. A truly wonderful day out from Seoul.

How to get there: You can get to the Garden of Morning Calm from Seoul by train (from Cheongpyeong Station), by bus (from Cheongpyeong Terminal), with the Gapyeong City Tour Bus, or with a guided tour.

Address in Korean:
경기 가평군 상면 수목원로 432

Want to take a tour to the Garden of Morning Calm? Garden of Morning Calm tours from Seoul are very reasonably priced and usually include a trip to Nami Island and other nearby attractions, including Alpaca World, Petite France or the Gangchon Railbike.

Jogyesa Buddhist Temple

Korea is blessed with hundreds of Buddhist temples that are open all year round. These can be found in cities, such as Jogyesa Temple in Seoul, in national parks, such as Beopjusa Temple in Songnisan, and even along the coast, such as Busan’s famous Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. Visit in winter to see snowy temple scenes and monks in mufflers.

How to get there: Take the subway to Gyeongbokgung Palace Station and use exit 5. The other royal palaces are within 20-30 minutes of Gyeongbokgung Palace by foot.

Address in Korean:
서울 종로구 우정국로 55

Lotte World Tower

The Lotte World Tower is a great place in Seoul to watch New Year’s Eve fireworks, but is also worth visiting any other day during winter. As winter has more sunny days than other seasons, you’re more likely to get clear views from the Seoul Sky Observatory on the 117th floor of the tower. The tower lights up each night and is best seen from Seokchon Lake.

How to get there: Take the subway to Jamsil Station. The Lotte World Tower can be accessed from the subway station. Follow the signs to get directly into the tower.

Address in Korean:
서울 송파구 올림픽로 300

Wondaeri Birch Forest

Discover a winter wonderland at Wondaeri Birch Forest in Gangwon Province. A day trip out from Seoul, this place is home to 700,000 silver birch trees and provides a lovely scene for a snowy hike through silvery trees. There are many trekking paths to explore in this tranquil forest and photo-worthy spots to enjoy the Korean winter scenery.

How to get there: Take the intercity bus from Dong-Seoul Bus Terminal to Inje Intercity Bus Terminal. Transfer to a local bus or take a taxi (20,000 KRW). I recommend taking a taxi as there are only 3 buses per day stopping at the forest.

Address in Korean:
강원 인제군 인제읍 자작나무숲길 760

Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm

The Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm is a perfect place to explore Korea’s winter scenery on a snowy day. Visit ‘The Alps of Korea’ and gaze at the fields and surrounding forests blanketed in snow whilst trying to find camouflaged sheep. Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm is close to Gangneung, a city with many seaside cafes to stay warm in during winter.

How to get there: Take an intercity bus from Dong-Seoul Bus Terminal to Hoenggye Bus Terminal. Take the red shuttle bus going to the farm or take a taxi (10,000 KRW).

Address in Korean:
평창군 대관령면 대관령마루길 483-32

Gamcheon Culture Village

Busan’s colourfully painted Gamcheon Culture Village is a unique destination on Korea’s south coast that features murals, painted buildings, fun statues, and lots of photo spots. Wind your way through the hillside streets, taking it all in. Visit during December to see the Gamcheon House Lantern Exhibition, which makes it even more mesmerising.

How to get there: From Busan Station, take a subway or bus to Jagalchi Market Station and then transfer to green minibus 1-1, 2, or 2-2. This will stop outside the entrance to Gamcheon Culture Village.

Address in Korean:
부산 사하구 감천동 9-53

Want a tour of Gamcheon Culture Village? Day tours of Busan will take you to the Gamcheon Culture Village and other hot spots in Busan all in one day. This is useful as many of Busan’s best sights are spread out across the city and can take a long time to see by bus or train.

Jeju Island

Want to escape the freezing cold of Seoul but still have the chance to see snowy scenes during winter in Korea? Then visiting Jeju Island in winter is a great option. Explore sandy beaches one day, then climb the snow-capped peak of Korea’s largest mountain – Hallasan. Jeju also has great cafes, delicious food, and a unique culture.

How to get there: You can access Jeju from airports across Korea, including Gimpo Airport in Seoul. Check Skyscanner for the best prices. Flights last about 30-40 minutes.

Korean Winter Weather 2024

Here’s a brief overview of Korea’s winter weather. Please note, these figures apply to Seoul. Weather further south of Seoul, such as Jeju Island, can be different (i.e. warmer).

Temperature: Korean winters are cold and dry with short days. The coldest month is January, where temperatures in Seoul rarely get above freezing and can go as low as -20 Celsius at night. November and March aren’t as cold as December to February, which have temperatures below zero most of the day, but these months can be cold enough for snow.

Clear Skies: Winter in Korea is sunny. Almost 50% of the days during the Korean winter are clear and sunny, making it a good time to travel in Korea as you’ve got a good chance to see blue skies without clouds. Only October has more sunshine than the winter months in Korea.

Rainfall: December to February are the driest months in Korea and there is around 10% chance of precipitation in Seoul during January (July has almost 50%). Precipitation includes both rain and snow, meaning an even lower chance to see rain during winter.

Snowfall: The chance to see snow in Seoul is highest during January, with December and February both having similar average snowfalls. Snowfall peaks early January in Seoul, but there can be heavier and longer snowfalls at higher elevations, such as the national parks.

Want to know where to see snow in Korea this winter? Check out this guide to all the best places to see snow in Korea, packed full of pictures, tips, and advice. There’s so many beautiful places to see snow in Seoul and across Korea, especially in the national parks.

Source: Weather Spark

Korean Public Holidays In Winter 2024

There are several holidays in Korea during winter – Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Seollal (Korean Lunar New Year). These public holidays are important to consider when travelling to Korea as they can affect what’s open and when public transport runs.

Christmas Day: Christmas Day (December 25th) is a public holiday in Korea, but the celebrations for this date are much smaller than you’d find in other Christian countries. In Korea, couples tend to go out together to enjoy a meal out for Christmas Day.

New Year’s Day: New Year’s Eve (December 31st) and New Year’s Day (January 1st) are celebrated in Korea, even though the Lunar New Year is also celebrated. Koreans typically visit the east coast on New Year’s Day to see the first sunrise of the new (solar) year.

Seollal: Seollal, also known as Korean Lunar New Year, is one of the biggest public holidays in Korea. Lasting for 3 days, Koreans travel across the country, returning to their hometowns to spend time with their family and visit their ancestral graves to clean and look after them.

Because Seollal follows the lunar calendar, the actual dates change each year. Also, when the main date lands on a Sunday, there can be an additional day off. Below is a table of the Seollal dates for the next 4 years.

Public Transport: Local buses in Korea run a reduced schedule on Sundays and public holidays. Travel in Korea during the Seollal holiday can be difficult as tickets are booked up for trains and buses as soon as they’re available. Roads will also be very busy.

Tip: I recommend staying in Seoul or another big city during Seollal. You’re more likely to find places that are still open and you can also enjoy free entry to Seoul’s royal palaces. There are often cultural performances on during these holidays, too.

Korean Winter Foods

What should you eat in Korea during winter? What’s the best Korean winter dishes to try in Seoul? There are loads of incredible Korean winter foods that will warm you up and give you energy for a busy day of winter sightseeing and activities.

Korean winter foods can be categorised as street foods, little bites that you can grab on street corners, and winter dishes, big broths and meals that are shared together on a cold day. There are a wide range of both for you to try this winter.

Korean winter street food tends to be sweet or spicy and a guilty snack while you’re outside. Winter meals range from healthy hot dishes, to bubbling pans full of delicious goodies. Here are 5 of the best Korean winter dishes you can eat when it’s cold outside.

These 5 winter dishes are just a sampler of the varied menu of warming snacks and meals you can discover in Korea this winter. To find more delicious delights, check out my article about the best Korean winter foods. It’s a must read and shows you the amazing treats you must try.

Hotteok: Korean Sweet Pancakes

Walk along a busy street in Korea during winter and you’ll probably find a hotteok seller flipping and pressing down the balls of sticky dough filled with sweet syrup, cinnamon, and crunchy nuts that become hotteok. The combo of fried, sweet, crunchy goodness in a hotteok, along with the warmth it gives you as you gingerly hold it, really gives you a boost.

Name in Korean:
호떡

Bungeo-Ppang: Goldfish Bread

A popular Korean winter food for amongst locals and tourists alike, this cute goldfish bread is baked in a fish-shaped mould to give it its distinctive shape. This treat not only looks great, it tastes great. Stuffed with sweet red-beans, common in Korean baked goods, this fish is a classic Korean winter snack. Crispy outside, sweet and delicious inside.

Name in Korean:
붕어빵

Tteok-Bokki: Spicy Fried Rice Cakes

Tteok-bokki is a blend of steamed and sliced rice cakes (tteok 떡), fish cakes (odeng 오뎅), and scallions in a sweet and spicy sauce with plenty of chili paste. Eat it fresh from the market vendors at traditional Korean markets, or sit in for a meal with extras. This spicy, salty mishmash of classic Korean ingredients is perfect as a snack or meal.

Name in Korean:
떡볶이

Kimchi-Jjigae: Kimchi Stew

Kimchi-jjigae is mix of cabbage kimchi, tofu, cellophane noodles, pork, and vegetables, with rice and extra side dishes, often served in a large bowl for two or more people. When the kimchi is sautéed, it releases all its flavour into the stew, creating a hearty broth. Best eaten by putting all the ingredients on a spoon and dipping it in the broth.

Name in Korean:
김치 찌개

Dolsot Bibimbap: Stone Bowl Mixed Rice

The winter version of one of Korea’s most famous foods – bibimbap. Whereas regular bibimbap is served cold, this hot stone bowl version really mixes things up. Instead of a fried egg, a raw egg is dropped on top and mixed together with the rice, vegetables, sauces, etc. This creates a kind of egg fried rice that is both delicious and healthy.

Name in Korean:
돌솥 비빔밥

Winter Hiking In Korea

One of the most popular winter activities in Korea is hiking in Korea’s national parks. More than 70% of Korea is mountainous, meaning there’s always a peak to be climbed close to wherever you are staying.

Inside the borders of Seoul is Bukhansan National Park, a great place for a day trip to go winter hiking from Korea’s capital. I recommend hiking to Baegundae Peak for the best views of snowy Seoul.

The best national parks for snow hiking in South Korea are the tallest mountains as these see more snowfall and the snow on top stays for longer. The three highest mountain ranges in South Korea are Hallasan on Jeju Island, Jirisan, and Seoraksan.

There are also other national parks that have unique features that make them great for snow hiking. Here are 5 of the best national parks for winter hiking in Korea.

Hallasan National Park

The tallest mountain in South Korea is located on Jeju Island, a semi-tropical island south of the mainland that is more often associated with palm trees than snowy peaks. However, due to its height, Hallasan sees a lot of snow each year and is a great place for winter hiking. Hiking Hallasan in winter is very popular and reservations are required.

How to get there: To get to the Gwaneumsa Course start point, take bus 281 from Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal (heading to Seogwipo) for 25 mins and get off at Jeju University. Then, take the bus 475 for 15 minutes. Get off at the entrance of the Gwaneumsa Trail.

Address in Korean:
제주특별자치도 제주시 1100로 2070-61

Deogyusan National Park

Deogyusan National Park in central Korea provides a long hike through snow-covered valleys and past temples before ascending quickly to a peak with distant views all around. The peak connects to the Muju Deogyusan ski resort, which offers an easy way down via cable car, as well as a shortcut to the top if you want the views without hiking.

How to get there: Take a bus to Gucheon-dong bus stop from Daejeon and follow the hiking trail to the peak. Free shuttle buses run from the Muju Deogyusan ski resort to Muju. You can get to other cities from Muju Intercity Bus Terminal.

Address in Korean:
전라북도 무주군 설천면 구천동1로

Seoraksan National Park

One of the most beautiful national parks in Korea, Seoraksan is most popular in autumn, for fall foliage, and winter, for winter hiking. Wooded valleys, icy streams, and frozen peaks can be accessed through the various hiking courses here. There’s also a cable car that will take you to a smaller peak, complete with a Korean temple and views of the coast.

How to get there: There are tours from Seoul that will take you directly to the main entrance of the national park. To get there by public transport from Seoul, take an intercity bus to Sokcho, then change to local bus 7 or 7-1 to the park entrance.

Address in Korean:
강원도 속초시 설악산로 833 KR

Jirisan National Park

The highest peak on mainland Korea, Jirisan offers the chance to stay overnight at a mountain shelter and enjoy a short sunrise hike to the peak for breathtaking views. Winter hiking in the foothills and mountains of Jirisan provides the chance to see snowy-rivers, frozen waterfalls, and maybe an Asiatic bear, although it will probably be hibernating.

How to get there: Jirisan National Park is Korea’s largest national park and has many entrances and trails. Take an intercity bus to nearby towns, such as Namwon, Gurye, or Hadong, then transfer to local buses to reach the various park entrances.

Address in Korean:
경상남도 하동군 화개면 대성리

Staying at Jirisan National Park: If you want to book an overnight shelter at Jirisan or other parks, use the KNPS reservation site. There are several guesthouses and hotels in Jirisan, too, which are great for overnight hiking in winter.

Sobaeksan National Park

Sobaeksan, known as the ‘backbone of Korea’, is the 3rd largest national park in Korea. It’s home to a wide variety of animals, including wid boars, deers, and chipmunks. Sobaeksan is famous for winter hiking in Korea as it provides long views over cloudy peaks as you ascend the main peaks and is considered the most beautiful park to see snow.

How to get there: Sobaeksan is not an easy park to reach as it’s not close to any major cities. One option to get to Sobaeksan is to take a train to Jecheon or Yeongju, then take a train to Huibangsa Station and taxi to the park entrance.

Address in Korean:
충청북도 단양군 단양읍

Want to see how beautiful winter hiking in Korea can be? Check out this video of a snowy hike through Sobaeksan during winter.

Winter Hiking Essentials

Want to go hiking in Korea during winter safely? Here are a few essentials that you’ll need to have a safe and enjoyable trip to Korea’s snowy mountain peaks. You can bring these items with you or buy them when in Korea.

Hiking Boots: A sturdy pair of hiking boots are a must for winter hiking in Korea. You will be crossing rocky, snowy, and icy terrain and you can sprain your ankle or slip over easily if you wear the wrong shoes. Also, hiking boots are usually waterproof and will keep your feet warm.

Hiking Socks: Woollen hiking socks are good, but a couple of pairs of regular socks will do, too. These will stop your boots slipping and also stop your toes from getting too cold.

Thermal Inner Wear: If it’s windy, the cold will seep into your legs and arms very easily. Thermal inner wear (t-shirt and leggings) will keep your body warm and protected. Not essential, but very useful even when walking outside at night.

Wind-resistant Hiking Jacket: You can wear as many fleeces, t-shirts, or jumpers as you like, but a good jacket is the key to staying warm. Ideally water and wind-resistant, a hiking jacket will keep you warm without being too heavy.

Hat, Gloves, and Neck-warmer: I wouldn’t travel in winter without these anyway, but they’re essential while hiking in winter. The temperature will be below zero and you should cover up as much as possible.

Hiking Poles: These adjustable hiking sticks will give you extra balance and help you get up and down rocky paths more easily. They’re also useful for checking how deep the snow is. Not essential (I don’t use them), but useful.

Crampons (Ice Cleats): Crampons are metal spikes that go on the bottom of your shoes and stop you falling over on ice or snow. You basically can’t hike in winter without them.

Heat Packs: Heat packs either stick to your body/in your shoes, or go in your pocket to keep your hands warm. If you’re not used to the cold weather, I recommend both.

Food & Water: There aren’t many places to buy food or water after the park entrances, so make sure you stock up before hiking. Bring food for lunch, snacks, and at least 1 litre of water. I recommend a bottle of Powerade, it really helps when hiking.

Seasonal Korean Hiking Guide: Want to hike go hiking in Korea during winter or other seasons but not sure what to do? Then check out my seasonal guide to hiking in Korea with information about what to expect in each season, how to prepare, and which mountains to hike.

How To Survive Korean Winter

Winter in Korea is dry and cold and for travellers not used to such extreme weather, visiting Korea in winter can be a shock. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to prepare for the worst of the winter weather to keep you warm and safe.

The main things to be aware of are wearing the right clothes and bringing sun and skin care. I’ll explain these two issues in more detail in the next section. For now, here are a few of my best Korean winter survival tips, built up from years of living in Korea and enduring the cold.

Drink more water: The cold weather makes you less thirsty and encourages you to eat more salty hot foods. Combined, these can lead to dehydration and a day in bed, which is not fun (trust me!). Drink lots of water, especially if you’re hiking.

Watch out for ice: If it snowed or rained recently, pavements, roads and walkways can be slippery. If you’re hiking, definitely bring crampons. It’s easy to slip and hurt yourself.

Use heat packs: Grab a pocket warmer or heat pack and keep them in your bag in your pocket to warm your hands up when outside. Your fingers can go numb very quickly.

Be prepared to sweat on buses: Korean buses are notoriously hot during winter. Heating is usually turned up to max and if you’re wearing winter clothing, be prepared to sweat a lot.

Bring a tumbler: If you’re out walking and want to keep your drinks hot and fresh, and not add more pollution to the world, bring a tumbler or buy one. Starbucks has tumblers with cool Korean designs.

What To Wear In Winter

Winter in Korea is cold and you should definitely pack clothes that will keep you warm and protected. Hats, gloves, and a scarf will help keep you insulated and a thick jacket is a must for January and February, as well as something to keep your arms and legs warm.

Many Koreans wear padded down jackets with lighter clothes underneath. These keep you really warm and can be easily removed when you move inside. Fleeces and thermal layers can help, too. Uniqlo’s heat-tech range is a good example of winter-ready clothing.

If you plan to go hiking, bring some appropriate hiking boots that can handle snow, such as these North Face hiking boots (I use a similar pair). These are great even if you don’t plan to go hiking as they’re comfortable for walking around all day and will keep your feet dry.

Travelling from a country without many winter clothes or forgot to pack some winter essentials? Don’t worry. There are plenty of places to buy winter clothes in Korea, including Uniqlo, hiking stores, department stores, shopping centres, and traditional markets.

What To Pack For Winter

Besides warm winter clothes, here are a few more essential items to pack for your trip to Korea. Again, these items can be bought in Korea, but if you prefer certain brands or have allergies, it might be best to bring your own, especially for skin care.

Sun Care: It’s easy to forget about sun protection during winter as you don’t feel hot, but it’s still important. Korean winters are sunny and you’ll need sun cream and sunglasses with you. Sunglasses are essential if you’re hiking in snow or outside a lot. The sun reflects strongly from white snow and can be blinding.

Skin Care: Winter in Korea is very dry and your skin will dry out quickly. I find that hotels lack moisture and get really dry at night. Using hand and face moisturiser daily will stop your skin drying out. I use Physiogel Daily Moisture Therapy, it’s good for sensitive skin. Lip balm is also recommended.

Heat: Your hands can get cold in winter, even with gloves on. I recommend bringing hand warmers for your pockets and feet. This is useful if you normally get cold fingers and toes during winter. Thermal under layers are also useful for keeping you warm during cold days.

Visiting Korea In Other Seasons

Korea is an amazing country to visit any time of year and undoubtedly has four very distinct seasons with lots of other activities, sights, foods, and festivals waiting for you in each one. If you plan to travel at any other time of year, here are some of the things you can expect.

Spring in Korea is a time for Korean cherry blossoms and Korean spring festivals that celebrate the return of nature. The weather is warm, making it one of the best times to visit Korea. Visit the mountains in spring for good hiking and to see the celebrations for Buddha’s Birthday.

Summer in Korea is really hot, making it perfect for indulging in sweet Korean summer dishes. There are lots of fun summer activities to enjoy, such as water sports, camping, and beach trips. It’s also wet, so these indoor activities in Seoul will help you plan for the worst.

Autumn in Korea is all about the incredible Korean autumn foliage, where you can see golden gingko leaves and multi-coloured maple leaves turning from green to gold and red. There are also loads of harvest and cultural festivals to enjoy and amazing weather.

If you want details about what to see, do, eat, and discover each month of the year, check out this guide to Korea’s seasons, which includes month-by-month and season-by-season guides. For information about festivals in Korea, read my guide to Korean festivals.

Winter In Korea FAQs

Finally, here are a few FAQs about winter in Korea, in case the above information didn’t cover enough for you. If you have any other questions you’d like to ask, feel free to leave a comment.

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This guide to hiking Hallasan in winter will help you with all you need to get ready for the tough, but rewarding hike to the peak. Featuring tips on what to wear, what to pack, how to prepare, and loads of other essential tips, you’ll be ready to go out and reach the peak after you read this.

Whether you’re a seasoned hiker, or ready for your first summit, there’s a lot to know and prepare to hike Hallasan in winter. Have you made a reservation? Do you know which bus to take there and back? What will you eat after the hike? Find out all that and more below.

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links and I may earn commission for purchases made after clicking these links.

Why Should You Hike Hallasan In Winter?

Winter in Korea is a great time to go hiking. Standing knee-deep in snow, catching your breath as the snow dazzles all around, sunbeams bouncing off the crystalline seas that surround Jeju – it’s a view not to be missed.

Hallasan Mountain is South Korea’s highest peak and offers breathtaking views that you won’t see from any other mountain in Korea. You get the chance to look out over the egg-white of Jeju Island’s lowlands as you stand atop its volcanic egg-yolk peak.

There are so many reasons why you should hike Hallasan in winter. Snowy landscapes, the chance to escape the city, a great workout, reconnecting with nature, or to see the whole of Jeju Island from atop South Korea’s highest mountain. Take your pick.

For me, the number 1 reason to hike Hallasan Mountain in winter is the fresh white snow. I’m a big kid at heart and there’s something uplifting and energising about pushing my feet along snowy pathways, having snowball fights, and seeing snow cover everything.

Whatever reason you choose, you won’t be disappointed by the end of it. The feeling from accomplishing a challenging hike like this is matched only by the contentment you get from devouring a delicious meal afterwards.

I would recommend trying out Jeju’s black pork samgyeopsal (Korean BBQ) and a bottle of the island’s own soju, aptly called Hallasan. It’s the perfect end to the day and guaranteed to help you into a long sleep that night.

Hiking Hallasan in winter is one of those South Korea bucket list activities that you should definitely attempt if you’re visiting Korea in winter. Whether you’re an accomplished hiker or novice, there’s a hiking route that will be right for you and allow you to see amazing sights.

In this guide I’ll tell you all you need to know to hike Hallasan in winter, including how to prepare for the hike (very important), what to expect, and tips for Jeju Island and hiking in Korea.

What To Prepare Before Hiking Hallasan

Hallasan is one of Korea’s most popular mountains for hiking, with winter being an especially busy time as everyone wants to go out and see the snow. To avoid disappointment on the day of your hike, there are a few simple things you can do to prepare.

The following 5 steps will help you plan and prepare your winter Hallasan hike. I’d recommend doing these things at least 1 week in advance, further ahead if you need to make a reservation for a hiking course.

1: Choose Your Hiking Trail

The first thing you’ll need to do is choose your trail. Do you want a short or long trail? Do you want to go up and down the same trail, or hike different trails?

There are technically 7 hiking trails on Hallasan Mountain, but I’ll only cover the 4 trails that go near the peak, broken down into pairs. These trails offer the best sights and the best snow hiking experience.

Gwaneumsa & Seongpanak
These trails take you to the highest point of Hallasan Mountain. They offer a longer, steeper, and more difficult hike. Recommended for intermediate-advanced hikers, but can be done by beginners with preparation.

Eorimok & Yeongsil
These trails take you to the back-side of the peak. They are shorter trails that are easier to hike. Recommended for beginner-intermediate hikers.

I’d recommend ascending one trail and then descending the opposite trail. This way you’ll get to see more of Hallasan and Jeju Island from different angles.

Here’s a brief overview of each course:

Gwaneumsa Trail

One of the most scenic courses, but also steep and difficult to climb. Starts in the north and easy to get to from Jeju City. I’d recommend descending this route after ascending the Seongpanak Trail.

Length: 8.7km (one way)
Time: 8-10 hours (return)
Difficulty: 4/5

How To Get To Gwaneumsa Trail

Take bus #281 from Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal (heading to Seogwipo) for 25 mins and get off at Jeju University. Then, take the bus #475 for 15 minutes. Get off at the entrance of the Gwaneumsa Trail.

Seongpanak Trail

A long and lovely course that rises gradually from the east. As you’re hiking east to west, the sun will be behind or above you most of the time, which is helpful. There’s a shelter half-way up where you can get ramyeon and rest.

Length: 9.6km (one way)
Time: 7-9 hours (return)
Difficulty: 4/5

How To Get To Seongpanak Trail

Take bus #281 or #181 from Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal (heading to Seogwipo) for 40 minutes. Get off at the entrance to the Seongpanak Trail.

Eorimok Trail

This trail offers a good trek that, although hard at first, isn’t that tough overall. After ascending quite quickly, the course levels out, revealing lovely views over the west coast and lots of oreums (volcanic cones). There’s a rest area at the top with toilets.

Length: 4.7km (one way)
Time: 3-4 hours (return)
Difficulty: 3/5

How To Get To Eorimok Trail

Take bus #240 from Jeju City Intercity Bus Terminal (heading to Jungmun) for 40 minutes. Get off at the entrance of the Eorimok Trail.

Yeongsil Trail

Although this course looks quite short, there’s a 2.5km walk from the bus stop to the course start. After that, this is a beautiful hike through snowy forests that turn into dramatic cliff-edges with scary-looking drops into the valley below. Don’t worry, the edge is fenced to protect hikers from falling down.

Length: 3.7km (one way)
Time: 2-3 hours (return)
Difficulty: 3/5

How To Get To Yeongsil Trail

Take bus #240 from Jeju City Intercity Bus Terminal (heading to Jungmun) for 50 minutes. Get off at the Yeongsil Ticket Office and walk to the trail entrance for 2.5km.

Which Course Should I Hike?

They’re all great courses, but I would recommend the following routes based on what you’ll see, the length of the course, and ease of public transport in either direction.

Long Hike – Start on the Seongpanak Trail, hike to the peak, then descend the Gwaneumsa Trail. It’s easier to get to the start point at Seongpanak and the Gwaneumsa Trail is closer to Jeju City, reducing travel time at the end. The Gwaneumsa Trail is steeper, so it’s best to go down this route.

Easier Hike – Start on the Eorimok Trail, hike to the back-side peak, then descend the Yeongsil Trail. It’s easier to get to the start point at Eorimok as it’s closer to Jeju City, meaning you can get a taxi if you miss the bus. The bus back to Jeju City passes Yeongsil before it gets to the Eorimok entrance, so you’ll have a much higher chance of getting on the bus back to Jeju City.

2: Make A Reservation

If you plan to hike the Gwaneumsa Trail or Seongpanak Trail, you need to make an online reservation, otherwise you will not be allowed access to the hiking trail. This is the same if you hike Hallasan in winter or any other season.

Online reservations can be made by the end of next month after opening on the 1st of every month. Here are some examples to show how that works.

February 1st:
Reservations can be made from February 1st to March 31st.

February 28th:
Reservations can be made between February 28th and March 31st

I’d recommend making a reservation as soon as possible. There are only 1,000 spots available each day and the available spots can go quickly, especially on weekends.

The button below will take you to the official Hallasan online reservation site.

You don’t need a reservation to hike the Eorimok Trail or Yeongsil Trail, so if you can’t make a reservation for the other courses, these will always be available. However, this also means that these courses have become more popular and therefore busier.

3: Check The Weather Forecast

Jeju Island is a semi-tropical island and subject to sudden weather changes. The first time I hiked Hallasan in winter, the weather changed from partially cloudy to a strong blizzard that forced me to abandon my hike.

Check the weather a few days before and on the day of your hike, considering these things:

1: Is it snowing on your hiking day? If so, be prepared to hike with snow blowing in your face and possibly low visibility.

2: Has it snowed in the 2 days before you plan to hike? If so, you should have lots of fresh snow to walk through – which is good.

3: How strong is the wind on Hallasan? Even if the temperature isn’t that low, the wind can make it feel a lot colder and really hurt.

4: What’s the temperature on Hallasan? As you ascend to the peak, it will get several degrees colder. Be prepared and bring heat packs.

If in doubt, go to Google and type in ‘Hallasan weather’. You’ll see the weather for Hallasan for the next week, including wind speed, temperature, and expected snowfall.

4: Plan Your Transportation

Whilst there are a lot of options for getting to and from Hallasan, the number of people hiking in winter means that you may have some unexpected transportation issues.

Here are some things to think about when working out transportation to avoid hassles on the day of your hike.

1: Buses are infrequent and busy. Buses to Hallasan run about once an hour. Which one will you take and when will you arrive / depart from the mountain?

2: Roads can be congested. If you’re driving, expect there to be traffic jams around the car parks as everyone tries to park there. The same goes for buses.

3: Take a taxi if you have to. The last time I hiked Hallasan, there wasn’t enough space on the bus, so I asked others at the bus station if they wanted to share a taxi. The taxi fee was about 20,000 won and well worth it!

4: The return buses will be busy. Work out when you will finish the hike and what buses will be available. Be prepared to queue for a long time before getting on a bus.

These are all especially true during the weekends, but might not be so bad during the week. Definitely hike mid-week if you can, it’ll make getting to and from Hallasan a lot easier.

5: Set Your Alarm Early

The biggest tip I can give if you plan to hike Hallasan in winter is to get up early. The hiking courses open around 6:00 am and that’s a good time to start your winter Hallasan hike.

Here are some reasons why you should try to rise with the sun:

1: There are time limits on when you can hike. You will be turned away from the hiking courses after a certain time as it’s too dangerous to start hiking then. You can see these times in the picture below.

2: The roads get busier and busier. After 8:00 am, there are many people travelling to Hallasan or on the roads around Hallasan. Also, buses will be full of people and you might not be able to get on one (this happened to me last time).

3: You’ll have more time to enjoy the hike. You can pack a picnic and spend an extra hour or two taking in the incredible views.

4: Getting back will be easier. Return buses from Hallasan are also very busy. The sooner you finish the hike, the better your chance of getting on a bus back to the city.

You certainly don’t have to start hiking at the crack of dawn, but it will make it a lot easier. Try to aim to start the hike at 8:00 am if possible.

What To Wear To Hike Hallasan In Winter

Wearing the right clothes is essential when hiking in the snow during winter. However, that doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune on the latest hiking gear.

Here are some essentials that you should definitely wear:

Hiking Boots
A sturdy pair of hiking boots are a must for this hike. You will be crossing rocky, snowy, and icy terrain and you can sprain your ankle or slip over easily if you wear the wrong shoes. Also, hiking boots are usually waterproof and will keep your feet safe.

Here’s some Example Hiking Boots.

Thick Socks
Woollen hiking socks are good, but a couple of pairs of regular socks will do, too. These will stop your boots slipping and also stop your toes from getting too cold.

Here’s some Example Hiking Socks.

Thermal Inner Wear
If it’s windy, the cold will seep into your legs and arms very easily. Thermal inner wear (t-shirt and leggings) will keep your body warm and protected. Not essential, but very useful.

Here’s some Example Thermal Inner Wear.

Wind-resistant Hiking Jacket
You can wear as many fleeces, t-shirts, or jumpers as you need, but a good jacket is the key to staying warm and safe. Ideally water and wind-resistant, a hiking jacket should keep you warm without being too heavy. Try to avoid overly large puffer jackets as they’ll weigh you down and make your life harder.

Here’s an Example Hiking Jacket.

Hat, Gloves, and Neck-warmer
I wouldn’t travel in winter without these anyway, but they’re essential while hiking Hallasan in winter. The temperature will be below zero and you should cover up as much as possible.

As for other clothes such as trousers, jumpers, etc., I’d recommend warm and comfortable clothing. Wearing too many layers isn’t a good idea as you’ll get hot as you hike up and you’ll take them off anyway. A lightweight padded inner-jacket is a good alternative.

Personally, I wear the items I mentioned above with my hiking trousers, one t-shirt, and a fleece. The thermal inner wear and jacket keep me warm enough.

If you’re in Korea, I would recommend visiting Uniqlo for cheap and effective thermal clothes. For other items such as shoes and socks, visit a specialist hiking store.

What To Pack To Hike Hallasan In Winter 2024

Staying warm and safe is more than just dressing correctly, there are also some other items you’ll need to pack. Here’s a quick rundown of some essential items to put in your backpack.

Hiking Poles
These adjustable hiking sticks will give you extra balance and help you get up and down rocky paths more easily. They’re also really useful for checking how deep the snow is. Not essential (I don’t use them), but definitely useful.

Here’s some Example Hiking Poles.

Crampons (Ice Cleats)
Crampons are metal spikes that go on the bottom of your shoes and stop you falling over on ice or snow. You basically can’t hike Hallasan in winter without them and you’ll have a hard time without a pair of these. These are called aijen (아이젠) in Korean.

Here’s some Example Crampons.

Heat Packs
These come in two forms – ones you stick to your body/in your shoes, or ones you put in your pocket to keep your hands warm. If you’re not used to the cold weather, I’d recommend both.

Here’s some Example Heat Packs.

Snow Gaiters
These will stop snow getting into your shoes and stop your toes from getting wet and frosty. They’re very useful in thick snow.

Here’s some Example Snow Gaiters.

Tissues
In the cold weather, your nose is likely to run a lot. A pack of tissues is really handy and you’ll need them for a whole load of things.

Food & Water
You probably won’t have a chance to buy food or water on the way, so make sure you stock up before leaving the city. Bring food for lunch, snacks, and at least 1 litre of water. I’d also recommend packing a bottle of Powerade, it really helps when hiking.

Although there is a rest station on the Seongpanak Trail that sells food and drinks, as well as a convenience store at the start of the Gwaneumsa Trail, don’t rely on them in case they’re closed.

I wouldn’t bring much else with you as any extra weight will make the hike more difficult. If you want to bring more, think about whether or not you really need it.

Winter Weather On Jeju Island 2024

Whilst mainland Korea has generally dry and sunny weather during winter, Jeju Island has much less predictable weather that can change suddenly. Here’s some details about winter weather on Jeju Island.

Temperature
Average daily temperatures are between 0 and 10 degrees Celsius, but can go below zero degrees. Hallasan is high above the sea-level, so will be considerably colder than the coast.

Rainfall
Winter is the driest season for Jeju Island and Korea and there is an average of 9-10 days of rain per month. However, as it’s so cold, this can fall as snow.

Wind
There can be strong winds on Jeju Island during winter that will make you very cold. Wrap up when walking along the coast and certainly if you hike Hallasan in winter.

Clouds
The weather on Jeju Island changes quickly and there can be cloudy skies one minute and then clear skies the next. You’ll often see clouds forming around the peak of Hallasan and I’ve noticed they tend to hang around the west coast more than the east coast.

Overall, the weather during winter on Jeju Island is generally cold, but not as cold as the rest of Korea. It’s also mostly dry with a few showers or snow. There are plenty of sunny days, but it’s not guaranteed and you’ll see big changes in the weather on some days.

Tips For Hiking In Korea In 2024

Whatever time of year you go hiking, here are some crucial tips that will make your hiking experience much more enjoyable, safer, and comfortable.

1: Pack light, pack right, and pack bright. Remove unnecessary items from your backpack and only bring the essentials (water, snacks, raincoat, sunglasses, suncream, etc.). And to fit in with the other hikers, and for safety, get a bright backpack and hiking clothes.

2: Plan your hike. Check your transportation options, check for route closures, and figure out when you will start and finish your hike. Be prepared for the time and energy you’re going to invest in your hike.

3: Prepare for the weather. Mountains have a climate of their own, and clouds, wind, rain, and snow can all appear from nowhere and change the conditions of your hike severely. Depending on the season you are hiking in, be prepared for the worst (but hope for the best).

4: Look after your body. Hiking can be tough and work a lot of muscles you’re not used to using. Stretch before and after the hike (and a bit at the peak, too). Go slow and steady if you need to. And make use of the toilets when you see them as you might not see another one for hours.

5: Have fun on the way. Hiking is a fun experience and the goal is to enjoy the journey, not the destination. Stop, look around your surroundings, and take in the unique sights, sounds, and smells on the way. It’s not a race.

For a full list of my best hiking tips, check out my article with 21 Top Korean Hiking Tips.

What To Do On Jeju Island

Jeju Island is one of my favourite places to travel in Korea and has so many unique things to offer. There’s always something to do.

You can ride a horse, trek around the island, experience a range of unique Jeju Island dishes, explore hundreds of cafes and bars, stroll through flowery fields, see inside a lava tube, learn in dozens of museums, shop till you drop, journey under the sea in a submarine, scuba dive, visit a traditional village, and so much more on Jeju Island!

Here’s a great Jeju Island Winter Itinerary to help you plan what to do for the rest of your time in winter. Although it could also be used any other time of year, too.

As there’s so much to do on Jeju Island, it features several times on my South Korea Bucket List, which has 50 of the most unmissable activities to do when you’re in Korea.

How To Hike Hallasan In Winter FAQs

Finally, here’s a few FAQs about hiking Hallasan in winter, in case you need more help planning.

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Long-suffering Koreans battle the brutal winter cold with a cocktail of spicy soups, boiling stews, salty snacks, and healthy meals. And a whole lot of fried food. From street food snacks to Korean winter dishes that are best shared, food is the weapon that keeps Korea fighting every winter.

Here are 20 of the best winter street snacks and traditional Korean dishes that you absolutely must sample this winter in Korea. They’ll lift your soul, warm your belly, and make your mouth water. Indulge in these culinary delights right now.

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links and I may earn commission for purchases made after clicking these links.

Delicious Korean Winter Foods For You

I want to introduce not only the best Korean winter foods you can enjoy in a cosy restaurant or cook at home, but also the best winter street snacks you can enjoy out and about as you travel.

If you want to know more about Korean food, then make sure you check out this finger-licking good guide to 20 of the best traditional Korean dishes you can discover in Korea.

Top 10 Korean Winter Street Foods

Winter in Korea is cold and tough, with temperatures often below 0 degrees Celsius even during the day. When you’re outside in the snow or cold weather, you’ll want something warm and satisfying to munch to cheer (and fill) you up.

Korean winter street foods, like all street foods in Seoul, are perfect for this and these salty, sweet, spicy (often all at once) dishes will warm your soul and give you the energy you need during winter. Below are 10 of the best, starting with my absolute favourite.

Want to see what winter Korean street food looks like? Check out this video about 5 of the best hot snacks to try when exploring Seoul and beyond this winter.

Hotteok – Korean Sweet Pancakes

Hotteok is one of the best Korean winter foods. You’ll find hotteok across Korea, from city streets to national parks. Walk along a busy street in Korea during winter and you’ll probably find a hotteok seller flipping and pressing down the balls of sticky dough filled with sweet syrup, cinnamon, and crunchy nuts that become hotteok.

The combo of fried, sweet, crunchy goodness in a hotteok, along with the warmth it gives you as you gingerly hold it, really gives you a boost.

Name in Korean: 호떡

Where to try hotteok in Seoul: Visit Hongdae Seoul Hotteok near Ahyeon Station for some of Seoul’s best hotteok, which comes in the classic sweet variety, as well as heart-shaped, or even served with ice cream.

Address in Korean: 서울특별시 마포구 굴레방로7길 20

You can see how the hotteok at Hongdae Seoul Hotteok are made in this video.

Bungeo-Ppang – Goldfish Bread With Red beans

Arguably the most popular Korean winter food among locals and tourists alike is this cute goldfish bread, bungeo-ppang. Baked in a fish-shaped mould, this treat not only looks great, it also tastes great.

Stuffed with sweet red-bean paste, something you’ll find in a lot of Korean baked goods, this fish is a classic Korean winter snack. Crispy on the outside, sweet and delicious on the inside. Like most Korean winter snack foods, you’ll find these at street stalls and in traditional markets.

Name in Korean: 붕어빵

Where to try bungeo-ppang in Seoul: Visit Chonggakne Bungeoppang in Gwangjang Market near Jongno 5-ga Station to see a ‘sacred place for bungeo-ppang’. There are 4 varieties available – red bean with walnuts, custard cream, sweet potato and pizza.

Address in Korean: 서울특별시 종로구 창경궁로 88

Tteokbokki – Spicy Stir Fried Rice Cakes

Tteokbokki is a blend of steamed and sliced rice cakes (tteok 떡), fish cakes (odeng 오뎅), and scallions in a sweet and spicy sauce with plenty of chili paste. Be careful, some portions of tteokbokki can be very spicy.

This is one of the best Korean winter foods that you shouldn’t pass up if you’re exploring Korea’s traditional markets, such as Gwangjang Market in Seoul. Best eaten fresh from the market vendors, this spicy, salty mishmash of classic Korean ingredients is certainly perfect as a snack or meal.

Name in Korean: 떡볶이

Where to try tteokbokki in Seoul: Head to Mukshidonna in Samcheong near Bukchon Hanok Village to enjoy tteok-bokki as a meal from a big metal pot full of delicious red treats cooked at your table. Make sure you come here hungry as you’ll be full up afterwards.

Address in Korean: 서울특별시 종로구 율곡로3길 74-7

4: Eomuk – Fish Cakes

A trip to Korea wouldn’t be complete without sampling eomuk and all its fishy goodness. These cheap, delicious fish cakes on a stick can be found across Korea in markets, festivals, convenience stores, train stations, and even at the top of mountains.

The fish cake is cut thickly and skewered on a wooden stick. It’s best eaten with a paper cup full of the soup it’s boiled in. Grab some and find out why it’s one of the best Korean winter foods. Busan is famous for eomuk, so be sure to try it there.

Name in Korean: 어묵

Where to try eomuk in Seoul: As with all good Korean winter foods, the best places to try eomuk are at the traditional markets. Check out the Seoul Folk Flea Market to enjoy traditional eomuk as you wander around the antiques and goods at this unique market.

Address in Korean: 서울특별시 동대문구 신설동 천호대로4길 21

See what this popular Korean winter food, eomuk, looks like in the video below. See how big and thick the slices are!

5: Gun-Bam (군밤) Roasted Chestnuts

Chestnuts are plentiful in South Korea and they’re added to many Korean dishes (and even makgeolli). One of the best ways to try them is roasted over a fire or in a hot drum.

The heat cracks their shells and cooks the nut inside, allowing you to easily open up the chestnut and get to the warm, nutty goodness inside.

Huddle up around the fire and stay warm while you wait for your bag of freshly toasted wholesome nourishment.

6: Gun-Goguma (군고구마) Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Along with roasted chestnuts, you’ll also find lots of people selling roasted sweet potatoes in winter time in Korea.

Wrapped in a simple piece of paper, feel the warmth flowing out from this healthy snack as you hold it and pick apart the skin to get to the hot, sweet potato flesh inside.

These are a messy but wonderful treat that you can eat as you explore Korea’s parks and public spaces.

7: Hodu-Gwaja (호두과자) Walnut Cookies

Hodu-gwaja are baked treats made from flour and crushed walnuts and filled with red-bean paste. They’re baked in a walnut-shaped mould to give them this distinctive shape.

A Korean staple for a long time, these little bite-sized baked balls of goodness are certainly one of the best Korean winter snacks to share. Grab a dozen and munch them as you go, or share them with friends or family.

8: Gyeran-Ppang (계란빵) Egg Bread

A classic street food from the food stalls of Myeongdong Market and similar places. You should certainly grab one of these whilst out shopping for bargains.

This delectable dish is as simple as it sounds – an egg on top of a slice of toasted bread. Hot, gooey, a bit messy, and yet so warming and satisfying on a cold winter’s day.

Even better, they’re really cheap. That makes them perfect as a snack or a cheap breakfast on the go, so be sure to pick one up.

9: Ramyeon (라면) Instant Noodles

Ramyeon noodles feature in several of these Korean winter foods, but a bowl of steaming, spicy instant noodles makes for a great snack or light lunch on a cold winter’s day by themselves.

You’ll find ramyeon noodles absolutely everywhere in Korea, with dedicated sections of convenience stores ready to help you prepare them that come with chopsticks and boiling water.

In some places you might even find machines dedicated to making ramyeon, like the one in the picture above.

Wanna know more about Korean ramen? Check out this article for the 12 Best Korean Ramen.

10: Korean Hot Dogs (핫도그)

Korean hot dogs (AKA corn dogs) and gamja hot dogs (potato-covered hot dogs) are a strange mix of sweet and salty that provide a cheap, delicious snack any time of year.

These hot dogs are coated in a batter before being deep fried and topped with sugar… and then tomato ketchup and mustard. Yes, an unusual combination, but one that works well.

Grab one of these Korean hot dogs from street food stalls or even in dedicated hole-in-the-wall style restaurants that specialise in these snacks. Try the cheese ones, too.

Want To Try A Korean Cooking Course In Seoul?

Why don’t you try learning a new skill when you visit Seoul? Enjoy making a range of delicious Korean dishes for any weather with a Seoul cooking course. Learn to make delicious Korean dishes to share with your friends and family and take home more than just souvenirs.

Top 10 Korean Winter Dishes

If the cold weather is too much, duck into a traditional Korean restaurant and sample some of these belly-warming Korean winter dishes.

From healthy chicken rice-porridge, to spicy kimchi dishes, and savoury dumpling soups, there’s something for everyone to enjoy during winter in Korea.

Here’s 10 of the best Korean winter foods that I’m sure you’ll love.

1: Kimchi-Jjigae (김치 찌개) Kimchi Stew

Kimchi-jjigae, one of my favourite Korean dishes, is great for lunch or dinner and really fills you up. Any jjigae (stew) is going to be perfect to recover from the cold, but kimchi-jjigae is the best.

This meal is a delightful mix of cabbage kimchi, tofu, cellophane noodles, pork, and vegetables, with a dish of rice and obligatory side dishes called banchan, served in a large bowl for two or more people.

When the kimchi is sautéed, it becomes softer and releases all its flavour into the stew, creating a hearty broth. The best way to eat it is to put a bit of rice on your spoon, dip it in the broth, then top it with the other ingredients.

2: Dolsot Bibimbap (돌솥 비빔밥) Stone Bowl Mixed Rice

This is the winter version of one of Korea’s most popular and famous foods – bibimbap. Whereas regular bibimbap is served cold, this hot stone bowl version really mixes things up.

Instead of a fried egg, a raw egg is dropped on top and mixed together with the rice, vegetables, sauces, etc. This creates a kind of egg fried rice that is both delicious and healthy.

Not only that, the rice sticks to the edge of the bowl and at the end you can peel it off for a crispy snack. Alternatively, add water to the empty bowl to make a healthy rice drink.

3: Dak-Galbi (닭갈비) Spicy Stir Fried Chicken

Dak-galbi is a Korean winter food best shared with others. This dish combines marinated chicken with a bunch of vegetables, rice cake (tteok 떡 ), chili paste sauce, and other spices. You can also add in noodles and cheese.

These ingredients are chucked in a large pan and stir-fried at your table. Be careful, though, this is also a very messy dish and you’ll want to wear an apron as you can easily splatter yourself with the sauce! Dak-galbi is a meal to experience, not just eat

4: Kal-Guksu (칼국수) Knife-Cut Noodle Soup

Literally meaning knife-cut noodles, kal-guksu has chunky noodles because they are cut by hand and not spun. This gives the noodles a rich taste and make them the star of the dish. Extra ingredients might include shellfish, ground beef, chicken, some vegetables, or cilantro.

The best kal-guksu restaurants will be busy in winter, and that’s a good sign that they serve a great dish. A perfect Korean winter food, this hot, steaming broth can refresh any weary traveller.

5: Budae-Jjigae (부대찌개) Army Stew

Budae-jjigae is spicy, delicious, warming and stuffed with things that aren’t very healthy, which makes it a great Korean winter food. Packed full of meat, noodles, rice cakes, and lots of other rather unhealthy foods, it’ll leave you feeling satisfied and full.

This unique fusion of American and Korean cuisine has created a marriage of Western products (SPAM and baked beans) and traditional Korean ingredients that is a great tonic to the winter blues.

6: Juk (죽) Korean Rice Porridge

If you’re feeling unwell or suffering from the coldness of winter, then this is the Korean winter food for you! I always eat this porridge when I’m feeling sick.

Korean rice porridge is full of healthy ingredients in a range of varieties, from plain old rice porridge to chicken, red bean, shrimp, and even abalone porridge.

If you’re feeling down or want a healthy winter treat, be sure to head to one of the many juk restaurants throughout Korea and you’ll certainly feel better.

7: Samgyeopsal (삼겹살) Korean BBQ

I’ll admit, this is not only one of the best Korean winter foods, it’s also one of the best Korean foods ever. If you’re visiting Korea during winter, you will find many people enjoying a meal of smoky Korean BBQ.

Slices of samyeopsal (pork belly) fry on the blazing fires in front of you, whilst you patiently wait to pick them out, wrap them up with other ingredients, and stuff them in your mouth. A Korean BBQ is another ‘meal experience’ that is best enjoyed with friends or family.

8: Dakbal (닭발) Super Spicy Chicken Feet

This Korean winter food might give some people a bit of culture shock. Dakbal, literally meaning ‘chicken foot’, is exactly what you’d imagine it is. It’s probably the spiciest of all the Korean winter foods on this list, too, so be careful!

This is a very popular dish with Koreans who want to go out, drink lots of beer and enjoy super spicy food. Dakbal restaurants are lively and filled with Koreans having a good time. If you feel brave enough, try it and see what the big deal is about.

9: Mandu-Guk (만두국) Dumpling Soup

A good mandu-guk will be packed full of freshly wrapped dumplings filled with kimchi, meat, or seafood. Also squeezed in with the dumplings, you might find tteok 떡 (rice cakes), sliced vegetables, ground meat, or even an egg.

Koreans start the New Year with a bowl of mandu-guk, cementing its claim as a Korean winter food. If you’re in Korea at the time, be sure to try it.

10: Jjamppong (짬뽕) Spicy Noodle Seafood Soup

Although jjamppong is referred to as a ‘Chinese’ dish in Korea, it is undeniably a part of Korea’s arsenal of culinary defence against winter cold and a perfect dish for a winter’s day in Korea.

Packed full of seafood (or sometimes pork) and thick noodles in a steaming, spicy soup, jjamppong goes straight to your stomach and radiates heat all through your body. It’s filling, satisfying, and will leave you feeling stuffed.

Hungry For More Korean Food?

If this article has whetted your appetite for more delicious Korean dishes, how about some weird Korean dishes instead? Are you brave enough to try them? Of course, knowing what you want to eat is only half the battle, figuring out how to order food in Korean will really help you embrace Korea.

Try Amazing Korean Winter Foods In Seoul

Not sure where to eat Korean winter dishes in Seoul?

Why not book a Seoul Night Food Tour in Seoul and experience some of the most delicious, soul warming foods that are loved by locals and tourists alike. Visit Euljiro, a sacred place for Korean hipsters with a local guide, experience real Korean ‘hansik‘ through Korea’s beloved foods, and learn about the history of Euljiro and Cheonggyecheon.

Alternatively, experience Seoul’s best winter food with a Gwangjang Market Food Tour, giving you the chance to try the best traditional and modern street foods. Take an insider’s look at Seoul with this walking tour of Gwangjang Market, Chenggyecheon stream and Heunginjimun Gate. Learn about Korean culture and try popular local foods on the way.

Learn To Make Korean Winter Dishes At Home

Want to try making these winter dishes at home but not sure where to start? Here are some Korean cookbooks to teach you how to make a range of tasty Korean treats. Start with the basics, such as tteokbokki and mandu, or jump straight into filling meals like kimchi jjigae and jjamppong. Also, be sure to buy a stone bowl for those tasty winter stews and soups.

Maangchi’s Big Book Of Korean Cooking

The book contains the favourite dishes by famous Korean chef and YouTuber, Maangchi. She has perfected many Korean meals over the years, from Korean barbecue and fried chicken to bulgogi and bibimbap. Discover Maangchi’s professional approach to Korean cooking today.

Buy on Amazon

The Korean Vegan: Joanne Lee Molinaro

Joanne Lee Molinaro has captivated millions of fans with her powerfully moving personal tales of love, family, and food. In her debut cookbook, she shares a collection of her favorite Korean dishes, some traditional and some reimagined, as well as poignant narrative snapshots that have shaped her family history.

Buy on Amazon

Wookwan’s Korean Temple Food

As the first volume of temple cuisine published in English, Wookwan herself has written an elegant volume that introduces the reader to Korean temple food, including what it means to care for the ingredients at each step of preparation, following the three key principles of cooking temple food, interspersed with her own accounts and tips among the recipes.

Buy on Amazon

Korean Stone Bowl Cooking Pot

An essential part of many Korean winter dishes is the stone bowl (dolsot) cooking pot. This can be used to make dishes such as dolsot bibimbap, kimchi jjigae, and many other hot soups and stews.

Buy on Amazon

Cookbooks not your thing? Check out the Baek Jong Won YouTube channel. He’s one of Korea’s most famous chefs and you can find his restaurants all over the place. He can teach you to make tteokbokki and many other tasty Korean winter foods.

Travelling To Korea This Winter?

Do you dream of seeing the royal palaces of Seoul covered in snow whilst munching on a hotteok? Want to experience freezing cold temperatures (and below) with a bowl of tteokbokki? Not sure where to visit and what to do during this frosty season?

Then check out some of my other articles about travelling to Korea during winter for the best places to see snow and winter activities to enjoy.

Where To See Snow In Korea: Korea is blessed with thousands of mountains, most of which see lots of snowfall in winter. Find out the best places to see snow across Korea.

Discover the best Korean winter activities, including ice fishing, sledding, snowboarding and lots more, There’s always something fun to do during winter in Korea.

Jeju Island In Winter: One of my favourite places to visit during winter is Jeju Island, a semi-tropical wonder of the world that has snow, fresh oranges, and palm trees all in one place. You can get lots of unique Korean winter foods from the markets in Jeju City and Seogwipo.

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The good news is, you don’t have to go too far to see snow in Korea, especially if you’re visiting during the snowiest months – January and February. From Jeju Island to Seoul, there are snowy sights across Korea to enjoy this winter.

This article will tell you the best places to see snow in Seoul, which winter festivals look good with snowy sights, activities where you can enjoy seeing snow in Korea, and famous places in Korea for the prettiest snowscapes.

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links and I may earn commission for purchases made after clicking these links.

Best Places To See Snow In Korea

The best place to see snow in Korea is undoubtedly in the mountains, national parks, and ski resorts as these are the highest places in Korea and therefore have the most snowfall. The snow can be knee-deep and falls regularly, creating pristine white landscapes to fall in love with.

When it does snow in Korea, there are plenty of other sights in Seoul and beyond where you can enjoy a wide range of winter activities, get snowy backdrops for your travel pictures, and have fun playing in the snow.

Korean festivals are some of the best places to see snow in Korea as you not only get to enjoy the snowy scenes, you can also engage in fun activities, learn about Korean culture, and try something unique you may never have experienced before, such as ice-fishing or snow sledding.

Top tourist attractions can be even prettier during winter when covered by snow, especially those with winter illuminations shining off the glistening snow. There are many family-friendly attractions to see on a snowy day in Korea, such as Nami Island, Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm, Seoul Grand Park, and Seoul Forest.

I am recommending these places as I’ve visited (or had friends visit) many of them. Others are unmissable spots in Korea with great reputations for winter fun. I personally love to go hiking a lot during winter as it’s so much fun to see the snowy peaks, especially winter hiking on Hallasan Mountain on Jeju Island.

When Does It Snow In Korea?

The first snowfall in Korea in 2023 was on October 21st, 2023, falling on the slopes of Seoraksan Mountain before the autumn leaves had even finished coming out. This was slightly earlier than usual as the highest mountains typically see snowfall in early November.

The Korean snow season runs from late November to early March and it can snow at any time during these months. You’re most likely to see snow in Korea in January and February as these are the coldest months, with temperatures around 0 degrees (and colder at night).

Please note: Korea isn’t a country that sees constant snowfall during winter. It can be sporadic and fall for a single afternoon or a whole week. When it does snow, it typically lasts for 2-3 days.

Where Does It Snow In Korea?

It typically snows more in the mountains than in the cities. Korea is 70% mountainous, though, which means there are loads of places to see snow in Korea.

The tallest mountains will have snow throughout January and February, making them the best places to see snow in Korea. They also see the first and last snow fall each year.

You can still see snow in other areas, even on the palm-tree lined beaches of Jeju Island! Snow can fall anywhere in Korea and the whole country is cold in winter.

However, snow is relatively rare outside the mountainous areas and there are often only 3-4 weeks per year where it will snow in Korean cities, and this is not constant.

Where To See Snow In Seoul

When it snows in Seoul, the city transforms into a winter wonderland, with snow-topped fortress walls and palaces, frozen lakes and rivers, and historic sights buried in snow.

As Seoul is a must-see destination for travellers to Korea, the first 10 snowy sights in Korea are all based in Seoul. These locations are perfect for those who want to capture pretty pictures of the city bedecked in powdery white snow.

Many of these snow spots in Seoul are great places to visit at any time of year, but I think they look even more magical when covered in snow. Whenever you visit, you’re sure to enjoy these sights.

1: Seoul’s Royal Palaces

Located in the centre of Seoul, and within walking distance from each other, Seoul’s royal palaces are a beautiful reminder of Korea’s past and definitely something to add to any winter bucket list for South Korea.

The bright greens, reds, and other vivid colours that set these traditional buildings apart from the drab greys of modern buildings look even more impressive than normal when covered in shiny white snow during winter. Enjoy delicious, hot Korean winter street snacks as you explore these cold palaces and frozen lakes.

How to get there: The royal palaces (and nearest subway) are Gyeongbokgung (Anguk Station), Changdeokgung (Anguk Station), Changgyeonggung (Anguk Station), Deoksugung (City Hall Station), and Gyeonghuigung (Gwanghwamun Station).

Tip: You can get free entry to the palaces if you wear hanbok. Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed on Tuesday, the others are closed on Monday.

Snowy Hanbok Pictures: If you want to get the most memorable, authentically Korean pictures during your winter trip to Korea, why not rent traditional Korean hanbok when you’re in Seoul? Alternatively, rent an Ewha Korean School Uniform near Lotte World & Lotte Tower for fun pictures.

2: Bukchon Hanok Village

The historic district of Bukchon Hanok Village is full of old hanok buildings beautifully preserved and restored. Walk through these peaceful streets with wooden beams and black tiles covered in soft white snow.

This is also a great place to dress up in hanbok. Grab your camera, choose one of the many doorways or streets, and take some pictures.

If the snow gets too heavy, visit one of the many cafes and tea rooms and experience traditional Korean drinks in a warm and cosy atmosphere.

How to get there: Take the subway to Anguk Station (Line 3 – orange) and walk north from exit 2. You should see signs for the Bukchon Hanok Village straight away.

Tip: Bukchon Hanok Village is a residential area and it’s best to visit during the daytime to not disturb the residents. There are many hanbok rental shops nearby and both Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces are within walking distance of Bukchon Hanok Village.

Try A Hanok Stay In Seoul: If you want to experience sleeping in a Korean hanok house in winter (with heated flooring), check out Bonum 1957 Hanok and Boutique in Bukchon Hanok Village.

3: N Seoul Tower (Namsan Tower)

A must-see sight in Seoul, the N Seoul Tower is great for looking out to see snow blanketing Seoul like a clean cotton sheet in all directions.

Take a hike up the short trail to the top of Namsan Mountain to reach the N Seoul Tower, passing by snow-covered fortress walls and ghostly snow-lined limbs of trees on the way.

If hiking isn’t for you, take the Namsan Cable Car to the top and enjoy a pleasant ride, looking down over central Seoul, royal palaces, and Bukhansan National Park in the distance.

How to get there: There are several ways to get to the N Seoul Tower, including on foot, by cable car, bus, or car. The most scenic way is by cable car. Walking takes about 30 minutes from Myeongdong Station and involves an uphill ascent (paved).

Tip: You can save money on entrance fees and attractions at the tower by booking online, which also avoids long queues and gives you more time to see snowy sights in Seoul.

4: Lotte World Theme Park

For those travelling with children, you certainly can’t beat the Lotte World Theme Park in Jamsil. See the Magic Island (pictured), which is located on the edge of the pretty Seokchon Lake.

From here, you might see frozen waters with snow on the empty cherry blossom trees that are waiting to show their glory in the coming spring. A perfectly magical spot to see snow in Seoul.

Take a trip up to the 123rd floor of the Seoul Sky Observatory in the nearby Lotte World Tower for incredible views across snowy Seoul.

How to get there: Take the subway to Jamsil Station (Line 2 – green or Line 8 – red). Lotte World is right outside subway exit 4 and the Lotte World Tower is outside exit 1.

Tip: Save money on the cost of the entrance by booking online or get free entry with the Discover Seoul Pass. Stay late for night views of Seokchon Lake and Lotte World Tower.

Perfect Discover Seoul Pass Itinerary: If you want to save money in Seoul, the Discover Seoul Pass is one of the best ways to do it. Get free entry to dozens of top attractions, including Lotte World Theme Park. Find an itinerary to suit you in my Discover Seoul Pass Itineraries article.

5: Bukhansan National Park

An obvious choice for snow in Seoul has to be in Seoul’s own national park – the ruggedly astounding Bukhansan National Park. You’ll probably recognise this mountain range if you’ve been to the top of the N Seoul Tower and looked north. You can’t miss it.

I’ve climbed Bukhansan several times, including in mid-March, and there was still snow falling at that time. In January and February, you’re more likely to see thick, powdery snow here than in other places in Seoul.

How to get there: Take the subway to Gupabal Station (line 3 – orange), Exit 2, and then transfer to a bus outside the station. Buses 34, 701, 702, and 704 all go to the main entrance.

Tip: Join a hiking group on Facebook, such as Seoul Hike, if you’re not confident about hiking on your own or you want to hike with other people.

Here’s some information about how to climb Bukhansan in winter, how to hike to Baegundae Peak – the highest peak in Bukhansan, and some general hiking in Korea tips that’ll help you prepare.

6: Seoul’s Fortress Walls

Walk along Seoul’s lofty fortress walls to gaze out over the city when it’s covered in snow, and to see clean snow not trampled down by traffic and pedestrians in the busy streets below.

The fortress walls are great for a bit of winter exercise (but be sure to wrap up warm), and see a historic side of Seoul.

The fortress walls are over 600 years old and are the perfect place for a morning stroll or night hike without having to leave the city.

How to get there: Take a subway to Hyehwa Station (Line 4 – light blue) and walk east up the hill towards the park. Alternatively, head to Dongdaemun Station (Line 4 – light blue) and you’ll find fortress walls here, too.

Tip: If you’re feeling active, start your snowy day out in Seoul walking from Naksan Park, down through Dongdaemun towards Namsangol Hanok Village, and then walk up to the N Seoul Tower.

7: Haneul Park & Han River Parks

The Haneul (Sky) Park near World Cup Stadium in Seoul, a great place for autumn leaves, looks so beautiful when the snow falls in winter. The tall reeds are crested in white snow and offer many interesting photo opportunities.

Perhaps even better is the meta sequoia lane in the adjacent Nanji Han River Park. Meta sequoia (dawn redwood) are tall conifers soaring up to 165 foot into the air, certainly unmissable in the snow. The dark trunks provide a wonderful contrast to light snow.

How to get there: Take a subway to World Cup Stadium (Line 6 – brown) and head towards the rivers. There are numerous parks in this area. Haneul Park is on top of the hill – you can’t miss it. You can also find the Oil Tank Culture Park here, a free attraction that is worth a visit.

Tip: There are loads of pretty riverside parks to see the snow in Seoul, including Yeouido Hangang Park and Banpo Hangang Park. Take a stroll along the Han River and enjoy them all. If it’s cold enough, the river might even be frozen, too!

8: Seoul Land In Seoul Grand Park

Seoul Land, located in Seoul Grand Park, is a fun spot for families to enjoy a day outside playing in the snow. Besides the regular attractions on offer in the park, there are special winter activities available for the snowy season, including snow sledding on Samchulli Hill.

This area is great fun for kids and adults alike and everyone can have fun playing in the snow in Seoul Land. Grab a sled, walk to the top of the snowy mound, then zip down to the bottom. Also check out the winter illuminations here.

How to get there: To get to Seoul Grand Park, take the subway to Seoul Grand Park Station (Line 4 – light blue). The Elephant Train runs between Seoul Land, Seoul Zoo and Seoul Grand Park.

Tip: Seoul Zoo is also located in Seoul Grand Park and has a wide variety of animals to see. You can visit both areas in a day and you can get discounted tickets to see all the attractions.

9: Seoul Forest & Seongsu-Dong Neighbourhood

Seoul Forest in Seongsu-dong district has been described as the Hyde Park or Central Park of Seoul. Wedged between two parts of the Han River, the park is a welcome oasis from the busy city any time of the year.

You can find dozens of deer in Seoul Forest, giving you the impression of being in Lapland, not Korea. This is a family park, so if you’re travelling with children, they can have fun with the animals (there’s a petting zoo), snow covered trees, frozen lakes, and play on the many slides and swings.

How to get there: Take the subway to Seoul Forest Station (Bundang Line – yellow/orange). You’ll probably have to transfer at Wangsimni Station if you’re coming from central Seoul.

Tip: If the cold weather becomes too much, head into the hip Seongsu-dong area to warm up. You’ll find lots of artsy shops, cafes, the Under Stand Avenue (shipping container galleries, shops, and cafes), unique restaurants, and several museums and galleries.

10: Ice Skating Rinks In Seoul

One of the most popular ice skating rinks in Seoul is the Seoul Plaza Ice Skating Rink, located close to Deoksugung Palace, meaning you can combine these two great snowy locations in Seoul.

There are other indoor and outdoor rinks you can visit in Seoul, too. Why not grab some skates when it snows in Seoul and slip and slide through the hard ice, or watch as others do it more gracefully? A wonderful wintry activity amongst the snowy streets of Seoul.

How to get there: Take the subway to City Hall Station (Line 1 – dark blue). The ice rink is near the City Hall building, opposite Deoksugung Palace.

Please note: Check ahead to make sure the ice skating rinks are open when you plan to visit. There may be closures this winter due to the ongoing pandemic in Korea.

Winter Attractions To See Snow In Korea

Korea has many wonderful attractions to see during winter. They’re fun places to visit any time of the year, but excel in winter when the snow falls.

You can visit a lot of these on day tours from Seoul and other major cities. Where there are tour options, I will add links for your convenience.

Here are some of the best attractions to see when it’s snowing:

Nami Island

Nami Island, famous for its long, tree-lined walkways, unique statues, and cosy cafes, provides dozens of photo-worthy spots to enjoy the snowy sights, as well as snowman statues and winter lights. Not only can you witness the natural beauty of Nami Island covered in snow, you can also experience cultural festivals, see the island’s wildlife, and ride around the island on a rented bike.

How to get there: Here’s a guide about How To Get To Nami Island by public transport.

Tour options: There are plenty of tour options to take you to Nami Island and other locations in Gapyeong with a day tour departing from Seoul. Check out Klook, Trazy, and Get Your Guide for their various packages.

Gangchon Railbike

Pedalling your way along an abandoned railway track with views of the Bukhan River and forested valleys all covered in snow is the perfect way to spend a sunny winter’s day. Located close to Nami Island (and available for day trips from Seoul), the Gangchon Railbike Park offers a chance to get out and see Korean nature draped in snowy blankets.

Address in Korean: 강원도 춘천시 신동면 김유정로 1383

Tour options: There are plenty of tour options to take you to Nami Island and other locations in Gapyeong with a day tour departing from Seoul. Check out Klook, Trazy, and Get Your Guide for their various packages.

Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm

Tucked away in the ‘Alps of Korea’, the Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm is an interesting place to explore Korea’s winter scenery on a snowy day. Gaze at the fields and surrounding forests blanketed in snow whilst trying to find the camouflaged sheep.

The Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm is located close to Gangneung City on Korea’s east coast, a city that has lots of lovely seaside cafes to stay warm in during winter.

Address in Korean: 강원도 평창군 대관령면 대관령마루길 483-32

Onyang Hot Springs

The hot waters of Onyang Hot Springs (온양온천지구), Asan, are the ideal remedy for the cold winter weather, and also provide a unique place to see falling snow. Sit outside in the steaming hot water while snow falls from above and melts into the pool. Not only are the hot springs a relaxing place to enjoy winter in Korea, they’ll do wonders for your body with their healing waters.

Address in Korean: 충청남도 아산시 온천대로 1459

Wondaeri Birch Forest

The Wondaeri Birch Forest near Inje, home to more than 700,000 silvery birch trees, provides a peaceful winter trek through the snow. There are many paths to explore in this tranquil forest, winding through the tall trees, with plenty of photo-worthy spots and places to sit and contemplate the scenery.

The four main trekking courses are:

• Birch Forest Course
  (0.9km, 40-50 mins)
• Healing Course
  (1.5km, 1.5 hrs)
• Exploration Course
  (1.1km, 40 mins)
• Healing Course
  (2.4km, 1.5 hrs)

The easiest way to get to the Wondaeri Birch Forest, which is located in Gangwon Province, is to take a day tour from Seoul, such as this Wondaeri Tour by Klook.

Address in Korean: 강원도 인제군 인제읍 원대리 581

Snowy Korean Winter Festivals

Korea loves to hold festivals in all seasons, and winter provides some of the most interesting festivals of the whole year. These winter festivals celebrate the winter snow and activities that you can enjoy best when the temperature drops below zero.

Wrap up warm and head to these festivals for the best sights of snow in Korea and also to have a fun day out. From fishing in icy lakes, to evening strolls through snowy winter illuminations, there are so many charming ways to enjoy seeing snow.

Ice Fishing Festivals

A wonderfully unique place to experience snowy (and icy) fun in Korea is at one of the big ice-fishing festivals held in January and February. These are held in smaller towns across the country and offer you the chance to try a range of activities in snowy surroundings.

Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Fishing Festival: This festival claims to be one of the 4 best winter festivals in the world and is one of my favourite Korean winter festivals. Located in the northern city of Hwacheon and running for more than 3 weeks in January, this festival gives you the chance to experience life as an ice fisher, trying to catch your lunch even when the water is frozen. You can also enjoy a range of other wintry attractions, including sledding, ice sculptures, and bare-handed ice fishing.

Address in Korean: 강원도 화천군 화천읍 중리 196

Learn more: Check out my guide to visiting the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival to learn more about this fun winter festival and see why it’s a must-visit this winter.

Pyeongchang Trout Ice Fishing Festival: Home to the 2018 Winter Olympics, you can understand why Pyeongchang would be the perfect place to host this winter festival. The main draw at this festival is the chance to catch (and then cook) your own lunch. Head over to the large icy river and get ready to fish.

Address in Korean: 114-1, 하진부리 진부면 평창군 강원도

Inje Ice Fishing Festival: This winter festival has a lot more to offer than just ice fishing. Running for more than 20 years, the Inje Ice Fishing Festival has developed a range of other activities for fun in the snow. You’ll find family-friendly areas such as the Ice Playground and Snow Playground. There are loads of ice and snow-based winter activities and sports for all ages.

Address in Korean: 강원도 인제군 남면 부평리 555-2

Hongcheon Ggong Ggong River Ginseng Trout Festival: Want to try an ice fishing festival in Korea with a difference? Then head to the Hongcheon Ggong Ggong River Ginseng Trout Festival, where the fish are fed on a diet of 6-year old Hongcheon Gingseng. Besides the healthy lunch you can catch with your bare hands, there is also a lot of wintry fun to be had nearby, including Vivaldi Park Snow World for ice sledding and the ice sculpture exhibition.

Address in Korean: 강원도 홍천군 홍천읍 너브내길 59

Please Note: This festival hasn’t been confirmed for 2024 yet.

Winter Illumination Festivals

What’s better than seeing the glittering white snow? How about millions of colourful lights reflected in that snow, creating a crystalline carpet of colours in some great gardens and parks? You’ll find incredibly colourful displays at these festivals. There are lots of winter lights festivals across Korea, including many that you can visit on a day trip from Seoul.

Garden Of Morning Calm Lighting Festival: The Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival is one of the top spots to visit during the dark, wintry days. Walking through the gardens when the sun has set is like entering into a magical world, a true winter fantasia. Explore the diverse themed areas that focus on animals, plants, and even love. A great place to take your loved one for some romantic memories walking between the electric forests and white snow.

Address in Korean: 경기도 가평군 상면 수목원로 432

Herb Island Light Festival: These herb gardens transform into an electric circus of lights, illuminations, and wonderful displays in winter. Herb Island also has a Santa’s Village area, with over 300 Santa Clauses to meet. Great for unforgettable snowy Christmas pics.

This winter festival is a place for lovers to share a romantic stroll, or for friends to make lasting memories of their adventures together. Families will also enjoy a magical time here.

Address in Korean: 경기도 포천시 신북면 청신로947번길 35 KR

Seoul Lantern Festival: This dazzling festival is held in Gwanghwamun Square outside Gyeongbokgung Palace, giving over it’s large pedestrianised areas to massive glowing lanterns. These installations are definitely the main draw, featuring different concepts each year like aquarium scenes, starry nights, nature landscapes, and Korean folktales. Last year there was a giant rabbit.

Address in Korean: 서울 종로구 세종대로 175 세종이야기

Winter Theme Park Festivals

You might not think about visiting a theme park in winter, but there are actually a lot of fun things to do in this season, including some big winter festivals that embrace the cold weather and give you a chance to enjoy snowy sights.

Although several of the major theme parks are in Seoul, which I’ve covered in the article below, I’ll include the two biggest theme parks here for your information. On a snowy day, they’ll be a great place for a family fun day out.

Everland Winter Wishes Festival: Everland is one the best theme parks in Korea, and a fun place to enjoy snow and winter activities. The festivals on offer change each year, but typically include a Christmassy-style festival called Winter Wishes in November and December and then a snow-based festival from January until early March.

Address in Korean: 경기도 용인시 처인구 포곡읍 에버랜드로 199 KR

Tour options: If you want to get to Everland this winter, save money with a discounted one day pass from Klook. To get to the park, you can also arrange round-trip transportation from Seoul.

Lotte World Christmas Miracle: As you can see from the picture above, Lotte World in Jamsil, Seoul, takes a lot from Disneyland and even has a fantasy-themed ‘Magic Island’, which sits in the lovely Seokchon Lake. For families looking for a magical place to see snow in Korea, then the Lotte World Christmas Miracle is for you.

There are Christmas decorations, parades, carols, an appearance from Santa Claus, and a lot of photo-worthy spots to see the snow. If it gets too cold, the good news is that the rest of the theme park, Lotte World Adventure, is indoors.

Address in Korean: 서울특별시 송파구 올림픽로 240

Tour options: Save money on entrance fees with discounted one day pass from Klook for big savings on entry to Lotte World Adventure, Lotte World Aquarium, and Seoul Sky Observatory.

Snow & Ice Festivals

What could be a better place to see snow in Korea than at a festival dedicated to the powdery white goodness? There are a couple of big festivals that run in January each winter, where you have a good chance to see snow and enjoy a wide range of snowy activities, too.

Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival: The Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival offers you the chance to see rural Korea, up in the mountains of Taebaeksan National Park. Walk among gigantic snow and ice sculptures and try a spot of hiking, too. You can enjoy snow sliding, snow hiking, pop into an ice igloo, and see the various performances at this festival. Come on the weekend for performances, or any time for snowy beauty. Taebaeksan is one of the best regions to hike and see snow in Korea, so don’t miss it.

Address in Korean: 강원 태백시 태백산로 4834-31

Daegwallyeong Snow Festival: Located at the previously mentioned Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm, there is a snow festival that runs during the middle of January and has a range of fun activities to enjoy in the snow. Try snow sledding and sliding down the snowy slopes into soft snow below. You can also walk around huge ice sculptures representing building-sized structures, such as castles, people, characters, and more. There are performances during the day, parades, and a fireworks show to light up the skies at night.

Address in Korean: 강원도 평창군 대관령면 대관령마루길 483-32

See Snow At Ski Resorts In Korea

There are many ski resorts in Korea, where you can enjoy a range of winter sports, or play around in the snow and make a snowman. As they’re high up in the mountains, these resorts can have snow for several months, giving the best chance to see snowy landscapes.

Skiing and snowboarding are very popular winter activities in Korea and there are a range of resorts that offer slopes and training for all levels, from absolute beginners to experts.

Below is a list of the ski resorts in Korea and their opening dates for the 2023-2024 ski season. Ski resorts in Korea open in December and stay open until February or March, depending on the available snow.

Most of the ski resorts in Korea are in the north, located in Gyeonggi and Gangwon province. These are really convenient for day trips or weekend breaks from Seoul and you’ll find a lot of locals visiting on the weekends.

Some resorts, such as Vivaldi Park, have a separate area for families or non-skiers where you can ride sleds, slide down icy slopes, mess around in playgrounds, see winter illuminations, chill in cosy cafes, and just take in the sights.

Below are some of the best ski resorts in Korea for winter snow sports. I’ve added links to some package tours from tour companies in Korea. These companies offer a range of well-priced tours to ski resorts, as well as discounted ski passes, equipment, and overnight stays.

Booking a tour often works out a lot cheaper and easier than trying to travel yourself.

Vivaldi Park Ski Resort: The most popular ski resort in Korea, with state of the art facilities and amazing courses. There are 12 slopes and 10 lifts here, with something suitable for any level, as well as Snowy Land – a family fun play area to mess around in the snow.

Alpensia Ski Resort: One of the main resorts used for the 2018 Winter Olympics, Alpensia Ski Resort offers a range of winter activities for levels of all ages. There are 6 courses for various skill levels.

Elysian Gangchon: The stunning Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort offers skiing, snowboard, and snow sledding. You can also hike around the area and see the beautiful snow-covered Korean nature.

Yongpyong Ski Resort: Another resort used for the 2018 Winter Olympics. This is a large ski resort that has 28 slopes to choose from. Very popular with ski and snowboarding enthusiasts.

Jisan Forest Ski Resort: Feauturing a range of slopes from beginner to advancd, Jisan Forest is a compact ski resort nestled in forested slopes that also has a snow sleigh park to play in and teaching area for people interested in learning to ski for the first time.

Welli Hilli Snow Park: If you’re into snowboarding, this is one of the best resorts in Korea for you. Featuring one of Korea’s few half-pipes, these courses favour snowboarders over skiers.

Eden Valley: Looking to ski close to Busan? This ski resort on the slopes of Sinbulsan Mountain has 7 slopes for different levels and has a ski school for those looking to learn to ski or board.

There are plenty of ski tours and day trips to ski resorts available. If you want to check out a different ski resort or package, these companies have a wide range of ski tours for you.

Hike In Korea’s Snowy Mountains

This is one of my favourite winter activities and there are lots of wonderful national parks across Korea where you can find snowy mountain peaks.

Not only can you hike and trek through the increasingly deeper snow, you’ll also get to see traditional Korean Buddhist temples covered in snow, which is a sight worthy of the effort alone.

Whilst any national park would be good to visit in winter, these 5 mountains and national parks have some of the best snow scenes or highest chances of snow.

Taebaeksan Mountain

Taebaeksan Mountain, a holy place littered with shamanistic shrines, is one of the best mountains for seeing snow in Korea. It’s tall, at over 1,500 metres, and located in the heart of the Korean Alps. If you come to Taebaeksan, be sure to check out the aforementioned Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival, too.

Deogyusan Mountain, Muju

A personal favourite of mine as it’s close to Daejeon, Deogyusan Mountain is one of the tallest mountains in Korea and offers a great day hike to the top. Start by passing through snowy valleys, eat lunch at a snow-covered temple, and then ascend to the all-white peak. The peak is right next to Deogyusan ski resort, which offers fantastic views of the snowy slopes and a scenic cable car that you can ride to get down the hill.

Cheonwangbong Peak, Jirisan

The highest peak in Jirisan National Park and the second highest mountain in Korea, Cheonwangbong offers a rare chance to sleep overnight and make a sunrise hike in the morning to see rows of mountains covered in snow and the valleys below. You don’t have to stay overnight, however, you can still hike in Jirisan during the day see many snowy sights and walk through snow that can be knee-deep.

Hallasan Mountain, Jeju Island

Can you believe there’s deep snow only 20 minutes from sandy beaches on a semi-tropical island? On the slopes of Hallasan Mountain, Korea’s only active volcano, you can see some incredible snowy scenes whilst looking out at the coast.

If you’re looking for snow on Jeju Island, then Hallasan is the place to go. There are several courses that lead to the peak of Hallasan, or pass by the side, and all offer some of the best snow scenes in Korea I’ve ever seen. The best part? Sliding down the pathways on the way back down.

Read my detailed guide about how to hike Hallasan in winter for more information about making a hiking reservation, what to wear, how to get there, and lots more.

Seonjaryeong Ridge, Pyeongchang

Seonjaryeong, located close to Gangneung and the aforementioned Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm, offers one of the prettiest treks through winter snow. It’s also known as one of the snowiest places in Korea. The trek through this area is slow and steady (not steep), passing fir-lined snowscapes and suitable for most hikers. The main route takes about 4 hours to complete.

Korea’s National Parks: Almost all Korean national parks with tall mountains will have snow on them, so if you can’t get to one of these listed above, it’s still worth visiting one that is closest to you. Bukhansan National Park is easiest for visitors to Seoul, Jirisan National Park is good if you’re in Busan.

For those in Jeju, be sure to check out Hallasan National Park. Check out my list of the 10 Best National Parks in Korea packed with useful information all about them. Not sure about how to go hiking in Korea? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with these 21 Top Hiking In Korea Tips.

Tips To Enjoy The Snow In Korea Safely

Here are a few tips for enjoying the Korean snow sights safely. Winter may be colder and icier than you’re used to, and being prepared will save you from problems later.

Wear The Right Clothes: First, I want to say how important it is to wear the right clothes. The ice can be slippery, the weather is bone-numbingly cold at times, and the snow can get everywhere. Wear several layers and make sure you have a thick jacket when you go outside.

Be prepared for the weather and you should be fine. Even if you’re not, Korea has all you will ever need to survive and you can buy stuff in Korea. Check out the markets near Seoul Station or in Myeongdong Market and Namdaemun Market for cheap winter clothes.

Bring The Right Equipment: Hiking boots are a must if you plan to hike one of Korea’s many mountains. Whilst you don’t need to dress like a professional hiker all the time, the right equipment will definitely help you out a lot. If you’re going hiking in deep snow or ice, find out whether or not you’ll need crampons (probably) to stop you slipping. And try to bring some hiking poles, too.

Pack Some Heat: Heat packs, whilst not too great environmentally, are certainly a wonderful way to keep warm and stop your fingers from falling off. You can buy these from convenience stores, cosmetics shops, and supermarkets.

Look After Your Skin: Winter is the driest season in Korea and your skin will dry out quickly. Be sure to pack lots of skin cream, hand cream, and lip balm and apply them daily. You can buy these from cosmetics shops in Korea at reasonable prices.

Stay Hydrated & Fill Up: As mentioned, winter is very dry. Stay warm and drink lots of hot drinks. Stay hydrated to avoid problems, especially if you’re out in the mountains. You can get heated drinks at convenience stores, including healthy ginseng drinks for extra energy.

Try some Korean Winter Dishes, you won’t regret it. There’s nothing like a bit of spice for staying warm inside, but be careful with some of it or you’ll be sweating like a turkey at Christmas.

Book Ahead To Avoid Disappointment: Winter festivals and hotels in popular places can sell out far in advance. To avoid disappointment, make sure to book tours and accommodation as soon as you make plans to go somewhere.

Wherever you go to see snow in Korea, I hope you have a safe and exciting time!

Visiting Korea In Other Seasons

Can’t travel to Korea in winter? No worries, Korea has so many amazing sights to see and things to experience all year round. Here are a few articles that will help you out in other seasons:

Spring in Korea is a time for Korean cherry blossoms and Korean spring festivals that celebrate the return of nature. The weather is warm, making it one of the best times to visit Korea. Visit the mountains in spring for good hiking and to see the celebrations for Buddha’s Birthday.

Summer in Korea is really hot, making it perfect for indulging in sweet Korean summer dishes. There are lots of fun summer activities to enjoy, such as water sports, camping, and beach trips. It’s also wet, so these indoor activities in Seoul will help you plan for the worst.

Autumn in Korea is all about the incredible Korean autumn foliage, where you can see golden gingko leaves and multi-coloured maple leaves turning from green to gold and red. There are also loads of harvest and cultural festivals to enjoy and amazing weather.

If you want details about what to see, do, eat, and discover each month of the year, check out this guide to Korea’s seasons, which includes month-by-month and season-by-season guides. For information about festivals in Korea, read my guide to Korean festivals.

Where To See Snow In Korea FAQs

Finally, here are a few FAQs about where to see snow in Korea, in case the above information didn’t cover enough for you. If you have any other questions you’d like to ask, feel free to leave a comment.

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This guide provides a season-by-season guide to the kind of weather you can expect, as well as the potential problems (and benefits) the seasonal changes bring. Find out when to watch out for typhoons, when to wrap up warm, and when to bring waterproofs for rainy season.

Hiking in Korea is more than just watching the weather. There are so many incredible sights to see. From cherry blossom-lined streets to the stunning views of autumn leaves, silvery reeds, and snow-capped mountain tops, I’ll show you the best places to see them all. Never miss out on the best mountains at the best time with this essential guide to hiking in Korea’s magnificent mountains.

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links and I may earn commission for purchases made after clicking these links.

When To Go Hiking In Korea For The best Sights

The best seasons to go hiking in Korea are definitely spring and autumn, which both feature warm, sunny days and clears skies while you hike. Summer and winter are tougher, but you can definitely enjoy a day out hiking during these seasons.

Each season in Korea has its own charms – from winter snow to autumn leaves and a lot else in between. There’s not really a bad time to go hiking in Korea, but there are definitely better places to go during each season, and places to avoid.

This Korean seasonal hiking guide will give you a quick overview of the weather in each season, some of the best mountains to hike in each season, what you can expect to see, and how to prepare for hiking at that time of year.

Don’t forget to check out my top 21 Korean Hiking Tips to get even more advice about how to have a fun day out hiking in Korea’s national parks. Also, be sure to check my Complete Guide To Korea’s Seasons to know what to experience in each month. This covers a month-by-month guide to weather, events, activities, and festivals to enjoy throughout the year in Korea.

Spring Hiking In Korea

One of the best seasons to go hiking in Korea. Full of nature, new beginnings, bright flowers, and warm weather. After a long winter, spring brings positivity for the year ahead. The arrival of the cherry blossoms brings a lot of people out into the mountains.

Spring Weather

Still cold from winter in early March, quickly warming and quite hot by the end of May. There can be seasonal fine dust during early spring, but the weather is quite nice apart from that. There can be some showers in early April, but they’re not too strong and you can hike with waterproof clothing.

Best Mountains To Hike

Head to Jirisan or Hallasan (Jeju) for incredible views of Cherry blossoms. Hwangmaesan Mountain in Hapcheon (near Busan) has fields of pink flowers on the mountainside, old fortress walls, and even sheep wondering the hills – a nice secret spot away from the crowds.

Near Seoul, Bukhansan National Park is always good, and you can get views of the greenery returning to parks and palaces across the capital.

Chiaksan National Park near Wonju is packed with more trees and there is also the Wonju Rail-bike Park that offers a fun rail-bike experience along an abandoned train line, passing by lakes, cliffs, and lots of pretty sights.

What You Can See

An abundance of flowers, blossoms, and blue skies. The first blossoms of the season are the plum blossoms (maehwa) in early March, followed up by the Cherry Blossoms in mid to late March and early April. There are also magnolias, azaleas, forsythia, and lots more.

There are many Korean festivals celebrating spring and Buddha’s Birthday that are held in the national parks and mountains. The most popular festivals are the cherry blossom festivals, including the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival, which attracts millions of visitors each year.

What To Watch Out For

Fine dust is the biggest issue in spring. Check the air pollution levels before hiking and bring a mask if you expect it. It won’t stop you hiking, but will often spoil the view.

Crowds can also be an issue, especially during cherry blossom season (late March to early April). If you can hike during the week, it’ll be much quieter than the weekends.

Summer Hiking In Korea

Definitely the toughest season to go hiking in Korea, but one where you can still enjoy getting out and seeing the sights. There are more than just mountains to see and the warm summer nights offer the opportunity for night hiking, particularly in Seoul.

Summer Weather

Hot! It doesn’t get cold during summer unless it rains, which it does a lot during July. This is rainy season, so definitely check the weather forecast and pack appropriately if you’re hiking in summer. Night time is cooler and good for special night hikes.

Best Mountains To Hike

I love Odaesan and Gyeryongsan for summer hiking. They have thick forests that provide shelter from the sun’s heat and aren’t too exposed at the top, protecting you from the sun. 

Geumosan Mountain in Gumi (near Daegu) is a nice hidden gem that has a large waterfall you can walk under and a pool to stay cool. You can ride a cable car up to the mountain top and hike back down.

If you’re in Seoul, hike Namsan Mountain at night or along the Seoul City Fortress Walls.

What You Can See

Greenery. After rainy season, plants and trees have a growth explosion and cover everything. Thick leaves, bushes, and plants are everywhere, along with more wildlife and flowers than in any other season.

What To Watch Out For

The heat. Stock up on water and be prepared to sweat. Also be prepared for mosquitoes. They are out in force during summer and you should wear long sleeves to protect against bites. Summer In Korea is tough, but there are many great places to check out, too.

Autumn Hiking In Korea

My favourite season to go hiking in Korea. Long, warm days. Blue skies. And the many colourful autumn leaves that are on display at this time of year. They all add up to one of the best times to be out in nature and hiking. It’s also the most popular time to go hiking in Korea.

Autumn Weather

Lower air pollution than other seasons, more blue skies, and warm (but not hot). The best weather of the year. There are the occasional typhoons, which can be an issue if you’re hiking on Jeju or along the south coast. However, there aren’t as many as in other countries in East Asia.

Best Mountains To Hike

Seoraksan is the most popular destination during autumn, as well as Jirisan, which has loads of maple trees. Naejangsan is considered one of the most beautiful spots for autumn leaves. 

Daedunsan Mountain near Daejeon also has incredible views, as well as a suspension bridge and stairway between peaks (with a scary view below).

If you want to find oceans of silver grass reeds, head to Mindungsan in Gangwon-do.

Check out this article for details about How To Get To Naejangsan. If you want to know more about the best time to travel in Korea, check out my Guide To October In Korea, which is packed with info about festivals, sights, must-do activities, and lots more.

What You Can See

Korea’s Autumn Leaves. These start in late September and run through to early November. There are also various cultural festivals celebrating the harvest and different locally produced products are on sale, such as chestnuts, persimmons, and jujube.

What To Watch Out For

Typhoons. Although they aren’t common, the strong winds and heavy rains make it very dangerous to go hiking. Also keep an eye out for snakes hiding in the fallen leaves.

Winter Hiking In Korea

The coldest season in Korea is actually still a good one to go hiking. Be prepared, wrap up warm, and you can see some incredible sights, including snow-capped mountain tops, snow flowers, and lots more.

Winter Weather

Cold! From mid-November the temperature plummets and is often below 0 degrees Celsius in January and February. This can bring snowy weather, but not all the time.

Hiking in the mountains gives you the best chance to see snow. It’ll also be a lot colder as you start climbing higher. The weather is generally dry during winter, which is good for hiking. Watch out for ice though.

Best Mountains To Hike

Deogyusan is my favourite mountain for winter hiking. There’s often snow and the connected ski-resort gives you an easy way down the mountain after hiking to the top. Jirisan also has great winter views.

If you want to experience snowy mountain views, head to Taebaeksan, it’s famous for its winter festival and snowy scenes. You can get a shuttle bus from Seoul during festival time.

Visiting Jeju Island in winter? Then be sure to try winter hiking on Hallasan for incredible snowy sights.

What You Can See

Snow! In the highest mountains (Seoraksan, Jirisan, Deogyusan, Hallasan), there’s a much better chance of seeing snow than in the cities. A lot of the big ski resorts are in Gyeonggi Province or Gangwon Province in the northern part of Korea, close to Seoul.

What To Watch Out For

Ice. If you’re hiking, make sure you pack some spikes (crampons) and hiking sticks. Wrap up warm because winter is cold and the mountains are freezing. You’ll warm up as you hike though. It gets dark quickly, too. Be prepared to end your hike around 5pm.

The Best Places To Go Hiking In Korea

There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of mountains to choose from if you want to go hiking in Korea. The country is 70% mountainous and knowing which ones are the best ones you should visit can feel a bit overwhelming.

The list below are for the best mountains you can visit from Seoul and then the best mountains you can visit across Korea in case you’re starting from other locations.

Best Mountains To Hike In Seoul

These mountains are all inside Seoul and accessible by public transport

• Bukhansan National Park
• Namsan Mountain (N Seoul Tower)
• Inwangsan Mountain
• Gwanaksan Mountain
• Cheonggyesan Mountain
• Ansan Mountain
• Achasan Mountain

Best Mountains To Hike In Korea

For other parts of Korea, here are some of the best national parks that are typically suitable for all levels.

• Chiaksan National Park
• Seoraksan National Park
• Odaesan National Park
• Jirisan National Park
• Hallasan National Park (Jeju)
• Gyeryongsan National Park
• Songnisan National Park
• Naejangsan National Park

These mountains are some of the Best Mountains To Hike In Korea.

How To Get To The Mountains In Korea

Here are a few tips about how to get to the mountains to start your hiking journey.

By Car

If you have car, then you won’t have many problems getting to the mountains. Look for the national park entrances, there are usually car parks right outside.

Be careful during the busiest times (cherry blossom & autumn leaves season) as traffic can be backed up. Arrive early and leave early to avoid the worst traffic.

By Public Transport

Korea has an amazing bus and train network that goes to the most remote national parks. I don’t own a car and have had to rely on public transport to get to most places.

You’ll need to do some research, and check the routes with Naver / Kakao map apps, as well as Korean bus apps, but it’s certainly possible.

A lot of the major hiking destinations have online guides and you can find out the best way to get there with a quick search. It’s often cheap but be prepared for long journeys. That’s not so bad as you can sleep on the way.

One word of warning: bus drivers in Korea love to turn the heating up to maximum during winter. It’s really, really hot on the bus (way too hot) and you should be prepared to take off most of your winter hiking clothes. The opposite is true in summer when it’s freezing cold with the aircon.

By Taxi

If you travel to nearby towns, getting a taxi is a reasonably priced and convenient option to get to the hiking routes.

For example, if you want to hike Daedunsan near Daejeon or Odaesan near Jinbu, you can get a taxi from these places and be there in 20 – 30 minutes. It’s a lot more convenient as the buses aren’t that frequent.

By Tour Operator

There are a number of great tour operators that provide tours for locals living in Korea or tourists visiting Korea. These can be more expensive than taking public transport, but also get your straight to where you want to go without detours and long waits between connections.

Furthermore, tour operators also provide insights from local guides, extra stops along the way with additional activities you might never get the chance to experience, as well as visiting several famous locations in the same area.

Online tour operators I recommend:

• Klook.com
• Trazy.com

Facebook-based tour companies operating in Korea:

• Seoul Hiking & Nature Group
• Tour 08 Foreigner Tours
• Korea Travel Easy
• WINK Travel

There’s also the option to hire a private driver to take you to various places and guide you around.

I hope these few sections of this guide to hiking in Korea have helped you to figure out when, where, and how to go hiking.

Why Should I Go Hiking In Korea?

Did you know that one translation of ‘Korea’ is ‘land of high mountains and sparkling streams‘? Whenever you go into the Korean countryside, you’re surrounded by mountains and awe-inspiring views. You’ll easily understand why it has that name.

I hope this guide to hiking in Korea has inspired you to get your boots on and go out and experience the incredible scenes you can find all across Korea. In case you’re not convinced about why hiking is a must-do activity in Korea, here are a few more reasons why you should try it:

• It’s great exercise – A day hiking in the mountains can burn hundreds or even thousands of calories and work many different muscles.
• To make friends – There are many social clubs where people go hiking together. It’s a great way to meet new people and find people who like to get out and enjoy nature.
• You’ll see incredible sights – There are incredible scenes waiting to be discovered out there. Waterfalls, friendly squirrels, forested valleys, frozen lakes, snowy peaks, autumn leaves, cherry blossoms, and so much more.
• It’s a cheap day out – Unlike a day at a theme park or visiting expensive attractions, hiking is really cheap. Park entrance fees are a few thousand won and food and snacks don’t cost much at all.
• Chance to see snow – if you’re looking for snowy sights, the mountains during winter are the best places to find them.
• The best Buddhist temples – whilst Seoul has some nice temples, the best ones are all hiding in the national parks. You can even do a temple stay and enjoy hiking in the mountains at the same time

For those living in Korea, I’d recommend joining a hiking Facebook group such as the Seoul Nature & Hiking Group or Hiking In Korea.

Hiking In Korea FAQs

Finally, here’s a few FAQs about how to go hiking in Korea, in case the above information didn’t cover enough for you.

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There’s many good reasons to visit Jeju Island in winter, and for me there was a bucket item list that I’ve been waiting more than 5 years to do that I finally achieved. I wanted to hike the snowy slopes of Hallasan Mountain in winter and see the island below while knee-deep in snow up above.

I got to do that, and a lot more, including visiting Udo Island, eating loads of delicious Korean dishes, shopping at the traditional markets, playing in the snow, seeing Jeju’s winter flowers, eating winter fruits, and lots more.

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links and I may earn commission for purchases made after clicking these links.

Tips For 1 Week On Jeju Island In Winter

Please feel free to use this Jeju Island winter itinerary as a guide to planning your own 1 week on Jeju Island in winter. This itinerary shows what I did each day, and I’ve also included extra activities that you can do on Jeju Island in winter. There’s loads of extra tips for getting the most out of Jeju Island in winter. I hope you can get lots of inspiration for future travels.

For those of you looking to spend 1 week on Jeju Island in winter, here’s some important info that will help you plan your trip.

Weather On Jeju Island In Winter

Jeju Island is far south of Seoul and closer to the equator, meaning that it’s warmer than the capital. However, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t cold. You can see snow on Jeju Island in winter and the weather can be quite random.

Temperatures can fall below zero, or be above 15 degrees. When I visited Jeju in winter, the lowest temperature was -5 and the highest was 18 degrees. I saw snow, rain, clouds, and sun. Generally winter is quite dry and clear, but be prepared for anything.

Transportation On Jeju Island

Jeju Island is definitely a lot easier to visit if you Rent A Car as many attractions are spread out across the island. However, it’s not impossible to get around by public transport and on foot, especially if you stay in the two main cities.

I didn’t use a car when I visited Jeju Island in winter, but that didn’t stop me doing what I wanted to. With planning and a little Korean to read the bus timetables, you can get just about anywhere.

Booking day tours is also a good option for getting around Jeju Island in winter, as these tours can take you to several places more conveniently than a public bus would do.

Layout Of Jeju Island

Jeju Island is a tale of two cities. Quite literally, with the island being split horizontally into Jeju City area in the north and Seogwipo City area in the south. These two cities are great places to base yourself to get around the island more easily.

In the centre of Jeju Island is Hallasan – a volcano that dominates (and created) the island. On the lower slopes of Hallasan are a lot of forests, oreums (small hills), and lots of the non-coastal attractions (museums, theme parks, etc.).

Around the edge of Jeju Island there are loads of beautiful beaches to visit, as well as other sea-front attractions, nearby islands, and cosy cafes to sit in and watch the sunrise / sunset.

During my 1 week on Jeju Island in winter I was able to visit all these different areas. Read on to find out what I did and what to expect in each place.

Day 1: Jeju City Sights, Traditional Market, & Local Beers

Flying into Jeju Island on a sunny day is an incredible experience – passing islands & fishing boats, and seeing Jeju ‘the fried egg’ Island from above. If you’re arriving on Jeju Island in winter, you might even see snowy slopes on South Korea’s tallest mountain – Hallasan.

I’d planned to spend a busy 1 week on Jeju Island, so I didn’t want a tough first day. I flew in early, dropped my bags at the hotel, and walked to the sprawling Dongmun Traditional Market. This market is packed with Delicious Korean Street Foods to try, including local specialities such as abalone-wrapped gimbap and dol hareubang bread (shaped like the island’s famous statues).

The traditional markets are best explored at night, so after a quick snack I hopped on a bus to the Magpie Brewery & Taproom. Here you can experience Korean-inspired beers, such as the Kimchi Ghost, and indulge in pizza & fried chicken (a perfect combo). After this, I visited the nearby beach in Samyang – but it wasn’t very active during winter so I took the bus back to Jeju City.

Night was approaching, the perfect time to explore Korean cities. It gets dark early on Jeju Island in winter. Jeju City has a lot of pretty areas to explore in the evening in the Ildoil-dong area, such as the Black Pork Street, Arario museums, Dongmun Traditional Market, streets painted with murals, and plenty of seafood restaurants.

After exploring the night markets and getting my fill of Korean street food, I decided to have an early night. Tomorrow was going to be the toughest day during my 1 week on Jeju Island!

Day 2: Hiking Hallasan’s Snowy Slopes & Korean BBQ

Today was the day I achieved one of my top Korean bucket list items – Hiking Hallasan Mountain In The Snow. I’ve hiked it in September, and been rewarded with sunny views over the whole island, but now I really wanted to scale the slopes whilst draped in deep, fluffy snow.

After a quick breakfast I headed to the Jeju City Bus Terminal to take the bus to the start of the Yeongsil Course. My plan was to start on the south-western side of Hallasan, hike up to Witse-Oreum Shelter near the peak, and head back down the Eorimok Course on the northern slope. Two courses in one day and some incredibly snowy sights on the way.

The snow started to show whilst riding the bus to the start, and was ankle-deep even at the start of the course, rising to knee-deep as I made my way up the snowy slopes. I stopped to play in the snow a lot, taking loads of pictures, and enjoying the breathtaking sights. They truly were awesome and I’m so happy that I got to see these sights at last.

Unfortunately, due to a blizzard at the top (not meant to be there according to my weather app), I had to turn back just before the Witse-Oreum Shelter. It would have taken too long to make it to the end of the course before it got dark. Fortunately, I was able to lie back and slide some of the way to the bottom as the thick snow, trodden down, makes for a great human bobsleigh track!

Even if you don’t plan to hike far, you can still enjoy playing in the snow at the start of the hiking courses. There are ropes and flags to keep you on course and plenty of pristine snow to play in if it’s been snowing recently.

Exhausted, but really happy with all I’d seen, it was time to take the bus back to Jeju City, warm up with a hot shower, and spend the night indulging in one of my favourite Korean dishes – Korean BBQ. No trip to Jeju Island in winter would be complete without trying out Korean BBQ and washing it all down with some of the local soju, aptly named Hallasan Soju.

Day 3: Udo Island, Seongsan Ilchulbong, & Jeju Gogi-Guksu

The sun was shining brightly, blue skies met bluer seas, and today was the perfect time to jump on a ferry and head over to Udo Island on Jeju’s north-eastern coast. The ferry departs from Seongsan, home to another of Jeju’s incredible sights which I’ll return to later.

I arrived mid-morning and headed for a walk from the ferry terminal (Haumok-dong) to the other side of the island. Udo is only 1km wide and mostly made up of farms, beaches, small buildings, and one hill on the southern tip topped with a famous lighthouse (Udo-deungdae), which makes it quite easy to walk around.

After 30 minutes of gentle walking past short walls made from volcanic rocks, green fields, and even a few haenyeo (diving women), I made it to peaceful Hagosudong Beach. There are a few really nice cafes here, so I stayed (at Cafe U.D.O.1) to read, watch the waves, and indulge in coffee and a brownie. After some seafood pasta in a nearby restaurant (Seom Sonai), it was off to explore the coast and make my way along the eastern shore towards the lighthouse.

The sun was up and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. It was cold, but in a good way. Exploring Jeju Island in winter is actually much nicer than in summer, when it gets really hot. The shore holds many delights and if you don’t want to walk it, you can rent a small electric scooter-car (most people were) to drive around and stop where you want to.

Udo Island is famous for several things, including peanut ice cream, beautiful beaches, and being shaped like a cow (the name U-do literally means ‘cow-island’). Once I’d finished walking to the lighthouse (not difficult), I made my way to Sanho Beach on the western coast to try out the famous peanut ice cream. It was ok, but nothing amazing.

Finally it was time to head back to Seongsan to see the Seongsan Ilchulbong, also known as Sunrise Peak. This is the best place in Korea to watch the New Year sunrise. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and definitely a must see during any 1 week on Jeju Island trip. Unfortunately, I arrived a too late to climb up. It was still awesome to see Seongsan Ilchulbong though.

After watching the sun go down, I headed back to Jeju City to explore another famous food street – Guksu Geori (Noodle Street). This is home to several places serving Jeju’s famous gogi-guksu, which is basically a big bowl of noodles and sliced pork in a salty broth. Perfect after a long day walking. Once that was finished off, I walked it all off exploring more of central Jeju City at night.

Day 4: Hamdeok Beach, Manjanggul Lava Tube, & Fresh Seafood

I’ve visited Jeju a few times before, and couldn’t imagine 1 week on Jeju Island without visiting Hamdeok Beach. It’s one of the best beaches on Jeju Island and seeing it in winter is just as good as seeing it in any other season. The sand is golden, which contrasts perfectly with the black volcanic rocks that seem to have been thrown along the coast, while the sea is almost turquoise.

There are plenty of amazing cafes, restaurants (including gourmet burger places), and places to sit down and absorb the beautiful coastal views. My favourite place is Cafe Del Mundo, situated closest to the water’s edge and with yummy freshly baked goods inside. A morning spent chilling here definitely is a morning well spent. If I didn’t have other plans, I would have stayed all day.

The desire to see more pushed me on, and after filling up on a second chocolate croissant, I headed to the bus stop to visit the Manjanggul Lava Tube. This is one of the world’s longest lava tubes and gives you an interesting insight into the history of Jeju Island, which was borne from the ocean by the wild eruptions of Hallasan – an active volcano. You can walk about 1km along the lava tube and see the world’s highest lava column.

The Manjanggul Lava Tube was nice, but only took about an hour, so I decided to get a bus to another beach – Gimnyeong Beach. It was a nice place to walk around, but the weather had started to get bad after an hour so I packed up and headed back to Jeju City.

My time in Jeju City was at an end, but I wasn’t going to leave without checking out a really good sushi place I’d heard about (there are many) – Sushi Tomodachi. 10+ plates of sushi later, I was full and ready to take the bus to Seogwipo City to start part 2 of my fun 1 week on Jeju Island in winter.

Day 5: Jeju Folk Village, Cosy Cafes, & Black Pork BBQ

I awoke early grabbed a quick coffee and egg tart at a Hong Kong-style cafe (Blue Haus) and went off to the Jeju Folk Village in Pyoseon. It had started raining a bit, which isn’t common on Jeju Island in winter (or other parts of Korea). The Jeju Folk Village is a sprawling collection of traditional buildings showing how people used to live before modernity came to Jeju.

There are lots of different houses to explore, games to play, and Korean culture to learn about. You can see scenes from some famous Korean dramas there were filmed here, see a real traditional market, feed some local animals, and lots more. One of the highlights was seeing the camellias in bloom. These are one of the famous sights of Jeu Island in winter and I was planning to go to Camellia Hill to see them, but I didn’t need to after seeing them here.

I was actually quite surprised with how much there was to see and do. Walking around the Jeju Folk Village took about 3-4 hours and, despite the rain, I enjoyed my time here. I learnt some interesting facts, including about the old-style toilets that fed into the pig’s feeding troughs! The place was family friendly and ideal for anyone interested in Korea’s history.

Once I’d seen all there was to see, I headed out to the coast for lunch and a rest in a beachside cafe (Cafe Cocotiere), looking out over Pyoseon’s very wide beach. When the rain finished, I headed back to Seogwipo to clean up and prepare for the meal I’d most been looking forward to – a Korean BBQ with Jeju’s legendary black pork.

Jeju’s black pigs are said to produce the best meat for Korean BBQ and the best place to try them is obviously on Jeju Island. On a cold night on Jeju Island in winter, I couldn’t really think of anything better to eat. The meal was great, and left me stuffed. I needed to walk it off, so I explored some of the streets around central Seogwipo, including the Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market, Myeongdong Street, Arang Joeul Food Street, and Lee Jung-Seop Art Street.

I finished the night with a couple of beers from the Jeju Beer Fountain – home to beers from the best Jeju craft beer brewers (including Magpie & Jeju Beer). I’d really recommend this place as they let you sample three beers before trying them and they’re all really good. I grabbed a couple of bottles and some snacks and had a peaceful night back at the hotel.

Day 6: Yakcheonsa Temple, Olle Trail 8, & Jungmun Saekdal Beach

I had an early night at the end of day 4 so that I could wake up and enjoy the early morning sunrise. I wasn’t disappointed. I sat and watched it from my hotel window whilst munching a few oranges. The sun was out after yesterday’s rain and it felt divine to be basking in the light, so I decided to visit one of the most intriguing Korean Buddhist temples I’ve been to – and I’ve been to many.

Yakcheonsa Temple, bedecked with palm trees, tiny elephant statues, and looking out over the southern shore below, felt like it should be in Bali or Thailand, not on Jeju Island. Visiting this place during my 1 week on Jeju Island in winter felt surreal. I was transported to SE Asia, with fresh fruit hanging on the trees, palm trees everywhere, and the sun, sky, and sea all dazzling. The weather was also around 15 degrees (up from -5 a week ago!), which added to the illusion.

This temple is a must-visit place on Jeju Island for 2 reasons. Firstly, it’s awesome – beautiful architecture, massive 3-layered roof, a hidden cave-temple, juicy oranges waiting to be picked, and you can even do a temple-stay here! Secondly, it’s the start of the Jeju Olle Trail Course 8, which is what I was about to start now.

The Jeju Olle Trail goes all the way around the island and is meant to be trekked over 3 or 4 weeks. It takes you to all the best sites and provides a ready-made course to follow, with lots of signposts and stamps that you can collect as you go. Course 8 is one of the best, leading you along the coast, past fishing villages, Jusangjeolli Cliffs (unique hexagonal rocks), all the way to the Jungmun Saekdal Beach area.

It was a really peaceful way to spend the day and with the perfect weather I was in heaven. It’s not difficult and only took a few hours to reach the Jungmun Saekdal Beach – a really popular place for locals and tourists who want to stay at the luxurious hotels, see one of Jeju’s other incredible beaches, and watch the sunset from the cliffside bar (my plan).

Whilst walking along the beach, I saw some local kids practicing ssireum (Korean wrestling – like sumo), loads of people surfing, and dropped onto the sand to read for a while. In the late afternoon, I headed to The Cliff – a cocktail bar / lounge with incredible views over the beach and the perfect place to watch the sunset.

A couple of beers and a sunset later, I headed back to Seogwipo to explore more of the city and grab some more craft beer from the Jeju Beer Fountain. Sadly the end of my 1 week on Jeju Island was coming to an end, so I walked until quite late, exploring the harbour and watching the squid-fishing boats head out to sea at night.

Day 7: Seogwipo Sights, Walks & Waterfalls, & Maeil Olle Market

I couldn’t believe 1 week on Jeju Island was nearly at an end. There was so much that I still wanted to see, but there’s never enough time to see it all. I decided to spend my last day exploring Seogwipo and the surrounding area. I’d only been here at night and many attractions had been closed then.

Seogwipo has a surprising number of attractions to enjoy for art lovers, nature enthusiasts, or shopping addicts. I started off visiting the Lee Jung-Seop Art Street, which includes the famous Korean artist’s house and a museum. This is a great place to pick up some cute Jeju souvenirs, and to check out the various art and murals along the street as you walk.

This led me down to Yudong Coffee, run by one of Korea’s most awarded baristas – Cho Yu Dong. If you like coffee, I’d highly recommend this place. For lunch I had some delicious black pork tacos from b.pork bistro – they were so good and I could have eaten half a dozen!

From here I walked east towards the sea and the mighty Jeongbang Waterfall. This 75 foot waterfall over black cliffs offers a fun spot to take waterfall selfies as you can walk down to the beach and get close to the falls. One waterfall wasn’t enough, though, so I walked back along the coast and headed to the Cheonjiyeon Falls – a smaller but still impressive scene hidden away in thick forests and a strangely large number of ducks.

The Cheonjiyeon Falls are on the way to Oedolgae Rock on the Olle Trail 7 course (another popular section of the Jeju Olle Trail). I followed the Olle Trail 7 from the falls to the viewing area around Oedolgae rock, which was only 30 minutes by foot. The Oedolgae rock stands alone like a tall sentinel in the rocky surf away from the cliff.

After walking back to the centre, via the Geolmae Eco Park, I decided to do some last minute shopping at the Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market. This large traditional market is great for tourists to get some souvenirs, try the local delicacies (loved the black pork croquettes), and witness the many sides of traditional Korean markets. If you live in Korea, you can order food from the market sent to your house wherever you are in Korea.

I stocked up on a few sweet treats and bought another bag of oranges as they’re in season on Jeju Island in winter (and also really sweet). My flight home was at sunset, which seemed an appropriate end for my 1 week on Jeju Island in winter. I soared away from Jeju Airport (only an hour from Seogwipo) as the sun set on my winter adventures on Jeju.

I’ll definitely be back soon as there’s so much to do on Jeju Island in winter (and any season).

Where To Visit On Jeju Island In Winter

If you plan to spend 1 week on Jeju Island in winter, then hopefully my 7 day itinerary has given you some food for thought. However, not everyone wants to go hiking, or you might be travelling with children, or want to visit different attractions.

Here’s some of the other places I’d recommend to visit on Jeju Island in winter. There’s bound to be something to suit your own personal itinerary:

• Dodu-dong Rainbow Coast Road
• Saryeoni Forest Path
• Hyeopjae Beach
• Joeun Horse Riding
• O’sulloc Green Tea Plantation
• Jeju Haenyeo Museum
• Camellia Hill
• Jeju Love Land
• Jeju Light Garden
• Chocolate Museum
• Jeju Toy Park
• Aqua Planet Jeju (Aquarium)
• Marado Island
• Aewol Coastal Road

There are dozens of museums, scenic spots, coastal walks, and cosy cafes – too many for me to mention them all. If you want some extra ideas, I’d recommend visiting the Visit Jeju Website.

And here’s a list of 20 of the Best Things To Do On Jeju Island any time of year.

Where To Stay For 1 Week On Jeju Island

I split my 1 week on Jeju Island between Jeju City and Seogwipo City. These are great cities to explore and work perfectly as a base to travel out to other attractions on the island.

I stayed at The Jade Hotel in Jeju City. It’s a small but comfortable hotel in central Jeju City that is close to the traditional market, hiking routes, and coast. It features an open rooftop with bar, perfect for looking at the sunrise or sunset.

In Seogwipo I stayed at the Ocean Palace Hotel. This was a budget hotel and is an older building, but has been recently renovated to offer an apartment-like stay. The room was massive and included a kitchen and dining area, which was perfect for cooking and late night snacks.

These were both really nice hotels, with central locations and reasonable prices. I was close to the markets in both cities and the hotel in Seogwipo had incredible views of the coast.

Of course, these aren’t the only options available. If you prefer to be closer to nature and want to experience beach life, I’d recommend staying in Hamdeok on the north coast or at the hotels in the Jungmun Saekdal Beach area (but these are more expensive).

Advice For Visiting Jeju Island In Winter

For those who want to spend 1 week on Jeju Island in winter, here’s a few tips to help

1: Check the weather before and as you travel. Make sure you know what to expect, but be careful as the weather can change quickly.

2: Plan a flexible schedule. Sometimes rain will arrive when you’d planned to go to the beach. Try to include a few activities that are indoors and not weather-sensitive.

3: Learn how to read Korean city names. You don’t need to master Korean, but knowing the location you want to go to will help a lot on public transport.

4: Jeju Island in winter can be both cold and hot. The temperatures ranged from a freezing cold blizzard on Hallasan to warm, sunny weather where I didn’t need a jacket. Pack appropriately.

5: Take care of your skin. Winter in Korea is very dry and your skin needs care. Pack some hand cream and moisturiser.

6: Enjoy the seasonal delights. Jeju Island in winter is the best time to enjoy fresh citrus, especially red-hyang and hallabong.

7: Check the closing dates of attractions. Many places in Korea, such as museums and galleries, close on Mondays.

8: Use Naver or Kakao map apps to help you get around, but use Google Maps for restaurants and cafes. For some reason, Korean map apps only show me western food options, but Google covers them all.

If you’re travelling to Korea in winter, you should definitely check out my guide to the most delicious Korean winter dishes. You’ll find lots of inspiration for authentic, heart warming Korean meals and snacks you can try out across Jeju. Also, my article about the best places to see snow in Korea will give you lots more itinerary ideas for your winter travels in Korea.

Jeju Island has a visa-free entry system that isn’t available on the mainland, so even if you would normally have to apply for a tourist visa for Korea, you can still travel to Jeju Island. This is great for people who are unable to apply for a Korean travel visa or get denied a Korean visa for whatever reason. Unfortunately, it doesn’t allow access to the mainland.

1 Week On Jeju Island In Winter FAQs

Finally, here’s a few FAQs about spending 1 week on Jeju Island in winter, in case the above information didn’t cover enough for you.

Support In My Korea

Thanks for reading. If you want to help me to create more great content in the future, why not buy me a coffee? A strong coffee helps me write more and is a simple way to show gratitude for this free content.

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