Winter in Korea is a magical time, with many unique winter activities. Gangwon-do is one of the most popular winter destinations in Korea, due to its many ski resorts and stunning snow-capped mountain views. If youโre visiting in the New Year, you can head to Pyeongchang, the region of Gangwon-do famous for holding the Winter Olympics in 2018. However, between Jan and Feb every year, Pyeongchang hosts an Ice Fishing Festival. The Pyeongchang Ice Fishing Festival is my favourite annual event in Gangwon-do, and many Koreans share that view too. Letโs take a lookโฆ
Pyeongchang Ice-Fishing Festival
The Pyeongchang Ice Fishing Festival runs each year from mid-January through to mid-February. The point of the festival is to bring fishing lovers from near and far, together in beautiful Gangwon-do. However, the festival also serves to tell the ancient story of Korean ancestors, who began the ice-fishing tradition.
Trout is the main fish to catch at the festival, but there is plenty of other activities on offer too. Families can enjoy winter-themed fun like sledding and taking photos with the beautiful ice sculptures. Additionally, there is delicious hot food and drink to be enjoyed in the chilly weather.
How to Go Ice Fishing
There are several ways to catch trout at the festival. Many fishing enthusiasts come prepared with their own equipment, vouching for open-ice fishing. However, you do not have to be a fishing extraordinnaire to enjoy the festival. Fishing equipment rental is cheap, with the tent fishing experience costing just 35,000 won. Donโt mind the cold? Try bare-hand fishing for 15,000 won.
Delicious Grilled Trout
After youโve caught your trout โ or trouts! โ its time to cook them up while their fresh. Trout can be eaten a variety of ways, including raw as sashimi, or lighting grilled over firewood. Furthermore, the Pyeongchang trouts are renowned for their soft flesh and succulent flavour, due to the pure, clean water in Pyeongchangโs lakes and rivers.
Location & Directions
Pyeongchang Ice Fishing Festival Address: 3562beon-ji Gyeonggang-ro, Jinbu-myeon, Pyeonchang-gun, Gangwon-do Operating Times: Dec ~ Feb every year Directions: From Seoul, take KTX Gyeonggang train to Jinbu Station. From there, you can take the shuttle bus to the Festival entrance.
