HWACHEON, South Korea, Jan. 11 (Korea Bizwire) — The 2025 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival, one of South Korea’s premier winter events, commenced on January 11 in Hwacheon County, Gangwon Province.
Located approximately 90 kilometers northeast of Seoul and 25 kilometers south of the inter-Korean border, Hwacheon transforms into a bustling festival ground during this period.
Running through February 2, the festival offers a variety of activities centered around “sancheoneo,” a species of mountain trout. Participants can engage in ice fishing by drilling holes into the frozen Hwacheoncheon Stream, try their hand at barehanded fishing, and enjoy sledding, among other winter events.
By 8:30 a.m. on opening day, the frozen stream was teeming with visitors, bundled in winter attire, eager to catch sancheoneo. Many successfully caught fish, celebrating their fresh catches. Designated grilling areas are available nearby for attendees to cook and savor their trout on-site.
A festival-goer from Seoul, identified as Kim, shared, “I arrived early this morning to celebrate my child’s birthday. We attend every year, but this time we also plan to enjoy the nighttime concert at Seon Deung Street.”
Since its inception in 2003, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival has attracted over a million visitors annually, including approximately 100,000 international tourists. The event has garnered global recognition; in 2011, CNN named it one of the “Seven Wonders of Winter,” and in January 2024, the New York Times listed it among the top five “must-see festivals in Asia” for that winter.
The festival has significantly boosted Hwacheon’s profile, turning the town of 23,000 residents into a renowned winter destination in South Korea. The 2025 edition promises a diverse array of attractions and high-quality content to welcome winter visitors.
Image credit: Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com