Ticket Booths Crowded from Dawn as Tourists Flock from Across the Country
Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival Sees Huge Success, Proving Its Status as the "King of Winter Festivals"
On January 17, the area around Hwacheoncheon in Hwacheon County, Gangwon Province, was filled with excitement from the early dawn as tourists gathered for the second weekend of the '2026 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival,' Korea's representative winter festival.
The '2026 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival,' Korea's representative winter festival, saw a lively atmosphere on the 17th, its second weekend after opening, with tourists gathering from early dawn around the Hwacheoncheon area in Hwacheon County, Gangwon Province. Provided by Hwacheon County
The '2026 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival,' Korea's representative winter festival, saw a lively atmosphere on the 17th, its second weekend after opening, with tourists gathering from early dawn around the Hwacheoncheon area in Hwacheon County, Gangwon Province. Provided by Hwacheon County
The entrance to the festival grounds was bustling with vehicles and tourists flocking in from before sunrise. At the on-site ticket booths, long lines of families and couples eager to enter the ice fishing area as early as possible formed, and the reserved fishing spots were quickly sold out.
As soon as the fishing grounds opened, tourists hurried to their chosen spots, dropped their fishing lines into the ice holes, and began their contest with the sancheoneo trout. Each time a silver sancheoneo was pulled up onto the ice, shouts of "Got one!" rang out, followed by envious cheers from those nearby.
Despite the biting subzero temperatures in Hwacheon that day, the enthusiasm of the tourists remained undiminished. Children bundled up in thick winter gear and earmuffs stared intently into the ice holes, losing track of time, while the savory aroma of freshly grilled sancheoneo filled the festival grounds.
Children are attending the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival on the 17th, holding up fish caught through ice fishing. Provided by Hwacheon County
Mr. Lee (42), a visitor from Seoul, said, "I wanted to create a special winter memory for my children, so we left at 4 a.m. Although it's cold, seeing the trout we caught ourselves makes me glad we made the trip."
Hwacheon County and the festival organizing committee are taking thorough measures to ensure safety, including real-time monitoring of ice thickness and deploying a large number of safety personnel. A festival official stated, "We expect a record crowd for the second weekend since opening, and we will do our utmost to ensure that all visitors can enjoy the festival safely and happily."
On the 17th, the 2026 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival site was bustling with vehicles and tourists gathering from the early dawn before sunrise. Provided by Hwacheon County
On the 17th, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival site was bustling with vehicles and tourists flocking in from the early dawn, even before daybreak. Provided by Hwacheon County
On the 17th, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival site was bustling with vehicles and tourists flocking in from the early dawn, even before daybreak. Provided by Hwacheon County
Meanwhile, the 2026 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival will continue until early February, offering a variety of programs including the sancheoneo fishing experience, an indoor ice sculpture plaza, snow sledding, bare-handed fishing, and more.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
