5 best places to visit in Gangwon-do Province Guide
- 3:52 PM
- by
- celinebleh
As Pyeongchang Olympics approaching soon, I am sure you are considering the places to travel to during the period of stay there. There are tons of places of attractions and activities that you must try exclusively for winter period. Here are some of the compiled places that I thought would be worth exploring!
1. SEORAKAN NATIONAL PARK
Situated in the Gangwon province, Seoraksan National Park is considered one of the most popular mountain in the Taebak region. It is considered as one of the It offers extraordinary view and you can see some of the most beautiful view of Korea. This is one UNESCO heritage site in the world. This is one of the place you definitely have to visit. Admission of the ticket is 3,500 won (~$3.50) and you can decide whether to take a cable car or taking a bus up the rocky mountains. During peak session, you have to wait a little longer, so buy your tickets first!
Hike for beginners - Sinheungsa Temple
Hike for intermediate-Gwongeumsong Fortess (the formal site of a castle)
2. NAMI ISLAND
Nami island was formed as a result of the cheongpyeong Dam. The island is half-moon isle, and it is on the grave of General Nami, who led victory against rebel during the Joseon Dynasty. It is extremely popular with couples as the winter sonata used to flim at that area too! The place is extremely gorgeous during winter time.
The entire forest will be blanketed with thick layer of snow. There's even a restaurant selling lunch boxes called shake shake?! where they will prepare lunch with ingredients and what you have to do is to shake vigorously for the rice to mix well. Will be posting a seperate post on Nami Island as I actually visited during my Korea Exchange. So look out for the space!
3. SOKCHO BEACH
Sokcho beach is a great tourist area along with Seorak Mountain, Cheoksan Hot Springs, Cheongchoho, and Yeongrangho. On the bulwark, to the left of the beach, there are many places where you can enjoy hwaleo hoe (fresh sashimi). There is also an option to enjoy sea fishing by taking a boat to Jo Island in the open-sea area by the beach.
4. ODAESAN NATIONAL PARK
Odae Mountain is located at the divergence of Baekdu Mountains and Charyeong Mountains across yeongchanggun, Hongcheon gun and Gangneung city. The name of Odae was given by Jajangyoolsa who was a sainted Buddhist monk during the Silla Dynasty. There are Dongdaesan on the east, Durobong on the west, Sangwangbong.
4. GANGCHON RAIL PARK
Operating hours: 0900-1700 (9am-5pm)
Price: 27,000 won
Gangchon Railbike Park is in Gapyeong, near Nami Island and Petite France. The old train tracks had been turned into a exciting ride in the beautiful countryside. Rail Bike is a great way to spend your time in the nature with friends or family and aAmong numerous railbike courses in Korea, this course starting from Gimyujeong Station is the most popular! It is largely downward which makes you feel like you are riding a roller-coaster at some point and involves the least amount of legwork. Great workout during the winter!
Things you can do at Gangwon-do during winter!
Ice Fishing- Hwacheon Ice Festival
This is the biggest attraction for every winter! I think this is one of the most exciting festival that lines up during Pyeongchang Olympic.There are at least half a dozen of ice festivals taking place in Gangwon Province and most will end towards the last weekend of February. The distance to travel is just a little from Seoul and it will be a great bonding activity! Tickets were sold litle as 13,000 won and they will give you a 5,000 won gift certificate that includes food and fishing equipment.
credits: Izismile.com
You will also get ice scooper to prevent the ice hole from getting froze over. Make sure you bring some kind of small chair to sit for as less as 5,000won. Find a good hole and start fishing right away!
credits: KoreaTourguide
The interesting thing is once you caught your fish, you get to prepare a number of ways of how you want to cook it be it boiled, fried or just raw sashimi. The festival also set up many tentages that sell ddeokboki and local food in Gangwon!
Ice gallery, where you get to see the various fishes that are frozen for the time being.
Around the vicinity, there is a great number of activities line up too such as snow slide great for children and night festival where the entire place is lit up similar to what we call PasalaMalam.
Check out her youtube video!
You can use the Gangwon-do shuttle bus service for foreigners leaving from Gwanghwamun plaza daily during the festival duration (7:30AM boarding, 8:30PM return). Address: Hwacheon-eup, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do
강원 화천군 화천읍
Tel. +82-1688-3005
credits: korea.net
TaekBak Snow festival- Ice and Snow Sculptures 
The artifacts are made by hardening the snow with water over a month of preparation. Each year, a theme will be given for the winter carnival and the statues are often created in the set theme. Taebaek Snow Festival was chosen as the number one festival site Korean locals usually hope to go. Every year, it will snowed often, covering the top of Taebaek Mountain with a white blanket and creating perfect winter scenery for anyone. Visitors were also fascinated by the towering snow sculptures in surrounding Taebaek City.
Address; 4778, Taebaeksan-ro, Taebaek-si, Gangwon-do
Thanks for reading and hope you will visit Gangwon-do province one day!
The two lovely cute mascots :'))))))
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