Korea Winter Travel Guide - Top 5 Winter Destinations

A Guide to Winter Travel in Korea

Winter in Korea offers stunning snow scenery and a variety of activities. This guide introduces winter destinations, recommended activities, and insider tips that foreigners should experience in Korea.

1. Top 5 Winter Destinations in Korea

1) Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do – Korea's Winter Wonderland

Pyeongchang, host of the 2018 Winter Olympics, is one of the most famous winter destinations in Korea. It offers beautiful snow-covered landscapes and various winter sports.

✅ Recommended Spots
• Yongpyong Resort & Alpensia Resort – Top-class ski & snowboard courses
• Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm – A special experience of feeding sheep in the snow
• Woljeongsa Temple & Odaesan National Park – A healing journey in a snow-covered temple

Insider Tip:
• Pyeongchang holds a winter-limited snow festival, offering various snow sculpture exhibitions and outdoor performances!

2) Jeju Island – A Warm Island Even in Winter

Jeju Island rarely sees snow due to its mild winter weather, but the snow-covered scenery of Hallasan Mountain is a must-see sight.

✅ Recommended Spots
• Hallasan Mountain Climb – Breathtaking snow-covered scenery from the summit of Hallasan Mountain in winter
• Seopjikoji & Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak – Beautiful coastal scenery even in winter
• Jeju Hot Spring Trip – Relieve fatigue in a warm hot spring (Sanbangsan carbonic acid hot spring recommended!)

Insider Tip:
• Jeju offers winter-limited citrus fruit experiences; the taste of freshly picked citrus is the best!

3) Gangneung – The Romance of the Winter Sea

Gangneung offers beautiful views of the East Sea even in winter and is the perfect destination to watch the winter sunrise.

✅ Recommended Spots
• Jeongdongjin Sunrise – A famous spot for welcoming the New Year in winter
• Gangmun Beach & Gyeongpodae – Places where you can enjoy the quiet charm of the winter sea
• Coffee Street Tour – Gangneung is one of the most famous coffee cities in Korea

Insider Tip:
• On Gangneung's Coffee Street, you can enjoy a warm cup of roasted coffee overlooking the sea!

2. Recommended Winter Activities in Korea

1) Skiing & Snowboarding Experience

Korea has the perfect environment for enjoying winter sports, with various ski resorts in operation.

✅ Recommended Ski Resorts
• Phoenix Pyeongchang – Courses that satisfy everyone from beginners to experts
• Eden Valley Resort (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do) – A place where you can enjoy skiing in the southern region
• High1 Resort (Jeongseon) – A ski resort boasting the best snow quality in Korea

Insider Tip:
• You can rent equipment at the resort, but you can get a discount if you book online in advance!

2) Ice Fishing – A Special Winter Experience

Ice fishing, enjoyed on the ice during winter, is a special experience unique to Korea.

✅ Recommended Ice Fishing Spots
• Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival – A world-famous ice fishing festival
• Inje Bingeo Festival – You can catch small icefish and fry them on the spot

Insider Tip:
• Ice fishing is most active in the early morning, so we recommend visiting early in the morning!

3) Winter Festivals & Snow Villages

Korea has many special festivals that only take place during winter, making your trip even more exciting.

✅ Recommended Winter Festivals
• Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival – In addition to ice fishing, you can experience sledding and ice mazes
• Taebaeksan Snow Festival – A winter-themed festival with beautiful snow sculptures
• Daegwallyeong Snow Village – A winter destination that creates a fairytale-like atmosphere

Insider Tip:
• During the festival period, markets selling local specialties are held, so we also recommend trying local food!

3. Recommended Korean Winter Foods

Warm food tastes even better in winter. We introduce foods that represent winter in Korea.

✅ Recommended Winter Foods

1) Samgyetang – A Winter Tonic Food

Samgyetang is a tonic food made by boiling a whole chicken with ginseng, jujubes, garlic, etc., and is good for replenishing energy in winter. Eating it with warm broth has a warming effect.

Insider Tip:
• Samgyetang is a popular tonic food not only during Chobok, Jungbok, and Malbok but also in the middle of winter!
• In Seoul, you can enjoy authentic Samgyetang at traditional Korean restaurants with a rustic atmosphere.

2) Bungeoppang & Hotteok – The Epitome of Winter Street Snacks

Bungeoppang and Hotteok, easily seen on the streets in winter, are representative winter snacks in Korea. Bungeoppang is bread with sweet red bean paste, and Hotteok is a sweet pancake-like snack with sugar and nuts.

Insider Tip:
• These days, there are many variations of Bungeoppang, such as custard cream, pizza, and green tea flavors!
• In Myeongdong and Namdaemun Market, you can taste various types of Hotteok with full fillings.

3) Eomuktang – Warm Broth Snack

Eomuktang (Odengtang), derived from Japanese Oden, is a representative winter street food where you can enjoy various fish cakes with hot broth.

Insider Tip:
• Many shops refill the broth continuously, so you can enjoy warm broth all the time!
• Try various styles of Eomuktang, such as spicy and seafood flavors.

4) Kalguksu – Warm Broth and Chewy Noodles

Kalguksu is a traditional Korean noodle dish made by boiling hand-rolled wheat flour noodles in broth. There are various flavors such as chicken broth, seafood broth, and soybean paste broth, so you can enjoy it according to your taste.

Insider Tip:
• Kalguksu tastes even better with kimchi!
• You can taste homemade hand-pulled Kalguksu in Insadong and Jeonju.

5) Tteokguk – Traditional New Year's Food

Tteokguk is a representative traditional food eaten on New Year's Day, featuring chewy garaetteok (long rice cakes) and a rich broth. Koreans have a tradition of eating a bowl of Tteokguk on New Year's Day, signifying gaining a year older.

Insider Tip:
• Tteokguk comes in various versions, such as beef broth, chicken broth, and seafood broth, so choose according to your preference!
• Famous Korean restaurants often offer special Tteokguk menus on Lunar New Year.

6) Baked Sweet Potato & Hobbang – Warm Winter Snacks

Baked sweet potatoes and Hobbang, easily found on the streets, are representative snacks of Korean winters. Baked sweet potatoes are delicious with their sweet and soft taste, and Hobbang are popular with various fillings (red bean, pizza, cream).

Insider Tip:
• They are easily available at convenience stores, and winter-limited Hobbang flavors are also released!
• Baked sweet potatoes taste unique when eaten with kimchi.

Overall Tips:

• You can easily find various winter snacks in Namdaemun Market or Myeongdong!
• You can enjoy a variety of winter foods at affordable prices in traditional markets.*
Warm food tastes even better in winter. We introduce foods that represent winter in Korea.

✅ Recommended Winter Foods
• Samgyetang – A representative tonic food to replenish energy in cold weather
• Bungeoppang & Hotteok – The epitome of winter street snacks
• Eomuktang – A winter snack enjoyed with warm broth
• Tteokguk – Traditional food eaten to celebrate the New Year
• Baked Sweet Potato & Hobbang – Popular winter snacks

Insider Tip:
• You can easily find various winter snacks in Namdaemun Market or Myeongdong