Where to go in Korea in January: 13 festivals

Festivals and seasonal sights in 50 places across Korea in January: Pyeongchang Trout Festival (Pyeongchang), New Year Sunrise at Chotdae Rock…

Top 10

Pyeongchang Trout Festival — Drop a line through a hole in the ice and wait for trout. Ice-fishing slots sell out online first. In 2026 it ran January 9 to February 9.
Seonjaryeong Snow Hike — In January and February the ridge turns white and furry. Crampons and gaiters are essential; the wind drops the feel-like temperature fast.
Balwangsan Hoarfrost — Ride the cable car up and every yew branch is coated in ice flowers. High wind halts the lift, so check in the morning.

New Year Sunrise at Chotdae Rock — The county's sunrise gathering. As the horizon reddens behind the rock, squid boats come in one by one. The breakwater closes when the waves are high.
Snow on Seonginbong and Nari Basin — An island with about 56 snow days a year. In January and February the basin turns into a snowfield and every tree in the forest carries snow. Heavy snow stops the ferries, so leave slack in your plan.

Snow and Rime Ice on Sobaeksan — January and February the ridge is white with rime ice and on clear days the Baekdudaegan range shows. Fierce wind: crampons and a windproof shell are required gear.

Mudeungsan Snow and Hoarfrost — The morning after a cold snap, every basalt column wears white frost. Do not go above Jangbuljae without crampons.

Snow on Manhangjae and Hambaeksan — Snow settles on every larch branch and rime frost blooms. Heavy falls close the pass, so check road status before setting out.

Sobaeksan snow and hoarfrost — Huibang trail centre to Yeonhwabong is 4.4 km; with snow on the ground rangers turn back anyone without crampons.

Baraebong snow blossoms — Frost flowers bloom on the snowed-in ridge. Don't go up without crampons.

Snow on Nogodan and the Jirisan hot spring — Snowy Nogodan is only reachable on days the Seongsamjae road is open. Come down and soak at the hot spring; that's a winter day in Gurye.

Donggang Winter Festival — Trout ice-fishing holes and a sledding slope on the frozen riverside. The dates shift with how cold the winter gets.
Hanbando Terrain under snow — After snowfall the land between the rivers turns white and reads like a map. The path gets icy; bring crampons.

New Year sunrise at Dosoram and Land's End — On January 1 the Dosoram car park fills early. At Land's End most people watch from the shore below the observatory.
Bugil Osojae Sunrise Festival — A village gathering for the first sunrise from the Duryunsan pass. Check the county festival calendar for the year's timing.

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