When the Hwacheoncheon Stream in Hwacheon, Gangwon-do Province freezes in winter, people flock to the stream, dig a hole in the ice, and begin ice fishing for sancheoneo (mountain trout), which are known to live in clean and cold fresh waters of the stream. After waiting patiently, they jump with excitement as they pull their catch from the water. Some even jump into the icy waters of the pool built beside the stream to catch sancheoneo with only their bare hands. These are the sights and sounds of the annual Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival.
Recently, the Festival has been chosen as one of the Seven Wonders of Winter by CNNGo, a subsidiary travel information site operated by CNN International. In 2012, it was held under the theme of “Unfrozen Hearts, Unforgettable Memories.” In addition to ice fishing, the festival offers a plethora of fun activities on the frozen Hwacheoncheon Stream including ice skating, ice/snow sledding, snowmobile riding, and many more. The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival is the ultimate winter activity for the whole family.
Sancheoneo Fishing
Sancheoneo fishing is the major activity at the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival. There are three different ways of fishing: ice fishing using fishing rods on the frozen stream; lure fishing in the flowing waters using baits; and bare-hand fishing in the pool wearing t-shirt and shorts.
Ice Fishing
Ice fishing is the most popular fishing method at the festival. On average, about 7,000 people enjoy it during the weekdays, and more than 10,000 people on weekends. Participation in ice fishing requires admission to the fishing zone. Upon purchasing an admission ticket, you will also receive a fishing zone pass, a plastic bag for carrying sancheoneo, and a 5,000-won Agricultural Specialties coupon for shopping onsite.
* How to enjoy ice fishing
- 1. Cut a hole in the ice using a drill or a metal bar, or simply find an open hole.
- 2. Drop the bait down into the hole, and adjust the fishing line so that the bait is submerged approximately 30-40cm below.
- 3. Attach the line to the fishing reel, and move the reel up and down so as to lure the fish.
- 4. When you feel a tug, gently pull up the fishing line.
- 5. Unhook the bait, and place the fish in the plastic bag. You have your first catch!
Each person is limited to three sancheoneo.
Once done with fishing, you may take your catch to a nearby kitchen to have it served raw or grilled on firewood.
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☞ Admission: 12,000 won (Fishing zone pass, plastic bag, and 5,000-won coupon included)
* Children & international visitors: 8,000 won
☞ Opening hours: 08:30 – 18:00
* On weekends, on-site fishing tickets get sold out early in the morning. Online reservations are highly recommended on weekends.
☞ Fishing Ticket Reservation Homepage:
http://life.ticketlink.co.kr/detail/place_end01.jsp?pro_cd=S8002058 (Korean)
( Alien Registration Number needed)
☞ What to bring: Fishing pole/reel, bait, small chair, blanket, etc. (Also available for purchase at the site.)
☞ Price of fishing reels with bait: 5,000 won
☞ Kitchen fees: Sliced raw sancheoneo: 2,000 won per fish / Grilled sancheoneo: 1,000 won per fish
* Prices apply to self-caught sancheoneo.
Ice fishing tips!
- 1. Come early to get good seats, great views, and better chances of catching sancheoneo!
- 2. Stay closer to the edges of the stream, as the sancheoneo tends to like those places.
- 3. Make a large hole in the ice in order to get a wider view of the sancheoneo in the water.
- 4. Remain calm and keep trying!
Bare-hand Fishing
Bare-hand fishing takes place at the round fishing pool. Participants change into festival clothes (T-shirt & shorts), and do a simple warm up exercise. On the go signal, they jump into the pool, and try to catch sancheoneo using bare hands within three minutes. Each participant is allowed to catch up to three sancheoneo. When the time is up, they walk out of the pool, and warm themselves up with a warm foot bath.
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☞ Admission: 12,000 won (Fishing zone pass, T-shirt & shorts rent, plastic bag and 5,000-won coupon included)
* Children & international visitors: 8,000 won
☞ Bare-hand fishing sessions: Weekdays 11:00, 14:00, 16:00 / Weekends 11:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00
* Onsite registration available an hour before each session for the first 70 people
* The number of sessions may change without prior notice.
Lure Fishing
[Photo credit: Nara Organizing Committee]
Lure fishing is done not on the ice, but on unfrozen flowing waters. Just as in ice fishing, the use of live bait is prohibited in lure fishing, and each person is limited to three sancheoneo. Participation requires onsite registration, which is open on a first-come, first-served basis (first 300 people).
info
☞ Admission: 12,000 won (Fishing zone pass, plastic bag, and 5,000-won coupon included)
* Children & international visitors: 8,000 won
☞ Opening hours: 08:30–18:00
* Onsite registration available on a first-come, first-served basis for the first 300 people
Snow & Ice Rides
Another attraction of the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival is the variety of snow and ice activities. The Ice Sled Square has a large ice rink for sled rides. There are sleds for 1 person and family sleds for about 3 people. The Eolgomi (mascot of the festival) Castle, situated in the center of the venue, showcases big snow sculptures, ice slides, and an ice tunnel that leads to a community culture hall. Bobsleighs are also available at the square next to Eolgomi Castle.
Moreover, Snow Fun Park is equipped with a snow sledding field featuring a 40m slope and a variety of rides including snow racing. Admission ticket for Snow Fun Park is 5,000 won. Participation in snow and ice activities usually requires an admission ticket, which can be purchased at ticket offices stationed throughout the festival venue, and activity gear rental fees when necessary. Upon purchasing the ticket, you will receive a 5,000-won Love Hwacheon gift certificate which you can use as cash in the Hwacheon area.
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[Ice Fun Park]
○Ice Sledding
☞ Sled rental fees
- Single sled: 5,000 won (5,000-won coupon included)
- Family sled: 10,000 won (two 5,000-won coupons included)
☞ Location: Ice Snow Sled Square
☞ Opening hours: 09:00 – 18:00
○ Snow Sculptures & Ice Slide & Ice Tunnel
☞ Admission: Free
☞ Location: Eolgomi Castle
☞ Opening hours: 09:00 – 18:00
○Bobsleigh
☞ Admission: 5,000 won (Tube sleigh rental and 5,000-won coupon included)
☞ Location: Winter Rides Square
☞ Opening hours: 09:00 – 18:00
[Snow Fun Park]
○Snow Sledding and 4 more rides
☞ Snow Fun Park Admission: 5,000 won (5,000-won coupon included)
☞ Rental fees: 5,000 won
* One ride for each person, but each person may use the sled up to 5 times
☞ Location: Snow Fun Park
☞ Opening hours: 09:00 – 18:00
Food & Other Attractions
Other Attractions
The heat of Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival can also be felt throughout the town of Hwacheon. The Ice Illumination Park behind the Hope Lights Plaza is divided into few several sections including a Korea section, World section, and China section with each one showcasing large-scale ice sculptures in various colors. The China section especially features 27 ice sculptures by 35 sculptors from the ‘Harbin Ice & Snow Festival’, one of the 4 major world winter festivals.
Meanwhile, the World Winter City Square offers special activities where one can try on traditional clothes and drink the teas of 9 winter countries including China, Japan, Canada, Norway and more. More things to enjoy include a 3D art gallery, 4D experience hall, Korean traditional folk games and mountain trout lantern making.
Food
Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival is a great opportunity to try diverse foods and purchase Hwacheon’s local specialties. In addition to the fish kitchen that serves sancheoneo, food stands along the Hwacheoncheon Stream sell teokbokki, fish cakes, dumplings, and savory and sweet fritters. Moreover, most packaged foods can be purchased with the Love Hwacheon gift certificates or the Agricultural Specialties coupon that you receive upon the purchase of admission tickets at the venue.
Tip. Love Hwacheon coupon & Agricultural Specialties coupon
[Photo credit: Nara Organizing Committee]
Love Hwacheon coupons can be used in every restaurant, gas station, and accommodation as cash. Agricultural Specialties coupon can be used only at the agricultural specialties sales booth at the festival venue.
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○ Ice Illumination Park
☞ Venue: behind Hope Lights Plaza, Ha-ri, Hwacheon-eup, Hwacheon-gun
☞ Admission: 5,000 won (3,000-won Hwacheon Love coupon included)
* Children & international visitors: 3,000 won
☞ Opening hours: 09:00 – 21:00
○ World Winter Cities Plaza
☞ Venue: Mullebanga Park, Sang-ri, Hwacheon-eup, HwaHwacheon-gun
☞ Admission: 10,000 won (5,000-won Love Hwacheon coupon included)
☞ Opening hours: 10:00 – 20:00
2013 Hwacheon Sancheoneo (Mountain Trout) Ice Festival
☞ Period: January 5 – January 27, 2013
☞ Location: Hwacheoncheon Stream area, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do
☞ Transportation: Dong Seoul Bus Terminal --> Hwacheon Bus Terminal
* Schedule: 07:05 – 19:35 / 24 buses a day / Travel time: 2hr 40min
* Fare: Adults 12,900 won, Youth 9,000 won, Children 6,500 won
* Hwacheoncheon Stream is located within a 15-min walking distance of Hwacheon Bus Terminal.
☞ Accommodations in the festival area:
http://www.ihc.go.kr/foreign/eng/page/sub06/sub06_01.html (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
☞Festival homepage: http://www.narafestival.com/07_global/?lang=eng(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
☞ Hwacheon Tourism Homepage: http://www.ihc.go.kr/foreign/eng/index.html (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
☞ Inquiries: +82-1688-3005 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
*Operated during the festival period
Last updated on January 3, 2013
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