2026 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival Kicks Off: Target 1.86M Visitors Within Reach
The 2026 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival kicked off on January 10. With 1.86M visitors last year, this global winter hub offers ice fishing, world-class ice sculptures, and unique winter sports.
A remote mountain town with a population of just 22,370 is transforming into a global winter capital once again. On January 10, 2026, the world-renowned '2026 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival' officially opened its gates in Gangwon Province. Following last year's record-breaking 1.86 million visitors, this year's event is poised to solidify its status as one of the world's top winter spectacles.
2026 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival: A Massive Winter Playground
According to Yonhap News, the festival will run for 23 days through February 1. The festival grounds, spanning 300,000 square meters—roughly the size of 40 football pitches—welcomed thousands of early-morning visitors on its first day. Organizers expect more than 100,000 foreign tourists this year, a significant jump from the 85,000 recorded just two years ago.
- Ice fishing for Sancheoneo (mountain trout) through holes in the frozen river
- Bare-hand fishing in icy waters, a signature Hwacheon experience
- Night fishing and exclusive resting areas for international visitors
- Snow sledding on a 40-meter slope and ice bobsleighing
Global Collaborations: From Harbin to Sapporo
This year's festival isn't just about fishing. The Seohwasan Multipurpose Indoor Plaza features a miniature version of China's 'Harbin Ice and Snow World', crafted by 30 expert ice lantern makers. Meanwhile, the Eolgomi Castle showcases snow sculptures inspired by Japan's 'Sapporo Snow Festival'. Fans of the Nordics can even visit a replica of Finland's 'Santa Post Office', bringing a touch of Lapland to Korea's northeastern mountains.
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