Selected as one of the Seven Wonders of Winter by CNN.com, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival is a winter wonderland of activities and sights to see! The area of Hwacheon in the Gangwon Province is transformed into a city sized icy playground when the river freezes over. Activities scattered along the length of the river include ice fishing, ice sledding, ice skating, ice soccer, bare handed fishing, curling, bicycling and more. This festival has so much to see and do that you could visit for more than just one day. A short bus ride out of Seoul, this festival will run through February 5, 2017.
A group from many countries organized by CultureUs and sponsored by the Korea Tourist Organization had the chance to visit the festival. CultureUs has many opportunities throughout the year for foreigners in South Korea to experience Korean culture and activities. If you are currently living there or plan to visit, check out their website, CultureUs to see what adventure you can experience. They take applications and spots are limited, so plan ahead. Also, check out the Korea Tourism Organization website, Imagine your Korea to see what events are happening when you visit Korea.
A group from many countries organized by CultureUs and sponsored by the Korea Tourist Organization had the chance to visit the festival. CultureUs has many opportunities throughout the year for foreigners in South Korea to experience Korean culture and activities. If you are currently living there or plan to visit, check out their website, CultureUs to see what adventure you can experience. They take applications and spots are limited, so plan ahead. Also, check out the Korea Tourism Organization website, Imagine your Korea to see what events are happening when you visit Korea.
OUR ADVENTURE BEGINS!
The bus departed Seoul on a snowy day just before sunrise. After a scenic drive out to Gangwan-do, we were greeted with a light dusting of snow, then treated to sunshine for the remainder of the day.
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Outfitted in new warm headgear from the KTO, we joined our assigned groups and headed toward the festival!
This trip was also a chance to volunteer as SNS supporters for the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival.
After a brief orientation of our duties, our first activity was ice fishing. Holes were dug in the ice for all to have a try at catching one of the sancheoneo (trout) out of the cleanest of water making them tasty and healthy. For a small fee you can have your fresh catch cleaned and cooked up for you.
In the group were seasoned fishermen, but for some it was the first time holding a pole. It took a little while, but after the first fish was pulled up, they started to really bite!
In the group were seasoned fishermen, but for some it was the first time holding a pole. It took a little while, but after the first fish was pulled up, they started to really bite!
Luckily for those who did not catch their lunch, a variety of tasty foods were available. Bibimbap! Yum :)
Outside of the food court two from our group got a bit of exercise in a Gangnam Style dance-off accompanied by an energetic drum group. All had fun watching the improvised dance moves!
After lunch we went off to explore. Where to? So many places to see and things to do.
Huge ice sculptures towered alongside the river.
For a quick trip across the river, a few brave adventurers can zip-line over for a bird's eye view of the festival. Zip-line, why not? Thank you EMellee for giving me courage and for the video. It was my first time for zip-line and it was AWESOME!
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With that exhilarating, new experience under my belt, I recruited 3 ladies from South America and 1 from Spain to join me in trying another sport. Curling! It was surprising how heavy those granite rock things are. After a few times sprawling on the slippery ice trying to propel these rocks, a Korean comedian and KBS TV crew joined our group to film a segment for a show to be aired on Jan 25th. A round of Kai bai bo (Korean rock-paper-scissors) decided team captains. The teams chosen, the mini Olympics began! (please someone tell me if you find the show to watch online) **update** One of the girls found the show! It is Let's go 평창, 웃어라 대한민국 and it shows the Road to PyeongChang. She said it is really funny, but I'll have to wait for You Tube in about a week or two. Those of you in Korea can watch it now on the phone app, my K. **updating the update** Here is the link to watch the video.
Following the zip-line and TV filming, I thought a short slide down the hillside on an inflated tube would be relaxing. After all, young kids to grandpas were walking up the stairs to slide down the small hill. Wrong! Sitting at the top waiting to go down, it seemed tame enough. But once gravity got you going, your speed accelerated and soon you are going airborne off of the icy bumps. Chilly wind cut into my face and my screams left a trail behind me. When I finally came to a halt I felt like kissing the ice, but I was afraid my lips might get stuck and that would be more embarrassing than the screams. With my feet back under me I thought, "That was awesome!", but when the group opted to go again I gave the excuse that I needed to film them. I'd love to watch the film the trio made!
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There are always places to leave your mark at a Korean festival.
So much to see!
Our volunteering begins. Each team had a turn in sharing the fun at the festival. Enthusiastic attendees joined in.
Too soon it was time to board the bus to return to Seoul. There is so much more to see and do. Someday we will have to journey to Hwacheon again to see the rest of the festival.
by Melodie Everson
To: Hallyu, with Love
To: Hallyu, with Love
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