Complete Guide to South Korea in Winter: What to See, Do & Eat
Winter in South Korea is long and cold – but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing fun today. It’s actually quite the opposite: fun festivals, cozy teahouses and delicious hot stews are going to be all part of your adventure in South Korea in winter!
Check out 25 free things to do in Seoul for more ideas on what to do in Korea!
Places to Visit in South Korea in Winter
South Korea really is a year-round travel destination. If you visit during the cold season, you should definitely put the following activities on your itinerary when traveling to South Korea in winter.
Cozy up in a Teahouse
Sipping on hot tea is one of the best ways to spend winter in South Korea. My favorite teahouse in
Traditional Tea Ceremony Experience
Tea ceremonies are viewed as a way to find relaxation and harmony in the fast-paced Korean culture of today. If you not only enjoy drinking tea but also making some and learning about the culture behind it, a traditional tea ceremony at Bukchon Hanok Village would be the perfect item on a South Korea winter itinerary.
This tea making class focuses not only on how to brew to perfect cup of Korean green tea and matcha but also on the appropriate traditional tea etiquette developed in South Korea over centuries.
Soak in the pools of a Jjimjilbang
What better way to warm up after a day of sightseeing in winter in Korea than at a jjimjilbang? This traditional public bathhouse is equipped with hot tubs, showers, Korean traditional kiln saunas and massage tables. The bathing areas are gender-segregated but the other relaxation areas are usually unisex. Plus, you can get a body scrub that will leave your skin super soft!
Stay in a Hanok
In a traditional Korean house, called hanok, people usually sleep on the floor. This might not seem like a smart things to do in the winter, but it’s actually super comfortable – because of ondol. Dating back centuries, Koreans have developed a smart way of heating their floors. This makes sleeping in a hanok not only a fun cultural experience but also extremely cozy in the winter.
The Best Festivals South Korea in Winter
Korea has a lot of festivals year-round – and winter is no exception. Here are the best winters festivals in Korea you should out on your itinerary when traveling to South Korea in winter.
Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival
Taebaek City has been hosting a large Mountain Snow Festival every year since 1994. The festival gives visitors the opportunity to try out a variety of winter activities, including snow rafting and sledding and also features a large exhibition of sculptures made of snow. On top of that, you can hike in the nearby Taebaeksan Mountain, one of the highest in Korea.
Mt. Deogyusan Winter Wonderland
If you’re looking for a fantastic winter landscape, the scenery at Mount Deogyusan on the border between Jeollabuk-do and Gyeongsangnam-do is unlike any other. Hidden temples nestled between snow-capped mountains dominate the landscape in this area creating a Korean winter wonderland – definitely a must in South Korea in winter!
Winter Light Festival
Should hiking not be your thing or you’re simply looking for something more serene, the Winter Light Festival at the Garden of Morning Calm is the perfect choice. Located only 2 hours away from
Snow Sledding
For those you can’t ski or snowboard, snow sledding is a fun alternative to try. Bears Town Ski Resort is one of the most accessible snow wonderlands from
Top Ski Resorts in Korea
South Korea has a lot of mountains – and winter sports are extremely popular. Due to the high number of foreign tourists (many of which are coming from Southeast Asia to learn skiing or snowboarding), there are a lot of English ski and snowboard classes available.
Yongpyong Ski Resort
If you are looking for a for a world-class ski experience this winter Yongpyong Ski Resort is a great choice. It’s the biggest ski and snowboard resort in Korea, located at the foot of Mount Balwangsan in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province. The Alpine Skiing event at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics were also held at this location.
Vivaldi Park Ski Resort
One of the closest ski resorts to
Alpensia Ski Resort
The Alpensia Ski Resort has six slopes for skiers and snowboarders to enjoy. Runs as long as 1.4km provide a dynamic experience for both beginners and experienced skiers and snowboarders. There is also an area exclusively for advanced snowboarders to practice their skills.
The ski resort is located in the Pyeongchang area, where to 2018 winter Olympics were held. Because of this, Alpensia boasts a wide range of comfortable hotels and B&B’s where you can stay for a fun ski weekend.
Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort.
Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort is a beautiful and modern ski resort about 1.5 hours from
The slopes at the Elysian are great for beginners and intermediate skiers and snowboarders but there are also a few advanced slopes to go crazy on. Eight of the ten slopes are suitable for beginners and intermediate skiers (2 for beginners, 1 for pre-intermediates, 5 for intermediates, 2 for the advanced). A total of six lifts operate for the ten slopes resulting in very short waiting times and more ski fun for you!
What to Eat in South Korea in Winter
Winter in Korea can be rough. However to beat the cold, you should get familiar with the endless soup and stew variety that Korea has to offer.
Eomog Tang, Fish Cake Soup
This soup is one of the most popular street foods during winter and even throughout the entire year. The combination of the soft fish cakes on a stick in a flavorful broth paired with other vegetables. The fish cakes vary in size and shape from flat slices to round balls.
Dongtae Jjigae, Pollock Stew
If you’re not familiar with pollock, it’s a type of fish similar to cod, which is the main ingredient of this deliciousness in a bowl. Korean Jjigae stews are a flavorful experience with many ingredients melting together in the pot: radish, green onion, tofu, bean sprouts and anchovies.
Ddeokguk, Rice Cake Soup
This soup variety is traditionally eaten for Lunar New Year in Korea. It is made of the broth and thin rice cakes. It is said to bring good look for the new year when it is eaten during New Year’s. It is usually served with eggs, thin slices of meat, and dried seaweed.
This is one of my personal favorite Korean dishes – so be sure to try it during your Korea trip!
Sundubu Jjigae, Uncurdled Tofu Stew
One of my favorites of all time, and not only in winter: sundubu jjigae! This delicious stew consists of uncurdled tofu, many vegetables, including mushrooms and onions. There are even varieties with seafood (oysters mussels, clams, or shrimp) and optional meat! However, no matter which type you try, you will always taste the gochujang (chili paste) and gochu garu (chili powder). A raw egg is oftentimes poured on top of the jjigae right before serving it.
What to Pack For South Korea in Winter
It gets extremely cold in South Korea in winter. However, many restaurants, cafés and jjimjilbang turn their heating to full blast. Therefore, the best way is to layer up.
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