Crowds flock to ice festival in Hwacheon

A child shows off his catch at an ice festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province on Jan. 12, 2026. AJP Han Jun-guHwacheon, January 14 (AJP) - On a white canvas of snow-covered ice, hundreds of people hunched over holes drilled into the frozen river, their fishing lines disappearing into the dark waters below.

Despite temperatures plunging to -14 degrees Celsius and heavy snowfall, crowds gathered from early morning last Monday, just days after the annual mountain trout-themed Sancheoneo Ice Festival kicked off last weekend.
 Visitors enjoy fishing at an ice festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province on Jan. 12, 2026. AJP Han Jun-guAround 10 a.m., parking lots near the entrance to the festival site were already packed. Visitors from all over the country, armed with thermos flasks and hand warmers stuffed into bags and bundled in heavy winter gear, took their spots on the ice.
 A boy enjoys fishing at an ice festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province on Jan. 12, 2026. AJP Han Jun-guThe sprawling fishing area, covering about 30,000 square meters, features more than 20,000 fishing holes drilled through ice more than 30 centimeters thick. People clutched fishing rods in one hand while holding plastic bags for their catch in the other.

Around noon, large snowflakes began to fall, and visibility dropped suddenly, but many of the visitors endured it, with their eyes fixed on their fishing lines.
 A girl looks into a hole at an ice festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province on Jan. 12, 2026. AJP Han Jun-guA girl enjoys fishing at an ice festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province on Jan. 12, 2026. AJP Han Jun-guVisitors enjoy fishing at an ice festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province on Jan. 12, 2026. AJP Han Jun-guVisitors enjoy fishing at an ice festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province on Jan. 12, 2026. AJP Han Jun-guA woman enjoys fishing at an ice festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province on Jan. 12, 2026. AJP Han Jun-guA man shows off his catch at an ice festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province on Jan. 12, 2026. AJP Han Jun-guAnother fishing area for bare-hand fishing also greeted visitors. Inside a circular pool filled with water, sancheoneo swam in circles. Participants changed into short-sleeved shirts and shorts provided by festival organizers, then waited for their turn. The sight of people lined up in summer clothing in -15-degree weather was enough to make onlookers shiver.

Without hesitation, they plunged into the icy water, thrusting their arms deep as they chased the quick-moving fish. Minutes later, shivering but triumphant, they hurried to nearby foot baths, sinking their frozen feet into the hot water and feeling relief wash over them.
 Participants are ready to enjoy fishing at an ice festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province on Jan. 12, 2026. AJP Han Jun-guParticipants enjoy bare-hand fishing at an ice festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province on Jan. 12, 2026. AJP Han Jun-guParticipants enjoy bare-hand fishing at an ice festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province on Jan. 12, 2026. AJP Han Jun-guA woman enjoys fishing at an ice festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province on Jan. 12, 2026. AJP Han Jun-guVisitors warm up themselves at an ice festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province on Jan. 12, 2026. AJP Han Jun-guA girl enjoys sledding at an ice festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province on Jan. 12, 2026. AJP Han Jun-guVarious other amusements like sledding also await visitors. They can look at massive ice sculptures while participating in hands-on activities like making traditional snacks.

There are also food stalls offering various preparations of sancheoneo - grilled, raw, or fried, providing savory delights for weary visitors after a long day of fishing.
 Visitors enjoy sledding at an ice festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province on Jan. 12, 2026. AJP Han Jun-guA man enjoys a ride at an ice festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province on Jan. 12, 2026. AJP Han Jun-guA girl enjoys sledding at an ice festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province on Jan. 12, 2026. AJP Han Jun-guVisitors take a picture at an ice festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province on Jan. 12, 2026. AJP Han Jun-guA man enjoys a ride at an ice festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province on Jan. 12, 2026. AJP Han Jun-guChildren enjoy traditional snack at an ice festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province on Jan. 12, 2026. AJP Han Jun-guSancheoneo or mountain trout is being grilled at an ice festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province on Jan. 12, 2026. AJP Han Jun-guVisitors enjoy fishing at an ice festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province on Jan. 12, 2026. AJP Han Jun-guAs the sun set, most visitors packed up and left, but hundreds of others arrived late, eager to compete for gold prizes awarded to those with the largest catch.

Unlike the family-friendly atmosphere of the morning and afternoon fishing hours, the competition, which kicked off at 7 p.m., attracted what seemed to be seasoned anglers equipped with specialized rods, lighting, and various professional gear.
 Visitors enjoy fishing at an ice festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province on Jan. 12, 2026. AJP Han Jun-guVisitors enjoy fishing at an ice festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province on Jan. 12, 2026. AJP Han Jun-guVisitors enjoy fishing at an ice festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province on Jan. 12, 2026. AJP Han Jun-guA boy measures his catch at an ice festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province on Jan. 12, 2026. AJP Han Jun-guThe festival, now in its 21st year, runs until the first day of February and continues to attract hundreds of visitors each year.
 An installation is set up at an ice festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province on Jan. 12, 2026. AJP Han Jun-gu
Han Jun-gu 사진기자 jungu141298@ajupress.com