In the northern reaches of South Korea, the lower the temperature, the more crowded the ice becomes. Early each January, Hwacheon County takes the lead in the annual ice fishing season, attracting over a million tourists who participate in this grand occasion.
Located at the uppermost tributaries of the Bukhan River system, Hwacheon County, the host of the festivities, takes pride in the purity of its mountains and water where its people rely on organic farming and trout breeding for their livelihood.
Hwacheon is also the first to open its rivers to the public for ice fishing in early January every year where the tourists cut holes through the frozen river ice to fish for trout.
On the river's frozen surface, tourists squat or lie down all over the place oblivious to the cold. Cheers from tourists are heard whenever a fish is caught; some even enjoy the raw fish slices prepared on the spot. The host also prepares charcoal for people to roast fish at the site.
Festivities are not limited to fishing, but include ice and snow sledding contests, ice sculpting, ice-soccer, and other family events, including building snowmen and a large fireworks display at the end of the season.
Travel from Seoul to the festival in about three hours by train/bus or direct by bus.
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