Hwacheon Sancheoneo (Mount Trout) Festival:Gateway to Korea’s Winter Wonderland

When Hwacheoncheon Stream in Hwacheon, Gangwon-do Province freezes in winter, people flock to the stream, bore a hole in the ice, and begin ice fishing for sancheoeo (mount trout), which are known to live in the clean and cold fresh water. After waiting patiently, they cry with joy as they pull up their catch from the water. Some even jump into the icy pool built beside the stream to catch sancheoneo with only bare hands. These are the sights and sounds of the annual Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival.

Recently, the Festival has been chosen as one of the Seven Wonders of Winter by CNNGo, a subsidiary travel information site operated by CNN International. In 2012, it is held under the theme of “Unfrozen Hearts, Unforgettable Memories.” In addition to ice fishing, the festival offers a plethora of fun activities on the frozen Hwacheoncheon Stream including ice skating, ice/snow sledding, snowmobiling, and many more. Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival is the ultimate winter getaway for the whole family.

Sancheoneo Fishing

Sancheoneo fishing is the main activity of the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival. There are three different ways of fishing: ice fishing on the frozen stream; lure fishing by the flowing stream; and bare-hand fishing in the pool.

Ice Fishing



Ice fishing is the most popular fishing method at the festival. On average, about 7,000 people enjoy it during the weekdays, and more than 10,000 people on weekends. Participation in ice fishing requires admission to the fishing zone. Upon purchasing an admission ticket, you will also receive a fishing zone pass, a plastic bag for carrying sancheoneo, and a 5,000-won Hwacheon Agricultural Products coupon for shopping onsite.

* How to enjoy ice fishing

1. 1. Bore a hole in the ice using a metal pole, or simply find an open hole.
2. 2. Drop the bait down into the hole, and adjust the fishing line so that the bait is submerged approximately 30-40㎝ from the ground.
3. 3. Attach the line to the fishing reel, and move the reel up and down so as to lure the fish.
4. 4. When you feel a tug, gently pull up the fishing line.
5. 5. Unhook the bait, and place the fish in the plastic bag. You have your first catch!

Each person is limited to three sancheoneo. Once done with fishing, you may take your catch to a nearby kitchen to have it served raw or grilled on firewood.

Info
☞ Admission: 12,000 won (Fishing zone pass, plastic bag, and 5,000-won Agricultural Products coupon included)
☞ Opening hours: 08:30–18:00
* Online reservations highly recommended on weekends.
☞ Fishing Ticket Reservation Homepage (Korean)
☞ What to bring: Fishing pole/reel, bait, small chair, blanket, etc.
* Fishing gear is available for purchase at the site.
☞ Prices of fishing reels with bait: 3,000-6,000 won
☞ Prices for sancheoneo Hoe (sushi): 2,000 won per fish / Grilled sancheoneo: 1,000 won per fish
* Fishing gear is available for purchase at the site.

Tips on ice fishing!

1. 1. Come early to find good seats, great views, and excellent chances of catching sancheoneo!
2. 2. Stay closer to the edges of the stream, as sancheoneo tend to like them, too.
3. 3. Make a large hole in the ice in order to expand your view of the sancheoneo in the water.
4. 4. Remain calm and keep trying!

Bare-hand Fishing



Bare-hand fishing takes place three times a day at the round fishing pool. Participants change into festival clothes (T-shirt & shorts), and do a simple warm up exercise. At the start signal, they jump into the pool, and try to catch sancheoneo using bare hands within three minutes. Each participant is allowed to catch up to three sancheoneo. When the time is up, they walk out of the pool, and straight into the changing room for a warm bath.

Info
☞ Admission: 12,000 won (Fishing zone pass, plastic bag, and 5,000-won Agricultural Products coupon included)
☞ Bare-hand Fishing sessions: 11:00, 13:00, 15:00
* Onsite registration available an hour before each session, on a first-come, first-served basis.
* The number of sessions may change without notice.

Lure Fishing



Lure fishing is similar to regular fishing above flowing water. At the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival, the lure fishing zone is located next to the ice fishing zone. Just as in ice fishing, the use of live bait is prohibited in lure fishing, and each person is limited to three sancheoneo. Participation requires onsite registration, which is open on a first-come, first-served basis.

Info
☞ Admission: 12,000 won (Fishing zone pass, plastic bag, and 5,000-won Agricultural Products coupon included)
☞ Opening hours: 08:30–18:00
* Onsite registration available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Snow & Ice Rides

Another attraction of the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival is the variety of snow and ice activities. The Ice Snow Sled Square, located next to the ice fishing zone, features a large ice rink for sled rides. The Eolgomi Castle showcases big snow sculptures, ice slides, and an ice tunnel that leads to a community culture hall. The Winter Rides Square is equipped with slides and slopes for various sleigh rides. Participation in snow and ice activities usually requires an admission ticket, which can be purchased at ticket offices stationed throughout the festival venue, and activity gear rental fees when necessary. Upon purchasing the ticket, you will receive a 5,000-won Hwacheon Love coupon.

Info

Ice Sledding
☞ Sled rental fees
- Single sled: 5,000 won (5,000-won Hwacheon Love coupon included)
- Family sled: 10,000 won (two 5,000-won Hwacheon Love coupons included)
☞ Location: Ice Snow Sled Square
☞ Opening hours: 09:00–18:00
☞ Sled rental fees

Snow Sculptures & Ice Slide & Ice Tunnel
☞ Admission: Free
☞ Location: Eolgomi Castle
☞ Opening hours: 09:00–18:00
☞ Sled rental fees

Bobsleigh
☞ Admission: 5,000 won (Rental tube sleigh and 5,000-won Hwacheon Love coupon included)
☞ Location: Winter Rides Square
☞ Opening hours: 09:00–18:00
☞ Sled rental fees

Snow Sleigh
☞ Admission: 5,000 won (Rental sleigh and 5,000-won Hwacheon Love coupon included)
* Each person may use the sleigh up to 5 times
☞ Location: Winter Rides Square
☞ Opening hours: 09:00–18:00

Food & Other Attractions

Food
Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival is a great opportunity to try Hwacheon’s local specialties. In addition to the fish kitchen that serves sancheoneo, food stands along the Hwacheoncheon Stream sell topokki, fish cake, dumplings, and savory and sweet fritters, all of which can be bought with the Hwacheon Love coupons. Meanwhile, specialty food packages can be purchased with Hwacheon Agricultural Products coupons.

Other AttractionsThe heat of Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival can also be felt throughout the town of Hwacheon. The Asia Ice Lights Square in the west showcases large-scale ice sculptures, including the Turtle Ship (the world’s first ironclad ship), Snow Princess and the Seven Dwarfs, and Sphinx of Egypt. Meanwhile, the World Winter City Square, located a few blocks away, exhibits wooden sculptures created by German master craftsmen, Korean traditional paper dolls, and large snow sculptures. An admission ticket to either one of the two venues grants free admission to the other.

Info

Asia Ice Lights Square & World Winter City Square
☞ Admission: 5,000 won (3,000-won Hwacheon Love coupon included)
☞ Opening hours: 09:00–21:00

2012 Hwacheon Sancheoneo (Mount Trout) Ice Festival
☞ Period: January 7–January 29, 2012
☞ Location: Hwacheoncheon Stream, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do
☞ Transportation: Dong Seoul Bus Terminal-> Hwacheon Bus Terminal
* Schedule: 06:20–19:25, 1-hour intervals / Travel time: 2hr 40min
* Fare: 12,600 won
* Hwacheoncheon Stream is located within a 15-min walking distance of Hwacheon Bus Terminal.
☞ Accommodations in the festival area: tour.ihc.go.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
☞ Festival homepage: www.narafestival.com (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
☞ Hwacheon Tourism Homepage: tour.ihc.go.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
☞ 1330 tt call center: +82-33-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)