When it is almost freezing in Korea and nothing to doexcept
to remain in home and stay warm, then its the Hwacheon Sancheoneo (Mount Trout)
Ice Festival which attract the visitors from around the glob to see and enjoy the
ice fishing and skating and many other activities. Dedicated to thesancheoneo,
an indigenous freshwater mountain trout that thrives in the ice cold rivers of
the county, the event features as its signature event ice
fishing. It is taking place in Hwacheon in Gangwon-do. This almost unvisited
area is known as the first region in Korea that freezes over in winter, and the
river is roofed with a profuse cover of ice. According to the committee more
than 1 million, including 100,000 foreigners attended the 2014 Hwacheon ice
festival.
Since 2003, the festival attracted visitors to the Gangwon
town some 118 kilometers north of Seoul, offering a diversity of programs
including ice fishing and sleigh riding. In 2011, the festival did not took
place due to an occurrence of foot-and-mouth disease. The festival is arranged
from Jan. 4-26 this year and would be celebrating its 11th anniversary.
Since 2006, the number of visitors has exceeded the 1 million mark every year. Visitors
have many opportunities to enjoy the ice activities at their best. They can try
out ice fishing, and those who are feeling brave can try to catch mountain
trout with their bare hands. As well as fun activities and performances, there
is also an exhibition of ice sculptures that took 20 weeks to prepare. Visitors
can sample raw and grilled mountain trout, both of which are delicious.
I was an amazing day to spend with my friend Abid Mehmood at Hwacheon
Ice festival. Thanks to the shuttle bus service who offered their services at
very low cost all the way to Hwacheon. After 2 and half hours of travel we were
very excited to see thousands of people ice fishing and enjoying the tasty
trout. There were more than 15000 holes drilled into the river ice to catch
sancheoneo. Although Korean people eat (SUSHI) uncooked and they just love it.
However we just put our stuff to be cooked and eat. The Snow/Ice
Experience like sledding, bobsledding, ice football, rides, snow
man zone, rides, snow sledding), eolgomiseong (tunnels, slides), snow
sculptures, etc.
The skating show is one of the most attracting shows of the
ice festival where different arts were performed by the Korean and foreign
players. The sculptures were amazing and it was quite interesting how they cut and
arranged such big slices of ice. It was incredibly cold however the attractions
has moved the people so much that no once care about that and was busy in
business.
That was a memorable day full of joy and activeness. The
shuttle bus picked us back at 5 and we were at Seoul around 08 to go back home
and enjoy our trout… J
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