Hwacheon in Gangwon Province, South Korea, is playing host to an annual ice fishing festival – organised by NARA Foundation – that will feature ice fishing, bare-hand fishing, an ice sculpture plaza and a street of fish-shaped lanterns.
From now till February 5, tourists can look forward to experiencing one of four global winter festivals at a small town bordering North Korea.
Hwacheon in Gangwon Province, South Korea, is playing host to an annual ice fishing festival – organised by NARA Foundation – that will feature ice fishing, bare-hand fishing, an ice sculpture plaza and a street of fish-shaped lanterns.
This year, more nighttime programmes have been added to make “the world-famous Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival a festival for overnight stay," said Choi Moon -soon, head of Hwacheon County.
With a population of 27,000, Hwacheon is said to have more soldiers than residents, and in recent years, has attracted over a million tourists annually during the festival.
Last year, the festival was named a representative South Korean festival – the government recognises it as the sole festival, which opens at night – and also one of four global winter fests along with China's Ice and Snow World, Japan's Sapporo Snow Festival and Canada's Winter Carnival.
According to a Hwacheon County survey, the festival is estimated to have had a 99.1 billion won (US$ 84 million) economic impact on the county’s economy.
More than 70 percent of the county residents take part in the management of the festival with elderly residents making fish lanterns and others selling farm products and providing lodging facilities.
Over 15,000 local residents have volunteered this year to serve as tour guides, traffic controllers and cleaners.