Whatever season you choose to visit and see Korea, you will definitely go to have a great time discovering this lovely countryside all throughout the year.
After the passing of the beautiful cherry blossoms in spring, the charm of invitingly warm summer and the colorful season of autumn’s falling leaves, Korea is then transformed into a glistening winter wonderland.
Seoul gets its first snow of the year in late November.
The winter season in Korea usually starts from December until mid-March the next year. It is characterized to be bitterly cold due to the influx brought by the freezing Siberian air which ranges between -6° degrees and +3° degrees Celsius.
During the coldest season of the year, the Korean peninsula is covered with blanket of heavenly, white snow. With the popular parks, tourist attractions and the great mountains painted with glittering snow, like any other season, winter in Korea is cherished for its own merit.
Changdeokgung Palace grounds draped in heavenly white snow.
Jeonju is famous with its traditional Hanok village housing over 700 old-style Korean houses.
Lounging in hot spring spas, heading to the snow-capped peaks, paying a visit to theme parks and or trying out seasonal food, the winter in Korea is sure a treat to indulge and experience.
With the northern and eastern parts of Korea draped in heavy snow, the mountains alongside these regions make promising conditions for winter sports and activities. Since Korea is a mountainous state, there really are a lot of ski resorts equipped with state of the art facilities where in guests get to experience exciting session of skiing and snowboarding. In addition to popular winter sports, there are also recreational packages that are worth a try as organized by these world class resorts, such as skating, snow sledding and tobogganing.
The Pyeongchang County located in the Taebaek Mountains is home to world class ski resorts in Korea.
Snowboarders and skiers spending a day on the slopes.
Besides, ice skating is as well one of the top things to do during the cold season. Anytime you can try it out but to experience the ice and snow fall in an outdoor ice rink is quite different and one of a kind in the winter.
Skaters enjoy the outdoor ice skating rink at Seoul Plaza.
Keeping warm is another way of ensuring that you stay well and healthy during the winter time. Natural hot springs are often visited and they can be found in every corner of the country. Although most of the mineral-enriched hot pools are situated outside the bustling cities, many Koreans are still looking forward to visiting this seasonal destination.
© Paradise Spa Dogo is a premium spa and hot spring resort in Asan.
One particular relaxation facility that’s enjoyed during the season is the Korean-style, gender segregated bathhouse known as jjimjilbang (찜질방). These bathhouses are commonly offer saunas, hot tubs and sleeping rooms to get you warm and relaxed.
Jjimjilbang is a gender-separated bathhouse where one can enjoy various wellness facilities such as hot pools and saunas.
Whether you want to spend soaking in a hot spring, stay the whole day in a steam room, or trying some of the most unique health and spa treatments, surely it will not only keep you warm but also make your winter vacation a rejuvenating one.
With the splendid shifting of the weather, set menus also changes for seasonal variations of delicious Korean diet. Spicy foods are best in the winter to heat up your taste buds. Hot noodles (jjamppong 짬뽕) and stews (such as kimchi jjigae 김치찌개, yukgaejang 육개장 and maeuntang 매운탕), heavily spiced chicken (buldak 불닭) as well as rice cakes in sweet red chili sauce (tteokbokki 떡볶이), are just some of the seasonal and spicy healthy Korean food that you will absolutely enjoy in the winter as it can improve your health and help the body stay warm.
Maeuntang is a hot spicy fish stew cooked with kochukaru chili powder, gochujang or red chili pepper paste and various vegetables.
Although not cooked in a spicy sauce and steaming pots, the popular fish-shaped waffles with sweet red bean paste filling called bungeoppang (붕어빵) is also a must-try snack to fancy at during the cold winter days.
Bungeoppang waffles stuffed with sweet red bean paste filling. © Wikipedia
Aside from the beautiful sunrise and picturesque snowy peaks every morning of the winter, witnessing the attractive illuminations decorated in the parks and along the streets is but as well a great experience and breathtaking setting for a perfect family date. Not to mention the famous N Seoul Tower which is situated atop the Namsan Park illuminates the surrounding mountain each night in the heart of the metropolitan city.
The N Seoul Tower located on the Mt. Namsan peak offers great panoramic view of the city of Seoul.
Winter experience in Korea will not be complete without travelling around a theme park. Lotte World, Everland and Seoul Land, three of the well-known and largest theme parks in the country are also great places to visit as they also have a set of festivities prepared for the winter season. Skating and tubing are just some of the things to anticipate when dropping by an amusement park but expect the most celebrated and wonderful performances as the white Christmas draws near during the winter.
© Lotte World’s joyful Christmas shows and parades that every family member can enjoy.
Moreover, Korea also offer various winter events and festivals like the annual Yeongdong Dried Persimmon Festival, the Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival and the different sunrise festivals such as the Homigot andJeongdongjin Sunrise Festival are showcased across the nation.
Beautiful sunrise over the Celestial Maiden Rock of the Seonnyeo Bawi Beach.
Korea is home to large shopping malls. While enjoying the Christmas season, it’s also best to drop by the country’s biggest shopping festival in which many of the participating centers, shops and establishments bargain huge discounts for your leisure and shopping needs this coming holiday.
A huge Christmas tree adorned with glittering lights in downtown Seoul.
Splendid view during the snowfall in Bugak Mountain.
It’s beyond doubt you will experience the best of what Korea has to offer all year round. The Korean winter, although intensely cold and gives you a freezing nose, is an experience you will appreciate and relish for a lifetime, especially if you’re living in the tropics
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