Unique Winter Getaways: Korean Travel and Experiences

large ice wall formed by frozen waterfall

Are you looking for unique winter getaways for your winter trip to Korea? This Korean travel guide has unique winter getaways and experiences you can add to your Korean travel itinerary.

Unique Winter Getaways

Cheongsong Ice Valley

large ice wall formed by frozen waterfall

The Cheongsong Eoreumgol, or Cheongsong Ice Valley, is a spectacular sight and a unique winter getaway in Korea. This waterfall, standing over 60 meters tall, freezes entirely in winter, forming a massive ice wall. It makes an excellent backdrop for your Korean travel posts on social media, as the sight looks like a true winter wonderland. 

For those especially active and adventurous, ice climbing is a seasonal activity at the ice valley. The Cheongsong Ice Valley hosts annual ice climbing festivals as well.

The aesthetic of the icy wall is one of many things that make this destination a unique winter getaway. In the summertime, this waterfall provides a cool, refreshing breeze. 

There is also a warm breeze in the winter, making this weather-related anomaly a unique winter getaway indeed. It is 1 of 20 ice valleys in Korea. If you can’t visit during the winter, don’t worry! This location is a popular travel spot in summer as well.

Bonghwa Santa Village

picture of large reindeer and Santa statues with other Christmas decorations in background

A visit here is like walking into a Hallmark movie. So, if Christmas is your favorite season and you start playing Christmas songs on November 1st, you should visit the Bonghwa Santa Village. You definitely won't lack the Christmas spirit here. 

The Bonghwa Santa Village is located in Buncheon in North Gyeongsang province. This amazing Christmas-themed winter wonderland opened in 2014 and received over 100,000 visitors yearly.

There are various attractions and activities to pass the time during your visit. One of the bigger and more popular attractions is the Santa Train. On the Santa Train, passengers have a view of the Santa Village and the surrounding mountains and scenery. 

While riding the train, you can really get into the Christmas spirit and sing Christmas carols with the crew, who is also dressed in Christmas attire. You can even take pictures with Santa on this unique winter getaway! 

There are several things to do outdoors as well. There are various animals, such as donkeys and alpacas. Also, sledding is offered for both kids and adults for free! 

Be sure to dress warmly. You can wear a hat and earmuffs and even bring a blanket to stay warm after you're done sledding. Luckily, we have just the thing for you! Amazingly, this unique winter getaway just so happens to be a unique summer getaway as well as this location is open seasonally in both winter and summer.

Homigot Sunrise

sunrise over the ocean

This experience, known as Homigot Sunrise, is in Pohang and is one of the easternmost points on the Korean peninsula. It’s also one of the most instagrammable places you can visit in Korea. However, pictures can’t show you how breathtaking the sunrise truly is. The unique winter getaway in Korea is something you really have to experience in person.

It features “Sangseang’s Hand,” also known as “Hand of Harmony.” It’s a bronze sculpture initially constructed in December 1999 and looks like a pair of hands. One hand is in the ocean, while the other is on land. The intended message behind this piece is that “all people are living together by helping one another.”

Homigot hosts a yearly sunrise festival for New Year’s and is one of Korea’s most popular New Year’s destinations. There are also various other attractions nearby, like Korea’s largest lighthouse, Homigot Lighthouse.


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