Carissa NgWhen you put the words WINTER and KOREA together, what comes to your mind? Winter Sonata with Bae Yong Joon? Ice-skating with Kim Yuna? Romantic hugs and kisses amidst falling snowflakes? Talented snowboarders and skiers owning the slopes?
Yes, yes and yes! Korea is all that and MORE in the winter. Feast your eyes on this magical winter wonderland and just imagine yourself lying on the pure white snow! Ah…pure bliss, isn’t it? You might be so tempted, you will be willing to deplete your savings to book your air tickets to Korea right now. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
For starters, Gyeongbokgung is a beautiful sight to behold in winter
Image credit: Pixabay
As is the breathtaking view of Hantan River at Cheorwon-gun
Image credit: Brandon Oh @ Flickr
You can almost touch the clouds at Seolcheonbong peak in Deogyusan National Park
Image credit: Pixabay
Or be lost for words at the beauty of Nami Island
Image credit: Nastor Lacle on Flickr
Even squirrels just want to jump into the fluffy snow!
Image credit: Nastor Lacle on Flickr
You can join them and try using your bare hands to catch fish in the dead of winter at the Hwacheon Sancheoneo (Mountain Trout) Festival
Image credit: Visit Korea
Or go snow-sledding and cycling on ice for an adrenaline rush!
Image credit: Visit Korea
Ice sculptures will tease you in your face at the Taebaek Winter Festival
Image credit: Mark and Emma Hableton
But you could pretend you’re Elsa and go back to your ice castle
Image credit: Mark and Emma Hableton
Don’t you want to freeze to death with these people at the Seogwipo Penguin Swimming Festival?
Image credit: Visit Korea
Or walk into a fairytale at The Christmas Lights Festival on Pocheon’s Herb Island?
Image credit: Yakson House
Korean traditional houses (hanok) just look more majestic in the winter
Image credit: Nastor Lacle on Flickr
And snow just gives the Traditional Korean Folk Village a different vibe!
Image credit: Pixabay
Of course, winter will remind you of Kim Yuna, the undisputed legendary goddess of figure skating
Image credit: Queen Yuna
Which brings us to the absolutely stunning view of Pyeongchang at the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games
Image credit: Republic Of Korea
So now we eagerly await the 2018 Winter Olympics at Pyeongchang again!
Image credit: Republic Of Korea
Koreans love to bond with family and friends while skiing,
Image credit: Paul on Flickr
Or brighten up these white slopes with their vibrant and colourful snowboarding gear as well
Image credit: Visit Korea
BONUS: Let’s not forget North Korea!
Yes, North Korea has a ski resort as well…although maybe only Kim Jong Un is allowed to use it
Image credit: Uri Tours
That’s all of us every winter, looking wistfully out at snow like this guy at Myohyang Mountains in North Korea
Image credit: Uri Tours
Tempted? I bet you are! 😉
Also Read: 11 Things You Must Try for Your First Seoul Winter
