Hwacheon (화천) is a county in Gangwon.
Understand
[edit]Hwacheon gun has many high mountains such as Mt. Daeseongsan, Mt. Hwaaksan, Mt. Baekamsan, etc, which its beautiful valleys flow clean and cold water to Paroho Lake and Hwacheonho Lake. This offers visitors beautiful natural scenery, along with water skiing, fishing, tenting and other leisure and tourism activities all year round. It is in close proximity to the DMZ (Korean De-Militarized Zone) with 36,000 military personnel residing in the area along with 22,000 local residents.
Hwacheon is also famous for its cultural events, most notably the Sancheoneo Ice Festival held every January. During the festival, thousands of visitors gather to enjoy ice fishing, snow sculptures, and winter sports, making it one of the most popular winter festivals in Korea. In addition, Hwacheon hosts various seasonal events that highlight its natural resources and local traditions.
Get in
[edit]By bus
[edit]There is a bus departing from Chuncheon bus terminal at 20 and 50 minutes past the hour every hour. Buses start around 06:20. The last bus is at 21:20. The journey is very windy through mountain roads, valleys, lakes and rivers but is serenely beautiful and takes approximately 45–50 minutes.
Visitors can take a bus from Hwacheon Terminal to Dong Seoul Bus Terminal. The bus runs eight times a day and takes two and a half to three hours. The cost is about \13,700 for adults and \11,000
Get around
[edit]By bus
[edit]There are two bus terminals. One intercity (services to Seoul and Chuncheon) and one local.
The local bus terminal (5 minutes walk from the intercity terminal) is located on the main street and provides services across Hwacheon county.
The number 5 bus will take you to Lake Paroho. It departs from Hwacheon with a journey time of 10 minutes.
The bus will return from Gandong and pass Paroho.
By bike
[edit]There are numerous well marked and designed cycle paths that stretch the length of the Bukhangang river in the Hwacheon area.
See
[edit]
- 1 Peace Dam, 145-145, Bisugumi-gil, Hwacheon-eup, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, South Korea. known as Hwacheon Dam, is a large dam, completed in 2005. Bimokpark and Mulmunhall are to the left of the power plant entrance. Mulmunhall promotes the importance of water resources and has been operating a restaurant and other facilities. Biompark promotes the natural environment.
- 2 Jo Kyung-Chul Observatory, 431, Cheonmundae-gil, Sanae-myeon, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, South Korea, ☏ 033-818-1929. Jo Kyung-Chul Observatory features advanced telescopes that allow visitors to explore the night sky.It also hosts science programs and events to inspire interest in astronomy.
- 3 Hwacheon Museum, 3337, Chunhwa-ro, Hanam-myeon, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, South Korea. Hwacheon Museum showcases the region’s history, culture, and traditions through various artifacts and exhibitions. It offers visitors interactive programs and seasonal events to experience local heritage.
- 4 Lake Paroho, 1984, Bangcheon-ri, Gando-myeon, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, South Korea. Lake Paroho is an artificial lake created by Hwacheon Dam in 1944. It is famous for fishing and its historical significance.
Do
[edit]Festivals
[edit]- Jjokbae Water Festival (물의나라 화천 쪽배축제). Takes place in Hwacheon and ends at Bungeoseom island. Jjokbae is a kind of raft used in Korea and during this festival creative rafts with unique shapes decorate the lake of Bungeo seom island. There is a very famous song about a rabbit living on the moon crossing over the Milky Way by a raft. Many of the contestants have built their rafts themselves. The rules don't set any limits concerning the size or design of the rafts; they can carry more than one person - but they may not be motorized. Goods are awarded to the person who takes the victory in this competition. It is already quite famous among foreigners as well and the competition has been adapted with contestants from abroad in mind. The festival also provides various other water sports and events. Aside of the race, you can experience canoe or kayaking that are hard to experience directly and water slide flume, or enjoy some of the many culture experience spaces prepared for families such as water golf. If you come at night, performances of well known singers are available for you to appreciate music in the moonlight. Also, lovers may spend time and families are delighted with the beautiful fireworks display prepared. A honeymoon trip to Korea offers a really good culture experience.
- Tomato Festival(토마토 축제) (on Mt. Hwaaksan). Tomato is Hwacheon's local specialty. Delightful experience programs of the tomato festival are prepared to offer a good time without spending a lot of money. For example, the tomato slide & tomato tail catching events. Spaghetti for 1,000 people is also provided during the festival. You can buy tomatoes at the festival for an inexpensive price if you want to buy fresh tomatoes of Hwacheon. When night comes, a dance contest is held and many participants come to show off their talent regardless of gender or age. Hwacheon's Tomato Festival is a place where one can feel the atmosphere of the Brazilian Rio Carnival.
- Sancheoneo Ice Festival(산천어 축제). A unique winter festivity that attracts over million visitors every year. Programs are organized into four major categories, themed around ice and snow. The program relates to the fresh water fishes living in mountain lakes and creeks, especially sancheoneo - a fish which can only live in the best and clearest waters. Activities include ice fishing, lure fishing, and catching fish with your bare hands. Because it usually snows much in Hwacheon, the Sancheoneo Ice Festival achieves success every time. You can feel how Hwacheon's nature is clean and beautiful. This festival offers many different activities such as snow sledding, snow bobsleighing, ice bicycles as well as experience spaces to catch Sancheoneo. Especially, the folkways playground was prepared at this festival.
Buy
[edit]- Sancheoneo (산천어) products– Dried or processed mountain trout, often sold during the Sancheoneo Ice Festival.
- Hwacheon makgeolli (화천 막걸리) – A locally brewed rice wine that can be found at traditional markets and local restaurants.
- Wild honey and mountain herbs (산꿀과 산나물) – Beekeepers and farmers in the area produce natural honey, wild greens, and medicinal herbs.
Eat
[edit]- 1 Gangwon Namulbap Chaewon(강원나물밥 채원), 60-7 Sangsung-ro, Hwacheon-eup, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do, ☏ +82 33-441-0514. It is a popular restaurant among visitors, as Hwacheon is famous for its mountain vegetables (san-namul).
- 2 Bukhangang Hoetjip(북한강 횟집), 12-10 Jungang-ro, Hwacheon-eup, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do, ☏ +82 33-442-5750. This restaurant’s main menu features sancheoneo. The Sancheoneo Ice Festival is often held in front of the restaurant, and even without fishing, visitors can enjoy fresh trout here.
- 3 Sanchaegol(산채골), 54-9 Sangsung-ro, Hwacheon-eup, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do, ☏ +82 33-442-4880. It is a popular restaurant among locals, offering a wide variety of dishes and a spacious parking area.
Like anywhere in Korea, there is a wide selection of Korean cuisine on offer. Sangyeopsal is Hwacheons signature dish, and can be found across town. For Westerners and tourists not so keen on Korean food, there is a Lotteria fast food restaurant, 'Chicago' hot dog restaurant and several Italian and Western style restaurants. All are relatively cheap but good quality.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Hi Daily(하이 대이리), 1F, 549-1 Pyeonghwa-ro, Hwacheon-eup, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do, ☏ +82 33-442-1020. It is a stylish café where visitors can enjoy fragrant tea and coffee, accompanied by savory bread.
- 2 Chedo(체도), 7735 Yeongseo-ro, Sangseo-myeon, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do, ☏ +82 507-1326-1630. It is a nice café to visit after seeing the Chilseong Observatory, and it is often frequented by soldiers. The coffee here is known for its good taste.
There are several coffee shops, and one western style bar on the main street (Cass and Rock) that is occasionally frequented by the small ex-pat population.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Pension, Shineup-ri, Hwacheon-eup (Nearby Hwacheon-eup), ☏ +82 10-8747-1777, [email protected]. This pension (rooming house) was built in 2015 and will open for visitors during the 2016 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival.
- 2 AU Pension, 812-91, Hoeum-ro, Hwacheon-eup, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do., ☏ 82 10-3502-5656. It offers private barbecue facilities, making it ideal for family visits, and is surrounded by beautiful scenery.
- 3 Number 25 Hwacheon Terminal, 31, Jungang-ro 6-gil, Hwacheon-eup, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do, ☏ +82 33-442-5500. Located near the terminal, it offers convenient access and affordable prices.
- 4 Lotus Motel, ☏ +82 507-1470-0416. It features comfortable rooms and ample parking space.
Go next
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