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Korea Travel Guide by Season Korea Winter Travel+Crazy: Seoul Vicinity

Best Winter Day Trips from Seoul 2026-2027

Jessie Kang

Discover some of the best destinations for winter day trips from Seoul!

With its unique culture and delicious cuisine, Seoul has become one of the go-to destinations in Asia. However, it’s easy to get caught up in all this metropolitan buzz, especially in such a fast-paced city. What’s more, with winter approaching, there’ll be another side to the enchanting city that only the frosty months can reveal. Nevertheless, with countless hidden gems around to explore, you might want to stay an extra day or two for an exciting day trip from the city, especially in the coming months!

▷Check out Winter Exclusive Festivals & Tours in Korea!◁

1. Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival

  • Festival Period: January 10~February 1, 2026

A wide-angle image of the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival, showing a large crowd of people bundled in winter clothes fishing on a snow-covered riverbank or frozen lake.

‘Sancheoneo’ is the Korean word for mountain trout. So, you’ve probably guessed it! Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival is an ice fishing festival where you can catch these slippery creatures, even with your own bare hands! This annual festival, which takes place in Hwacheon, has even been selected as one of the 7 Wonders of Winter by CNN Travel. It is certainly a festival not to be missed, as it offers a one-of-a-kind experience where you can attempt to catch your own lunch!  There are many other Winter activities, such as snow sledding and ice skating, available for all, so make sure to squeeze the 2026 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival into your Winter in Korea itineraries!

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2. Cheongyang Alps Village

A close-up, low-angle shot of a massive frozen ice fountain at the Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival

Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival annually takes place at the magical Alps Village in Cheongyang. Visitors will feel like they have stepped into a frozen kingdom with massive ice fountains, ice sculptures, igloos, and more. You can also enjoy all kinds of winter activities, such as ice sledding, snow sledding, and bobsledding. The tour to this special winter festival includes round-trip transportation from/to Seoul, an English/Chinese speaking tour guide, and admission fees.

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3. Eobi Ice Valley

An overhead view of the Eobi Ice Valley frozen waterfall attraction, showing a massive wall of blue and white icicles cascading down a steep cliff face. A wooden bridge with dark railings runs horizontally across the scene, allowing a few people to walk and observe the frozen formation.

Eobi Ice Valley is a popular tourist destination known for its magnificent frozen waterfall. You can stop by other beautiful winter destinations in Seoul’s vicinity, including Nami Island, Garden of Morning Calm Light Festival, Gangchon Rail Bike, and more.

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4. Wondae-ri Birch Forest

A sunny winter scene in the Wondae-ri Birch Forest shows a dense hillside covered in tall, slender white birch trees with minimal foliage.

Wondae-ri Birch Forest was selected as one of the 100 Must-Visit Spots in Korea for 2021-2022. It is popular with the locals in all seasons, particularly in winter, for its snow-covered landscape. Until today, Wondae-ri Birch Forest is still very much “untouched” by foreign tourists and crowds, making the first a hidden treasure for those who have visited. It’s also recommended to visit Seoraksan Mountain, Korea’s third-highest mountain, known for its stunning scenery and hiking trails.

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5. Pyeongchang Trout Festival

  • Festival Period: January 2~February 1, 2026

A wide-angle, low-angle shot of the Pyeongchang Trout Festival showing a vast, bright white frozen lake or river filled with hundreds of people ice fishing. Festivalgoers are dressed in heavy winter clothing and are kneeling or sitting on small chairs around holes in the ice.

If you’re looking to add more than one spot to your “Visited Places” list, look no further. Gangwon-do is the #1 destination in Korea for a true Winter Wonderland experience. So, set out on a 1-day trip to places in Pyeongchang and Gangneung, such as Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch, Jumunjin Beach, Jeongdongjin Beach, or Pyeongchang Trout Festival, which offers picturesque Winter-only views!

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6. Deogyusan Mountain

A striking winter scene of a multi-tiered, traditional Korean-style fortress or castle structure, likely on Deogyusan Mountain, surrounded by snow.

One of the things that makes Korea such an attractive Winter destination is probably the exquisite scenery of mountains blanketed in glistening white snow. This is also just one of the many reasons you should visit Mt. Deogyusan this winter. Despite being the lesser-known mountains, these tall mounds of Earth provide some of the most beautiful panoramas of nature. In winter, the mountain’s snow-blanketed peaks and frosted trees attract visitors from all over the country!

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7. Nami Island

A snowy, picturesque path on Nami Island is framed by a double row of tall trees whose branches are heavily dusted with snow.

Nami Island is one of the most popular year-round day trip destinations from Seoul. During winter, it transforms into a romantic wonderland straight out of a K-drama. Take a leisurely stroll along the snow-covered Metasequoia Road and enjoy a variety of winter-exclusive activities. You can also explore nearby attractions such as the Garden of Morning Calm, Gangchon Rail Bike, Petite France, and more.

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8. Garden of Morning Calm Light Festival

  • Festival Period: TBA

A close-up, low-angle shot of the Garden of Morning Calm Light Festival at night.

The Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival is a winter illumination event held every year at the Garden of Morning Calm in Gapyeong, transforming the entire botanical garden into a glowing winter wonderland. The garden is open during the day, and the lights are turned on from around 5 PM to 9 PM on weekdays and until 11 PM on weekends.

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9. Inje Maebawi Icewall

A massive, naturally formed or man-made wall of ice and icicles at the Inje Maebawi Icewall.

The Inje Maebawi Icewall is a breathtaking winter attraction located in Inje County, Gangwon Province, known for its impressive frozen cliffs formed by natural and artificial ice formations. Set against the rugged Maebawi Rock, this ice wall reaches towering heights and attracts both sightseers and adventurers looking for a unique winter experience. Each year, water is carefully sprayed over the cliffs, gradually forming massive ice sheets that cascade down the rock face, creating an icy wonderland.

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10. Gugok Ice Valley

A high-angle view of the Gugok Ice Valley in winter shows a massive, sheer cliff wall completely covered in a thick, artificial layer of blue and white ice and long icicles, which is used for ice climbing.

Gugok Ice Valley, also known as Gugokpokpo Falls, is a stunning winter attraction in Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, where a 50-meter waterfall freezes into a massive ice wall at the base of Bonghwasan Mountain. It’s primarily a winter destination from December to February, when the ice is at its peak, drawing visitors for the natural wonder rather than structured events.

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11. New Year Sunrise Tours

A striking sunrise photo over a choppy ocean with a dense golden and orange glow filling the sky and reflecting on the water. In the background, a large building designed to look like a historic sailing ship, the Sun Cruise Resort and Yacht, sits prominently on a cliff overlooking the waves.

Jeongdongjin Beach is also highly recommended to see the first sunrise of the year. It is one of the earliest and most beautiful sunrise spots in Korea. By joining this day tour from Seoul, take part in the cherished Korean tradition of watching the first sunrise of the year and share the magical moments with friends, family, and other fellow travelers!

A vibrant sunrise over the ocean, with the sun a large, bright orange-yellow disc centered just above the horizon.

Consider visiting Naksansa Temple and Naksan Beach on Korea’s east coast for a peaceful retreat and breathtaking sunrise. Perched on a cliff overlooking the sea, Naksansa Temple offers an unobstructed view of the sunrise that beautifully blends natural beauty with serene temple surroundings.

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12. Pocheon

A wide-angle, bright winter scene at Pocheon Sanjeong Lake shows a person riding a stationary tricycle on a frozen, snow-dusted ice surface.

Escape to the picturesque city of Pocheon, just a short trip from Seoul, for a day brimming with winter magic! This exciting one-day adventure takes you to must-visit winter destinations in Pocheon: Baegun Ice Valley, Sanjeong Lake Sledding, and Pocheon Herb Island. Enjoy a variety of winter activities like rubber duck rides, ice sledding, ice fishing, and so much more!

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13. Mt. Balwangsan Cable Car & Skywalk

An aerial, sunny winter photograph of the modern, glass-sided observation tower and deck, likely at the top of Balwangsan Mountain, surrounded by snow-covered trees and distant, rolling mountains.

Take Korea’s longest cable car ride up to the summit of Balwangsan Mountain and soak in the stunning panoramic views this winter! Experience the thrill of walking on the clear glass-bottomed skywalk, where you can look down at the breathtaking drop below. Afterward, head over to Samyang Ranch, Korea’s largest ranch, where you can explore open pastures filled with lively livestock. It’s a perfect way to enjoy the beauty of nature and winter activities!

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14. Daedunsan Mountain

A breathtaking winter view from Daedunsan Mountain features a modern, narrow glass bridge spanning a snow-filled gorge between rugged, snow-dusted rock formations and cliffs.

Daedunsan Mountain is a top winter hiking destination in Korea! Explore scenic trails and ride a cable car to the summit for breathtaking snowy views. Complete your journey with a visit to Jeonju Hanok Village, where you can immerse yourself in traditional architecture, culture, and cuisine.

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Don’t these sound like amazing ways to spend Winter in Korea? Well, we’re predicting quite the Winter Wonderland experience this year. So, book your tours to some of the best Winter Day Trips from Seoul before it’s too late!

Discover more awesome deals and packages for this Winter season, only on Trazy, Korea’s #1 Travel Shop!

[Photo Credits]

Osan Air Base Official Site

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