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South Korea shines in its snowy winter, the transition from late winter to early spring, marking the peak of ice festivals and winter sports in the Land of the Morning Calm. What's beautiful about traveling to South Korea in February? What's the weather like in February in Korea, and what's the most suitable attire? If you're planning to travel to South Korea this February, Mytour brings you the most enticing experiences as well as handy travel tips!
Top 7 experiences for traveling to South Korea in February
Tết Nguyên Tiêu Jeongwol Daeborum
According to the lunar calendar, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month in Vietnam is called Tết Nguyên Tiêu, while in South Korea, it's known as Jeongwol Daeborum. This year's Jeongwol Daeborum falls on 15/02/2022 – the first full moon day of the lunar new year.
What's beautiful about traveling to South Korea in February? Don't miss out on the traditional performances held at the Hanok Village and the National Museum of Korea in Seoul to learn more about the ginseng land's culture! Additionally, you can admire the full moon from Namsan Tower in Seoul, offering a magnificent backdrop for your early-year trip to South Korea.
Nguyên Tiêu night in South Korea is a major festival of the year. Photo: Internet
This Jeongwol Daeborum festival has agricultural origins. On the first full moon night, farmers pray for a bountiful harvest, health, and peace. In rural areas, on Jeongwol Daeborum night, people also burn a large straw fire, called Daljip. Legend has it that this fire brings happiness and luck for the new year.
Yangpyeong – South Korea's February Strawberry Harvest Festival
February is the ideal time to savor sweet and fragrant strawberries. Yangpyeong Strawberry Festival takes place in the village of Yangpyeong in Gyeonggi Province, also known as Green Village. The festival runs from January to May every year, corresponding to the strawberry season in the Youngmunsan Mountain area, Namhangang River, and Bukhangang River.
Visiting South Korea in February, don't forget to experience strawberry picking in Yangpyeong! Photo: Internet
What's exciting about traveling to South Korea in February, you can pick strawberries at a local farm and bring them back to your hotel. Additionally, visitors to the festival can participate in various activities such as making strawberry soap, strawberry dumplings, or rice cakes with strawberries... These activities are perfect for families, with all members joining in and creating many memorable moments during the trip to South Korea.
Experience Winter Trekking in South Korea
Have you ever climbed snowy mountains? If not, travel to South Korea in February, enjoy the white snow in Korea and go mountain climbing in Gangwon Province, the eastern part of this country. Gangwon Province is considered one of the paradises for winter activities due to its terrain and thick snow layer every winter.
While trekking, admire the winter snow-capped mountains in South Korea. Photo: Internet
Travelers coming here in February often choose to go trekking at Seonjaryeong Mountain, with magnificent and breathtaking scenery. This mountain is 1,157 meters high, and during this trekking trip, you will climb to an altitude of 325 meters. Additionally, visitors can choose to take a cable car, enjoying the panoramic view of the pristine white snow.
A Day at Elysian Snow Park
If you haven't had the chance to try skiing in South Korea in February, then Elysian Snow Park will ensure you and your loved ones have the happiest moments on your trip. Elysian Gangchon Snow Park is located in a beautiful valley. From the valley, you can admire the pristine white snow landscape. The resort boasts ideal ski slopes for you to experience the excitement and stimulation of this winter sport.
Elysian Gangchon Snow Park is considered one of the most famous ski resorts in South Korea. Photo: Internet
Ice Fishing Festival on Cheongpyeong Lake
An exciting experience you can only have when you travel to South Korea in February is the Ice Fishing Festival on Cheongpyeong Lake.
Cheongpyeong is a small town, an hour's drive from Seoul, in Gapyeong County, Gyeonggi Province. It is famous for its lakes and water sports. In February every year, Seoul residents often come to Cheongpyeong for ice fishing and to admire the snowy winter scenery.
The winter festival in Cheongpyeong stands out with ice fishing activities. Photo: Internet
Like other winter festivals in South Korea, the snow trout festival in Cheongpyeong, not only features ice fishing activities on the over 40cm thick ice, but also other winter events until the end of February such as bare-handed fishing, snow sledding, and capturing snowy landscapes at the foot of Homyeongsan Mountain.
Travel to South Korea in February to join the Daegwallyeong Snow Festival
The Daegwallyeong Snow Festival takes place in the city of Daegwallyeong, Pyeongchang County (around 07/02 - 25/02). It is one of the famous winter festivals in South Korea for its beautiful scenery and many wonderful experiences. The festival area is often compared to the Alps of Korea due to the thick snowfall in the valley every winter.
Traveling to South Korea in February also offers exciting snow festivals, where you can participate in snow sculpture exhibitions, ice skating, ... There's even a nude marathon and mountain climbing competition. Additionally, near the festival area surrounded by the Baekdudaegan and Hwangbyeongsan mountains, Daegwallyeong Snow Farm is famous for many eco-experiences such as mountain hunting,...
The Daegwallyeong Snow Festival 2022 is eagerly awaited by many tourists. Photo: Internet
Moreover, Daegwallyeong is also known for its sheep farm. Among all the farms you can find in Pyeongchang, there is only one sheep farm. You can stroll in the sheep grazing field (about 40 minutes). Or if you wish, you can participate in the unique experience of feeding and petting the sheep - A unique experience to try!
Visit the filming locations of the Korean Drama Goblin
In addition to Nami Island, which is closely associated with the drama Winter Sonata and is very familiar to tourists on travels to South Korea in February, you can switch to Pyeongchang to become the characters Eun Tak and Kim Shin from the hit drama Goblin.
Pyeongchang Province, where the 2018 Winter Olympics were held, is also more famous in the winter after serving as the backdrop for the drama Goblin – A Goblin's Tale (2017). In the drama, scenes of the character Eun Tak working at the snow slide area in the romantic white snow space were filmed at Yongpyeong Resort.
Scenes from Goblin were filmed on the snowy forest trail at Yongpyeong. Photo: Internet
Besides, with the snowy forest trails, the serene atmosphere of the valley leads you to a mysterious temple. The temple is called Woljeongsa and is one of the most beautiful temples in South Korea. The temple preserves Buddhist treasures from the Goryeo dynasty.
Must-Have Tips for Traveling to South Korea in February
South Korea in February is in the winter season, if you're traveling to South Korea early this month, here are some tips to keep in mind:
1. What is the Temperature in South Korea in February? Winter in South Korea is very cold with temperatures dropping to -20°C. Vietnamese tourists are not accustomed to this temperature so prepare yourself mentally. Moreover, inland provinces and cities are colder than coastal provinces like Busan or Jeju Island. In January, the temperature in South Korea ranges from 0°C to -9°C, and in February, it ranges from 3°C to -7°C.
Another point to note is that predicting snowfall in South Korea in February is very difficult, just like predicting rain, even though it's very cold, it's not certain that there will be snow. To see snow when traveling to South Korea in February, visit mountainous areas, suburbs, or ski resorts.
2. Prepare Suitable Clothing: This is extremely important, make sure to keep your body warm especially when outdoors. What to wear when traveling to South Korea in February? Winter travel experience in South Korea shows that you should prepare warm clothes such as lightweight down jackets, thin wool sweaters, waterproof shoes, socks, gloves, warm hats. Especially, when the temperature is too low, prepare a heating pad to keep warm. Also, avoid 'fashion over weather' as the concepts in movies will affect your health. Moreover, wearing a heavy wool coat all day while moving around a lot will make you feel very heavy and your body will quickly become tired.
Instead of following fashion trends (left), prioritize wearing warm enough clothes (right) for a freezing cold day of sightseeing in South Korea in February. Photo: Internet
Use heating pads attached to thick clothes when the temperature drops low. Photo: Internet
3. Caution When Participating in Winter Sports: For a tropical country like Vietnam, winter sports can be quite unfamiliar. If you've never tried skiing, ice skating, etc., be careful on your first attempt. Ski resorts in South Korea usually have instructors, so follow their instructions to ensure safety!
With the information Mytour shared above about experiencing traveling to South Korea in February, what to wear, what to do? Hope you will have very interesting trips in the upcoming time. For more information about winter-spring travel to Korea or to consult cheap tour packages, contact the nationwide hotline Mytour of Mytour - A professional tour organizer, you will be advised quickly and in detail!
