Are you planning a trip to Korea?
Are you traveling in winter?
Winter in Korea is from December to February. It is also a season where people spend a lot of time indoors because it is cold outside.
Let’s take a look at what Korean do, what we eat, and what the weather is like during the winter season.
[weather]
It is extremely cold from December to February. Last year, the first snow in Seoul was on November 29th. It is usually in mid to late November.
This is the average weather of winter in 2022. In December, the lowest temperature was about 1.9 degrees -3.1 degrees and the highest was 7.4 degrees. The average in January was -.6 degrees, the lowest was -5.8 degrees and the highest was 5.1 degrees. The average in February was -.1 degrees, the lowest was 5.7 degrees, and the highest was -5.4 degrees.
[Clothing]
Let me give you some tips on what to wear in winter. It’s very cold outside, but indoors, the heater is turned on so much that it is stuffy and hot. So, if you only wear thick clothes, you will sweat a lot indoors. I recommend wearing a very thick coat and wearing 2 or 3 long sleeves underneath so you can take them off when you start sweating indoors.
I am very used to the weather, so when the temperature is above 0 degree, I usually wear fall/winter pants, a t-shirt and sweatshirt or hoodie, and a heavy padding as an overcoat. If I do outdoor activities, I wear a beanie, gloves, and a scarf.
On days when the temperature drops below 0 degree, I wear fleece-pants or regular pants with heat-tech inside, a long sleeve shirt, sweater, padded vest or a jacket, and wear a long padded jacket over it. Long padding is a must to wear.
Get like touchscreen gloves, beanies that can covers your ears. For shoes, if you wear regular sneakers, you may slip and get injured on a snowy day. So, I recommend wearing non slippery shoes. Sometimes people ask if they can wear a coat in winter. You could. Some people do wear coats in winter when the temperature is above 0, but it’s gonna be cold.
[Things to do]
In this post, I will introduce few things that people love to do in Korea.
Christmas Light Display - Visit some of the decorated places in Seoul to see the lights and enjoy the winter atmosphere.
New year countdown & sunrise - There are places where people gather and count down New Year together. Visit a place to celebrate the New Year. Additionally, many Koreans start the new year by waking up early and watching the first sunrise of the new year. Check out this post for the New Year's countdown locations and sunrise locations. (https://youtu.be/5LIHR0xwmGk)
Snow - You can see snow in winter. Just watching the snow is great, and watching the snow with traditional background is also great. I recommend visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace or Deoksugung Palace or Bukchon Hanok Village or Namsangol Hanok Village as they are beautiful on snowy days.
Winter Activities - You can enjoy ice skating or sledding. Many people also visit ski resorts near Seoul. Also there are glacier fishing you can do near Seoul. For more detailed information, please refer to this video: https://youtu.be/5LIHR0xwmGk
Jjimjilbang and hot springs - People visit jjimjjilbang and hot springs a lot. Jjimjilbang is like a public saunas. Some of you may have seen jjimjilbang in K-dramas. You can warm up and sweat off in the hot ondol room. You can also enjoy a variety of snacks inside jjimjilbang. Hot springs in Korea, you can think of them as a heated water park. Wear a swimsuit and play in the warm water pools. By the way, when entering a hot tub in the bathhouse, don't forget to shower before entering tub.
Staycation - This is one of the things Koreans always do in winter. Lie down on heated floor and rest while eating tangerines. You might think what but Korea floor heating system is amazing. So in the cold winter, people really love to lie down on heated floor and relax while eating cold, sweet tangerines. People like me, my friends, and families actually do staycation at a pension just for that.
[Lights]
Here are the places where you can see the lights in Seoul!
Gwanghwamun Square - The Lantern Festival is held at Gwanghwamun Square from mid-December to mid-January. You can see the lights decorated in the middle of city. NAVER Map: https://naver.me/xivmy0Vx
Gangnam COEX Starfield Library - There will be a very large tree putted in the middle of the Starfield Library. NAVER Map: https://naver.me/xH2DuvoG
Jamsil Lotte World Tower - There is a garden called Charlotte Garden which is decorated with lights in front of Lotte Tower. Additionally, when you enter the 5th and 6th floors of Lotte World Mall, the stairs are decorated as a photo zone. After viewing the tower, check out the Lotte World Magic Castle light-up. A 5-minute light show will be held at 8 o'clock. NAVER Map: https://naver.me/GcjWj39F
Gangnam Hyundai Department Store Trade Center - There is a large tree and a cabin house decorated for Christmas. NAVER Map: https://naver.me/x8lir2zY
Yeouido The Hyundai Seoul - There is Christmas Village inside The Hyundai Seoul. Making reservation is very difficult. You can put your name on the waitlist on the same day of your visit for any cancellation. But without it, you can still see the village from outside. NAVER Map: https://naver.me/5PS2Ritm
Yeongdeungpo Times Square - A large tree will be putted in front of Times Square Shopping Mall. NAVER Map: https://naver.me/IDB1n6Md
Myeongdong Shinsegae Department Store Main Branch - This is very famous place. You can watch the media façade for about 3 minutes. It runs continously. You can get a better view of the media facade if you go out of Exit 1 of Hoehyeon Station. NAVER Map: https://naver.me/5Q4Gmjml
Lotte Department Store in Myeongdong - There are a lot of Christmas decorations outside the building. Also there are some photo zones inside the building. NAVER Map: https://naver.me/xbwnyYUu
Myeongdong Cathedral - You can see illuminated roses and various lighting decorations in front of the cathedral. NAVER Map: https://naver.me/FjoC9krs
Grand InterContinental - There is the luxurious Christmas tree in the hotel lounge. NAVER Map: https://naver.me/xOCmQGBq
[Other cities]
Here are other places and cities other than Seoul that are good to visit in winter.
Busan - There is one reason why I recommend Busan in winter. It is the warmest place in the cold winter. Of course, Busan is still cold, but compared to other places in Korea, Busan is warmest. When it snows all over Korea, Busan gets no snow. Busan temperature rarely drops below 0 degree. If you want to go somewhere that is less cold in Korea, visit Busan.
Cheongyang Alps Village - This is an experience village, plus you can see several ice sculptures. They use ice to make world’s famous works, architectures, statues, and etc.. In addition, it is a place where children can enjoy various experiences such as snow sledding, ice sledding, and bobsledding. If you want to do some activities with your families, visit here. NAVER Map: https://naver.me/GDcpqUAB
Nongoldam-gil, Donghae, Gangwon-do - This is a village which is very beautiful place. It is even more beautiful when the village is covered in snow. That's why a lot of photographers visit here to take pictures after the snow. If you want to see a beautiful snow-covered Korean village, visit here. NAVER Map: https://naver.me/5h3EwNcg
Gangwon Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch - This is another popular location that photographers love to visit in winter. It is a place where you can just relax by looking at the snow piled up in this vast ranch area. Also there are flocks of sheep here, so you can see them as well. NAVER Map: https://naver.me/Goz5BEdx
Deogyusan Mountain in Jeonbuk - This is a place where you can see snowy mountains. There is gondola, so you don’t have to hike up to see the snowy mountain. The view from the gondola is so beautiful that many people visit here. If you want to go up to very top of the mountain, you can it only takes about 20 minutes from the gondola stop. But you need hiking gears to do so. NAVER Map: https://naver.me/G6D5a03q
Jeongdongjin, Gangwon-do - This is a place many people visit to see the New Year's sunrise. This place seems like the time has stopped here, because this village gives that old Korea vibe. If you want to see sunrise and the winter sea, visit here. You can go by KTX. NAVER Map:https://naver.me/5eGTcksg
Pohang - Pohang is also located on the East Sea, so it is a place where many people visit to see the New Year's sunrise. You can eat a lot of seafood at reasonable prices, so it's a great place to eat and watch the sunrise in Korea.
[Food]
Let’s go over some foods that you should try in winter season.
Cockles - The best time for cockles is from November to March. That's why restaurants that sell cockles are especially popular in winter. Cockles can be enjoyed in a various ways by mixing them with bibimbap, by seasoning them with spicy sauce, and by steaming them.
Mussels - Mussel is in season so it’s very delicious in winter. People usually mussel soup instead of just mussels in winter. Because in the cold winter, the soup warms up the body. A lot of people order mussel soup in winter when they are drinking alcohol. Mussels can also be eaten as mussel rice.
Prawns - Prawns are so delicious in winter. There even has this prawn festival in winter. People usually eat them by steaming them with salt. When camping or having a barbecue, grilling them is an option too.
Gwamegi - This is a food that can only be eaten in winter. Gwamegi is a food made from dried herring or saury. It is a bit fishy and people have different opinions. Some loves it, some don’t. I can't eat much either. However, this is a food that can only be eaten in Korea during winter seaon, so give it a try at least once.
Tangerine - Tangerine is an essential fruit when it comes to winter. It's really delicious. If you eat cold tangerines in a warm room, it’s amazing. It’s so delicious that you can eat the whole box. If you come to Korea, be sure to try tangerines in winter.
Strawberries - Korean strawberries are really delicious. It's a little more expensive these days, but you still have to try it.
Street Snacks - In winter, people need cash for these. Street snacks are something that you must not forget. There are street food all around whole year such as tteokbokki, fish cakes, etc., but there are warm street snacks that are only sold in winter such as bungeoppang, hobang, roasted sweet potatoes, and roasted chestnuts, and more. When the winter comes, I eat one every time when I pass by street snack stand. The stand only takes cash or money transfer. That's why I always carry cash around in winter. Everyone, try it too.
In this post, I went the winter part of 4 season in Korea. Travel Korea in winter and experience the Korea winter by doing things that I have mentioned here. Watch our video clips on our Youtube channel.
Thank you!
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