Cold winter weather may make us shrink back into the warmth of our homes, but our enthusiasm remains high.

The upcoming Winter Travel Week will warm the cockles of the heart, offering a myriad of events and places to visit, from beautiful snow scenes to winter sports and delicious eateries.

Under the slogan, “Our Winter is Hot,” the Winter Travel Week will be launched from Jan. 14 to 30, 2017, with a variety of programs to enjoy during winter travels in Korea. This two-week-long program is jointly held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Korea Tourism Organization and the Korea Tourism Association. The government hosts similar week-long travel programs, usually in the summer and autumn. This is the first time for such an event to be hosted during winter.





The highlights of the Winter Travel Week are various events and discount voucher programs. Throughout the two weeks, visitors can get up to a 50 percent discount on entrance fees to the four major Joseon royal palaces -- Gyeongbokgung, Deoksugung, Changdeokgung, and Changgyeonggung -- the Jongmyo Shrine, and the National Institute of Ecology. They can also get free entrance or 50-percent off the usual rate to 80 museums and galleries.

Visitors to amusement parks or indoor water parks such as Everland, Lotte World, Ocean World or Tedin Family Resort can get up to a 50-percent discount on tickets. Sightseers can receive up to a 70 percent discount to a total of 234 accommodation facilities, 104 Hanok home bed-and-breakfasts and 89 Goodstay locations.






Gangwon-do Province is the most featured area during Winter Travel Week. The province will await visitors with special train travel programs in cooperation with Korail. These programs will bring passengers to the venues of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games, including Alpensia Ski Resort, a promotional hall for the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, traditional markets and key local festivals such as Pyeongchang Winter Festival scheduled from Dec. 23 to Feb. 12, Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival from Jan. 7 to Jan 29, Chuncheon Romantic Festival from Dec. 23 to Jan. 29, and Inje Icefish Festival from Jan. 14 to Jan. 22.

Another unmissable event is the Alpine FEC & President Cup 2017 slated to be held from Jan. 16 and 17 in Pyeongchang. Those who apply in advance can participate in the international ski competition. Alpensia Ski Resort, also located in Pyeongchang, will also welcome visitors with a special event, “White Rose Garden,” which will be decorated with about 10,000 roses made from LED lights from Jan. 18 to Jan 29.











Busan is also a great area to enjoy the Winter Travel Week. During the two-week-program, the city will run various programs for tourists, including the “guerilla bus” city tour, bus tours to traditional markets and wind lantern flying programs. Those who visit traditional markets in the city can also taste well-known local specialties such as king crab of Gijang Market, Korean pork soup (돼지국밥) of Seomyeon Market, and fish cake and fried tofu balls from Bupyeong Market.





 
As the traditional lunar New Year holidays fall during the Winter Travel Week from Jan. 27 to 29, cities and provinces will greet home-comers with a variety of related programs. Those who plan to visit one of the 23 tourist attractions in 14 regions across the country can enjoy folk games, including tuho traditional arrow-throwing game, yeonnaligi kite flying, jegichagi shuttlecock kicking, yunnori four-stick board game, and other events.

Other interesting programs include a fishing village tour program designed by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. The program will be run in 12 fishing villages selected by the ministry, including Giseong Village in Ulsan and Munhang Village in Namhae. Those who participate in the program can catch oysters, cook pizza with red crabs and make special memories while enjoying life in a peaceful fishing village.

More detailed information about Winter Travel Week is available at its homepage (http://winter.visitkorea.or.kr) with recommended sightseeing courses and local festivals tailored to individual preferences. The KTO also offers information on its homepage, available in 12 languages (http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/).

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Cho Yoonsun said, “Winter Travel Week can serve as growth momentum for domestic tourism by encouraging more people to travel across the country. As the program will be held in winter for the first time, I hope government ministries, local government entities, and other related organizations can work closely together so that more travelers can enjoy sightseeing and various tour programs and discounts during the winter vacation with their families.”

By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Jeon Han Korea.net Photographer, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival
arete@korea.kr