10 Best Things to Do During the Winter in South Korea

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This list of fun things to do during the winter in South Korea ensures you have a whole lotta fun even when the weather gets chilly.

South Korea is a country that experiences extremes of all four seasons; beautiful cherry blossoms in the spring, hot and humid summers, vibrant and crisp falls, and cold and frigid winters. Finding the best things to do in winter in South Korea can admittedly be a challenge, but it’s not all grey and low temperatures!

This list shares some of the places to visit in Korea in winter as well as some pretty fun winter activities in Korea!

↠ Read More: An Ultimate Korea Itinerary: Where to Go, What to Do, and What to Know

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Average Temperatures in Winter in Korea

The average winter temp varies from place to place, with Seoul and the north seeing the coolest temperatures. The daily average temperature in January is the coldest, at about 30°F. Places more south like Daegu, typically experiences highs of 40°F and lows into the 20s°F.

Winter in Korea tends to be very dry, which means snow isn’t all too common. And when it does snow, it’s typically a light layer or happens in the north and the mountains. So while winter can be pretty cold in Korea, it is manageable if prepared. Plus, visiting Korea in winter typically means fewer crowds, cheaper prices, and an opportunity to see how the country celebrates Christmas (lots of twinkle lights and displays!)

What to Wear in Korea in Winter

What you should pack for wintertime on your trip to Korea depends entirely on how much you like or hate the cold. But in general, as it can get pretty chilly, here’s what I recommend to pack for winter in Korea:

• Hat, mittens/gloves, scarf
• Thick jacket, long to protect legs
• Many layers like sweaters
• Thin down jacket (for hiking/a base layer)
• Thick boots or warm shoes
• Warm socks
• Hand warmers
• Leggings for under jeans/pants

Best Places to Visit in Korea During Winter

While any destination in Korea is worth seeing in the winter, there are some unique festivals and activities that pop up in the colder months.

Here are some of the best places to visit in Korea in winter:

• Seoul, specifically the Cheonggyecheon Stream Lantern Festival in November
• Busan, Haeundae Polar Swim Festival + Christmas tree fest, New Years Fireworks
• Daegu, Ice sculpture festival and pretty lights
• Pyeongchang host to the 2018 Winter Olympics
• Petite France’s Pinnochio and the Little Prince Starlight Festival in December
• Everland Theme Park hosts Christmas events and puts up beautiful holiday decor
• The Garden of the Morning Calm hosts one of the largest light shows in winter
• Korea’s National Parks\
• Any of Korea’s temples and palaces, especially after snowfall

↠ Read More: 101+ of the Most Instagrammable Places in South Korea

10 Things to Do in Winter in South Korea

Winter in South Korea may be cold and potentially snowy, but it’s still a great time to get out and experience the country’s top attractions. Here are some of the best things to do in South Korea in winter.

1. Take a hike to see Korea’s beautiful mountains covered in snow.

Hiking in Korea is a national pastime, and there are some killer landscapes to be explored! If you’re up for it, taking a hike through some of the best snow-covered trails offers visitors stunning views. Taebaeksan is particularly known for its winter wonderland ridges and is a popular winter hike in Korea. But Korea’s other popular hiking destinations are also worth seeing in the snow, like Seoraksan, Jirisan, Daedunsan and more!

If hiking in Korea in the winter, I recommend bringing many layers, mittens and a hat, and crampons (spikes) to put on your boots to ensure you don’t slip and stay safe.

2. Visit a classic Korean winter festival.

Koreans love a good festival, so of course there’s no shortage of winter/snow/ice festivals around the country once the temperature drops. One of the most famous winter festivals in Korea is the Cheonggyecheon Stream Lantern Festival in November. This lantern fest sees unique lantern sculptures lit a glow along the stream and it’s beautiful to see at night.

Other excellent festivals in South Korea in winter:

• Biseulsan Ice Sculpture Festival in Daegu
• Taebaeksan Snow Festival in the mountains
• Pyeongchang Trout Festival
• Pinnochio & The Little Prince Starlight Festival
• Haeundae Polar Swim Festival in Busan (polar plunge anyone?)

For more great winter festivals, check out The Soul of Seoul’s post! 

↠ Read More: How to Spend a Perfect 3 Days in Seoul

3. Hit the ski slopes.

Obviously if there are plenty of mountains to hike, that means there are numerous wonderful ski resorts to check out too! If you’re used to skiing in the U.S., you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how affordable a day at a ski hill can be in Korea, not to mention that equipment rentals and accommodation is also pretty reasonable!

Some popular ski destinations in Korea include:

• Deogyusan in Muju
• High1 in Gohan
• Alpensia Ski Resort in Pyeongchang
• Plus the numerous ski slopes near Seoul.

4. Warm your soul at a classic Korean jjimjilbangs aka traditional bathhouse.

Escape the cold weather in a traditional Korean jjimjilbang! A jjimjilbang is a place where people come together to relax in saunas, quiet rooms, massage chairs and spas. Enjoy the communal baths to bathe, scrub and soak. All you need is your favorite skincare essentials and your birthday suit!

If you’re up for it, I highly recommend paying for the professional scrub. A woman in lace underwear scrubs you from head to toe while you’re naked and it’s the most relaxing and luxurious experience. You’ll leave smooth and totally refreshed! Check out my Naked Truth about Jjimjilbangs for more information.

5. Hop from cafe to cafe enjoying pretty aesthetics and delicious goodies.

What better way to spend a cozy afternoon safe from the cold than in beautiful Korean cafes? Enjoy delicious coffee, hot chocolate and tea while sharing good conversation and delicious desserts with friends. Check out the popular board game or book cafes for an afternoon in. For the best cafes in Korea’s major cities, check out these great blog posts for Seoul, Busan and Daegu!

↠ Read More: 28 Things to Do in Daegu, South Korea

6. Shop in the beautiful department stores and marvel at the holiday decorations.

The department stores here are magnificent and complete with anything you could possibly need to spend a day entertained. Come to browse the beautiful Korean fashions and treat yourself to one of the many restaurants and dessert places. Shinsegae and Lotte are the main department stores in Korea and often have other entertainment options like aquariums, spas, movies and more! It’s a whole experience in one humongous department store.

Plus, the stores are usually decked out in beautiful holiday decor that is truly a sight to see!

7. Visit a local rink and go ice skating.

What screams winter wonderland more than a lovely ice skating sesh? In the big cities there are indoor rinks you can visit as well as outdoor. Don’t forget your helmet and gloves…it’s a rule! A few to note in Seoul include; Grand Hyatt Ice Skating rink in Namsan, Olympic Park Ice Skating Rink in Songpa and Lotte World Ice Skating Rink in Jamsil. Click here for more information about ice skating in Busan and Daegu.

8. Enjoy the holiday lights.

Koreans love a good photo opportunity, and since Christmas is one celebrated with beautiful lights and decorations, many cities around the country set up pretty and sparkling displays for passerby’s to enjoy. Indulge in a holiday photo shoot Korean style! For the best holiday lights in Seoul and Busan click here, and for Daegu here.

↠ Read More: 18 Best Things to Do in Busan

9. See a winter theatrical show.

In the big cities in Korea, there always seems to be an interesting show, concert, ballet, opera or production to see and enjoy throughout the year, especially around Christmas time. Feel fancy for a night and check out a Korean production!

I’ve been to an opera and the Nutcracker ballet at the Daegu Opera House and it was truly a fun experience. If you’re worried about language barriers, no need. They put translations up on a screen for foreign audience members. For more information for showings and locations in Seoul, Busan and Deagu check out their art center websites.

10. Munch on Korean winter street foods.

With winter comes some of the best Korean street foods. To help make the cold a little bit more bearable, be sure to try some of the best snacks that are only sold in Korea in the wintertime. Hotteok (호떡), bungeoppang (붕어빵 / 잉어빵) and gyerang bbang (계란 빵) are some of my ultimate faves. Korean BBQ is also an excellent meal in winter. For a more comprehensive list of must try Korean winter goodies, check out Seoulitsic!

See, winter doesn’t have to be completely awful! What are your favorite things to do in winter in South Korea? Share below!