Festivals Calendar - January 2009

SEOUL, Dec. 30 (Yonhap) -- The following are the major cultural and tourist festivals to be held in South Korea in January.

* Pyeongchang Trout Festival
When: Jan. 1-Feb. 1
Where: Pyeongchang, Gangwon province
Pyeongchang is an alpine county and a haven for winter sports with an abundance
of snowfall. Throughout January, the county holds a festival of snow, ice and
trout fishing on a lot of 33,000 square meters located on land with an average
altitude of 700 meters above sea level. For more information, call 033-336-4000
or visit the Web site at www.festival700.or.kr/trout.

* Hwacheon Mountain Trout Festival
When: Jan. 10-27
Where: Hwacheon River, Hwacheon, Gangwon province
Enjoy fishing for mountain trout under the thick ice of Hwacheon stream, the
source of the North Han River. Catch trout with your bare hands and compete in
the creative sled competition. Playing football on ice and bobsledding also
provide opportunities to enjoy the winter fun.
For more information, call 033-440-2319 or visit the Web site at
http://ice.narafestival.com.

* Inje Bingeo Fishing Festival
When: Jan. 30-Feb. 2
Where: Soyang Lake, Inje, Gangwon province
Fishing on frozen lakes is a unique winter pastime and those who want to try
their luck during the smelt (bingeo) season can rent a site and fishing tackle.
Also worth seeing is the snow sculpture park and an ice sculpture collection.
Smelt cooking classes and sleigh and snow car racing also offer lots of fun. For
more information, call 033-460-2082 or visit the Web site at
www.injefestival.co.kr.

* Daegwallyeong Snow Festival
When: Jan. 15-19
Where: Daegwallyeong, Gangwon province
The Daegwallyeong Snow Festival offers lots of festive events such as snowman
making, top-spinning and various traditional winter games, as well as exhibitions
of snow and ice sculptures on the snow-covered hills of Daegwallyeong in
Pyeongchang, Gangwon province, a famous winter retreat.
For further information, call 033-336-6112 or visit the Web site at
www.snowfestival.net.

* Mt. Taebaek Snow Festival
When: Jan. 30-Feb. 8
Where: Mt. Taebaek Provincial Park, Hwangji Lake and Taebaek City, Gangwon province
Various events will be held in the highlands of Taebaek mountain, 800 meters
above sea level, during the 10-day festival. The programs include a snow
sculpture competition for college students, a colorful street parade, a
congratulatory concert and a fireworks show. Snow sculptures by international
artists will be displayed during the festival.
For more information, contact the tourism and cultural division at Taebaek City
at 033-550-2085 or visit the festival's Web site at http://snow.taebaek.go.kr.
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