Must-see sight for this winter: 'Snow World' at PyeongChang

/ Yonhap

Korea’s biggest winter festival the “23rd Daegwallyeong Snow Festival” started Jan. 9 and will run to the 18th in PyeongChang, Gangwon-do.

Visitors can enjoy various sight-seeing and events such as sleigh rides, spinning tops, bobsleighs, snow rafting, and four wheel bikes with a mountain village theme.

Visitors can find 36 snow sculptures including Rubber ducks or Admiral Yi Sun-shin and 5 giant ice sculptures, such as an Igloo or Gwanghwamun made from 500 individual pieces of ice.

The International Semi-Nude Marathon where people run 5 or 10km wearing only their pants is held on Jan. 11 and is one of the most popular events of the festival.

The festival will tie in with the PyeongChang 2018 Olympics. Tourists can experience winter Olympic sports like Bobsleigh, curling, skating, or biathlon.

Admission fee is 3,000 won (US $2.70) for the snow and ice sculpture exhibition. Admission during nighttime is free. Rent fees for sporting activities like sleigh riding and autobiking, ranges from 5,000-10,000 won.

“We look forward to promoting the city identity and bringing economic benefits to the local community. Moreover, we will do our best to successfully host the PyeongChang 2018 Olympics,” said the officials.

PyeongChang county and the festival officials will set up a booth providing leaflets and souvenirs to promote the Winter Olympics.

For more information, visit their official website at https://www.snowfestival.net.