Latest Events in Gangwon State(August Updated)

The heartwarming stories of the Renji Flower Village whisper happy whispers. There's a wide variety of activities waiting for you at "Shelang Hagi," a vast wildflower garden; "Communication Hagi," where you can chat along the riverside promenade; "Healing Hagi," where you can temporarily escape from your busy daily life amidst the lush pine forest; and a health market where you can buy a variety of agricultural products and foods.

Taebaek has the largest sunflower field in Korea, with a 5km flower sponge. There are exhibitions of works by Korean and international artists, a petting zoo, concerts, bonfire parties, and even nature films and documentaries for visitors to enjoy, and visitors can also hike to the nearby forest.

Gangneung has the best natural scenery and a long history in the country, and has been widely known as a treasure house of cultural heritage since ancient times. From the Silla era to the present, the footsteps of countless literati have never stopped, and they want to feel the breath of noble literary fragrance through the cultural heritage scattered throughout Gangneung. At the same time, Gangneung has established itself as the country's leading traditional cultural city and humanistic historical cultural city by protecting the cultural heritage handed down by predecessors with the utmost sincerity, but today we encounter the trend of the times where everything mixes with each other and creates new meanings and values. The project was selected as a competition project of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, and it has attracted national attention year after year, and is blooming as a cultural festival representing our region. Due to this attention and evaluation, Gangneung Cultural Heritage Night Tour was selected as the "Best Project for Cultural Heritage Utilization in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023" and enjoyed the benefits of the "Director's Award of the National Heritage Administration" and budget increase. This is a feat achieved by combining the beautiful cultural heritage and traditional culture of Gangneung with the active participation of citizens.

This festival pays tribute to the Korean writer Lee Hyo-seok and his legacy. His famous novel, When the Buckwheat Flowers Bloom, is set in Bongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, which is why the festival is held there every year. Amateurs and aspiring writers compete in essay and poetry competitions, while exhibitions offer a deeper understanding of the writer and his work. There are also performances and events for visitors. The area is also famous for its buckwheat, which is reflected in the various foods and dishes made from the grain sold at the festival.

Arirang is a globally renowned Korean folk song. Its roots span many regions, resulting in numerous versions across Korea. "Jeongseon Arirang," the source of all Arirang, was recognized in 2012 with its inclusion on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity List. The Jeongseon Arirang Festival aims to preserve and promote this folk song. The festival begins with the Seven Sages' Rite, commemorating the patriotic loyalty of the Seven Sages. The Seven Sages were seven loyal ministers from the late Goryeo Dynasty who figure in the origin story of "Jeongseon Arirang." The festival also includes prayers for a successful celebration and for the well-being of the Korean people. The festival includes 83 events, including the Arirang Parade and the National Arirang Singing Contest.

Gangwon City is not only famous for its beautiful coastal scenery, but also for its delicious coffee. Strolling along the beach lined with cafes throughout Gangwon, visitors can enjoy the rich aroma of coffee that rivals the sea breeze. Renowned coffee manufacturers participate in the Gangwon Coffee Festival and host tasting events. At the opening ceremony, 100 baristas will simultaneously perform a "100 People, 100 Flavors" demonstration, brewing hand-drip coffee by hand. Visitors can sample 100 different coffee flavors during this special event. Various competitions are also held during the festival to select the best baristas in categories such as latte art, hand-drip, and roasting. Visitors can also visit participating Gangwon cafes and receive prizes by collecting stamps.

The Hwacheon Mountain Snow Festival, located in Hwacheon City, Gangwon Province, is a unique winter event, named one of CNN's "Seven Wonders of Winter" in 2011. Held annually in January, the festival transforms the crystal-clear Hwacheon Stream into a frozen wonderland. Visitors can experience ice fishing and even catch the stream's prized "Queen of the Valley" fish by hand. Freshly caught fish can be sliced ​​and eaten raw or grilled on-site. In addition to fishing, the festival offers a variety of winter entertainment, including ice sledding, tobogganing, and snowmobiling, attracting over one million visitors each year.

The Pyeongchang Trout Festival is held every winter. In addition to various experience activities such as ice fishing, lure fishing, snow experience, ice experience, folk experience, etc., there are also winter folk games such as sleds and spinning tops, four-wheel ATV off-road vehicles, snow boating, sleigh trains and other activities. Trout caught by ice fishing or lure fishing can be commissioned to nearby restaurants for cooking and tasting on the spot. Pyeongchang has clear and cold water and is the first place in Korea to farm trout. Trout is nutritious and has a fresh taste and can be eaten as sashimi.