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Planning a winter trip to Korea? Our guide covers everything you need to know! From must-have packing tips to exciting winter activities like hot springs, ice festivals, and street food in Myeongdong, explore the best ways to enjoy Korea’s chilly season.
Let it snow,
let it snow,
let it snow!
Winter in South Korea can feel like a winter wonderland as the occasional snowfall coats the city in white magic.
Planning a trip to South Korea in winter can be extremely exciting, but if you’re not used to the cold weather then it’s better to be prepared.
At All About Seoul (AAS), we're here to provide everything you need for a seamless and memorable experience.
From the best insights on Seoul’s medical tourism options to top tips for enjoying winter in Korea, our guide covers it all.
Here are some simple winter in Korea facts to help you plan your trip.
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Winter takes place from December to March in South Korea with January being one of the coldest months due to snowfall.
Winter in Korea boasts temperatures ranging between -10 degrees Celcius with highs of 5 degrees Celcius depending on the area.
Whilst mountainous areas might experience heavy snowfall, cities like Seoul usually only have slurries, sometimes accumulating to more.
Average temperatures may be cold but wind makes it feel colder.
Winter in Korea can also feel magical because it falls during the Christmas period and you can hear Christmas carols almost everywhere you go and see the occasional Christmas tree and decorations.
Winter also happens to be one of the peak seasons for medical tourism in Korea as medical tourists can get their procedures with minimal impact on their daily lives.
For instance, if you’ve just had stem cell therapy for hair loss restoration then you won’t have to worry about sweating and irritating your scalp during your recovery on your trip around Korea.
If you’re curious about suggestions on when to get which plastic surgery procedures done, make sure to check out our article on the best month to visit Korea.
There is also insight into what each season in Korea is like and which tourist activities to do during your visit depending on the month.
Korea during winter can be quite chilly so it’s important to be fully prepared in terms of your wardrobe.
Whether you are into peak Korean winter fashion or simply want to keep warm, here are some of the essential winter attire to pack for your trip to Korea.
For outer layers, you will notice that Koreans typically wear one of two types of coats during the freezing winter days.
It would be good to have a wool coat, which is not only warm but also stylish, or a down jacket/parka (which Koreans call long/short padding) that can help you insulate your body heat and also helps with combating the icy wind.
You can also add additional layers to your outfit in the form of sweaters, fleece jackets or vests, and hoodies if you feel like having added warmth.
Some innerwear essentials for keeping warm during Korean winter include thermal tops, thermal leggings, and socks.
If you enjoy wearing stockings then stockings lined with fur are also a great fashion item to have on hand.
Traveling to Korea during the winter is also perfect if you’re thinking of having a liposuction procedure (thighs, arms, for males, etc.) done.
You can wear compression garments under these multiple layers without anyone knowing and recover comfortably without worrying about
your garments being visible.
One of the essential winter accessories in Korea is a thick scarf to help with extra protection from the wind.
You can also pair these with optional accessories such as warm gloves, hats, or beanies. Some people even wear face masks to help block their faces from the cold.
Lastly, one of the best accessories that can help you survive Korean winter is a hot pack.
These are disposable packs that you can either stick to your clothes or keep loose in your pockets to warm your hands.
You can wear any closed footwear to stay warm in Korea but if you’d like extra protection from the cold, then we’d highly recommend a pair of waterproof boots paired with thick socks.
These are some of the winter essentials that you should pack for your trip to South Korea!
Now that you’ve geared up in warm winter attire, here are some activities that are unique to Korea in the winter, for you to do.
Escape the chill of a Korean winter with a visit to Buk Suwon Oncheon in Gyeonggi Province, where traditional hot springs offer the ultimate warmth and relaxation.
This unique jjimjilbang (Korean bathhouse) is beloved for its soothing mineral baths and variety of saunas, each designed to melt away stress and rejuvenate the body.
From heated salt rooms to natural spring baths, Buk Suwon Oncheon is a true haven of relaxation that’s perfect for the cold season.
At Buk Suwon Oncheon, guests can enjoy both traditional wellness and modern comforts, making it a must-visit spot for travelers seeking an authentic Korean experience.
Unwind in the healing waters, indulge in sauna therapy, and experience why oncheon culture is one of Korea’s best-kept secrets.
Source: Yongpyong Ski Resort Official
Yongpyong Ski Resort goes over the Baekdudaegan Mountain range, guaranteed to be covered in a whimsically thick layer of snow every year. This is why it’s known as one of the best places to visit during the winter in Korea. Boasting some of the best slopes near Seoul, this resort is a skier and snowboarder paradise.
Yongpyong Ski Resort address: Yongsan-ri, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
There are many places to get your fill of Korean street food, including several traditional food markets. However, one of the must-visit spots for foodies who want to enjoy Korean street food is Myeongdong.
Myeongdong is not only a great spot for street food, but it is one of the shopping capitals for K-Beauty. With some of the best Korean skincare brands available, you can enjoy the ultimate beauty destination in Seoul here, as well.
Source: Visit Korea
If you’d like to do something a little bit more unique then you can always check out the local Korean ice fishing festivals.
One famous example is the Hwacheon Sancheono Ice Festival in Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon Province (which makes for a great day trip about 2 and a half hours from Seoul).
This festival involves catching fish through holes drilled into the frozen Hwacheon Stream.
Source: Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival Website
If you’re interested in looking around and other snow activities but not so much in fishing, then you can also go bobsledding and ice sledding among other festival programs.
Hwacheon Sancheono Ice Festival address: 137 Sancheoneo-gil, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do
Source: Seoul Tourism Organization
A South Korea winter is not complete without visiting a winter light festival or a Christmas festival.
One of the best ones to visit in Seoul is none other than the Seoul Lantern Festival.
Source: Stolantern Website
The Seoul Lantern Festival is a light festival with hundreds upon hundreds of lights and lanterns lit up and on display.
Each year there is a different theme but it makes for the perfect Christmas outing with elements such as Santa Claus in the mix, too.
Seoul Lantern Festival address: 175 Sejong-daero, Jongno District, Seoul
Source: Trazy
Ice skating in Seoul is another go-to activity. There are several ice rinks spread out all over Seoul.
However, one of the most popular ones is the Olympic Park outdoor ice rink.
Opening every winter, the Olympic Park outdoor ice rink is incredibly popular as a must-visit location in Seoul during winter.
With skate rental available and many shops and snack bars surrounding the area, you can enjoy the adrenaline of skating but also the surrounding relaxation as you take a rest and watch the people skate by.
Olympic Park Address: 424 Olympic-ro, Songpa District, Seoul
Winter in South Korea can be daunting to think about but we hope that this guide has helped you in your planning.
Remember that AAS is always available for consultations about booking medical tours to South Korea during any season!
If you would like All About Seoul to coordinate a Korean winter medical tour for you, make sure to fill out the consultation form on our website.
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