Winter: South Korea: Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival

Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival is an interesting place to see during winter season.

We are too early when we arrived and it looks like we are the first visitors of the day.  Although there are no photo bombers, it will be more enjoyable if there are people around you.

We got to walk along some ice fountains, igloos, cartoon character Porroro and frieds, Frozen characters, Olaf and Bruni and main characters Elsa and Anna.

The highlight of this place is when we were able to experience kids and intermediate sledging.

Luckily, I was able to do a very short hike.  Thanks to my crampons.

Lastly, you can enjoy roasting your own chestnuts before leaving the area.

Realizations

• Sorry to break the hearts of those who are dreaming to see snow. Late December 2019 has very low snow fall maybe because of climate change, so most of the snow came from snow maker technology.  If you do your research online, this type of snow is much harder than the real one so refrain from doing snow balls nor throw it to someone.  It is also difficult to create snow angels with this type of snow.
• Also, since it is just a start of the festival, some of the features of the place are still being created or maintained. 
• Safety is their priority especially on the sledging area. 
• Most locals have their kids visit this place.  The guides are more helpful to the little girls in carrying their sled, and they no longer help the boys in getting up from the slides. 
• Since this is almost 3 hours away from the city, you can enjoy the place, but mostly spend your time on the bus ride.  Plus being on a provincial area, there will be lesser people who can speak English, neither signs that you can read.  We had challenges, but all of the people we meet are very much accommodating and willing to help us out.

How to get there?
Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival  (칠갑산얼음분수축제)
174 Cheonjang-ri, Jeongsan-myeon, Cheongyang-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea

In Seoul, from Central Express Terminal, take a bus going to Jeongsan Bus Stop 센트럴-정산 고속버스(일반), this will take around 2.5 hours.
From Jeongsan Bus Stop, you may take a local bus going to the festival.  Our easier choice would be to take a taxi going to the festival, just in less than 10 mins.
On your way back, you can again get help from the locals to call you a cab.

Summary: Winter Itinerary for 6 days in Seoul, South Korea 2019
 

Day	Places to See	Food and Restaurants	Other Options
1	Forest of Wisdom [Hwayugi/Secretary Kim]	Angel in Us, Incheon Dirty Trunk, Paju [Search: WWW] Chicken & Beer	Hesse Boulangerie 152 Seosomun Shrine History Museum Cheonggyecheon Stream Winter Night 2019
2	Inje Wondae-ri Birch Forest [Snow] Seoul Book Repository [Hotel Del Luna]	Guksu Namu (국수나무) Starbucks Reserve, Famille Park
3	Eunpyeong History Hanok Museum DDP Winter Light Festival Arc N Book Seoul Plaza Ice Skating Rink	2D Café 연남동239-20 고향옥 얼큰순대국 near Gupabal Station	Yonsei University (Seoul) 1인1잔 / 1 man 1 cup Korea University (Seoul) Kyung Hee University (Seoul) Shinsegae Department Store
4	Mass in Myeongdong Cathedral Common Ground Starfield Library COEX	Congee House in Myeongdong A Twosome Place The Gastro Permil [Secretary Kim]	Seoul International Catholic Church Konkuk University Seoulism Galleria - Apgujeong-rodeo Station IFC Mall
5	Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival [Snow]	무월식탁 / Muwol Table	Sinchon Christmas Market
6	Changdeokgung Palace Secret Garden English Tour Ikseon-dong Hanok Street [Battle Trip]	Onion Anguk Zio Cucina, Ikseon-dong Tteuran Tea & Café, Ikseon-dong Korean Food Street	Madang Café / Flower Yard Café