That Winter, Yeongyang ... Kkongkkong Festival, Birch Forest, Winter Night

The 1st Yeongyang Kkongkkong Winter Festival.

▲Kkongkkong Winter Festival a Huge Success

Children skating on the frozen ice can be seen. Yeongyang-gun held the 1st Yeongyang Kkongkkong Winter Festival in the Hyun-ri area of Yeongyang-eup, Yeongyang-gun until the 18th, attracting over 16,000 cumulative visitors. Thanks to the enthusiastic support, the festival was extended and resumed from the 24th.

While winter festivals in regions where the ice does not freeze are being canceled due to higher-than-average temperatures, a Yeongyang-gun official said the reason they could hold the ‘1st Kkongkkong Winter Festival’ was because “the cold valley winds continuously blow between the mountains, and the front mountain of Hyun-ri blocks sunlight, creating a shaded area where the ice always remains thick and the ice quality is good.”

Currently, the Hyun-ri ice rink maintains an ice thickness of over 20 cm, and with special attention to safety, it has become a space where tourists can enjoy the festival with peace of mind.

The Hyun-ri ice rink previously operated only as a skating rink, but this year, expanding into a regional festival called the ‘Kkongkkong Winter Festival,’ it added various programs such as a snow sledding area, rotating snow sledding, ice fishing for smelt, and smelt catching experiences. It has received favorable reviews as a winter festival satisfying all five senses with various food options and experiential programs.

With the rapidly increasing number of visitors on both weekdays and weekends, nearby tourist attractions, restaurants, and accommodations are also thriving. Visitors to the festival moved on to the birch forest, where they could feel the winter atmosphere.

▲Snow-Covered Birch Forest Reminiscent of a Winter Kingdom

The snow-covered birch forest makes visitors feel as if they have entered a winter kingdom. The ‘Yeongyang Birch Forest,’ the largest of its kind in the country, operates electric vehicles (currently three in operation) for visitor convenience and has repaired the previously inconvenient access roads.

Mr. Kim, who visited the forest, said, “The walking paths are wide and flat, making it pleasant to enjoy a light stroll like in a park. Walking along the snow-covered dense forest, the clear water flowing in the nearby valley provides a refreshing coolness,” expressing his deep fascination with the charm of the birch forest.

After spending a long time outside in the cold, warm up your frozen body and end the day by stargazing in a warm place.

▲Winter Night with Stars as a Blanket

Near the birch forest, the Yeongyang Youth Training Center is located within Asia’s first International Dark Sky Park, allowing visitors to end their day under a sky full of stars.

There are various attractions scattered around for children to relieve stress in nature and play freely. The Star Ecology Experience Center is equipped with a video hall and experiential spaces, offering children differentiated programs about stars and ecology. It provides spatial freedom and unique experiences for children who have been confined indoors.

Gather with your family for a cozy barbecue party and share conversations around a campfire while appreciating the stars pouring down from the night sky.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.