Brimming with Excitement on Winter River Ice: Trip to the Andong Amsan Ice Festival
Introduction
When the season comes where white breath rises above the winter river, Amsan Recreation Area in Gwang-eum-ri, Namhu-myeon, Andong grows unusually quiet yet fills with a sense of excited anticipation. Just imagining the sound of sleds gliding over clear ice and children’s laughter overlapping on top of it brings a moment when even the cold air feels warm and comforting.
Brimming with Excitement on Winter River Ice: Trip to the Andong Amsan Ice Festival
Table of Contents
- Guide
- Program Information
- Visit (Planned) Impressions
- Recommended Accommodations
- Restaurants & Cafés
- Nearby Attractions
- Getting There
- Closing
- Photo Snapshots
- Videos
- Related News
Guide
- Event Name : Andong Amsan Ice Festival
- Period : 2026-01-17 ~ 2026-01-25 (9 days)
- Opening Hours : 10:00 ~ 17:00
- Location : 59 Amsan 1-gil, Namhu-myeon, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, around Gwang-eum-ri, Namhu-myeon, Andong-si (Amsan Recreation Area)
- Admission : Free admission (experience programs and equipment rental are charged)
- Hosted by : Korea Institute of Spiritual Culture
- Organized by : Korea Institute of Spiritual Culture, Andong Amsan Ice Festival Promotion Committee
- Inquiries : 054-840-3400
- Address (Navigation) : 59 Amsan 1-gil, Namhu-myeon, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (Amsan Recreation Area)
- 10:00 After arriving at the festival venue, take a light walk around Amsan Recreation Area, looking around the ice sculptures and photo spots.
- 11:00 Move to the main program zone and enjoy the ice sled experience, feeling the speed over the winter river.
- 12:30 Have lunch with a warm soup dish at the nearby food booths or restaurants around the festival grounds.
- 14:00 Join the ice smelt fishing experience on the frozen river, enjoying both the tranquil winter river atmosphere and the thrill of the catch.
- 15:30 Watch the Creative Sled Championship, winter experience programs, and performances to immerse yourself more deeply in the festival mood.
- 16:30 As the sun begins to set, take another stroll around the ice climbing wall and ice sculpture exhibition, take some photos, and leisurely get ready to head home.
Festival hours are 10:00–17:00.
If you’re visiting with children, consider using a two- to three-person sled.
The Andong Amsan Ice Festival is the largest winter festival in the Yeongnam region, boasting superb natural scenery and excellent ice quality. It is a place where you can feel winter with your whole body on a frozen river. Held for nine days from Saturday, January 17 to Sunday, January 25, 2026, it combines ice sledding, ice smelt fishing, and various winter games, allowing visitors to share warm laughter even in the cold season.
With the addition of an ice climbing wall and ice sculpture exhibition, you can feel the temperature of winter with your eyes, ears, and fingertips. It is a perfect festival for families, couples, and friends to create memories together. Thanks to the calm natural scenery and well-curated experience programs that have continued from past events, it has become a seasonal landscape that people want to revisit every winter.
Program Information
This popular program is held by drilling a hole in the ice and casting a fishing rod. Along with the joy of catching smelt yourself, participants receive a 5,000 won Andong Love Gift Certificate, adding a small sense of reward.
The refreshing thrill of gliding over the clear ice makes the ice sledding experience enjoyable for all ages. With one-person and two- to three-person sleds available, you can feel the speed of winter side by side with your child or partner.
A variety of uniquely designed sleds gather in one place for a fun competition. Just watching the original ideas and designs is so entertaining that you’ll find yourself laughing the whole time.
Programs centered on traditional winter folk games and hands-on experiences offer children a new kind of play and adults a wave of nostalgia. They are especially well suited for family participation.
The ice curling tournament, where strategy and teamwork are tested on the ice, showcases the unique charm of winter sports. Even just cheering while watching the matches makes the festival atmosphere even more exciting.
This unique running race on the ice is a program that keeps both participants and spectators laughing. It’s perfect for creating fun memories with kids through light participation.
During the festival period, various performances, including shows by the troupe “Han(cold) Family,” create a warm atmosphere on the ice. It’s a good time to take a short break and enjoy the performances between smelt fishing and sledding experiences.
The majestic ice climbing wall and elaborate ice sculptures create a special landscape filled with winter light. The photo zones scattered throughout are great places to take pictures with the reflected light and shadows as your backdrop.
The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and there is a return and clean-up time for equipment before closing. If you arrive late in the day, access to some programs may be limited.
Hands-on programs like smelt fishing and sledding incur additional fees for rod and bait rental, sled rental, etc. It’s a good idea to budget with some leeway and check on-site prices in advance.
If you’re visiting with children or as a family, choosing a two- to three-person sled or a traditional sled experience program makes it easier to ride together and create shared memories. Check the performance and program schedule beforehand so you can plan your route.
Check the equipment return time before closing.
Two- to three-person sleds are convenient for children.
Program and performance schedules should be checked in advance.
Visit (Planned) Impressions
Today is December 25, 2025. With just under a month left until the opening of the Andong Amsan Ice Festival (January 17–25, 2026), I’d like to share the excitement I feel as I get ready to go. Thinking back on past events held ahead of the upcoming Andong Amsan Ice Festival naturally raises expectations that it will be a festival full of winter ambience. Imagining the sound of sleds sliding over the ice, the chilly air brushing the tip of your nose, and the children’s gleeful laughter filling the ice surface already warms a corner of my heart.
With its clear ice and gentle natural scenery, Gwang-eum-ri’s Amsan Recreation Area feels like a place where your mind will quietly come into order in nature. At the 2025 festival, the ice thickness remained at an appropriate level of 25–37 cm, allowing ice sledding, smelt fishing, and slide experiences to operate safely, and many visitors commented that they felt warmth even in the cold of winter. The food booths offered winter soup dishes and smelt dishes that helped visitors forget the cold, making it easy to warm up and relax between activities.
At this year’s festival, it seems like you’ll be able to choose a sled that balances traditional charm with modern fun. With one-person and two- to three-person sleds available, along with unique events like a creative sled contest, you can enjoy both the fun of riding and the fun of watching. In the ice sculpture zones and photo spots, I imagine capturing moments when light and shadow are reflected in the ice, and the feeling of your breath almost freezing in the cold air seems likely to heighten the excitement. However, because the temperature difference between daytime and after sunset can be large, I’m reminded that I must bring thick gloves, a waterproof outer layer, and well-insulated shoes.
Since many of the experience programs are paid, I plan to check in advance the fees for smelt fishing and sledding experiences and whether equipment rentals are available. During the day I’d like to enjoy sledding with the kids, and as the sun starts to set I want to stroll among the illuminated ice sculptures and take photos. I have a feeling this upcoming festival will help bring a warm close to the winter season, so I quietly look forward to the moments when my heart will be warmed in the midst of the cold wind.
Recommended Accommodations
Since the festival is held around Amsan Recreation Area, which is slightly away from downtown, using accommodation in central Andong as your base will make your itinerary more relaxed. Choosing a place near the bus terminal and downtown commercial areas makes it easy to enjoy meals and walks before and after the festival.
41-6 Okdong 3-gil, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (Ok-dong)
City-style accommodation close to the Ok-dong commercial area
Convenient access to the terminal and downtown makes it easy to enjoy both the festival and city sightseeing.
Distance: 6.5 km
178 Gwangmyeong-ro, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (Ok-dong)
Conveniently located accommodation near Gwangmyeong-ro
Close to major downtown roads, making it easily accessible if you’re driving.
Distance: 6.6 km
76 Gangnam 14-gil, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (Jeongsang-dong)
Value-for-money accommodation in the Gangnam area
Adjacent to the riverside road, making it easy to access the festival venue by car.
Distance: 7.0 km
18 Daean-ro, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (Taehwa-dong)
Good downtown access near Taehwa-dong
Close to markets and the city center, making it convenient for meals and shopping.
Distance: 7.3 km
55 Seobu Market 2-gil, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (Taehwa-dong)
Budget accommodation near Seobu Market
Close to the traditional market, making it easy to enjoy local food and market ambience together.
Distance: 7.4 km
11 Gwangseok 4-gil, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (Gwangseok-dong)
Accommodation adjacent to residential and commercial areas in Gwangseok-dong
Located near a quiet residential area, it suits those who prefer relatively calm lodging.
Distance: 7.7 km
16-13 Munhwagwangjang-gil, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (Nambu-dong)
Brand hotel near Culture Street
Close to a street lined with cultural venues and shops, ideal for walks and night views.
Distance: 7.9 km
If driving, allow an extra 20–30 minutes of travel time to the festival venue.
Restaurants & Cafés
First, check out cafés and light meal options around Amsan Recreation Area near the festival venue, then head into downtown Andong to enjoy various restaurants, including the famous jjimdak (braised chicken) alley. After the festival, a warm soup dish or a sweet dessert drink will gently melt away the day’s chill.
15 Amsan 1-gil, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Atmospheric café near the festival venue
Close to Amsan Recreation Area, making it a good place to briefly stop by and warm up before or after activities.
Distance: 0.4 km
39-12 Okseo 4-gil, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (Ok-dong)
Bakery café located in Ok-dong
A good spot to take a short break with sweet bread and coffee before or after heading to the festival.
Distance: 6.0 km
117 Gounsa-gil, Dancheon-myeon, Uiseong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Café with natural scenery
An ideal place to stop by if you’d like to combine the festival with a short trip to the surrounding area.
Distance: 6.2 km
32 Okdong-gil, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Specialty coffee roastery in the city
A refreshing cup of coffee here is perfect for reflecting on the memories of the festival.
Distance: 6.2 km
676 Gyeongdong-ro, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (Unheung-dong)
Restaurant where you can taste local Andong cuisine
A good place to end the day with a hearty meal after the festival.
Distance: 7.9 km
47 Beonyeong 1-gil, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Popular restaurant in the Andong Jjimdak Alley
After a day spent on the ice, it’s perfect for warming up with a hot plate of jjimdak.
Distance: 7.9 km
47 Beonyeong 1-gil, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Long-established restaurant representing Andong jjimdak
A place worth visiting at least once if you want to properly taste the region’s signature dish.
Distance: 7.9 km
51 Beonyeong 1-gil, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Another option in the jjimdak alley
It’s fun to compare several restaurants and find your own favorite spot.
Distance: 7.9 km
There may be waiting times in the Andong Jjimdak Alley during the evening, so allow extra time.
Nearby Attractions
Amsan Recreation Area itself boasts beautiful river scenery, making it a nice place for a leisurely walk before or after the festival. If time allows, consider visiting parks, cultural spaces, and hot springs in Andong to make your winter trip even richer.
59 Amsan 1-gil, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Natural rest area where river and cliffs meet
This is where the festival takes place, and when the river isn’t frozen, it’s also loved as a riverside walking and picnic spot.
Distance: 0.0 km
34-7 Seogyeongji 8-gil, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (Taehwa-dong)
Space where you can see crafts and exhibitions
A good place to unwind in a calm atmosphere and look around artworks after the festival.
Distance: 6.9 km
Andong Mask Dance Performance Hall, 210 Chukjejang-gil, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Hub for gathering information on traveling in Andong
Helpful when planning travel itineraries linked with other festivals.
Distance: 7.6 km
684 Gyeongdong-ro, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (Unheung-dong)
Multi-purpose cultural space with exhibitions and programs
A good place to warm up indoors while slowly enjoying exhibitions.
Distance: 7.9 km
193 Seodongmun-ro, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (Dongbu-dong)
Urban park combining walking paths and resting spaces
Ideal for a light stroll at sunset while taking in the winter evening scenery.
Distance: 8.2 km
Dongmun-dong, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Photo spot filled with murals in every alley
Bundle up in warm winter clothes and take a slow walk through the alleys, taking photos along the way.
Distance: 8.4 km
73 Gyori Saemaeul-gil, Seohu-myeon, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Place to enjoy the serene scenery of a seowon
Perfect for those who want to quiet their minds amid the stillness of winter.
Distance: 9.3 km
14 Hakkasan Oncheon-gil, Seohu-myeon, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Finish your winter trip with a hot spring bath
A great way to end the day after visiting the ice festival, relaxing in the warm hot springs.
Distance: 9.6 km
For efficiency, visit outdoor attractions before sunset and indoor spaces after dark.
Getting There
Public Transportation — Shuttle buses to the festival venue run every hour from in front of Andong Bus Terminal and the former Andong Station, taking about 20 minutes. Please check the latest shuttle timetable before your visit.
By Car — Set your navigation destination to “Amsan Recreation Area, 59 Amsan 1-gil, Namhu-myeon, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do.” There are parking lots from Lot 1 to Lot 3 within the festival grounds, and an internal circulator bus connects the parking areas with the festival site.
Checking the location of the parking lots in advance helps in planning your route around the festival grounds.
Closing
The Andong Amsan Ice Festival quietly unfolds the excitement of winter over clear ice and a calm river landscape. The sound of sleds gliding, children’s laughter, and the warmth of people in the cold air all blend together to offer a heartwarming time in the middle of winter.
Thanks to a variety of experiences and exhibitions that can be enjoyed without an admission fee, visitors—whether with family, a partner, or friends—can savor winter at their own pace. This winter, consider planning a trip where you leisurely walk along the frozen river and calmly reflect on the final days of the year.
