Pyeongchang County City
City in Gangwon-do famous for winter sports
Pyeongchang County hosted the 2018 Winter Olympics; visitors come for ski resorts like Alpensia and Yongpyong, mountain hiking in Odaesan National Park and seasonal festivals in Gangwon Province.
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Why Visit Pyeongchang County?#
Set in Korea’s Taebaek highlands, Pyeongchang County is synonymous with winter sports, mountain scenery and alpine resorts. Skiers and snowboarders head to Alpensia and Yongpyong-2018 Olympic venues-while summer visitors find hiking, cool air and local specialties like mountain trout. Seasonal festivals and quiet highland villages offer a contrast to Korea’s cities and a chance to experience rural mountain culture.
Best Things to Do in Pyeongchang County#
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Pyeongchang County Bucket List#
Alpensia Ski Jumping Stadium - Visit Alpensia Ski Jumping Stadium to see Olympic facilities and mountain vistas.
Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm - Walk Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm’s grassy pastures and enjoy café views of rolling hills.
Woljeongsa Temple - Explore Woljeongsa Temple’s serene forest setting and centuries-old wooden architecture.
Odaesan National Park trails - Hike Odaesan National Park’s quieter trails among pine forests and mountain ridges.
Pyeongchang Trout Festival (seasonal) - In winter, sample local cuisine and ice fishing at the Pyeongchang Trout Festival.
Lee Hyo-seok Cultural Village - Visit Lee Hyo-seok Cultural Village, honoring the famed Korean author and local culture.
Seoraksan National Park - Drive east to Seoraksan National Park for rugged peaks, temples, and cable car rides.
Gangneung - Travel south to Gangneung for beaches, coffee street cafés, and cultural museums.
Best Time to Visit Pyeongchang County#
Pyeongchang is a mountain destination: winters are reliably snowy and superb for skiing, while summers are mild but include a monsoon period. Spring and autumn offer quieter trails and crisp, clear days.
December - February
-12-0°C (10-32°F)
Glacier-cold, snowy winters are perfect for skiing and winter sports-bitter nights but brilliant blue-sky days; dress for sustained subzero temperatures.
March - May
2-15°C (36-59°F)
Spring thaws slowly-wildflower valleys and quieter trails make it lovely, though late snow and muddy paths are still possible at times.
June - August
15-25°C (59-77°F)
Summers are warm and humid with a pronounced monsoon in July-lush greenery, occasional heavy rain, and comfortable evenings once showers pass.
Pyeongchang County's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental (Dry Winter) - Hot-Summer Continental (Dry Winter) climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -10°C to 27°C. Abundant rainfall (1283 mm/year), wettest in July.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 0°C and lows of -10°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (136 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 19°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (287 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 27°C and lows of 19°C. Heavy rain (266 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Significant rainfall (161 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Pyeongchang County#
Pyeongchang County is reached from Seoul via KTX high-speed trains to Gangneung or Jinbu followed by local buses/taxis, or by intercity coach services from Seoul. Yangyang Airport offers limited regional flights and ground connections.
Incheon International Airport (ICN): Incheon is South Korea’s main international gateway. To reach Pyeongchang County you typically transfer by train or bus into Seoul and then take KTX high-speed services toward Gangneung or Jinbu, followed by local buses or taxis to specific Pyeongchang destinations.
Yangyang International Airport (YNY): Yangyang is a small regional airport serving parts of Gangwon Province; if you can find scheduled flights, ground transfers (taxi or local bus) from Yangyang to Pyeongchang take about 50-90 minutes depending on exact destination.
Train (KTX / Korail): The KTX high-speed service from Seoul (Seoul Station) to Gangneung is the main fast rail route for the region; travel time is about 2-2.5 hours. From Gangneung station or Jinbu station you take local buses or taxis into Pyeongchang County.
Bus: Intercity buses run from Seoul (Seoul Express Bus Terminal and Dong Seoul Terminal) to towns in Gangwon Province, including stops serving Pyeongchang-area towns; journey times vary (around 2-3 hours) and fares depend on the operator.
How to Get Around Pyeongchang County#
The fastest public route to Pyeongchang is KTX to Gangneung or Jinbu followed by local buses or taxis to your final destination; intercity coaches are a good lower-cost alternative. In winter, check seasonal shuttle services that serve ski resorts.
- KTX (Korail high-speed) (KRW 30,000-60,000 (varies by class and discount)) - KTX trains from Seoul to Gangneung or Jinbu are the fastest rail option for reaching the Pyeongchang area; journey time to Gangneung is roughly 2-2.5 hours. From Gangneung or Jinbu you’ll need a local bus or taxi to reach specific venues in Pyeongchang County.
- Intercity bus (KRW 12,000-25,000) - Express buses from Seoul terminals run to multiple towns in Gangwon Province; they are frequent and stop at major bus terminals near Pyeongchang. Buses can be cheaper than KTX but typically take longer depending on traffic.
- Airport transfer / taxi (Yangyang / Incheon) (KRW 70,000-180,000 (approx.)) - Taxis and private airport transfers are available from Yangyang (shorter) or Incheon (longer) for direct door-to-door service. They are convenient with luggage or for remote destinations but more expensive than public transport.
- Local buses (KRW 1,500-6,000) - Local buses link Gangneung/Jinbu with villages and ski resorts in Pyeongchang; schedules vary seasonally and services increase in winter for ski traffic. Check local timetables and seasonal shuttle services for resorts.
- Car hire (KRW 50,000-120,000/day) - Hiring a car is useful if you plan to explore widely across Gangwon Province or reach remote trailheads and small villages. Winter driving requires awareness of snow/ice conditions and appropriate tyres.
- Walking - Within small towns and resort villages in Pyeongchang, walking is the most practical way to get around locally; many resorts are compact with pedestrian zones.
Where to Stay in Pyeongchang County#
Alpensia / Yongpyong - $20-70/night
Pyeongchang’s budget options are small guesthouses and pensions clustered near Alpensia and Yongpyong. Seasonal crowds make early booking essential in winter.
Local guesthouses and pensions - Basic pensions in mountain villages
Small inns and guesthouses - Economical rooms near ski lifts
Alpensia / Yongpyong - $80-180/night
Mid-range mountain resorts and family hotels cluster around ski areas, offering good facilities, dining, and easy lift access in winter months.
Alpensia Resort Hotels - Comfortable ski-in/ski-out hotel options
Yongpyong Resort hotels - Wide mid-range choices near slopes
Alpensia Resort / Phoenix - $180-400+/night
Luxury resorts and full-service hotels are centred on Alpensia and Phoenix, offering spa facilities, fine dining, and premium access to winter sports.
Phoenix Pyeongchang Resort - Full-service resort with ski facilities
Alpensia (premium suites) - High-end rooms and event spaces
Where to Eat in Pyeongchang County#
Pyeongchang serves mountain-style Korean fare at resorts: hearty stews, grilled trout, local vegetables and resort restaurants catering to skiers and hikers.
- Alpensia Resort Restaurants - Resort dining near ski slopes and trails
- Phoenix Park Resort (dining) - Casual and buffet options at resort
- Yongpyong Resort Dining - Multiple restaurants at large ski resort
Look for regional specialties like trout, buckwheat noodles and preserved mountain produce at local inns and market stalls.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Pyeongchang County’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Pyeongchang County#
Shopping across Pyeongchang is limited to small local stores, market stalls and resort shops in ski areas selling gear, souvenirs and local food products. For a wider retail selection you’ll need to travel to larger nearby cities such as Gangneung or Seoul.
Nightlife in Pyeongchang County#
Nightlife in Pyeongchang is concentrated in resort hotels and ski-base areas; expect hotel bars, occasional live music and resort-focused after-ski options rather than an extensive club scene. Outside peak ski season, evenings are generally quiet and amenities may have reduced opening hours.
