This February, the 23rd Winter Olympics will be held in the faraway terrains of the ruggedly beautiful county of South Korea, Pyeongchang, famously known as the Alps of Asia. The sports capital of the region is known for icy winds, lush greenery, towering granite mountains and world class ski resorts and adventure tourism. According to Olympics stats, South Korea is expecting over 83,000 foreign fans to flock into Pyeongchang next month. If you too, are one of the many making your way to East Asia to witness the top sporting players in all their Olympic glory, this DWP Insider guide will help to make your time in Pyeongchang as luxe as possible.
Insider Recommendation: This will be the first-ever Olympic Games to offer 5G telecommunications services such as a 5G-supported bus, VR 360 degree features, glass-free 3D experiences, holograms, and even robots providing a variety of services. So if this winter sporting event was not on your calendar, you should think again!
Watch the Olympics
Given the diversity of the winter sports, the venues are spread out across a wide area. This year there are three mains Olympic clusters: Jeongseon, Gangneung or PyeongChang. The Mountain Cluster in PyeongChang is housing the official Olympic Stadium and the Bokwang Snow Park, where visitors can see slalom, halfpipe, snowboard cross and slopestyle. Whereas in Gangneung, sports enthusiasts will find the Gangneung and Kwandong hockey centers, the oval for speed-skating, the ice arena for figure skating and the main curling center. The many luxurious ski resorts in the region are popular hotspots for tourists for their modern facilities and superb slopes, which will be on full display to the world this season.
Where to stay
Your accommodations depend on what you want to see. If you’re coming to get a feel of the winter sports while also taking downtime to explore the country, then consider staying in Seoul and shuttling to the stadiums for short day trips. In the capital city, we recommend a few nights in The Shilla hotel where you could rub shoulders with dignitaries, heads of state, CEOs and celebrities. The hotel merges the vibrancy of Seoul and its contemporary luxury with touches of traditional heritage.
But if you’re undecided, its best stay near the main site of PyeongChang. Since February is the most crowded time of the year for the tiny county, we suggest hastening the booking process. If you’re lucky, you could reserve a spot at the InterContinental Alpensia Resort which is an Alpine-style village nestled within the unspoiled beauty of the Taebaek Mountains. Even though the slopes will be inaccessible during the Olympics, you will have plenty to see and do including playing golf at three scenic golf courses and explore the unparalleled natural beauty of the region.
Where to eat:
The hanok-style buildings of Jeonggangwon is the best place close to PyeongChang to experience the best the Korean gastronomy. Also known as the Korea Traditional Food Culture Experience Center, the property includes a food museum, as well as a hanbok experience and cooking lessons. Indulge in traditional hanjeongsik (Korean table d’hôte) surrounded by beautiful hanok buildings, gardens, and hundreds of jangdok (traditional Korean crock) gathered together which are a must-see.
If you want to eat like a local, head to the Pyeonchang Olympic Market where you are spoiled for choice for local markets that are as rooted in their approach as possible. Since 1955, the Olympic Market continues to provide local dishes, prepared in a traditional manner, that are often hard to find in the region’s more tourist-focused areas. Tuck into buckwheat noodles made the Pyeongchang way using buckwheat taken from the region’s yellow fields.
What to see:
Be sure to see the Woljeongsa Temple, a 1,400-year-old traditional red Buddhist temple encompassed by a sprawling fir tree coated in beautiful paintings and enchanting relics. The Woljoengsa houses national treasures such as the nine-story octagonal stone pagoda and the bronze bell of Sangwonsa temple. Also note that the PyeongChang Winter Olympics 2018 won’t be the only event in the county during February.
Daegwallyeong’s annual Snow Festival will already be in full swing by the time which is a stone throw away from the Olympic centre. Not only is it one of the biggest cultural events in Pyeongchang’s calendar, with thousands of tourists in town for the Olympics, 2018 it will likely be the biggest festival in Korean history! The firework display on 2 February will mark the start of the festival for two weeks of wintery celebrations.
What to pack
This year, as reported by Reuters, the extreme weather in PyeongChang is expected to be greeted with biting winds bringing the temperature down to minus 14 degrees Celsius. Which means your packing list should include thermal insulations, mittens and scarves, ski suits and pants, and UV protection for your skin. But don’t let this dampen your style. Luckily, the new season offerings have plenty of Après-ski chic separates to keep you warm pre-and-post hitting the slopes.
