Hwacheon Market | Market Guide | K-Travel Mate

Hwacheon Market is a traditional marketplace located in the northernmost part of South Korea. Established in 1953 by displaced people who could not return north after the Korean War, the market consists of over 100 stores housed in a steel-frame polycarbonate sheet building. Most shops are clean and neatly arranged, selling specialty products and agricultural and marine goods produced directly in the clean area of Hwacheon, along with clothing, sundries, and everyday necessities. Due to the area's many military units, there is also a military goods store frequented by soldiers purchasing required items. Inside the market are well-known local restaurants including a Chinese restaurant famous in Hwacheon, as well as eateries serving sundae gukbap, gamjatang, and dumplings with a 20-year tradition, offering culinary delights to both residents and tourists. In particular, during the annual January Sancheoneo Festival, many visitors come to enjoy various hands-on experiences and events where they can catch or taste sancheoneo fish. Hwacheon Market is conveniently located in the central downtown area of Hwacheon-eup, near the bus terminal, Nonghyup, and Lotteria, with a public parking lot behind the market for easy parking. Nearby attractions include a riverside park with Hwacheon Bridge, Hwacheon Oil Market, and the rotary intersection tower. Hwacheon Market embodies the culture and history of Hwacheon, Gangwon Province, making it a recommended destination for tourists.