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When to go · Gangneung

Gangneung in January

Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (crowds, peak hotel prices), Jan–Feb (cold, windy coast).

Key facts

Verdict
Avoid
Temperature
4°C (39°F) / −4°C (25°F)
average high / low
Rain days
5
Crowds
Low
South Korea overall
Prices
Low
South Korea overall

Verdict

AvoidBest and avoid months for Gangneung

Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (crowds, peak hotel prices), Jan–Feb (cold, windy coast).

Is another month better than January?

January is rated avoid. These months rate higher:

Weather in January

Long-term averages
  • GangneungHighs around 4 °C (39 °F), lows around -4 °C (25 °F), rain on about 5 days
  • Gangwon mountains and east coast, South Korea · Sokcho, Seoraksan, Gangneung, Pyeongchangcool

    Coldest region: ski season Dec–Feb, peak autumn colour mid-October in Seoraksan; summer beaches crowded in late Jul – Aug.

Festivals and holidays

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

  • Seollal (Lunar New Year) big impact

    About 5–8 Feb 2027 (lunar; incl. substitute day — check) · South Korea

    Three-plus days off: many restaurants and shops close, trains and buses sold out, palaces open (often free), Seoul quiet.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · South Korea overall
Low
Prices · South Korea overall
Low

South Korea overall: Cold and dry, low prices; ski in Gangwon; Seollal can fall late in the month — check.

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Gangneung, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Jan: Avoid

    May: Great (better)

  • Daytime high

    Jan: 4 °C (39 °F)

    May: 22 °C (72 °F)

  • Night low

    Jan: -4 °C (25 °F)

    May: 12 °C (54 °F)

  • Rain days

    Jan: 5 (better)

    May: 9

  • Crowds

    Jan: Low

    May: High

  • Prices

    Jan: Low

    May: High

  • Festivals listed

    Jan: 1

    May: 0

January: Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (crowds, peak hotel prices), Jan–Feb (cold, windy coast).

May: Inside Gangneung's best window: May–Jun, Sep–Oct.

Gangneung: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
  • Layers: a fleece or light jacket

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Across South Korea in January →