Ice rink in Seoul attracts over 100,000 visitors in less than a month

Yonhap

SEOUL, January 14 (AJP) - Over 100,000 people have visited an ice rink in front of Seoul Plaza since its opening for this winter in mid-December, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said on Wednesday.

The ice rink, which runs until Feb. 8 after opening on Dec. 13 last year, has proven popular among citizens looking to enjoy winter activities at affordable prices, drawing an average of about 4,000 visitors a day, up from last winter's daily average of 3,269.

Visitors can skate from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Friday, with extended hours on Saturdays and public holidays, for just 1,000 Korean won or less than a buck, a price unchanged since the rink's first seasonal opening in 2004.

Free rentals of safety gear including helmets and knee pads are available, along with amenities and other facilities for users' convenience.

The rink's opening coincided with the city's winter festivities including a lantern festival along the Cheonggye Stream in central Seoul, allowing visitors to enjoy urban winter charms throughout the day.

An open-air market with makeshift booths selling agricultural produce and other specialty products is adding to the fun, drawing not only rink visitors but also nearby office workers.

In particular, farmers from Gunsan in North Jeolla Province are tempting passersby with same-day-harvested strawberries and winter snacks such as roasted sweet potatoes and cuttlefish, selling like hotcakes.

"The city government will continue to ensure the safety of all visitors, helping them make good winter memories," said Kim Myeong-ju, a Seoul city official.
Park Ja-yeon naturepark127@ajunews.com

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