Where is PyeongChang and how can I visit the 2018 Winter Olympics host city?
Welcome to South Korean's coldest county, where temperatures can plummet to as low as -25 celsius
THIS year's Winter Olympics is set to get underway - and Pyeongchang is proven to be a hidden gem.
The South Korean province is hosting the Games and has been fittingly freezing, with temperatures plunging as far as -25 celsius.
But just where is it and can you visit yourself?
Where is Pyeongchang?
SITUATED around 110 miles east of the capital city Seoul, Pyeongchang is the name of the county and not an individual city or town.
Its terrain is rugged, with 84% of its territory covered by mountains which stand at over 2,300ft.
With a population of 6,162 people, Daegwallyeong-myeon is the main township in the area and is famous for having the lowest average temperatures in South Korea.
Popular with hikers, there is plenty to do in the area which has seen it become a honey pot for tourism over the last decade.
The two major ski resorts - Alpensia and Yongpyong - are hosting the Games and a specially built Olympic Village has been constructed for the athletes.
But even seasoned winter competitors are struggling with the wind chill in Pyeongchang, with many speculating if it is actually TOO cold.
Canadian skeleton racer Kevin Boyer has revealed: "The wind is the worst - you walk around the Olympic village and it is like a nightmare.
"It's funny because coming from Canada we talk about being used to the cold but this is a cold we haven't seen before."
Despite being relatively sparsely populated, the area also has a number of temples as well as, bizarrely, a petting zoo.
Snow cannons have been brought in by the organisers due to a lack of snowfall, and are on standby for if things don't improve for the Games.
How can I visit?
IF you love your winter sports, a trip to Pyeongchang completes a visit to South Korea.
A four-day tour of the Eastern side of the country can be booked for £560, including lift passes and equipment for your adventures on the slopes.
Flights from the UK can cost as little as £400 if you shop around, making South Korea an attractive and exciting new destination for many.
