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Republic of Korea or South Korea, consists of the southern part of the Korean Peninsula in East Asia and many islands located off the western and southern coasts. Actually big island South Korea's Jeju is also home to the country's highest mountain at 1,950 meters (6,398 feet). The country is mountainous. Basic demographics and industrial centers located in the northwest (Seoul-Incheon region) and southeast of the country.

It is established that the Koreans are descended from the Mongolian race. The periods of occupation also added Chinese and Japanese blood to the country's gene pool. But, despite all the borrowings from other cultures, the Koreans have retained their language, culture and customs. The Korean language belongs to the Ural-Altaic family of languages, which also includes Turkish and Mongolian dialects. Although Korean contains many words borrowed from Chinese, the two languages ​​are structurally very different. Linguistically, Korean is closer to Japanese.

In general, South Korea is often called the "land of opposites" - it combines ancient oriental traditions, the age-old wisdom of many generations and the most modern achievements of science and technology. So, being in the center of Seoul, one can easily get acquainted with the 5,000-year history of the country through colorful palaces and temples, and at the same time, South Korea remains a rapidly developing country in terms of industry, trade and commerce.

The best regions, cities and resorts of Korea

Although South Korea and small country, it has something to see for tourists from all over the world. One of the 7 new natural wonders of South Korea is an island that all visitors strive to visit, but sea ​​waters surrounding full of no less interesting islands with spectacular scenery and rich fishing opportunities.

Gangwon Province is famous for its unspoiled nature and national parks, of which rocky Seoraksan is the most visited. Also being in South Korea you can go to pristine beaches and visit the mysterious caves that surround Small town Samcheok.

Everything is interesting and colorful in this country - shopping centers and markets, ancient palaces and the Imperial Gardens, numerous provinces and islands. True, if you try to visit one by one local island per day, this could take more than nine years (South Korea has 3,358 officially designated islands along its coastline).

Tourists are curious about the demilitarization zone of Korea, the folklore of the villages of Andong and Hahoe, the national museum and historical sites of Gyeongju province, and much more. After all, South Korea is a place where traditions and modernity coexist, respect for the country's culture and history, worship of the heritage of ancestors and a thirst for continuous development.

A popular place to visit is the Korean Village. Her visit is an opportunity for a unique insight into the past. It houses fully functioning farmhouses, nobles and reconstructed houses from every province in Korea. It is home to a community of blacksmiths, potters, weavers and many other artisans who continue to live...

Video from Korea

How to get to Korea?

Not being able to travel to Korea by car or by rail, the vast majority of travelers arrive at the glittering Incheon International Airport; which is often referred to as "Seoul Incheon" on international flights. two major airlines countries are Korean Air and Asiana, with direct flights to a number of destinations around the world. Seoul is increasingly being offered as a stopover for round-the-world trips, and South Korea itself is served by dozens of international carriers. Fares increase during the summer months and around Christmas. When leaving Korea, an exit tax applies, but it will almost certainly be included in the ticket price.

The only way to get into South Korea by sea- leave China and Japan. A number of Chinese ports from which ferries depart are served by Incheon, and sea shipping to Busan is offered from Japanese carriers. Those arriving by ferry will be rewarded the most beautiful panoramas Korean coastline around Incheon.

Although South Korea is part of Eurasia, and is technically connected to the rest of it by rail, the existence of a demilitarization zone (DMZ) and North Korean customs means that the country is not currently accessible by land. However, if you are traveling to or from China or Japan, you can use a combination rail and ferry ticket, which offers substantial discounts.

vaccinations: Tourists do not need to be vaccinated.

How to comfortably move around Korea?

road traffic: car rental: Taxi: The most popular form of transport. Seoul taxis are divided into ordinary and "luxury". A regular taxi charges 1,000 won (a little over a dollar) for landing and the first 2 kilometers, then 100 won for 400 meters. From midnight to 4.00 - 20% surcharge.

buses: On intercity buses you can get to any city in the country.

hitch-hiking: airports: Incheon International Airport. The airport is located very close to the border with North Korea - only 40 km. This showed a cunning idea of ​​the South Koreans: on the one hand, the place for the airport was chosen, of course, not by chance, such proximity of the most strategically important transport hub of South Korea was supposed to demonstrate a level of trust to North Korea and become a kind of friendship sign.

airlines: railway: The National Railway Company provides passenger transportation between the main cities of the country.

ports: Sea passenger ships ply between cities located on the coast.
Sea cruises are one of the most interesting ways to travel in Korea. Ferries connect Busan and Jeju-do, Mokpo and Hongdo, Pohang and Ulleungdo by waterways.

Where is the best place to stay while traveling in Korea?

Korean hotels are divided into classes - these are super deluxe, first class, second class and third class. Connoisseurs of comfortable living in South Korea, of course, are offered expensive hotels that can be found in all cities and large tourist areas countries - in every major ...

Climate in Korea

When traveling in Korea, it is necessary to take into account the distinctive features of local weather conditions. So, winters here can be especially severe, summers - with heavy rains, and spring and autumn sometimes amaze with yellow dust storms that fly from all over the Yellow Sea. The weather can sometimes seem apocalyptic, but Koreans deal with it simply by wearing the right clothes.

Plan your trip to Korea according to the seasonal changes and this country will not disappoint you. The climate of Korea is colder than most countries along the 38th parallel. Like most countries in the northern hemisphere, it has four seasons, with colder weather in December and January and warm weather in June and July. Naturally, cities in the north, such as Seoul and Incheon, have a climate several degrees colder than cities in the south, such as Busan.

In contrast, Jeju Island in the south of the Korean Peninsula has a subtropical climate. Here, as a rule, it is always 5-10 degrees warmer than in the mainland. Winters in Korea are long, dry and very cold, with regular snowfall and average temperature a low of 14 degrees Fahrenheit in January. Summers are usually warm, humid and rainy. Most tourists prefer milder weather and come to South Korea in spring and autumn when rainfall is lower and temperatures are comfortable and pleasant. The rainy season in Korea is called changma and lasts from July to August. This is the typhoon season, which can bring severe storms and severe flooding. Seasonal yellow dust appears in South Korea in spring and autumn. Dust comes from Mongolia and China, from the Gobi desert during seasonal winds and hangs in the air for several days. During this time, Koreans wear surgical masks outside to protect themselves from the dust.

National cuisine of Korea

Korean food is one of the healthiest on earth, with a focus on vegetables, rice, meat and spices. Dishes are usually prepared quite quickly, simply and without a lot of oil, but with an abundant addition of kimchi, beloved by Koreans. Most of The food that exists in Korea today comes from royal and traditional cuisines.

Food is usually a harmonious combination of fresh produce, the right temperature and spices. The cornerstone of Korean food is rice, which is the basis of almost every meal, although it is sometimes replaced by noodles (though also rice noodles). Since Korea is a peninsula, seafood is also very popular here.

Starting with a ritual bowl of rice and soup, the main meal is built around numerous side dishes. The number of side dishes can vary from two to a dozen or more, but daily meals will include at least some of them. All meals are served at once - for example, a Korean banquet consists of many dishes prepared in a variety of ways, including steamed, simmered, fried and stewed, and sometimes served raw.

Tourist safety in Korea

South Korea is one of the safest countries for tourists, however, there are some nuances here that should be considered when traveling:

The typhoon season in South Korea usually lasts from June to November. Guests of the country need to monitor the course of approaching storms and follow the instructions of the authorities;

Dust pollution is very common in South Korea during the spring months. When dust particle concentration levels are high, residents and visitors are advised to stay indoors as much as possible, close windows and drink plenty of water. This is especially important for the elderly and people with respiratory problems;

If you want to enter North Korea from South Korea, you will need a special permit.

South Korean authorities occasionally hold nationwide civil emergency exercises. At this time, sirens sound everywhere, traffic stops, and people take refuge in subway stations or basements.

History of Korea

According to Korean legend, God King Tangun founded the Korean nation in British Columbia as early as 2333 BC. By the first century AD, the Korean peninsula was divided into the kingdoms of Silla, Goguryeo, and Baekje. The Kingdom of Silla unified the peninsula in 668 AD. ...

South Korea souvenirs

The best way to remember a place is to buy memorable souvenirs. When visiting South Korea, you can find many interesting items to purchase that will remind you of your trip for a long time to come. From Korea, they usually bring local porcelain, leather goods, paper fans and lanterns, calligraphic...

South Korea: interesting facts

• As in many Asian countries, South Korea uses the solar and lunar calendars, and celebrates holidays based on both systems.
• The country uses one time zone and is 9 hours ahead of GMT, just like Japan.

• Most Koreans work Monday through Friday and then half a day on Saturday mornings. Regular business hours are 9:00-6:00 during the week and 9:00-1:00 on Saturday.
• During national holidays, government offices and most businesses are closed, although many private shops and large department stores may remain open. The exceptions are the 3-day Lunar New Year holidays (Seol-NAL) and the Harvest Moon Festival (Chuseok), when almost everything is turned off except public transport.
• Although most people prefer western clothing (suits and jeans), the national costume, hanbok, is still worn by many during national holidays.
  White garments are preferred daily, while colored ones are reserved for the upper class or for festive occasions.

The southeastern region of Korea is the richest in historical and cultural monuments. The Buddhist culture of the Silla era and the Confucian culture of the Joseon era are perfectly preserved here. In addition, you can better understand the history and culture of the country by visiting Korean museums. IN state museums a rich assortment of imperishable artifacts is presented, confirming the rich five thousand-year history of Korea.

The hot summer in Korea falls on the period from June to early September. Among sea ​​resorts the most popular is Jeju Island. The mild tropical climate, lush vegetation and well-groomed natural beaches of the island are famous far beyond the borders of the country.

Korea is an incredibly mountainous country with big amount first class ski resorts. Heavy snowfalls in northern and eastern regions countries annually attract millions of tourists here who want to enjoy the view of mountain hills covered with snow and high mountain slopes. The Alpine town of Pyeongchang (Gangwon-do) has been selected as the venue for the 2018 Winter Olympics.

There are a great many hot springs throughout the country. Travelers can choose the most suitable option for them from a wide variety of sources, ranging from urban spas that combine saunas and jimchilbang (Korean public baths) to open-air hot springs located within water parks.

Korea has a large number of amusement parks and special theme parks. Lotte World in Seoul is one of the largest indoor amusement parks in the world, and Everland Park is famous for being one of the world's most visited amusement parks.

Although Korea has huge selection shopping places in the form of department stores, shopping centers and duty-free shops, authentic Korean shopping can only be experienced in traditional markets throughout the country.

If you are one of the people who like picturesque natural landscapes then Korea is perfect for your trip. There are about 21 national parks in the country, including three marine park. Korea is true real paradise for lovers of hiking.

South Korea: Oops, gangnam style!

South Korea ( official name country - the Republic of Korea) is famous for its ancient history and rich culture, the royal palaces of ancient dynasties and numerous fortresses, Buddhist monasteries and temples, healing mineral springs and attractive sandy beaches.

The amazing beauty of Korean natural, historical and cultural heritage persists despite difficult story countries. Starting from megalithic ruins and ancient tombs, ending magnificent palaces and solitary Buddhist temples, a huge number of sights and centuries-old traditions are included in the list of protected World cultural heritage by UNESCO. These cultural assets represent a valuable heritage received from the ancestors and serve as a reminder to future generations of the importance of national relics. Of particular note are the 40 Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty, Changdeokgung Palace, historical districts Gyeongju, Seokguram cave temple and Bulguksa temple, volcanic island Jeju and lava tubes.

But very close you can see another Korea, whose dynamics of life violates traditional stereotypes. A country where advanced IT technologies flourish, where life is seething day and night, where tradition and ultramodernity coexist in interconnection.

The Korean economic miracle is so well-deservedly called. In the middle of the last century, South Korea was a poor state, the population here lived much worse than in neighboring North Korea. Now the South is one of the dozen largest economies in the world, and there is no desire to even mention the North. The Koreans themselves also try not to think about their northern neighbor. According to the laws of the Republic of Korea, there is no such state as the DPRK at all. The Korean peninsula is depicted on local maps as a single country, the media also bypass this topic, however, the demilitarized zone near the border and tunnels dug in the rocks by militant northerners to move tanks are one of the main tourist attractions in South Korea.

The land of morning freshness, as the Koreans like to call their homeland, invariably continues to amaze travelers. Ecological "green" tourism has recently become a hot topic in Korea. Many parts of the country have begun to offer special walking and cycling tours, and have also begun to strive for slow development, which implies the preservation of local natural values ​​​​and traditional ways of life.

Of particular interest to tourists traveling in South Korea are traditional events such as templestay and hanokstey. Templestay is a unique opportunity to learn Buddhist culture by experiencing it on own experience. This program invites you to escape from the shackles of everyday life and feel inner peace. Cozy mountain temples, verdant forests, and refreshing breezes are what make Templestay in Korea so special. The Orders of Chogye and Cheongthae of Korean Buddhism provide the opportunity to live in Buddhist monasteries and join the ascetic lifestyle of monks.

Travelers who are interested in traditional accommodation and want to experience Korean hospitality should definitely try spending the night in a traditional Korean hanok house. Such houses are called living museums because they represent an outstanding example of the architectural traditions of ancient Korea and the social life of that era.

Advantages of South Korea - healing mineral springs and clean sandy beaches, magnificent monuments of ancient dynasties and excellent ski resorts. Modern Seoul, colorful Incheon and Jeju resort islands - all about South Korea: visa, map, tours, photos.

• Hot tours to South Korea
• Tours for May Worldwide

The country of morning freshness has long and firmly entered the top five most popular holiday destinations among the inhabitants of our Far East. Every week, charters full of Russian tourists rush from Primorsky Krai to first-class beach and ski resorts in South Korea with occasional flights to Seoul. The rest of Russia exhales enviously, because for them this is the same expensive exotic as Japan, Australia or the Philippines. However, when choosing a vacation from such countries, it is worth thinking about Korea 10 times.

A skyscraper tinted with 24-carat gold, a two-headed turtle, drunken bullfights, 50 varieties of tangerines, an old woman-divers for pearls, toilets with remote controls, ubiquitous Wi-Fi and sauerkraut ... No, this is not a wish list of a madman, but an everyday reality this small, but surprisingly picturesque and diverse country. But do not be afraid: the 22nd century that has come for them does not mean at all that tourists who are used to more conservative entertainment will have nothing to do in South Korea. They are waiting luxurious beaches Jeju Islands, well-equipped slopes of the South Korean Alps, ancient monasteries and pagodas.

Regions and resorts of South Korea

It is Gangnam that the song Gangnam Style is dedicated to, the video for which was included in the Guinness Book of Records for an unprecedented number of views and “likes” on YouTube.

Insadong Street is famous for its antique and handicraft shops, where you can buy everything from ceramic dishes to antique clocks. Open in Hongdae art galleries, vintage shops and trendy nightclubs, Itaewon is a gourmet paradise with a string of colorful restaurants. The Apgujeong district is home to expensive boutiques and department stores, and on the bustling Myeongdong Street is Korea's first Catholic cathedral.

The second largest after the capital - Busan with magnificent beaches. They are sandy, well-groomed and very picturesque here, the most popular is Haeundae with classic resort entertainment and a large aquarium. It is better to go on an excursion to the Geumjong-gu area, where there is an impressive temple complex Pomosa, for shopping - in the central Busanjingu, and for recovery - in Tonnegu with its famous spas.

Time difference with Moscow

6 hours

• with Kaliningrad

• with Samara

• with Yekaterinburg

• with Omsk

• with Krasnoyarsk

• with Irkutsk

• with Yakutsk

• with Vladivostok

• with Severo-Kurilsk

• with Kamchatka

Climate of South Korea

Most of the country is located in the temperate zone, where the seasons are clearly felt. Spring and autumn are rather short and warm, with the most sunny days from March to May. Summers are hot and humid, temperatures can reach up to +35 °C. Season monsoon rains("chanma") usually begins at the end of June and continues until the middle or end of July. August is hot and humid. Autumn in late September brings continental winds and clear, dry weather, making it the most pleasant time of the year. Winters are cold (up to −10 °C) and dry, with occasional precipitation in the form of snow or rain. The best time to visit the country is from the end of April to October. The ski season in Korea opens at the end of November and lasts until April.

Visa and customs

Citizens of Russia do not need a visa to enter South Korea for up to 60 days. But it is still worthwhile to issue a medical insurance policy for the entire duration of the trip in advance.

Import and export of national and foreign currency is not limited, cash over 10,000 USD must be declared. The amounts allowed for export are not exceeding those indicated in the declaration, which must be kept until leaving the country. The limit for the import and export of local currency is 8,000,000 KRW. When leaving, unspent funds can be exchanged for dollars, but only if there is a receipt from a local bank confirming the previous exchange for won. If there is none, a maximum of 100 USD will be exchanged at the border. Prices on the page are for November 2018.

Jewelry, expensive watches, photographic equipment, fur, firearms, knives and expensive foreign-made items are also subject to declaration. Persons over 19 years of age are allowed to import duty-free one liter bottle of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco, 60 ml of perfume, gifts worth up to 400 USD.

Coins, seeds, fresh fruits, walnuts, soil, potted plants, as well as pornography, political materials and any printed, audio and video products from communist countries are prohibited from being imported.

Pets require an international veterinary certificate issued no earlier than 30 days before entering South Korea, and a certificate of vaccination against rabies.

The export of antiques, precious metals and archaeological finds without special permission is prohibited.

tax free

South Korea has a Tax-free system: for purchases in the amount of 30,000 KRW, 10% VAT is returned. If the store is marked with the Global Blue logo, it is enough to ask at the checkout for a special form, enter your personal data and stamp it at customs upon exit, presenting the purchased goods in undamaged packages.

Tax-free refund counters are located in capital airports Incheon and Gimpo, as well as at the airport in Daegu. If the tax amount does not exceed 3,000,000 KRW (in Gimpo - 177,000 KRW), cash will be issued directly at the counter. Otherwise, stamped Tax-free receipts will have to be sent to the Global Blue office by mail and wait for the funds to be credited to a bank card.

How to get to South Korea

shopping

Traditional souvenirs: embroidery, porcelain, textiles and macrame, costume jewelry, paintings, masks, woodwork and shells, dolls in traditional costumes, fans. In the country they sell very beautiful lacquerware inlaid with mother-of-pearl (caskets, snuff boxes, etc.). Korea is the only country in the world where women have been pulling shells and other valuables from the bottom of the sea for centuries. "Hene", or "women of the sea" - stocky and broad-shouldered skuas, every day in any weather sinking to the bottom of the sea without any scuba gear. As you might guess, absolute matriarchy reigns in the families of these ladies: fragile Korean men have no chance to withstand the psychological pressure from their mighty swimmers.

Korea is the only country in the world where women have been pulling shells and other valuables from the bottom of the sea for centuries.

Korean pottery is a very elegant gift. When buying it, you should consider color, sound (we did not seal) and workmanship. If the ceramic has a transparent, smooth surface and clear sound, it is considered to be of high quality. We should not forget about ginseng. It can be bought at different types: tea, tinctures and extracts, dried, dried in honey, ginseng in syrup, in alcohol, there is even ginseng chocolate and lollipops.

Another worthy souvenir from Korea is the traditional hanbok costume. It can be bought at Dongdaemun, Gwangjang, Namdaemun and Insadong markets. These markets are good for their moderate prices, and at Insadong, on top of that, you can pick up hanbok of the most fashionable design.

It is worth paying attention to Korean antiques: interior items, calligraphy, ceramics, books, etc. The largest accumulation of valuable goods is observed in the Seoul Changanpyong market. But it should be remembered that it is forbidden to export items older than 50 years from the country.

Large department stores are open from 10:30 to 20:00, small shops open earlier and close later on any day of the week. In Seoul and other major cities in Korea, there are ample opportunities for shopping: many arcades, department stores, duty-free shops, specialized shopping areas, and finally markets (where most purchases are made) are open.

South Korea

Cuisine and restaurants of South Korea

In Korea, 4 are presented at once national cuisines: actually Korean, Chinese, Japanese and European. In all settlements of the country there are many restaurants, canteens and eateries of various profiles. Japanese restaurants- the most expensive and prestigious. Chinese - simpler, the dishes there are divided into two categories: "siksa" and "eri". "Sixa" - relatively cheap (3000-6000 KRW) and easy to prepare, "eri" - noticeably more expensive (10,000-40,000 KRW), complex, prepared only in large portions - enough for at least two.

European restaurant in Korea, a place where is going a middle-class person when he wants to eat something unusual. The menu in most of these meals is not very diverse: the main and often the only dish is "tonkasy", a kind of schnitzel baked in a thin layer of dough.

In Korea, they eat a lot of rice: they make chhaltok bread, pabi porridge, spicy pilaf with vegetables bibimbap, gimbap rolls and other goodies. They are most often served as a side dish "kimchi" - all kinds of pickled, salted and pickled, spicy seasoned vegetables. The most popular soups are soy "sundubu-chige" with clams and eggs, spicy "hemulthan" with seafood, rich "galbithan" with beef ribs and burning fish soup "meunthan".

The main extreme of Korean cuisine is Posintang dog meat soup. True, now it is prepared extremely rarely - the indignation of the West has yielded results.

Of the meat treats, it is worth trying marinated beef “bulgogi” in sesame oil and soy sauce, grilled beef “kalbi” ribs, chicken “takkalbi” stew and dumplings “mandu”. Seafood dishes are also held in high esteem: raw hwe fish, fried sanseong gui, hemul jeongol stew, bajeong flatbread, odjino bokkeum squid and nakji octopus.

For dessert, fruits are usually served, and instead of tea, they drink a variety of decoctions and tinctures. Of the drinks with a degree, the most popular are McCory rice wine and Soju rice liquor.

The cheapest food is sold on the streets: tortillas for 500-1000 KRW, dumplings for 2000-3000 KRW, octopus "koloboks" for 2000 KRW, battered shrimp for 4000 KRW - tasty, satisfying and safe. In unpretentious cafes, it is also inexpensive for locals: 5,000-10,000 KRW for lunch for two. A burger in a Western fast food restaurant will cost 9000 KRW, a coffee in a coffee shop - 4000-5000 KRW. Dinner with alcohol in a good restaurant - 30,000-50,000 KRW per person.

Korean restaurants are the most versatile and democratic, both in terms of prices and audience. Man and designer Artemy Lebedev tells doubting tourists: if you want to dine in a guaranteed good restaurant, look for the official sign with a white flower on the facade of the institution, where it says: Good Restaurant.

Guides in South Korea

Entertainment and attractions

Multifaceted South Korea is an incredible mix of ancient sights and modern monuments. It is better to start acquaintance with them in Seoul - the impressions will definitely last for a long time.

The most spectacular architectural structures - royal residences in the traditional Korean style, united in the Five Great Palaces group. The largest is Gyeongbokgung Palace, built in 1395, almost immediately after the ascension to the throne of the Joseon Dynasty.

The throne room of Geunjeongjeong is full of colorful paintings and animal figures, the Gyeonghoeru pavilion rises on 48 granite columns, and on main square Like many centuries ago, there is a changing of the guard every day.

Thermal springs and water parks in South Korea

Koreans take care of their own health and love to combine business with pleasure. Proof of this is the unique water parks, where there are baths in healing thermal springs, and all kinds of attractions. For example, "Seorak Waterpia" (off. site in English) at the foot of the Seoraksan Mountains is famous for its 49-degree water with alkaline components and negative ions, useful for arthritis, geriatric and neuralgic diseases. And after relaxing in hot tubs, you can have fun on steep slides, seething waterfalls, playgrounds and wave pools.

The pride of the Danyang Aquaworld water park (off. site in English) - outdoor baths with great view to the mountains. For children there is a separate swimming pool, for couples in love - special spas and saunas, for those who want to improve their health - baths with mineralized water, hydromassage and other procedures.

Asan Spavis Water Park (Chungcheongnam-do Province) offers relaxation in saunas with yellow clay and aroma baths with jasmine.

The famous “SpaPlus” was opened in Incheon (official website in English), where traditional Korean saunas (amethyst, jade, oxygen, clay, coal) and unusual pools (herbal, fruit, pine and even wine) are equipped. In the park "Bugok" Hawaiian island” (Gyeongsangnam-do province) relax in caves, and in Greenland (Gwangju) - in baths with healer fish.

Holidays and events

Holidays in South Korea are celebrated noisily and brightly. On the 8th day of the 4th month lunar calendar happy birthday to Buddha: hang paper lanterns symbolizing enlightenment, decorate houses with flowers, arrange theatrical processions. And be sure to water the Buddha figurines with sweet flower tea, washing away all the bad things that happened during the year.

Seollal, Korean New Year in late January - mid-February, until it became an official holiday, but is celebrated with love and respect for traditions. Families get together and hold a “sebe” ceremony: young people in national costumes bow to their older relatives as a sign of honor, and they, in turn, reward their descendants with money.

Traditional New Year's dishes are tteok glutinous rice cakes and tteokguk soup with these dumplings.

On August 1, the Busan Sea Festival starts: a week of general fun on city beaches. Concerts, exhibitions, sports competitions, master classes, free lessons in rowing, scuba diving and kayaking - there are interesting activities for everyone. On April 5, trees are planted, on October 3, the birth of the state is remembered, and on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar (usually in September-October), celebrations are held in the royal palaces of Seoul in honor of the Chuseok harvest festival.

Tours South Korea

Country Information

Represents an example harmonious combination modern high-rise buildings ancient buildings. Seoul is the center of cultural and business life of the whole country.

You have the opportunity to visit royal palaces, ancient and cultural monuments. Famous amusement parks, a water park with water slides and bright colorful festivals.

Memo by country

The capital is Seoul. Big cities- Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, Daejon, Jeju-do.
Geography. Korea is located on the Korean Peninsula, which stretches from north to south for 1100 km. From the west the country is washed by the Yellow Sea, from the east by the Eastern Sea. Democratic Republic Korea (South Korea) and communist North Korea separated by a demilitarized zone. 70% of the country's territory is occupied by mountains. Administratively, South Korea consists of 9 provinces, the capital Seoul and 6 metropolitan cities: Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Kwaju, Daejeon and Ulsan.
Currency . Won.
Banks and exchange offices.

Money can be exchanged at banks, specialized exchange offices and large hotels. The difference between the official and market dollar exchange rate is negligible. The network of banks in South Korea is very developed. They work on weekdays from 9:30 to 16:30, on Saturday - until 13:30, Sunday is a day off. ATMs are installed in hotels, department stores, metro stations, tourist sites and operate from 9:30 to 22:00, some - around the clock. VISA, American Express, Diners Club, Master Card and JCB credit cards are accepted in large hotels, department stores and restaurants.

Cuisine and restaurants.

Four national cuisines are presented to Korea at once: actually Korean, Chinese, Japanese and European. In all settlements countries - a lot of restaurants, canteens and snack bars of a very different profile: as they say, for every taste and budget. Japanese restaurants are the most expensive and prestigious. Chinese ones are simpler, all dishes there are divided into two categories: “siksa” and “yori”. "Sixa" - relatively cheap and easy to prepare dishes. "Yori" are noticeably more expensive, often sophisticated dishes that are prepared only in large portions, designed for at least two. A European restaurant in Korea is the place where a middle-class person goes when they want to eat something out of the ordinary. The menu in most of these restaurants does not differ in variety: the main and often the only dish is "tonkasy" - a kind of schnitzel baked in a thin layer of dough. Korean restaurants are the most versatile and democratic, both in terms of prices and audience.

Customs.

Foreign currency can be imported in the amount declared at the entrance. An entry declaration must be completed when importing jewelry, expensive watches, photographic equipment, furs, firearms, knives and expensive foreign-made items. Duty-free allowed to import one liter bottle of alcohol, 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 gr. Tobacco, 60 ml. perfumes, backups up to 300,000 KRW (~ 250 USD). It is forbidden to export antiques without special permission. Any printed and other materials that are contrary to the constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, threaten public safety, reveal state secrets, or can be used for espionage purposes are prohibited from importing. Coins are prohibited from being imported. If any items prohibited for import were confiscated from you when entering South Korea, you can get them back when you return home on the basis of a document that will be issued upon seizure. It is forbidden to export antiques without special permission. Flammable items, aerosols, hairspray, lighter gas and piercing objects, should be packed in luggage, as they will not be allowed on the plane in hand luggage.

Entertainment, excursions and attractions

Western tourists, once in South Korea, first of all go to the border with North Korea, to the DMZ - the Demilitarized Zone, or to one of the ten sites included in UNESCO.

The Seoraksan Mountains on the coast of the East Sea, 200 km east of Seoul, are part of the Geumgangsan (“Diamond Mountains”) range, considered one of the most scenic spots in the world.

Incheon is the center of the pottery industry. Its main attractions are: the village of potters, thermal springs, Museum of Ceramics; Chayu Park, Munkaksanson Fortress, a Confucian school created in the Joseon era, Songdo-wonji Park with two artificial lakes and a good beach on one of them.

Ganghwa Island lies in the Yellow Sea northwest of the center of Incheon. There are 120 dolmens on it, including the largest in the country (7.1 m wide and 2.6 m high). The main attractions are the altar of Tangun, the legendary founder of the nation, the fortress walls and forts of the 15th-19th centuries, the monastery of Chongdynsa.

Suwon is famous for the ancient fortress of Hwaseong (1794-1796). Other attractions are the Everland amusement park, the huge Caribbean Bay water park with artificial waves and water slides, the folk village, the Syllux Temple in Yeoju, the tomb of Sejong the Great in the vicinity of Yeoju.

Gyeongju in the southeast of the country is the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla. Here are the oldest Buddhist temple Bulguksa (“Buddha Kingdom Monastery”) with the world-famous “Emile” bell, Thumuli Park, Oneung (“Five Tombs”), Cheomseongdae (the oldest observatory that has survived to this day), National Museum Gyeongju and resort complex on Lake Pomun. The world-famous and unique cave temple Seokguram near the top of Mount Tkhohamsan.

Busan: Taejongdae Park on the cape of Yongdo Island, Yongdusan Park, Hale National Marine Park, Haeundae and Gwanalli beaches, Thondosa Monastery - Buddhist relics, many beautiful statues are stored in it. In the northern part of the city, there is Geumgang Park and Dongnae Hot Springs. Every October, Busan hosts the Busan International Film Festival, one of Asia's most influential film forums.

Daegu: Haeinsa Monastery and its repository Tripitaka Koreana (the most complete collection of Buddhist canons in East Asia), Chikchisa Buddhist monastery with thousand-year-old columns and thousands of small Buddha statues.

Andong: Cradle of Confucianism. In the past, this city was famous for great scientists and numerous Confucian temples and schools, today there are 26 such temples. Its main attractions are the traditional Korean village of Hahoe with the Museum of Masks, the Confucian temples of Dosan and Byeonsan, the temple of Bongjongsa.

The main and favorite entertainment of all Koreans- luxuriate in natural hot springs, interspersing relaxed bliss with crazy descents on water slides. So the Seorak Waterpark, located next to the Seoraksan Mountains, one of the main attractions of the east coast of Korea, does not complain about the lack of public. People come there to relax in the hot springs, improve their health in the spa or undergo a massage course. Sorak Aquaworld is a real water resort, consisting of an open water park, a spa with mineral springs and a recreation area. It has a breathtaking 70-meter waterslide.

Asan Spavis - outdoor hot springs where you can bathe even in cold weather. This center has jasmine pools, a cave pool, a yellow clay sauna and a large outdoor swimming pool.

hot spring park and how many pools Incheon Spa Plus is located just an hour from Seoul. "Bugok-Hawaiian Island" is located in Channwen-gun and has been known since ancient times. Its pavilion contains a standard swimming pool, waterslides, children's pool, steam cave, chiropractic cave, infrared ray cave, hot spring steam bath, waterfall, hot spring steam and outdoor bath

Golf is a very popular sport in South Korea. There are currently 156 golf clubs in the country on the mainland and 16 on Jeju Island.

Jeju Island. Features of the island - statues of solidified lava, reminiscent of the sculptures of Easter Island, but smaller. Apart from natural beauties the island has an interesting folklore village, a unique temple, numerous volcanic grottoes, as well as the main attraction - Mount Hallasan, the highest on the island (1950 m.), dormant volcano with a krator on top. national park Hallasan, Gwangdoken Pavilion in the center of Gojeju, Jeju Museum of Natural History and Folklore, Mok Sok Won Garden, Iho Beach, Yomiji Botanical Garden, Adok Valley, Sanbangulsa Rock Temple, Jeonbang Waterfall, Seongeup Village Museum, Manjangul Cave.