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Ni, Volkova: South Korea. Guidebook with a map. South Korea travel guide Download Korea travel guide

As always, we complete our independent travel to South Korea the final article from which you will learn how to travel around the country on your own and by hitchhiking, where to look for an entry, how to find cheap food, and in general about our budget and route.

Travel map.

Cheap food and prices.

The currency unit of South Korea is Korean out. At the time of our stay in the country 1000 won \u003d 1 $ or 35 rubles.

We exchanged currency in one of the bank branches, at the airport the rate is slightly worse than in the city.

Some examples of other prices:

  • attractions - purely symbolic no more than 5,000 won ($ 5).
  • clothes - on sale you can buy for the same money as we have in Russia from 5,000 won. For example, I bought a pure Korean sweatpants good quality for 40,000 won (I had to bargain really hard).
  • bus fares average 800 to 4000 won (varies by distance)
  • food in a cafe - an average price of 4000 or 5000 won, can be found both cheaper and more expensive.

Lodging and listings.

Since we are talking about one of the most expensive Asian countries, and we are budget travelers, there can be no question of hotels. Although once we managed to spend the night in a motel thanks to the compassion of one hospitable Korean. If I read the price tags on the booth correctly, the room cost him up to 60,000 won.

Only once we pitched our tent somewhere in the forest, leaving the motorway late in the evening. The rest of the time I was able to live at guests or churches. South Korean churches are the best option for a hitchhiker, because more often than not, even if the "padre" is not there, other people try to help us instead.

Only once we were denied an overnight stay in the church, but even then there were guys who helped find a roof over our heads for 3 days.

In the capital, and in other big cities (if you're lucky), you can use - th. For example, in Seoul we were lucky, but in the rest settlements I had to think about housing on my own. If you like to think things through in advance, I advise you to use the search for cheap hotels around the world.

Koreans.

If you carefully read all that is written above and were not too lazy to read the articles, then you are surely convinced that Koreans are one of the most pleasant Asian peoples.

Very well mannered, cultured, hospitable and dependable. We are ready to sacrifice our personal time and even work to help or “save” the tourist. With all their curiosity, they do not stare and try not to interfere.

It is not difficult for them to treat them with food or even arrange a whole dinner for a guest of the country. And to drive the extra 50 km in the opposite direction is not a problem at all. In this way, they are very similar to the Omanis, and they deserve our love for themselves, as a nation, for a long time!

Personal review.

Despite the fact that Korea is not a cheap country, it is very comfortable to travel around it thanks to the sincerity and hospitality of the locals.

In the first couples, you may have to deny yourself something, and after a couple of days you already find cheap options for food, and how to see the sights for free. In addition, Koreans are not too keen on controlling foreigners, as, for example, in Sri Lanka.

If we consider the country from the point of view of an ordinary tourist, then perhaps the most interesting places in Seoul, Gyeongju, and Jeju Island. For the sophisticated traveler, the country will be disposable. Perhaps we have not visited all of them, but we have already seen a lot in other countries.

Today I am as short as ever :). If you have any questions, we can talk in the comments to the article, and we say goodbye to you, dear friends, until the next country. As I promised further, we will begin to publish articles on the topic of travel to Central Asia. Thanks for attention!

There are not as many travel guides to Korea as we would like. Even fewer have been published in Russian. This is partly why the one you are reading now was created. For those who like to hold a paper version of a travel guide in their hands, I will try to briefly tell you what kind of guide you can buy when planning a trip to Korea.

Korea Travel Guide Series Russian Guide. Polyglot". The most up-to-date travel guide to Korea today. The information is presented simply and conveniently enough. It's nice to use the guide. But the brevity of the presentation confuses. Suitable only for those who do not want to go into all the details of Korean life, and who do not plan a long trip around the country. For a week trip or just fine.


The Active Traveler's Guide "Step by Step"
... The book is good, very detailed and complete. There is no more detailed guidebook in Russian at the moment. But there are also disadvantages - the information is largely outdated. Korea is developing dynamically, therefore, information about Korean public transport and opening hours of cultural institutions should be checked separately. Sometimes the authors of this guide use dubious transcriptions of Korean names, but this is the common problem of translating proper names from into Russian.

Korea Travel Guide Publishing House Le Petit Fute". There is almost nothing to praise this guide. The information is outdated, and even that is presented very briefly and inconveniently. There are almost no maps. The guidebook is quite inconvenient to use. I do not recommend buying.

If there are no problems in studying the travel guide about Korea in English, then the best option is probably

Seoul is the heart of South Korea and a city where more than half of the country's population lives. The capital was badly damaged during the Korean War and, one might say, was rebuilt. The city strives to be the best: here is the world's longest metro line, the largest indoor amusement park, and in general life is in full swing!

Gangnam District

And the locals are even more obsessed with work, perfect appearance (according to statistics, half of the female population has had plastic surgery at least once in their lives) and beauty.

Korean women

This material contains a detailed guide to the capital with a description of attractions, transport, hotels, markets and shopping centers.

Read also:

How to get to Seoul from Russia and South Korean cities?

If you fly from Russia to South Korea, you will almost certainly arrive in the capital, although there are also flights to Busan. Direct flights to Seoul are operated from several cities in Russia: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk, Khabarovsk, Vladivostok, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk by such airlines as Korean Air, Asiana, Aeroflot, S7.

The cheapest flights from Vladivostok: the average price is 13-14 thousand rubles in the off-season, and 18-20 thousand. rubles in summer both ways. However, Jeju Air rarely, but arranges sales in this direction, you can fly for 6-8 thousand rubles round trip.

In Seoul, you will fly to international Airport Incheon, which is quite far from the city. You can get to the center by special trains to the Seoul railway station.

Read also:

Seoul has excellent connections with other cities in the country, which is quite logical. Most of the domestic flights arrive at Gimpo Airport, 18 km from the city. From here it is very easy to get to the center by metro or buses.

Intercity buses arrive in Seoul from all over the country, so there are several bus stations in the city: Dong Seoul (east station, buses from eastern South Korea and from main cities), Nambu Terminal (cities south of the capital), Seoul Exspress Bus Terminal (here express trains arrive).

There are also several railway stations in Seoul, but the main one - Seoul Station - is located almost in the city center and receives trains of different classes from other cities.

Cheonggyecheon Stream in the center of Seoul

Transport in the city, metro

Seoul is very well developed public transport, so getting somewhere in the city is very easy, in case of emergency, a taxi is at your service. Transport operates from early morning until midnight.

I recommend buying a T-money transport card immediately upon arrival, it allows you to save time and money in any city in South Korea, so it will be useful to you in the future. It offers a 100 won discount on every metro or bus ride compared to buying a single ticket. In addition, you can travel for free by another type of transport if you make a change within 30 minutes. For example, change from metro to bus and pay only for metro.

This card costs differently (2000-3000 won) and is sold in special machines in the subway and in supermarkets. You can also top up your balance there.

City buses

Buses differ in color: red express trains go to the suburbs, blue ones too, but at a closer distance, green ones connect the metro to areas where there is none, yellow ones go within the same district. The fare depends on the distance.

Underground has a very developed and huge network of lines and stations, including the suburbs and even neighboring cities. The fare for a T-money card is from 1250 won and also depends on the distance.

Read also:

Seoul Subway

Seoul landmarks

If you come to Seoul, then you cannot miss the top attractions of this city:

  • Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung royal palaces
  • City TV Tower N Seoul Tower
  • Myeongdong Shopping Street
  • Gangnam District
  • The futuristic Dongdaemun Design Plaza and Seoul City Hall

At Changdeokgung Palace

Near Gyeongbokgung Palace

TV tower N Tower

I advise you to stroll through the numerous parks, go to the Everland and Lotte World amusement parks, and visit the COEX Aquarium.

Read also:

: top 15 places with photos, descriptions and useful information

Hotels in Seoul

The choice of accommodation in Seoul is really great: there are hostels, guest houses, mid-range hotels, and good-quality hotels. Prices are slightly higher than the national average and start at $ 12-15 per bed in a hostel. A double room for two can be taken for $ 30-40.

Where to look for accommodation in Seoul?

Look at the hotel aggregators and they collect information from many booking systems in one place and give it to you for comparison.

Apartments in Seoul can be rented through - this option will be convenient for large companies, families with children and just people who want to feel at home even on a trip.

I recommend taking a closer look at the Myeongdong and Dongdemun areas and looking for housing there. This is the very center of the city, close to many attractions, there are several metro lines and buses, shopping centers and whole food streets.

Entertainment

In addition to the aforementioned Everland and Lotte World amusement parks, the COEX Aquarium, go to a K-Pop music concert for a real immersion in modern Korean pop culture.

K-Pop Music Concert

Shopping centers, markets

Seoul is considered one of the best cities in the world for shopping, so shopping lovers, get ready!

The Republic of Korea (pronounced daehang mingguk in Korean), or unofficially South Korea, is a country located in East Asia, in the south of the Korean Peninsula, with the capital in Seoul.

South Korea shares a border in the north with North Korea - the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The so-called demilitarized zone runs along this land border. On all other sides, South Korea is surrounded by the sea (length coastline - 2,413 km): the Yellow Sea in the west, the East China Sea in the south, the Japan Sea in the east.

People on the territory of Korea settled already in the Neolithic era. At the beginning of our era, three rival kingdoms - Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje - were developing on the Korean Peninsula. The largest and most powerful kingdom was the Goguryeo kingdom, which was in a state of permanent war with the Chinese Song and Tang dynasties. In the 5th-7th centuries, the kingdom of Silla gained influence, which seized the entire territory of the Korean Peninsula, forcing the remnants of the troops of the kingdom of Goguryeo to take refuge in the territory of the present Chinese province of Jilin in Manchuria, where they founded the state of Parhe in 698, destroyed by the Chinese in 926. All three kingdoms were united during the Goryeo dynasty, which came to power in 918. Founded in 1392, the Joseon Dynasty ruled Korea until 1910. Between 1592 and 1598, Japan tried to conquer Korea, and in the 1620s, Manchuria, which was soon conquered by the Chinese Ming Dynasty in turn. After that, the Joseon dynasty came under the rule of the Chinese Qing dynasty.

In 1876, Japan forced Korea to open up to foreign trade. Japan has always sought to suppress Korean national identity, and in 1910 Korea signed with the country rising sun annexation treaty. After Japan's defeat in 1945, according to the UN plan, the northern part of Korea was given to the control of the USSR, and the United States got the southern zone of influence, which led to the emergence of two separate states on the Korean Peninsula - North and South Korea.

This was followed by a period of military conflicts, coups and revolutions - the so-called period of the six republics, which ended with the victory of democratic forces in South Korea: in 1987, democratic elections were held in the country, and in 1992 the first civilian president was elected.

Current time in Seoul:
(UTC +9)

Today South Korea is a state with a fairly developed economy, becoming an interesting new tourist destination, and attracting thousands of visitors from all over the world from year to year. The country is famous for its protected areas that are suitable for ecotourists; ancient Buddhist structures, interesting for lovers of cultural tourism; sandy beaches Jeju Islands that attract fans beach holiday, diving and surfing.

How to get to South Korea

Plane

In the vast majority of cases, tourists arrive by plane in Seoul. The capital of South Korea is served by two airports - Incheon and Gimpo, international flights arrive at the first.

You can fly directly from Russia to Seoul from Moscow (with Aeroflot and Korean Air), Khabarovsk and Vladivostok (Asiana), as well as St. Petersburg (seasonally) and Irutsk (Korean Air). From other cities of Russia to the Asian metropolis by this moment can be reached by regular flights with connections in the listed cities.

An almost direct flight is available to residents of St. Petersburg - Finnair operates non-stop flights on the Helsinki - Seoul route. And thanks to Allegro trains Northern Capital the Finnish capital is only a couple of hours away. However, this option is only suitable for those who have Schengen, otherwise it is better to use the same Finnair, but in a connecting version, since Helsinki Airport is quite comfortable and pleasant.

Naturally, you can fly through Moscow, this option is most suitable for the cities of central Russia, up to the Urals. There are other options, we have listed them below. In addition, many European airlines operating in Russia fly to Seoul (Lufthansa, Czech Airlines, KLM and others), but flying with them seems illogical because of the big "hook", but it may make sense if you participate in various loyalty programs of European carriers.

Ferry

Cities and regions

South Korea is administratively divided into 9 provinces (1 of them autonomous), 1 city of special status and 6 metropolitan cities. These units, in turn, are subdivided into a number of smaller entities: cities, counties, municipal districts, townships, volosts, urban areas and villages.

Seoul is the capital of South Korea, founded on the site of a late 14th century settlement called Hanyang. The settlement in which the royal Palace Kyung-bok, was soon fortified. In 1910 - 1942 the city was called Gyeongsong, and its current name - Seoul (from Korean - "capital"), received in 1945. Since 1948, Seoul has been the official capital of the Republic of Korea and its main economic, political and cultural center.

Incheon is a major metropolitan city (the third most populous in Korea) and a port on the coast of the Yellow Sea... Incheon, with its large port, is the "gateway to Seoul", and to some extent belongs to Greater Seoul. Seoul and Incheon transportation systems (in particular - subway lines) related.Incheon has a free economic zone established in 2003.

People settled in the territory of Incheon already in the Neolithic era. From the end of the IV century. This city became a major trade center in Korea, and remained so throughout the Middle Ages. In 1883, the port of Chemulpho was founded in the city, which was one of the first to open for trade with foreigners. Incheon Harbor is famous for being started in 1904 russo-Japanese War - here the Japanese squadron attacked on a Russian cruiser"Varyag", which was sunk, but did not surrender to the enemy. In 1950, Incheon was also the site of the American landing party, which was a turning point in the Korean War.

E Inch Hon includes Yeongjong, Wolmi and Mui Islands... Yeongjong Island attracts tourists from the Oh mountains Begun-san with Yonggun monastery-sa and mineral springs with a SPA complex.

Gwangju is the capital of South Jeolla province, a metropolitan city located in central Korea, surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes. Gwangju is a renowned cultural and scientific center of the country. The city was founded in 57 BC. e. Since 370, the city, then called Hanam Wireson, has been the capital of the Baekje state. The name Gwangju was adopted in 940.

One of the suburbs of Gwangju, Punwonni, is a ceramics production center known since the 15th century, it is here that most of the Korean white porcelain has always been produced.

IN recent times Gwangju is a modern metropolis with a developed infrastructure. It still remains a major center for the Korean ceramics industry. The city is home to many attractions, including the Chongjinam Christian Temple (18th century), Namhanson Fort (1626), State Museum with an extensive archaeological and ceramic collection.

Among the activities of Gwangju are the Tomato Festival with fairs and competitions, the World Ceramics Exhibition and the annual September White Ceramics Festival.

Busan is the second largest city in the country with the status of a metropolitan city, located on the south coast of Korea. Busan is home to a large city port, which ranks fourth in the world in terms of cargo turnover.

Daegu is the fourth largest city in South Korea (after Seoul, Busan and Incheon), the capital of Gyeongsangbuk-do province. Administratively, it is a city of direct subordination. Throughout its history, Daegu has been a major transportation hub on the route from Seoul to Busan.

People on the territory of Daegu have been settling since 1500-3000. BC e. The city was founded in 261. According to chronicles, during the time of the Three Kingdoms, Daegu was called Delgubel, and was part of the Kingdom of Silla. The city received its modern name - Daegu - in 757. Market trade developed in Daegu from the 15th century. The most famous of the ancient markets is Yannyonsi, a herbal market that is still active today.

Daegu attracts tourists with the following attractions: Apsan Park with Buddhist temples and the Korean War Museum; Phalgonsan Park with many monasteries; Talson Park, located in ancient fortress; amusement park Turyu.

Gyeongju is a large Korean city located in the southeastern part of Gyeongsangbuk-do province on the coast of the Sea of \u200b\u200bJapan. Due to its cultural and historical heritage, Gyeongju has been a recognized tourist center of Korea for many years, is included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List, and attracts many tourists.

The first documentary evidence of the existence of a city on the site of today's Gyeongju dates back to the beginning of our era. The city was probably founded in 57 BC. e. In the 4th - 10th centuries, the city was the capital of the state of Silla, and from the 7th century it was a recognized cultural center of the country. In 940, Gyeongju received its current name, and soon lost its meaning. Until the 20th century, when archaeological research began in the city, historical monuments Gyeongju has been destroyed and plundered many times. New development both industrial and tourist centre the city received only from the 1970s.

Tourists visiting Gyeongju today experience Silla's cultural heritage in National Museum Gyeongju, famous for its rich collection of archaeological items. In addition, among the local attractions stand out the grotto, the ruins of the once large temple of Hwangnyong-sa with the surrounding sculptures of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and the remains of the Bunhwang-sa monastery (7th century); the royal necropolis of Kerim in the city center, the old observatory Chomseongdae (647). In addition, in the city it is worth visiting the Sokku-ram cave temple (8th century) and the ancient Bulguk-sa monastery rebuilt on the Toham-san hill (528), as well as several fortresses from the times of the Silla state.

Jeju, or Jeju, is the most large island Korea and at the same time the smallest province of the country with the administrative center of the same name in the city of Jeju. The island is located in the Korea Strait, 100 km from the southern coast of the country, and is considered one of the the best resorts Korea. The island is home to the legendary haenyo, who dive down to 10m.

Jeju Island was formed as a result of the eruption of the Halla-san volcano (height 1950 m), now considered extinct. Solidified lava flows have formed bizarre reliefs in the form of grottoes, caves, tunnels and pillars on the slopes of the volcano. Here was formed National park, which is home to about 2000 species of plants and 4000 species of animals. For its uniqueness, the island was included in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List.

Until 662, Jeju, then called Thamna, was a separate state, after which it was conquered by Silla. In 938, after the fall of Silla, the island came under the rule of Koryo. During the Japanese protectorate in 1910, Jeju was renamed Saishu (for the convenience of pronunciation by the Japanese), and after the liberation of Korea from the Japanese, became part of it. In the second half of the 20th century, Jeju Island began to develop as a major tourist center.

Isle, holiday season which lasts from July to September, is famous for its beaches. There are beaches with both white fine sand and black volcanic sand. The coastal waters are rich in flora and fauna, making the island a center of attraction for diving enthusiasts. In addition to diving in the coastal waters of Jeju Island, windsurfing, snorkeling and fishing are popular.

On the southern coast of the island, there is a fairly large city of Sogipo, surrounded by tangerine plantations. It is worth visiting the Mandarin Museum and Chonban Falls, the only waterfall in Asia that pours water into the ocean. Another resort on the island - Chunmun - is famous for its beaches and the nearby volcanic columns of Chusan Cholli-de. Near the Gimnyeong resort, it is worth seeing the Monchang-gul cave - a lava cave that is the longest in the world: its length is 13,422 m, and its height is about 10 m.

Sights of South Korea

Attractions in Korea can be found in abundance throughout its territory. Of particular interest to tourists are UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites.

  • Megalithic structures - dolmens
  • Hwaseong Fortress (Diamond Fortress)
  • Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty
  • Seokguram Cave Temple and Bulguksa Temple Complex
  • Kyoju State Museum
  • Demilitarized Zone and Panmunjon Peace Village

If you decide to limit yourself to the capital of South Korea, or your path will lie through it (and in most cases it does), then we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the list of attractions in Seoul, and with the page of the city as a whole.

Where to go in South Korea

sights

Museums and galleries

Entertainment

Parks and recreation areas

Leisure

Transport

Wellness holiday

Private guides in South Korea

Russian private guides will help you learn more about South Korea.
It is registered on the project Experts.Tourister.Ru.

What to do in South Korea

South korea beaches

Due to its geographic location, Korea is a recognized Asian beach destination. Listed below the most interesting beaches South Korea, from the links you can get detailed information - location, photos, infrastructure and other nuances.

Alpine skiing in South Korea

Alpine skiing is a very popular active pastime in Korea. There are over ten famous ski resorts in the mountains, all located near Seoul. Ski season in the country it lasts from December to March, however, during the rest of the year, the ski resorts are also crowded with summer entertainment: golf courses and amusement parks. The main ski resorts South Korea, follow the links for more information.

Wellness in South Korea

Korea is famous for its thermal springs, next to which there are SPA and wellness centers. In total, there are about 70 health centers and about 100 traditional Korean bath complexes "chimchilban" in the country.

Below is a list of some of the popular thermal spas in South Korea, the links provide more information - location, description, sites, and so on.

Treatment in South Korea

In addition, Korea is becoming an established Asian destination for medical tourism , the popularity of which is determined by two main factors: the tourist attractiveness of the country as a whole and the high quality of the medical services offered.

South Korean medical centers:

  • Center for Eastern Medicine at Sanzhi University
  • Keng Hee University East-West Medical Center

Diving in South Korea

Diving in South Korea is best developed on Jeju Island. The main dive sites are around the small islets off the southern coast of Jeju, located in the sea 15-20 minutes by boat from Seogwipo City. Depths from 40 to 70 m are observed here.

The coastal waters of Jeju at the junction of the Yellow Sea, the Sea of \u200b\u200bJapan and the East China Sea form a unique hydrodynamic complex characterized by a huge variety of underwater fauna (lionfish, triggerfish, tetradon, silver tuna, butterfly and angelfish, orange starfish) and wealth flora (soft corals, anemones, sponges).

The best diving season is from June to December. The water temperature in summer is + 24 - + 26 ° С, in some cases warming up to + 28.8 ° С, in winter and autumn - + 19 - + 23 ° С. January and February bring coolness with them, and many dive centers are closing.

In addition to diving, snorkeling is popular in the coastal waters of the southern part of Jeju Island.

Getting around South Korea

Inland, you can get around by plane, bus, train, or a rented car.

Aircraft

All major cities in South Korea are connected by airlines. Within the country, two Korean airlines - and - operate flights between 14 cities in the country, including Seoul, Busan, Jeju, Daegu, Kwangju, Wonju, Ulsan.

Trains

You can also get around South Korea by train. Network railways covers almost the entire country.

There are four types of trains in Korea: KTH (Korea Train Express) - bullet trains (two bullet train lines that connect Seoul with Busan and Mokpo, comfortable trains reach speeds of up to 300 km / h), Semaul express trains, fast trains "Mugunkhwa" (quite comfortable) and passenger trains Thongil (slow and not very comfortable). There are cars of I and II classes, the cost of tickets depends on the class and distance. On all trains, except for express trains, passengers are allowed to travel while standing if there are no seats. Tickets are sold at the train station ticket offices.

On all major railway stations there are special ticket offices selling uniform travel tickets for foreigners - KR Pass. They give the right to travel any distance on all types of trains without restrictions on the number of trips. Tickets come in various lengths - 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 days. You can clarify the current cost and book KR Pass tickets at.

After the online purchase of the KR Pass, the tourist is sent a voucher, which should be exchanged for a ticket upon arrival in Korea at the ticket offices of the train stations.

Buses

You can also get around Korea by buses - the country has a well-established intercity bus service... All buses, regardless of class, are very comfortable.

Buses are divided into regular (ilban) and first class (udyn), while the difference in ticket prices is unreasonably large, given the slight difference in comfort.

Intercity buses leave from Seoul to other cities in the country from three major bus stations:

Intercity buses leave the country at intervals of 15 - 20 minutes. The fare for buses depends on the distance of the trip. For up-to-date information on bus timetables and fares, see.

Inside cities, you can travel by city buses. They vary in comfort, the routes are marked with numbers, but the information is written only in Korean. Fare is usually 600 - 1300 won and does not depend on the distance of the trip. The fare is paid in cash or with a transport card, which is also valid in the metro.

Underground

There are subways in Korea in four cities - Seoul, Busan, Daegu and Gwangju. The Seoul Metro is large enough to connect the capital with the suburbs. Subway tickets can be purchased at subway ticket counters, ticket machines that accept 10, 50, 100, and 500 won coins and 1,000 won bills. In the Korean subway, station names and all basic information are duplicated in English.

Auto

To travel around the country, you can rent a car. The quality of the roads in Korea is at the highest level. To rent a car, the driver must be over 21 years old, have driving experience for more than 1 year, and have an international passport and driving license with you. Rental offices can be found at airports and hotels.

Taxi

Tourists often take a taxi within Korean cities. Taxis can be ordered by phone or found on the street. There are many taxi cars in Korea, they are very safe, comfortable and inexpensive. Many taxi drivers speak English. A free taxi is marked with a yellow or blue light on the roof.

Taxis are standard and deluxe. Cars with Kind Call Taxi and KT Powertel signs are equipped with simultaneous translation devices from Korean, meters and navigators.

The fare for a regular taxi is calculated as follows: payment for boarding and the first 2 km - 1600 won, then for every 150 meters - 100 won. If the car has covered less than 14.75 km in an hour, an additional 100 won will be added to the total for every 41 seconds of travel. The cost of a night trip (24:00 - 4:00) becomes 20% higher.

Deluxe taxis are usually black cars with a yellow stripe on the side, a yellow roof sign and the corresponding Deluxe Taxi logo. The fare is calculated as 4,000 won for the first 3 kilometers and 200 won for every next 205 meters or 50 seconds (if the speed drops below 15 kilometers per hour). The fare does not increase at night. Drivers issue a check when paying for the fare.

All taxis run within the city limits, and when traveling to the suburbs, the cost can double. Therefore, it is worth informing the driver of the destination address before starting the trip.

Water transport

South Korea has several hundred islands connected by ferry lines. A large number of ferries connect Jeju Island with the ports of Mokpo, Yoso and Incheon, Ulleung Island with the ports of Pohang and Sokhkcho, Pennyeong and Daecheon Islands with Mncheon.

Korean food

Korean cuisine, which is very reminiscent of Chinese and Japanese, is diverse; it contains dishes from meat, fish, seafood, eggs, rice, soy, and vegetables.

Korean cuisine is distinguished by the abundance of spices used. So, Korean food is very spicy - red peppers, garlic and onions are present in most dishes. The pungency of dishes seasoned with pepper has developed historically: the country has a hot and humid climate that does not contribute to the safety of food. Among the sauces used to season dishes, the soy sauce, traditional for Asia, stands out.

The main place on the Korean table is occupied by rice, which is used to prepare pabi porridge, chkhaltok rice cakes, spicy rice pilaf with bibimbap vegetables, and kimpap rice rolls. Rice must be accompanied by dishes under the general name "kimchi" - all sorts of pickles and spicy vegetable snacks, marinated meat and seafood.

Fish and seafood, the richness of which is due to the geographic location of Korea, is also very often present on the menu of the country's residents. Here, as in Japan, they eat raw fish - "hwe". There are many dishes made from fish such as cod, pollock, flounder, shellfish, squid, shrimp, oysters, trepangs, octopus, seaweed, etc. Traditional Korean dishes are fried fish "senson gooi", stew from the seafood "hemul chongol", cakes with seafood and green onions "phajon", seaweed salads, squid ("ojino") and octopus ("nakji") dishes.

One of the main dishes in Korea is kuksu noodles, which are made from wheat, buckwheat, corn and even potato flour. The noodles are served with stewed, fried or marinated meat, poured with hot or cold broth.

In Korean cooking, there are first courses, in particular, soups. They are eaten both for breakfast and dinner. There are a huge variety of soups: hodgepodge, meat, fish, vegetable soups. Soups are often seasoned with soy sauce. Among the most popular soups are soup from beef ribs "Kalbi Than", soy soup with egg and shellfish "Sundubu chige", spicy seafood soup "Hemul Than", spicy ukha "maeunthan", sprouted soy soup "Khonnamulguk" etc. .d.

Among the meat dishes on the Korean table, it is worth mentioning first of all “bulgogi” - finely chopped beef marinated in soy sauce and sesame oil, and then fried in a wok. Other popular dishes are Calbi grilled beef ribs, Kalbichim pork or beef ribs ragout, Takkalbi chicken stew, Mandu dumplings, etc.

An ambiguous reaction of tourists is caused by dog \u200b\u200bmeat dishes, which are occasionally (contrary to the established opinion of foreigners) present on the Korean table. In particular, we are talking about the soup of dog meat "posintan" (bosintang - "stewed dog meat with spices", as well as "soup that strengthens the body"). In this light, it should be said that in Korea, dog meat is not considered a product for the preparation of everyday food - it is, rather, a dietary and medicinal food. In addition, in Korea, a dog is not perceived as a "man's friend", it is not assigned any role in society that is different from other animals. Following the lead of Western public opinion, today the Korean authorities have introduced a number of legislative measures, which, if they do not fully prohibit the use of dog meat in cooking, then largely regulate this process.

Among the vegetable dishes on the menu of Koreans, the leading place is taken by dishes from legumes. Legumes are presented in a variety: soybeans, peas, beans, green beans "noctu", red - "patch", etc. Often sprouted soybeans are a substitute in meat dishes. Soy milk, cottage cheese, soy sauce and pasta are made from the same soybeans.

Desserts and sweets are also on the Korean table. The most popular of them are "quadula" - a dessert made from rice dough, jelly from acorns "tothorimuk", "hangwa" cookies, "tasik" - sweets made from honey, chestnuts, beans, sesame seeds and medicinal herbs. Among fruits, persimmons and tangerines are actively consumed.

Koreans, as a rule, end their meal with sweet rice water "sikhe" or a decoction of cinnamon and persimmon "sujongkwa", herbal teas, coffee. Alcoholic beverages in Korea are mainly represented by the results of rice processing - rice wine "makkori" or "nonju", rice beer, rice vodka.

Table etiquette

Residents of Korea do not often arrange a feast at home, mainly inviting guests to restaurants. In a Korean restaurant, they usually eat while sitting on the floor on pillows. The floor is heated in winter. Shoes are left at the entrance.

The traditional rules of behavior at the table, the order of serving dishes, methods and dosages of alcohol consumption have developed several centuries ago. The rules for eating and table setting are worth a separate mention.

So, for example, Koreans eat not only with chopsticks, but also with spoons (for liquid dishes), which are a symbol of life (they say about the deceased that he "put down his spoon", about the number of eaters - as about the number of spoons, not mouths, as in Russian). Unlike other cultures that used chopsticks for eating, Koreans have been using a spoon since the 5th century. Sticks ("chotjarak", "jeotgarak") and a small spoon with a long handle ("sutjarak", "sutgarak") together make up the table set "sujo" ("sujeo", short for "sutgarak" and "jeotgarak"), they are made stainless steel or silver. According to Korean etiquette, using chopsticks, a spoon is placed on the edge of a bowl with a liquid dish, and using a spoon, the chopsticks are simply placed on the table.

There are no personal plates on the Korean table. The entire surface of the table, in the center of which the main dish of meat or fish rises, is lined with small bowls with salads and sauces. Participants in the meal eat from all plates at once. It is impolite to ask a neighbor to serve something on the table, you need to try to reach the desired dish yourself. Cutlery that has fallen to the floor should never be lifted - you need to ask the waiter to bring new ones.

When it comes to alcohol consumption, Koreans have a lot in common with Russians: they drink a lot at the Korean table; you can not refuse to drink (this can offend the person pouring and the owner of the table); you cannot pour yourself (this is also considered an insult to the owner - he will not be able to show you his respect), etc. You need to drink with a glass in your right hand.

The restaurant bill includes only the main course and alcoholic drinks, everything else (soups, salads, sauces) is free. The bill also includes service, so there is no need to tip.

Shopping in South Korea

Tourists visiting South Korea cannot help but pay attention to shopping. The best shopping opportunities are in Seoul and others large cities: there are many large shopping centers, supermarkets, department stores, boutiques, shops, markets.

Large department stores are open daily 10:00 - 20:00, shops - 9:00 - 22:00, large supermarkets, shopping centers and markets - often around the clock and every day.

Especially convenient for tourists is the fact that there are duty-free shops in Seoul and Busan (they are marked with tax free shopping signs). They can be used to pay in foreign currency and VAT of 10% on purchases over 30,000 won can be returned at the airport. The only caveat: to make purchases in such stores, you need to show the sellers your return ticket. In addition, some types of selected and paid goods (alcohol, perfumes, cigarettes) are not handed over to the buyer, but carefully packed and transported to the airport exactly at the time of the flight.

It is worth bringing from Korea, first of all, products from ginseng, since the country is one of the world leaders in the cultivation and processing of this magic root. So, you can buy ginseng concentrate, tincture of ginseng root, ginseng tea, cosmetics based on it.

Other traditional souvenirs from Korea are lacquerware decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay - boxes, powder boxes, business card holders; fine quality porcelain, ceramics, embroidery, macrame. Korean textiles and leather goods are also famous - outerwear, bags and haberdashery. Everyone also knows about Korean electronics, and, undoubtedly, it is worth buying in the country - everything except mobile phones that support standards incompatible with Russian ones. Collectors and fans of ethnicity should pay attention to the traditional Korean hanbok costume, which can be bought in souvenir shops and markets.

Discounts and sales

Large discounts on various groups of goods are observed in Korea during shopping festivals. The most important shopping festivals are as follows:

Our guide will help you to spend an unforgettable vacation in South Korea, get acquainted with oriental culture, walk in the Land of Morning Freshness, enjoy unusual cuisine. In it, you will find well thought out routes for best places and attractions, do not miss anything important and interesting, and time will be spent as economically as possible. We will advise you on original dishes, places for entertainment and great shopping, tell you what events have unfolded over the years on these streets and what way of life the local population leads. In the section with useful information, you will learn what can be done and what experiences can only be experienced in South Korea.

The work was published in 2018 by Eksmo Publishing House. The book is part of the Orange Guide series. On our site you can download the book "South Korea. Travel Guide" in fb2, rtf, epub, pdf, txt format or read online. Here you can also, before reading, refer to the reviews of readers who are already familiar with the book and find out their opinions. In the online store of our partner, you can buy and read a book in paper form.