There is a sea in South Korea. What is the sea like in South Korea? Holidays at sea
Despite its small territory, South Korea is washed by a large number of seas, since it is located on a peninsula. Ultimately, the state has only one land border, and the coastline stretches for almost 2,500 kilometers.
The western part of the country is washed by the waters of the Yellow Sea. In the south, the state neighbors the Korea Strait. East side South Korea adjacent to the Sea of Japan. It is also worth noting that the northwestern coast is washed directly by the West Korean Gulf, consisting of the waters of the Yellow Sea. All major bodies of water in South Korea make up the Pacific Ocean.
Sometimes this body of water is also called the West Korean Sea. Geographical name is directly related to the color of the water. Severe dust storms give the sea its yellow color.
The Yellow Sea is located in shallow waters and is considered a marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean. In the north it borders on the West Korea Gulf, and in the south on the East China Sea. The shores of the washed islands can be either low or large, rugged.
The Yellow Sea has a temperate climate and an abundance of tropical hurricanes, the so-called typhoons. The fauna is represented primarily by a variety of fish - more than 300 species. It is believed that over the past 30 years the biological resources of this reservoir have changed significantly due to global warming.
For South Korea, the Yellow Sea is of fishing and tourism importance. The reservoir washes such resort islands as Jeju-do, Ganghwa-do, Jebudo, as well as the important port of Incheon.
Japanese (East Sea)
This deep and cold body of water washes the eastern coast of South Korea and is used mainly for marine fishing. The cold Schrenk Current runs along this coastline, so the sea warms up with difficulty and is practically not used for recreational purposes.
For most of the year, the Sea of Japan is covered with a thick layer of ice. The underwater world is distinguished by the presence of cold or warm currents. The production of crabs, sea cucumbers, scallops, sea urchins and algae. On the coast Sea of Japan stands the country's largest port, the sea capital of the Republic of Korea - Busan.
Korea Strait
Despite the fact that geographically this body of water is not a sea, local residents call it Western sea South Korea. Not only fishing is developed here, but also a variety of tourism and beach holidays.
The Korea Strait connects the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea. It runs between the Korean Peninsula and the Japanese Islands. Tsushima Island divides the strait into the East and West passages. The Korea Strait is characterized by the warm Kuroshio Current. Except official name, V different countries you can find the names Busan or Tsushima Strait.
The Republic of Korea (대한민국) is located in the northeastern part of the Eurasian continent on the Korean Peninsula. The Korean Peninsula stretches from north to south for 1,000 km and from west to east for 300 km, and also includes 3,167 adjacent islands (2004 data).
The coordinates of the territory are as follows: the southernmost continental point - 33 at 06'43" north latitude, the extreme northern -43 at 00'42" north latitude, the westernmost point - 124 at 11'04" east longitude, the extreme eastern - 131 at 52'21 ″ eastern longitude, the territory of the peninsula is located in a geographical sector with a width of 10° from north to south and a longitude of 8° from west to east.
The Amnokkan (Yalujiang, cor. 압록강) and Tumangan (Tumannaya) rivers form the northern border with China and Russia, in the east the peninsula is separated from Japan East Sea.
The East Sea is located east of the Korean Peninsula, and this name for the sea has been in use for over 2,000 years. In the earliest historical materials of Korea, Samguk Yusa, there are records that in 37 BC. the sea was called the “East Sea”, the same information is carved on the monument to King Gwanggato, erected in 414 BC.
Korea Square
total area The Republic of Korea and the DPRK on the Korean Peninsula is 220 thousand square meters. km. South of the military demarcation line is the Republic of Korea, whose area is approximately 45% of the area of the two states, or 99.7 thousand square meters. km. The total area of South and North Korea is comparable to the area of Hungary, Portugal, Iceland and amounts to 0.07% of the total area of the countries of the world and 0.31% of the territory of the Asian part of the mainland.
The area of Japan is 3.8 times larger than the area of the Republic of Korea, the area of China is 96 times, and the area of Russia is 171 times.
Administrative divisions and main cities
Sejong The Republic of Korea, like North Korea, consists of 9 administrative divisions. These include the following provinces of the Republic of Korea: Gyeonggi-do, Gangwon-do, Chungcheongbuk-do, Chungcheongnam-do, Jeollabuk-do, Jeollanam-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongsangnam-do and Jeju Special Autonomous Province.
The Chuncheon region is located in the center of the Republic of Korea, with Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do to the north, and Jeolla, Gyeongsang and Jeju Island to the south. Provincial boundaries mainly follow mountain ranges or river beds. In addition to the 9 provinces in the Republic of Korea, 7 main cities have a special status; Among them, one city is designated as a special administrative zone and 6 cities are designated as a metropolitan administrative zone.
A special city is , and metropolitan cities include Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Daejeon, and Sejong Special Autonomous City. Seoul and are the central administrative units of Gyeonggi Province, Daejeon is the center of Chungcheongnam-do Province, Daegu is the center of Gyeongsangbuk-do, Busan and Ulsan Provinces - central cities Gyeongsangnam-do Province, Gwangju is the center of Jeollanam-do Province.
Seoul is the capital of the Republic of Korea
and is located in the center of the Korean Peninsula. The city is divided by the Han River into northern and southern parts. Seoul became the capital of the state in 1394 during the Joseon Dynasty. Over time, it turned into the largest political, economic and socio-cultural center of the country with a well-developed industrial and transport infrastructure.
In 1986, the Asian Games were organized in Seoul, and in 1988 the XXIV Summer Olympic Games were held.
Terrain
Autumn in Taebaek Approximately three-quarters of the Republic of Korea's area is mountainous. The highest mountains are located in the east of the country, and in the west the height of the mountains above sea level is much lower.
High mountains are more concentrated in the area east coast. This is a chain of Taebaek mountain ranges in South Korea and the Nangnim Ranges in North Korea. The peninsula is washed by seas on three sides. The length of the coastline is approximately 17 thousand km (including islands).
The eastern, western and southern coasts differ significantly from each other in their characteristics.
On the east coast, the steep spurs of Mount Taebaek and Mount Hamgyong plunge into the ocean. The coastline takes on smooth contours, and the coastal waters are very deep. There are a large number of natural sandbanks and lagoons along the coast.
Distinctive
A special feature is the crescent-shaped sandy bays, usually used by the population as natural beaches. At a considerable distance from the shore, far out to sea, there are the volcanic islands of Ulleungdo and.
More than 2,000 islands are concentrated in the western coast area, forming one archipelago. In the South Sea, 100 kilometers from the peninsula, the most big Island Korea Jeju.
The relief of the western coast is relatively flat, there is a very high amplitude of tidal fluctuations, so over time, many drained lands have formed in the coastal area, occupying a significant area.
Climate of Korea
The Republic of Korea is located in mid-latitudes. The country has a temperate climate with clearly defined seasons. In winter, under the influence of an anticyclone, it is cold and dry, but in summer, under the influence of an anticyclone that forms in the northern regions of the Pacific Ocean, the weather becomes predominantly humid and accompanied by high air temperatures, and in spring and autumn, with the arrival of a moving anticyclone, there is usually clear, dry weather.
The average annual temperature ranges from +10 C to +16 C, with the exception of the central mountainous regions, in which in August, the hottest month, the average annual temperature reaches 23 ~ +27 C, in May - +16 ~ +19 ° From, October - +11 in
19°C, and in the coldest month of January - -6°~ -7°C.
The average annual precipitation in the southern regions is 1,000-1,800 mm, in the middle regions - 1,100-1,400 mm. In summer, about 50-60% of annual precipitation falls. In July and August there is a very high humidity throughout the country - about 80%, in September and October - 70%.
The rainy season begins in mid-June, first on Jeju Island, then gradually moves to the central part of the peninsula and lasts about a month.
In the western part of the North Pacific Ocean, approximately 28 typhoons originate per year, the impact of 2-3 of them directly or indirectly extends to the Korean Peninsula.
The Republic of Korea (pronounced Taehan Minguk in Korean), or informally South Korea, is a country located in East Asia, in the south of the Korean Peninsula, with its capital in the city of Seoul.
South Korea has a border in the north with North Korea— 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 sea (the length of the coastline is 2,413 km): the Yellow Sea in the west, the East China Sea in the south, and the Japanese Sea in the east.
People settled in Korea already in the Neolithic era. At the beginning of our era, three rival kingdoms developed on the Korean Peninsula - Goguryeo, Silla and Baekje. The largest and strongest was the kingdom of Goguryeo, 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, capturing 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 current Chinese province of Jilin in Manchuria, where they founded the state of Parhae 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, soon in turn conquered by the Chinese Ming dynasty. After this, the Joseon Dynasty came under the rule of the Chinese Qing Dynasty.
In 1876, Japan forced Korea to open to foreign trade. Japan has always sought to suppress Korean national identity, and in 1910, Korea signed an annexation treaty with the Land of the Rising Sun. After the defeat of Japan in 1945, according to the UN plan, the northern part of Korea was given over to the control of the USSR, and the United States received 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: democratic elections were held in the country in 1987, and the first civilian president was elected in 1992.
Current time in Seoul:
(UTC +9)
Today South Korea is a state with a fairly developed economy, becoming a new interesting tourist destination, and attracting thousands of guests from all over the world from year to year. The country is famous for its protected areas that are suitable for ecotourists; ancient Buddhist buildings, interesting to lovers of cultural and educational tourism; sandy beaches Jeju Islands that attract fans beach holiday, diving and surfing.
How to get to South Korea
Airplane
In the vast majority of cases, tourists arrive by plane to 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 (flights of 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 on this moment can be reached regular flights with connections in the listed cities.
Almost direct flights are available to residents of St. Petersburg - Finnair operates non-stop flights on the Helsinki - Seoul route. And thanks to Allegro trains Northern Capital It is only a couple of hours away from the Finnish capital. 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, right up to the Urals. There are other options, we have listed them below. In addition, there are many flights to Seoul European airlines, presented in Russia (Lufthansa, Czech Airlines, KLM and others), but flying with them seems illogical due to the large “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, towns, parishes, 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 it was located Royal Palace Gyeong-bok was soon fortified. In 1910 - 1942, the city was called Gyeongsong, and received its current name - Seoul (from Korean - “capital”) 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 large metropolitan city (the third largest city in Korea) and a port on the Yellow Sea coast. Incheon with his major port is the "gateway of Seoul", and to some extent relates to Greater Seoul. Transport systems of Seoul and Incheon (particularly subway lines) connected to each other. There is a free economic zone in Incheon, established in 2003.
People settled on the territory of Incheon already in the Neolithic era. From the end of the 4th century. Soon the city became a major trading center in Korea, and remained so throughout the Middle Ages. In 1883, the port of Chemulpo was founded in the city, which was one of the first to open for trade with foreigners. Incheon Harbor is famous for the fact that it was started in 1904 Russo-Japanese War- here the Japanese squadron attacked to a Russian cruiser"Varyag", which was sunk, but did not surrender to the enemy. Incheon was also the site of the American landings in 1950, which was a turning point in the Korean War.
The composition of e Incheon includes Yeongjeong, Wolmi and Mui Islands. Yeongjeong Island Attracts Mountain Tourists Baegung-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 the central part of Korea surrounded by picturesque natural landscapes. Gwangju is a famous cultural and scientific center of the country. The city was founded in 57 BC. e. Since 370, the city, then called Hanam Wireseong, has been the capital of the state of Baekje. The name Gwangju was adopted in 940.
One of the suburbs of Gwangju, Pungwonni, is a ceramic production center known since the 15th century; it is here that most of the Korean white porcelain has always been produced.
Recently, Gwangju has become a modern metropolis with developed infrastructure. It still remains a major center of the Korean ceramic industry. The city has many attractions, including the Chongjinam Christian Temple (18th century), Namhanseong Fort (1626), and the State Museum with an extensive archaeological and ceramic collection.
Gwangju's events include the Tomato Festival with fairs and competitions, the World Ceramics Exhibition and the annual White Ceramics Festival in September.
Busan is the second largest city in the country, having the status of a metropolitan city, located on the southern coast of Korea. Busan is home to a large city port, ranking 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 transport hub, located on the route from Seoul to Busan.
People have been settling in Daegu since 1500-3000. BC e. The city was founded in 261. According to the chronicles, during the Three Kingdoms, Daegu was called Dalgubel, and was part of the Silla Kingdom. 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 Yangnyeongsi, the medicinal herbal market, which still operates today.
Tourists in Daegu are attracted by the following attractions: Apsan Park with Buddhist temples and the Korean War Museum; Phalgongsan Park with many monasteries; Talson Park, located in an ancient fortress; amusement park Turyu.
Gyeongju is a large Korean city located in the southeastern part of Gyeongsangbuk-do province on the shores of the Sea of Japan. Due to its cultural and historical heritage, Gyeongju has been a recognized tourist center in 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 present-day 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 Silla state, 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 importance. Until the 20th century, when archaeological research began in the city, historical monuments Gyeongju was repeatedly destroyed and looted. The city received new development as an industrial and tourist center only in the 1970s.
Today, tourists visiting Gyeongju experience Silla's cultural heritage in National Museum Gyeongju, famous for its rich collection of archaeological objects. In addition, among the local attractions, the grotto ruins of the once large Hwannyeon-sa temple with the surrounding sculptures of Buddhas and bodhisattvas and the remains of the Bunhwan-sa monastery (7th century) stand out; the royal necropolis of Kerim in the city center, the ancient Cheomseongdae Observatory (647). In addition, in the city it is worth visiting the Sokku-ram cave temple (8th century) and the ancient Bulguk-sa monastery (528), rebuilt on the Toham-san hill, as well as several fortresses from the times of the Silla state.
Jeju, or Jejudo, is the largest island of 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 south coast country, and is considered one of best resorts Korea. The island is home to the legendary haenyeo divers, who dive to depths of up to 10 m.
Jeju Island was formed as a result of the eruption of the Halla-san volcano (height 1950 m), now considered extinct. Flows of solidified lava formed bizarre reliefs in the form of grottoes, caves, tunnels and pillars on the slopes of the volcano. Was educated here National Park, which is home to about 2,000 plant species and 4,000 animal species. 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 Goryeo. During the period of Japanese protectorate in 1910, Jeju was renamed Saishu (for ease of pronunciation by the Japanese), and after the liberation of Korea from the Japanese, it became part of it. In the second half of the 20th century, Jeju Island began to develop as a major tourist center.
Island, holiday season which lasts from July to September, is famous for its beaches. There are beaches with both fine white sand and black volcanic sand. The coastal waters abound with a wealth of flora and fauna, making the island a center of attraction for diving enthusiasts. In addition to diving, windsurfing, snorkeling and fishing are popular in the coastal waters of Jeju Island.
On the southern coast of the island there is a fairly large city, Sogipo, surrounded by tangerine plantations. There it is worth visiting the Tangerine Museum and the Jeongban Waterfall - the only waterfall in Asia that pours water into the ocean. Another resort on the island, Chungmun, is famous for its beaches and the nearby Chusan Cheolli-dae volcanic pillars. Near the Gimnyeon resort, it is worth seeing the Monchan-gul cave - a lava cave that is the longest in the world: its length is 13422 m and its height is about 10 m.
Sights of South Korea
Attractions in Korea can be found in abundance throughout its territory. UNESCO world cultural heritage sites are of particular interest to tourists.
- Megalithic structures - dolmens
- Hwaseong Fortress (Diamond Fortress)
- Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty
- Seokguram Cave Temple and Bulguksa Temple Complex
- Gyeju National Museum
- Demilitarized Zone and Panmunjeong Peace Village
If you decide to limit yourself to the capital of South Korea, or your path will go through it (and in most cases this happens), 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
Attractions
Museums and galleries
Entertainment
Parks and Recreation
Transport
Private guides in South Korea
Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with South Korea in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.
Things to do in South Korea
Beaches of South Korea
Due to its geographical location, Korea is a recognized Asian destination for beach holidays. Listed below the most interesting beaches in South Korea, using the links you can get detailed information— location, photographs, infrastructure and other nuances.
Alpine skiing in South Korea
Skiing is a very popular active pastime in Korea. There are more than ten famous mines in the mountains ski resorts, all of which are located near Seoul. Ski season in the country lasts from December to March, but during the rest of the year the ski resorts are also crowded with summer entertainment: golf courses and amusement parks. Below are 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 SPA and wellness centers are open. In total, there are about 70 health centers and about 100 traditional Korean chimchilbang bath complexes in the country.
Below is a list of some popular thermal centers in South Korea, following the links you will find more complete information - location, description, websites, and so on.
Treatment in South Korea
In addition, Korea is becoming a recognized destination in Asia 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.
Medical centers in South Korea:
- Center of Oriental Medicine at Sangzhi University
- East-West Medical Center at Keng Hee University
Diving in South Korea
Diving in South Korea is most developed on Jeju Island. The main dive sites are around small islands off the southern coast of Jeju, located in the sea 15-20 minutes by boat from the city of Seogwipo. Depths from 40 to 70 m are observed here.
The coastal waters of Jeju at the junction of the Yellow Sea, the Sea of Japan 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 richness flora (soft corals, anemones, sponges).
The best season for diving is considered to be from June to December. The water temperature in summer is + 24 - +26°C, in some cases warming up to +28.8°C, in winter and autumn - +19 - +23°C. January and February bring cool weather and many dive centers close.
In addition to diving, snorkeling is popular in the coastal waters of southern Jeju Island.
Getting around South Korea
Within the country you can travel by plane, bus, train or 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 of the country, including Seoul, Busan, Jeju, Daegu, Gwangju, Wonju, Ulsan.
Trains
You can also travel around South Korea by train. The railway network covers almost the entire country.
There are four types of trains in Korea: KTX (Korea Train Express) - high-speed (two high-speed railway lines that connect Seoul with Busan and Mokpo, comfortable trains reach speeds of up to 300 km/h), Saemaeul express trains, Mugunghwa fast trains. (quite comfortable) and passenger trains“Thongyil” (slow and not very comfortable). The carriages come in classes I and II; ticket prices depend on class and distance. On all trains except express trains, passengers are allowed to travel standing, unless seating. Tickets are sold at station ticket offices.
At all main 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 different durations - for 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 days. You can check the current cost and book KR Pass tickets at.
After purchasing the KR Pass online, the tourist is sent a voucher, which should be exchanged for a ticket upon arrival in Korea at the station ticket office.
Buses
You can also get around Korea by bus - the country has a well-established intercity network. bus service. All buses, regardless of class, are very comfortable.
Buses are divided into regular (ilban) and first class (udyn), and the difference in ticket prices is unreasonably large, given the small difference in comfort.
Intercity buses depart from Seoul to other cities in the country from three major bus stations:
Intercity buses across the country depart at intervals of 15 - 20 minutes. Bus fares depend on the distance of the trip. Current information on bus schedules and fares can be found at.
Within cities you can travel by city buses. They come in different comfort levels, the routes are marked with numbers, but the information is written only in Korean. Fare, as a rule, is 600 - 1300 won and does not depend on the distance of the trip. The fare can be paid in cash or with a transport card, which is also valid in the metro.
Metro
There are subways in Korea in four cities: Seoul, Busan, Daegu and Gwangju. The Seoul metro is quite large; it connects the capital with the suburbs. Subway tickets can be purchased at subway ticket offices and ticket machines that accept 10, 50, 100, and 500 won coins and 1,000 won bills. In the Korean metro, the names of stations and all basic information are duplicated in English.
Auto
To travel around the country, you can rent a car. The quality of roads in Korea is at the highest level. To rent a car, the driver must be over 21 years old, have more than 1 year of driving experience, have an international passport and driver license international standard. Rental offices can be found at airports and hotels.
Taxi
Tourists often travel within Korean cities by taxi. 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. An available 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 have Korean simultaneous translation devices, meters and navigation devices.
The fare for a regular taxi is calculated as follows: payment for landing and the first 2 km is 1600 won, then for every 150 m of the journey - 100 won. If the car travels less than 14.75 km in an hour, an additional 100 won will be added to the total for every 41 seconds of travel. Price night trip(24:00 - 4:00) becomes higher by 20%.
Deluxe taxis are usually black with a yellow stripe on the side, a yellow sign on the roof and the corresponding Deluxe Taxi logo. The toll is calculated as follows: 4,000 won for the first 3 km and 200 won for every subsequent 205 m or 50 seconds of travel (if the speed drops below 15 km per hour). Night fares do not increase. Drivers issue a receipt when paying for the fare.
All taxis operate 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 the start of 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, Yeoso and Incheon, Ulleung Island with the ports of Pohang and Sohkcho, and the islands of Pennyeong and Daecheon with Muncheon.
Korean cuisine
Korean cuisine, which is very reminiscent of Chinese and Japanese, is varied, it contains dishes from meat, fish, seafood, eggs, rice, soy, and vegetables.
Korean cooking is distinguished by the abundance of spices used. Thus, Korean food is very spicy - most dishes contain red pepper, garlic and onions. The spiciness of dishes seasoned with pepper has developed historically: the country has a hot and humid climate, which is not conducive to the preservation of food. Among the sauces with which dishes are seasoned, soy sauce, traditional for Asia, stands out.
The main place on the Korean table is occupied by rice, from which they prepare pabi porridge, chhalteok rice cakes, bibimbap spicy rice pilaf with vegetables, and kimbap rice rolls. Rice must be served with dishes under the general name “kimchi” - various kinds of pickles and spicy vegetable snacks, marinated meat and seafood.
Fish and seafood, the richness of which is due to the geographical location of Korea, are also very often present in the menu of the country's residents. Here, as in Japan, they eat raw fish - “hwe”. There are many dishes prepared from such types of fish as cod, pollock, flounder, from the pulp of shellfish, squid, shrimp, oysters, sea cucumbers, octopus, seaweed, etc. Traditional Korean dishes are fried fish “senson gui”, stew seafood “haemul jongol”, pancakes with seafood and green onions “pajeon”, seaweed salads, squid (“ogino”) and octopus (“nakji”) dishes.
One of the main dishes in Korea is guksu noodles, which are made from wheat, buckwheat, corn and even potato flour. The noodles are served with stewed, fried or marinated meat, and poured with hot or cold broth.
Korean cooking includes first courses, in particular soups. They are eaten both for breakfast and dinner. There are a huge variety of types of soups: solyanka, meat, fish, vegetable soups. Soups are often flavored with soy sauce. Among the most popular soups are beef rib soup “galbi tang”, soybean soup with egg and shellfish “sundubu jigae”, spicy seafood soup “haemul tang”, spicy fish soup “maeungtang”, soybean sprouted soup “khonnamulguk”, etc. d.
Among the meat dishes that appear 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 include grilled beef ribs kalbi, pork or beef rib stew kalbichim, chicken stew takkalbi, mandu dumplings, etc.
Tourists have an ambiguous reaction to dog meat dishes, which are occasionally (contrary to the prevailing opinion of foreigners) present on the Korean table. In particular, we are talking about dog meat soup “bosintang” (bosintang - “stewed dog meat with spices”, as well as “soup that strengthens the body”). In this light, it is worth saying that dog meat in Korea is not considered a product for preparing everyday food - rather, it is a dietary and medicinal food. In addition, in Korea, a dog is not perceived as a “friend of man”; it is not assigned any role different from other animals in society. Following the lead of Western public opinion, today the Korean authorities have introduced a number of legislative measures that, if not completely prohibit the use of dog meat in cooking, then largely regulate this process.
Among vegetable dishes on the Korean menu, the leading place is occupied by dishes made from legumes. Legumes come in a variety: soybeans, peas, beans, green beans “noktu”, red beans “phatch”, etc. Sprouted soybeans are often a substitute for meat in dishes. The same soybeans are used to produce soy milk, cottage cheese, soy sauce and paste.
Desserts and sweets are also present on the Korean table. The most popular of them are “kvadul” - a dessert made from rice dough, “tothorimuk” acorn jelly, “hangva” cookies, “tasik” - candies 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 broth “sikhye” or a decoction of cinnamon and persimmon “sujeongkwa”, herbal teas, and coffee. Alcoholic drinks in Korea are represented mainly by the results of rice processing - rice wine "makkori" or "nonju", rice beer, rice vodka.
Table etiquette
Residents of Korea do not often host feasts at home, mostly inviting guests to restaurants. In a Korean restaurant, people usually eat while sitting on the floor on cushions. In winter the floor is heated. Shoes are left at the entrance.
Traditional rules of behavior at the table, the order of serving dishes, methods and doses of alcoholic beverages were formed several centuries ago. The rules for eating and setting the table are worth special 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”; the number of eaters is referred to as the number of spoons, not mouths, as in Russian). Unlike other cultures that used chopsticks when eating, Koreans have been using a spoon since the 5th century. Chopsticks (“chotjarak”, “jeotgarak”) and a small spoon with a long handle (“sutjarak”, “sutgarak”) together make up the “sujeo” cutlery set (“sujeo”, short for “sutgarak” and “jeotgarak”), they are made made of stainless steel or silver. According to Korean etiquette, when using chopsticks, a spoon is placed on the edge of a bowl with a liquid dish, and when using a spoon, the chopsticks are simply placed on the table.
There are no personal plates on a 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. Asking your table neighbor to serve you something is impolite; you should try to reach the desired dish yourself. Cutlery that has fallen on the floor should never be picked up - 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 cannot refuse to drink (this can offend the pourer and the host of the table); you cannot pour it for yourself (this is also considered an insult to the owner - he will not be able to express his respect to you), etc. You need to drink while holding the glass in your right hand.
The restaurant bill includes only the main course and alcoholic drinks; everything else (soups, salads, sauces) is free. Service is also included in the bill, so there is no need to leave a tip.
Shopping in South Korea
Tourists visiting South Korea cannot help but pay attention to shopping. The best shopping opportunities are in Seoul and other large cities: there are many large shopping centers, supermarkets, department stores, boutiques, shops, and 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, every day.
Particularly convenient for tourists is that there are duty-free shops in Seoul and Busan (they are marked with tax free shopping signs). You can pay in foreign currency, and VAT of 10% on purchases over 30,000 won can be refunded at the airport. The only caveat: to make purchases in such stores, you need to show the sellers your return air ticket. In addition, some types of selected and paid for goods (alcohol, perfumes, cigarettes) are not handed over to the buyer, but are carefully packaged and transported to the airport exactly in time for the flight.
It is worth bringing ginseng products from Korea, first of all, since the country is one of the world leaders in the cultivation and processing of this magical root. So, you can buy ginseng concentrate, ginseng root tincture, ginseng tea, and cosmetics based on it.
Other traditional souvenirs from Korea include lacquerware decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay - boxes, powder compacts, business card holders; fine quality porcelain, ceramics, embroidery, macrame. Korean textiles and leather goods are also famous - outerwear, bags and haberdashery. Everyone is also familiar with Korean electronics, and, undoubtedly, they are worth buying in the country - all of them, except for mobile phones that support standards incompatible with Russian ones. Collectors and ethnic lovers should pay attention to the traditional Korean costume “hanbok”, which can be bought in souvenir shops and markets.
Shopping in Seoul."
Communications in South Korea
You can make a call in South Korea, first of all, using pay phones, which are available on the streets of many cities. The machines operate using special telephone cards, credit cards or coins. Phone cards can be bought in shops, shops, tobacco and newsstands, and in hotels. Almost all pay phones can call other countries.
To make a call from South Korea to Russia, you need to dial 001 (002 or 008) - 7 - area code - subscriber's phone number.
To call from Russia to Korea, you need to dial 8 - 10 - 82 (Korea code) - region code - subscriber number.
Some Korean city codes: Seoul - 02, Incheon - 032, Daejeon - 042, Busan - 051, Jeju - 064.
It should be remembered that Cell phones GSM standards do not work in South Korea. In this case, tourists can be advised to temporarily exchange their phones at the airport for local CDMA and IMT2000 models. The average cost of renting a Korean phone with your own phone as collateral is on average 3,000-4,000 won per day.
Useful phone numbers
Tourists in Korea will not have any problems with the Internet. Internet access points are available everywhere. Back in 2010, in the ranking of countries in the world by the quality of Internet access (according to scientists from the University of Oviedo and Oxford University) South Korea took an honorable first place. Free wifi available in all city centers, in large shopping centers, in hotels, cafes, restaurants, and tourist areas.
Safety
South Korea is one of the safest for tourism Asian countries, however, we should not forget about basic safety rules. Tourists are advised to leave cash and valuables in hotel safes and keep a close eye on their personal belongings in crowded and tourist areas.
Among some local traditions, tourists should remember the following:
- local residents do not like to be photographed too much: before taking pictures of them, you must ask permission;
- when entering a Korean temple or house, you must take off your shoes and wear socks;
- It is indecent to sunbathe topless on the country's beaches.
Where to stay
Hotels
In South Korea, the following classification of hotels is accepted: super-lux (corresponding to 5*), luxury (corresponding to 5*), first class (corresponding to 4*), second class (corresponding to 3*) and third class (corresponding to 2*). Hotel prices depend on the season and location. On our website you can book a hotel in Korea In South Korea you can also find guest houses, which are inexpensive option placement. Most guest houses are converted from regular residential apartments, so several rooms often share a shared bathroom. They are usually located in city centers and near tourist attractions. The price for staying there for one night is about 15,000-40,000 won. Condominiums - ordinary apartments, self-catering apartments located in large complexes with swimming pools, laundries, restaurants. Condominiums are most often located at ski resorts, next to national parks And beach resorts. The cost of living in a condominium depends on the season, length of stay, level of service, and is approximately 30,000 - 100,000 won per night. On our website you can rent an apartment in South Korea, this may be convenient for some categories of tourists - families with several children, who prefer to cook for themselves, and so on. Another type of accommodation in Korea is a residence. This type of housing is most suitable for foreigners who have arrived in the country on a work visit, because it is a room for living and working at the same time, with a kitchen and an office. Residence complexes usually have a gym, laundry, lounges and conference rooms, restaurants, cafes, etc.Hostels and guest houses
Apartments and condominiums
Residence
South Korea or Republic of Korea - state in East Asia, occupies the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, protruding 1030 kilometers from the main part of Asia.
South Korea has land border with only one country ( Northern Korea or DPRK).
Along this border there is a demilitarized zone.
In the west, the country’s territory is washed by the Yellow Sea, in the south - South China Sea, and in the east - the Sea of Japan.
Square countries - 99,392 sq. km.
Capital — Seoul.
The depth of the seas does not exceed 100 m, so the bottom forms a shallow continental shelf. Shallow seas are favorable for fishing. On the shallow shelf since the 1990s. Geological survey work is underway to search for mineral resources. The weak and warm Kuroshio Current, coming from the Philippines, bifurcates at the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula. One current goes to the Yellow Sea along the western coast of Korea, the other to the Sea of Japan. These currents do not have a significant effect on winter temperatures. The strong East Korean Current (Donghan Current) runs along the east coast in a northerly direction and has a high temperature gradient compared to neighboring waters. The main part of the east coast experiences higher winter temperatures than the west due to the influence of the monsoon and warm currents. The east coast has a relatively flat coastline. The largest bays located here are Yongkhyn and Yenil. A network of lagoons, including the most famous Gyeongpo and Hwangjinpo, create favorable conditions for tourism. The west coast has an indented coastline, characterized by an abundance of tidal flats and a wide range of high and low tides (6-9.3 m).
The landscape of Korea is extremely diverse, but about 70% of the entire territory is occupied by mountains, the plains occupy only 30% of the territory. This is one of the most mountainous regions in the world. As a result of the uplift and folding of a platform of granite and shale rocks on the Korean Peninsula, a unique landscape replete with picturesque hills and valleys was formed. The Nangnim mountain ranges in the North and Taebaek in the South stretch in a north-south direction and serve as a watershed between the western and eastern slopes. Smaller mountain ranges run parallel to each other from northeast to southwest. The mountain range that runs the entire length of the east coast slopes steeply into the East Sea, and the mountain ranges along the southern and western coasts gradually transition into the coastal plains, where the bulk of agricultural products, primarily rice, are produced.
In the area of the Cam Plateau, at an altitude of 1500 m above sea level, the highest peak on the Korean Peninsula is located - Mount Paekdusan (2744 m). Other Mountain peaks- Mount Nannimsan in the Nannim Range area in the North, Mount Hallasan on Jeju Island (1950 m) of volcanic origin, as well as Mount Seoraksan (1780 m) and Kumgangsan (1638 m), attracting tourists with their picturesqueness.
There are approximately 3,000 islands located near the country's coastline, mostly small and uninhabited. The largest island is Jeju, with an area of 1,777 km2, located off the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula.
In the southern part of the country several flow largest rivers: Amnokkan (790 km), Naktong (525 km), Tumangang (521 km), Hangang (514 km) and Kumgang (396 km).
Most of the soils are of granitic or gneiss origin with an admixture of limestone and volcanic rocks. Agriculture is based on artificial soils formed by humans over a long period of time. In Korea, reserves of hard and brown coal, iron ore, polymetallic ores, gold, silver, graphite, and salt have been identified. The bulk of mineral resources are located in the north of the Korean Peninsula.
The wild fauna in Korea is represented by large mammals (tiger, leopard, black Himalayan and brown Ussuri bear, lynx, sika deer, wapiti, musk deer), as well as birds (379 species registered), small mammals (badger, marten, weasel), 25 species reptiles, 14 amphibians and 130 freshwater fish. The tiger, lynx, and other large mammals live in high mountain areas in the north of the Korean Peninsula.
The national flower of Korea is mugunghwa, or rose of Sharon. Every year, from July to October, an abundance of Mugunghwa flowers decorate the entire country. Unlike most other flowers, mugunghwa is surprisingly resilient and is not afraid of diseases or insects. The symbolic meaning of the flower comes from the root of its name – “mugun”, which means immortality. This word accurately reflects the immortal nature of Korean history and the determination and perseverance of the Korean people.
Name“South Korea” is an unofficial name for the country, widely used in the Russian-language press.
Mountains cover almost 70% of the territory Korea, What makes this region one of the most mountainous in the world. Plains occupy only 30% of the territory.
A 5,000-year-old culture and amazing nature, warm sea and ski resorts, exotic dishes national cuisine and excellent conditions for shopping. All this is Korea, a hospitable country where ancient traditions are woven into the dynamic flow of modern life.
The splendor of ancient temples, culture and hospitality local residents, carefully preserved traditions are easily combined with modern technologies and a new lifestyle. Colorful markets, folk villages, where the life of Koreans is recreated as it was several centuries ago, and dynamic Seoul, the trading capital of East Asia, Finance center one of the new “Four Tigers of the East”. An area of former wartime battles, so-called “infiltration tunnels” for the passage of troops dug by the North Korean army, and a “museum without walls” - Gyeongju, a city that was the capital of the Silla state for a thousand years.
Welcome to the pearl of the Far East - South Korea, a land of real contrasts!
There are about 3,500 islands off the coast, mainly small and uninhabited. The largest island is Jeju (1825 sq. km). Other large islands - Ulleungdo V Japanese sea and Ganghwado at the mouth of the Han River.
