Korea is one of the most safe countries in the world: neither a large number of thefts, nor drug addicts, nor robberies, and public morality is so developed and strong that it is almost impossible to hear rudeness addressed to you.

If you decide to go to South Korea, namely to, decide in advance on specific dates, because the cost of the flight will depend on them, and not on how far in advance you buy plane tickets. The cheapest tickets to South Korea are, and.

If we talk about transport in Seoul, then you will need an international driving license to rent a car - Russian plastic is not suitable. All public transport and orange taxis (state) are paid for by the T-money system - a plastic card on which money is deposited through the terminal.

Everything is like in Russia - you put the card to the turnstile, it tells you the balance of funds, and you go on.

The subway is quiet and calm inside the cars, but no one waits for people to leave and enter immediately, so get ready to push a lot and for a long time. If you live in Moscow and think that this will not surprise you, you are mistaken, everything is much tougher in Korea.

There are yellow corrugated paths in the subway and on the streets - landmarks for the blind. In Seoul, everything is quite well equipped for people with disabilities, so if you or your relatives were afraid to face the problem of the unsuitability of Korean streets, then feel free to brush aside all fears.

Money. Don't count on credit cards- they are accepted, but rarely and reluctantly: Koreans are very fond of cash. Therefore, exchange part of the money immediately at the airport, and the rest - in banks. When you go shopping, pay attention to the price tags. If they are not there, the price of the goods is most likely too high, and you will not be able to bargain.

If you smoke, take a supply of cigarettes with you, because Koreans hardly smoke, and it can be difficult to buy cigarettes.

Before the trip, you must also remember the traditional greeting - you need to bow slightly. As a form of gratitude, Koreans also prefer to bow rather than say the word "thank you". Direct eye contact, by the way, can be regarded as a threat and disrespect. You can also shake hands, but this also has a special ritual: they serve and shake both the right and left hands, although preference is given to the right - the left hand is placed under the right. If you do not follow this rule, you will get the impression that you are a very uncultured and far from polite person.

If it turns out that you will be drinking with one of the Koreans, you should never fill your glass - pour it for others, not for yourself.

Since we are talking about alcohol, it is worth mentioning the food. You can’t start a meal until the eldest in age sits at the table. When choosing food, do not think that only dogs and insects are cooked in Seoul, you can find perfectly normal European cuisine there, but the food is often spicier than we are used to. Also, not all cafes and restaurants have tea, but water is always brought free of charge. But be prepared for the fact that in some restaurants and cafes, plates are washed right on the road, and you are watching all this.

A few years ago, South Korea abolished visas for Russian citizens. A visa is still required only for students, migrants and those who are going to work in the country. But tourists can stay in South Korea for up to 60 days. We have found ten reasons to visit a country that in less than half a century has turned from the most backward corner into one of the most progressive countries in the world. But despite the speed of this progress, ancient traditions are still honored in Korea.

Treatment and recovery

South Korea is quite popular among tourists who want to improve their health. The healthcare system here is one of the best not only in Asia, but throughout the world. The main directions of medical tourism: plastic surgery, dentistry, gynecology, oncology. In addition to the latest medical centers, you can get treatment in traditional Korean ways - this will surely appeal to those who do not like doctors and medicines, preferring traditional methods of treatment.

You can strengthen your health and immunity in chimchilbang. On the Internet, such a place is usually called a “Korean bath”, which, to put it mildly, does not closely reflect its capabilities. As a rule, this is a large complex with a sauna, massage, swimming pool, bathhouse, fitness center, cafe and other conditions for have a nice rest for the benefit of the body. The most famous chimchilbans in Seoul are Dragon Hill Spa, Sports Club Seoul Leisure and The Spa in Garden 5.

Seoul is one of those cities that never sleep. In principle, this can be said about any metropolis, but life in the South Korean capital really does not stop for a second. There are always crowds of people on the streets: during the day they hurry on business, in the evening and at night they rush to clubs, bars and restaurants.

Colorful establishments here at every turn - both inexpensive and top-level, where the bill per night can easily equal the budget of the entire trip to South Korea. The most hurricane in this regard is the area of ​​Seoul - Gangnam-gu. This is the epicenter party life capital Cities. Fans of cocktails, parties until the morning and spontaneous acquaintances should settle here.

In ancient times, this city was the capital of the Silla state, and now it attracts travelers with many monuments of Korean culture. The national park of the same name is located here, as well as the impressive State Museum Gyeongju, which displays ancient Korean household items, as well as clothing, sculpture and painting.

In the city center, you will find the Myeonghwal and Wolseong fortresses, and a little further on, Pomun Lake. Near it you can stay longer, because there is the Posum summer theater, numerous resorts, hotels and huge park. The city is considered one of the main tourist destinations South Korea Therefore, it regularly hosts festivals and exhibitions, including international ones.

The largest island in South Korea is a resort with good climate. There are still few tourists here, and the infrastructure is well developed. There are a few resort areas, the most famous of them are Seogwipo and Jungmun. They have equipped beaches with all amenities for vacationers. Here you can go diving, horseback riding and archery.

Jeju-do is popular with honeymooners, and some places are made especially for them. If you are not shy, take a look at Love Land Park - there are about 140 sculptures frozen in unambiguous poses. Well, if you prefer classic tourist places, welcome to the traditional Korean village. And most interesting object Mount Hallasan is considered on the island, this is the highest point (1950 meters) on Jeju and the best place to photograph the sunrise.

The Taekebsan Ridge runs through the eastern part of South Korea. Highest point- Daecheonbong peak - 1708 meters in height, it is second only to Hallasan volcano and Mount Jirisan. national park especially popular with tourists in autumn, when the trees turn bright yellow and red.

However, in the summer there is something to see. The park contains unique plants, including elfin cedar and edelweiss. Animal lovers will be able to get to know the Korean musk deer, the Himalayan bear and the oriental goral. The place has been in the list of candidates since 1994 world heritage UNESCO.

It is the second largest city in Korea, with more than three and a half million people living here. The largest port is also located here, as well as a huge number of resorts and sanatoriums. In 2002, Busan hosted the World Cup - then there were definitely enough tourists here, but even after a high-profile sporting event, the city was not forgotten.

Busan has first class beaches, national parks and hot springs. However, the main attraction of the city is the Buddhist temple of Beomeosa, where three incarnations of the Buddha are located. It was built on Krymcheongsan Mountain in 678. The temple is one of the oldest in South Korea.

The long name belongs to a traditional Korean village near Namsan Mountain. Rather, it is a museum located in the center of Seoul. But being here, it is easy to forget that skyscrapers, neon signs, expensive boutiques and pretentious establishments are within walking distance.

The museum opened in 1998 and includes the Namsan Gugaktan Traditional Korean Music Center, a classic Korean garden, and a time capsule space. You can appreciate the national architecture - there are five hanoks (houses). All of them at one time belonged to people of different social strata, and you can see the difference in decoration and decoration between the houses of wealthy and less wealthy Koreans.

In the shopping centers of South Korea, you can buy absolutely everything. And for this it is not necessary to go to Seoul. Busan, for example, is home to the world's largest department store, Shinsege Centum City. You can walk through the halls from morning to evening for several days, which will surely please travelers and darken the mood of travelers. However, sometimes this can be beneficial: they left their companion in a department store, and they themselves - to walk around the city.

In addition to the usual global brands, Sinsega Centum City features many local Korean brands that specialize in cosmetics and accessories.

This park will captivate you for the whole day, and the rides will appeal to both adults and children. It is said that the roof of Lotte World is visible even from satellites. The park is open without breaks on weekends, daily from morning to evening.

In addition to attractions, you will find a shopping center, a cinema, several cafes and a hotel. Lotte World is a great place to family vacation. It is more focused on children, but adults will not be bored either.

There are five palaces of the Joseon Dynasty in Seoul: Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, Gyeonghuigung, Gyeongbokgung, and Changdeokgung. One of them, Gyeongbokgung, was destroyed during the Imjin War in the sixteenth century, and was restored in the middle of the nineteenth century. Changgyeonggung also suffered, but mostly from time to time. In 1983 it was completely restored.

And we also have

To be fully prepared for a trip to the Land of the Morning Calm and get answers to all possible questions before the trip, use our tips.

1. How and when to fly

South Korea is pleasant to travel all year round. If you want to bask by the sea, the ideal month for this is August: the rainy season is already over, and the air warms up to 27–30 °C. Autumn in Korea is warm and dry, you can walk along numerous national parks, enjoying the bright autumn colors, admiring the famous red maples, and best time for this - the end of September - the beginning of November. In winter, the temperature rarely drops below -6 °C, which is excellent weather for skiing and snowboarding. Spring in Korea is warm and sunny with very little rainfall. And in spring, cherries, dogwood, azaleas bloom, and this is worth admiring. The peak of flowering is in April. Read more about what to do in different seasons in South Korea.

There is a seasonal direct flight from St. Petersburg to Seoul from the largest airline South Korea Korean Air, this means that from spring to autumn you can fly to the capital of Korea without unnecessary headaches and transfers. Departures are carried out daily, except Monday and Wednesday, the flight time is 8 hours 50 minutes.

2. How to get around the city

In Seoul, there is a problem, like in any other modern metropolis - traffic jams. Therefore, if possible, it is better to use the metro and other public transport. It's easy with a single T-money card that will help you save 10% on each trip compared to a single ticket.

T-money and Cashbee transport cards are valid on buses and subways in Seoul and other regions of Korea (in all major cities there is a metro), you can also use them to pay for taxi fares.
City buses run in all regions of Korea and have a certain color. All buses in Seoul are painted in four colors: yellow - ring, green operate flights within the same area between subway stations, blue serve several areas, red operate commuter service. For more information about Seoul buses and other modes of transport, see the Transportation section of the Korea Tourism Organization website.

Sometimes it is more convenient to take a taxi. A lot of them. More budgetary - orange (in Seoul; in satellite cities - silver), luxury taxis - black with a yellow sign on the roof.

3. Where to change money and whether to tip

The Korean currency is won. The exchange rate may change, but this moment 1,000 Korean won (KRW) = 57.6 rubles, or slightly less than $1. Almost everywhere, except for small shops and markets, cards of international payment systems are accepted.

It is best to exchange cash in Korean banks or specialized points located in tourist areas such as Insadong, Itaewon, Myeongdong. You can also exchange money at large hotels or directly at the airport (Incheon or Gimpo), but the commission will be higher than in the city.
Keep the documents - you can change back to dollars the local currency that was not useful on the trip only upon presentation of a certificate from the bank.

Tipping is not customary in Korea. An attempt to give a tip is perceived negatively by Koreans. However, in European or American bars in South Korea, where there are no Koreans among the staff or authorities, such a gesture will be appreciated as usual.

4. How and what to buy

Korea is called the paradise of shopaholics. Major department stores feature world high brands Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Hermes, Bulgari and many others. There are interesting clusters with clothes from local designers. Excellent cosmetics, beautiful products made of mother-of-pearl and pearls and, of course, souvenirs. The most popular are the Korean national costume hanbok, dojagi ceramics, puche fan and bag for luck pok jumoni.

Large shopping centers and markets are often open around the clock.
And more good news for shoppers: duty free, that is, a duty free zone, is not only at airports and ports in Korea, but also in department stores of large brands (for example, local majors Lotte and Huindai).

In Korea, there is also the usual tax refund on goods purchased in the country - Tax Refund. Look for blue star stickers. If you do not find such a sticker, ask about Global Blue, Tax Refund or Tax Free at the staff. The minimum purchase amount is 30,000 won. The value of a single purchase must not exceed 500,000 won including tax. It will be possible to return from 10 to 20% for jewelry. Save your checks, fill out the Tax Free Form, prepare your passport and purchased items and contact the return point, which is not only at the airport, but also in the city center - they are indicated on checks and in points duty free. If you can't wait, use the Global Blue mailbox located next to customs. Submit your completed, stamped Tax Free form with receipts to receive a refund on your credit card.

And yet, every summer in Seoul there is a big summer sale (Seoul Summer Sale), where a tourist can get up to 50% discount if you get a special card at the airport in advance.

5. What language to speak

Before traveling to a non-English-speaking country, the question always arises of whether it is necessary to acquire a phrase book in order to somehow communicate with the locals if necessary.

The official language in South Korea is Korean. If you want to be known as a polyglot among your local acquaintances, remember a few useful phrases. "Hello" - "anyon haseyo". In a more informal dialogue with friends, you can say "anyon" - "hello." "Very nice to meet you" - "mannaso pongauoyo." "Thank you" - "kamsahamnida". "Goodbye" - "annenhi keseyo" - is said to the one who remains. In order to make a good impression, these phrases will be enough.

But feel free to ask for directions or any other questions in English, because Koreans spend a lot of time learning this language and will not mind practicing. If you don't know who to contact on the street, look for the tourist police, whose representatives stand out in blue uniforms and black berets. Its staff will help you navigate the area or translate the inscription on the sign (although most are duplicated in English). Information support is also included in their responsibilities.

6. How not to be left without communication

South Korea is famous for the fastest Internet in the world - 26.1 Mbps, as well as its availability for the population. Free Wi-Fi is available in many institutions and hotels in Seoul, in museums, train stations and airports, and even in the subway, but outside the capital it is somewhat more difficult to find. Therefore, local operators offer portable Wi-Fi routers (they are also called Wi-Fi eggs), which allow you to access the Internet wherever there is a cellular connection. Wi-Fi router can be rented at the airport, although it is quite expensive.

Those who want to purchase a SIM card from a local operator can do so online in advance and then pick up the SIM card at the airport. Especially popular among foreign tourists are 5, 10 and 30-day SIM-cards, which provide unlimited access to the Internet. SIM cards are also sold in large supermarkets and specialized stores. Don't forget to check if your phone is unlocked for use abroad.

It should be noted that electricity in Korea is standard - 220V, 60Hz, sockets are the same as in Russia. So no special adapters are needed.

Do's and Don'ts

In the house it is customary to take off your shoes and walk barefoot.
It is not customary to pierce food with chopsticks like a fork. Don't leave chopsticks upright on your plate, especially if they're stuck in rice. And do not use them as a pointer during a conversation.
Saying a categorical “no” is considered bad form. Evasive answers are accepted here and there is practically no imperative mood.
In Korean culture, personal space is highly valued, so it is not customary to pat on the back, hug unfamiliar people, and generally touch strangers.
It’s better not to gesture: the gestures we are used to can have a completely different meaning in Korean culture and even seem offensive.
In Korea, elders are revered - by age, position. A lot of things cannot be done in the presence of elders, besides, they are supposed to be treated in a special way: bow deeply, wait for a hand to be offered to you, respond to a shake with both hands. Pour wine, pass items to the elder, you must also use both hands or holding the other by the wrist.
Blowing your nose in public is not accepted, but it is supposed to sneeze loudly. And you can even slurp to show that you enjoy food.

Before we set off, we talked with Russian expats who now live in Korea and read a couple of blogs, but did not receive significant help, so we decided that we would study the country on our own and find answers to our questions in a practical way.

Visa, currency and language

Citizens of Russia and the CIS do not need a visa to South Korea if the period of stay does not exceed 60 days. The currency of the country is the South Korean won, € 1 - ₩ 1275.

In South Korea they do not speak English at all, people do not know it and do not even try to learn it. And this applies not only to ordinary stores, but also to establishments that work directly with foreigners, for example, international Airport. Having gone through it from and to, we found only one employee who, on his fingers and with the help of basic words, tried to advise us. The further you get to Busan, the less likely you are to meet at least such people.

How to get there?

Getting to South Korea is the most profitable from the countries South-East Asia. The cheapest flights are from China and the Philippines. You can grab tickets from ₩16958 to ₩84790 (€13.3 – €66.5). We traveled by low-cost Air Asia from the Philippines. Tickets were bought as soon as they heard about discounts from the airline, and the ticket cost ₩ 59,353 (€ 46.5) per person. The flight lasts 3 hours 20 minutes.

In addition to Air Asia, there are 4 other airlines that most often arrange sales for their flights in Southeast Asia: Air Qatar, Airways Emirates, Korean Air, Cebu Pacific. Tickets from Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg) start from ₩678,322 (€532) one way, from Siberia (Novosibirsk) from ₩339,161 (€266). It is most profitable to fly from Vladivostok: tickets can be found from ₩135,664 (€ 106) to ₩ 203,497 (€ 160). Most often, we track tickets on the Skyscanner and Aviasales websites, but during our travels we subscribed to all mailing lists of Asian airlines: this makes it possible to be the first to know about ticket sales in different directions and buy them at a bargain price.

Incheon Airport is not in Seoul, but nearby, on neighboring island. You can get to the city by bus for ₩ 15,262 (€ 12) or taxi for ₩ 110,227 (€ 86), but the most profitable way is by metro: travel from the airport to the city center will cost ₩ 8,479 (€ 6.5).

Public transport in the country is quite expensive. Bus fares cost ₩ 1,250 (€ 0.9) one way per person, the fare will be slightly less, but not much on a monthly scale. In the subway, you can use a travel card or buy a card with 1 trip, the cost of which includes a deposit for its safety (there are no tokens in Korea). After the trip, you can return the card to a special machine and the money will be returned to you. The cost of the trip depends on the number of stations and starts from ₩ 1250 (€ 0.9).

It is better to order a taxi in Korea through the Uber application or in a specialized company, the cost starts from 2 km - ₩ 1600 (€ 1.25), for each next kilometer - ₩ 650 (€ 0.5). For example, a 15-minute ride will cost no more than ₩8,000 (€6), while a half-hour trip will cost around ₩15,000 (€12). Get ready that if you catch a taxi on the street, then the drivers will turn up the prices 5 or even 10 times higher. There are also frequent cases when taxi drivers, even in specialized companies, tried to inflate the price, since you are a tourist.

Traffic in the country is not very intense. Busan is quiet, there are practically no traffic jams. There are traffic jams in Seoul, but they don’t compare at all with Moscow, and even more so with big cities other Southeast Asian countries such as Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City.

When to go?

In South Korea, all seasons are pronounced. In spring, everything blooms and you can enjoy walks under the sakura. In summer, the weather is sunny and it's a good time to visit Jeju Island and the city of Busan (Korea's second city after Seoul). Incredibly beautiful autumn with leaf fall against the backdrop of mountains and walks in national parks. snowy winter and decorated for Christmas Seoul.

We managed to catch a real Busan autumn and Christmas Seoul. The weather in Busan is warmer than in Seoul, there is much more sun, and therefore the onset of winter is not so strongly felt. When we arrived in Seoul, the first snow fell the next morning. It was very slushy and strong wind. It was only -2 outside, but it felt like -20. Petersburgers know firsthand what it is like. The climate is very similar.

Also, smog from China often comes to Korea. At this time, it is better not to appear on the street. In 2019, the smog stood for the first few weeks in January. Here is the answer to the question why Koreans wear masks all the time.

Busan

Usually we mark the places we want to visit on the map in advance and plan the route in such a way that during the day we can see several places that are next to each other.

If you are going to Busan for a week, then there is every chance to get to know him from all sides. And the first thing to do is to start exploring the city with Gamcheon Culture Village(Gamnae 2-ro, Saha-gu, 203). Gamcheon Cultural Village is the most Instagrammable place in Busan. This is a concentration of colorful houses and narrow streets, painted walls and amazing installations. Here you can find a location with the "Little Prince", look into the Grand Budapest Hotel, take pictures with Van Gogh - and this is just the beginning. If you get hungry or want to keep a souvenir from the village, there are many street cafes and cozy restaurants on the territory, as well as cute shops where you can buy souvenirs and notebooks with your favorite Korean bands. It is better to go to the cultural village for the whole day in order to have time to get around all the locations. The place is open from 9 to 17 every day. Entrance to the territory of the village is free, fees are charged separately for entrance to some sites.

In every big city there is a TV tower, which is considered one of the main attractions, Busan is no exception. The 120-meter-high Busan TV Tower is located in a small park Yongdusan Park(Yongdusan-gil, Jung-gu, 37-30). When you climb the tower, you will have a view of the whole city. A more impressive sight will be if you climb the tower in the evening, when lights are lit throughout the city. busan tower - favorite place Korean lovers. According to legend, next to the entrance to the building there is a secret place where you need to hang a lock in order to spend your whole life with your loved one. Entrance to the Busan Tower costs ₩10,000 (€8) per person, and the ticket includes popcorn and a drink. The tower is open from 10 am to 11 pm daily.

After the tower, be sure to check out the largest seafood market in Asia Jagalchi Fish Market(Nampo-dong, Jung-gu). There is everything here: huge crabs the size of a 6-year-old child, meter-long squids and sea cucumbers the size of a little finger, moray eels, fish whose name you don’t know. You can not only buy seafood for yourself at home, but also ask for it to be prepared for you on the spot.

“There is everything here: huge crabs the size of a 6-year-old child, meter-long squid and pinky-sized sea cucumbers”

Impressed by the huge amount of seafood, indulge in Korean street food and visit the most popular walking street in Busan BIFF Square(Nampo-dong, Jung-gu). This is definitely the best place for shopping. Biff Square has many cafes, shops and small restaurants. Many of them starred Korean celebrities, so each establishment already hangs out photos from popular TV shows or series as its own at the entrance. business card. Let me remind you that in Korea English language they don’t know at all, so if you want to try street food, you have to act blindly, trusting your intuition - no one will explain to you what this or that dish is made of. If you look at the asphalt, at the very beginning of the street you will see the Korean Avenue of Stars with the prints of famous Korean actors and filmmakers.

The nature of Korea is beautiful almost at any time of the year (except for winter), but it opens up especially beautifully in October or April. Mountains and fallen leaves, green trees or pink sakura. Nature, in my opinion, is the main attraction of South Korea. To enjoy it in Busan, you should definitely look into the city parks: Park Taejongdae(Dongsam-dong, Yeongdo-gu) and Igidae Park(Yongho-dong, Nam-gu). It is impossible to single out one, but it is worth going to them for the whole day. From here opens beautiful view on the sea and ships, below the rocks fishermen catch fish, on the very edge of the parks there are lighthouses that you can climb. The territory of city parks is very large, so even a bus runs through them. In the park, you can see how persimmons grow and even pick up a handful of wild berries. Entrance is free around the clock.

In addition to admiring nature and exploring Korean culture, be sure to visit the Shinsegae business district. Take a photo at the famous Busan skyscrapers and walk around Shinsegae Centum City(U-dong, Haeundae-gu, 1495). This shopping center in 2009 was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest shopping center in the world. To be honest, we got a little lost in it and instead of getting out, we ended up on a glass bridge, from which we once again appreciated Busan at night. In the shopping center you will find stores of world brands (Gucci, Shanel, Louis Vuitton), several food court areas, saunas, spas and separately located entertainment floors.

Close to shopping center is one of beautiful bridges throughout South Korea Busan Harbor Bridge(Nam-gu). During the day, it looks like the Brooklyn Bridge in New York, and in the evening it begins to shine with all the colors of the rainbow. It’s definitely worth a look at it, especially since there is a cinema embankment next to it, walking along which you can take photos with Spider-Man or Superman, appreciate modern installations and go to the most beautiful beach Busan Haeundae Beach(Haeundae-gu). It is "alive" at any time of the year. It's nice to walk along the beach and take great photos. Koreans here go in for sports, play backgammon and just enjoy the views. Nearby there are many places to eat, the alley of artists and the secret alley of lovers.

seoul

The main modern attraction of Seoul, in my opinion, is Dongdaemun Design Plaza(Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, 281). This is a futuristic art center. Its design was developed by the famous architect Zaha Hadid. From the outside, it looks like a huge spaceship, but inside it is completely snow-white. This place is a paradise for perfectionists and all lovers of minimalism. The art center hosts exhibitions, shops and cafes. And next to it is an installation of 25,500 LED roses. At night it looks very large, incredibly beautiful and romantic. The center is open every day from 10 am to 7 pm. Admission is free. Some exhibitions require a separate ticket.

It’s worth starting your exploration of Seoul from the most popular shopping district Myeongdong Shopping Street(Jung-gu). This favorite place youth and the best place to get acquainted with modern Korean culture. Here you can try street food, go shopping, even get to a mini-concert of street musicians.

After shopping at Myeongdong, take a walk to Seoul TV Tower YTN Seoul Tower(Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, 105). She is considered a symbol of the city and is depicted on most of the postcards of Seoul. The height of the tower is 236 meters, and the views from it are simply beyond words. In the evening, Seoul is especially beautiful from above. You can visit the tower daily from 10 am to 11 pm, entry ₩ 10,000 (€ 8).

Continuing the evening route through the city, include in your list of places Banpodaegyo Bridge. This is the longest fountain bridge in the world (1140 meters). In the evening, the show begins and it glows with all the colors of the rainbow.

If you want to get closer to the culture and traditions of South Korea, go to a traditional village Bukchon Hanok Village(Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, 37). The national houses of Koreans are called hanok. Walking along the alleys and looking inside the houses, you will get acquainted with the 600-year history of the country and even be able to try on hanbok - the Korean national costume.

Cafe hidden among the modern streets of Seoul 943 King's Cross Harry Potter cafe(Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, 417), which will immerse you in the world of magic and sorcery. Here you can try on the mantle of a Hogwarts student, drink a mug of butterbeer and ask the distributing hat which faculty you will study in. Three floors of photo locations, souvenir dexterity and food in one place. Open from 11.30 to 22.00.

Food

In Korea, food is given a lot of attention - Koreans have a kind of food cult. If you watch them, you will notice that they look at photos of food when they ride in transport; film themselves on the phone when they eat; while talking about food. Even their greeting "siksa haschessoe?" translated into Russian as "Have you eaten yet?".

There is a lot of food in South Korea and it is varied, but national dishes are more popular. Here is a list of the most popular.

In the first place, without which it is impossible to imagine a Korean table is kimchi. Favorite dish of all generations. This is sauerkraut in hot red pepper, most often it is used as a side dish for the main course or as an appetizer. The secret of kimchi has been passed down from generation to generation.

The second most popular dish is bibimbap, a large bowl of rice tossed with vegetables, egg and sauces added to them. For a piquant taste, nori seaweed, kujut, soy sprouts and kimchi are added to the dish.

“Koreans look at pictures of food while riding in public transport; film themselves on the phone when they eat; talk about food while talking

Definitely worth a try for meat lovers. kalbi, bulgogi And samgepsal. Kalbi prepared from marinated beef: pieces of meat are fried in sauce and eaten with spices. Bulgogi is sweet meat fried in sauce and served with various seasonings. Samgepsal are pork cuts that are fried and served with vegetables and traditional Korean snacks. The older generation consumes all these dishes exclusively with soju (rice vodka).

Kimbap These are traditional Korean rolls. Rice and fresh vegetables wrapped in nori sheets are drizzled with sesame sauce and served as a side dish to the main course. Koreans are very fond of meat, so you can often find rolls stuffed with beef or pork instead of the usual fish.

And for dessert, the favorite sweet delicacy of Koreans. Tteok is a pastry made of glutinous rice with a nut or fruit filling. Its taste is very specific, but it's definitely worth a try once.

One dish in any establishment, ranging from ordinary cafes to restaurants, costs at least ₩ 8500 (€ 6-7). But when ordering food, do not forget that in South Korea they serve large portions. One serving can feed two, checked!

Housing

It is better to book accommodation in Korea in advance, at least a few months in advance, and preferably six months in advance. For a bed in the simplest hostel in a room for 10 people, you will pay ₩ 34,000 (€ 27). Rooms on Airbnb and double rooms in hotels cost from ₩59,500 (€47) per night.

During the trip, we decided to live in housing from different price categories in order to compare the pros and cons. In Busan we lived in good hotel and were able to assess the level of Korean service. But as I said above, English is difficult in Korea, so we assessed the level, but everything had to be negotiated through an interpreter. Although at the very end of the stay, the receptionist learned one phrase in English - “clean room”.

Service in Korea at a high level. In the morning, when cleaning your room, you will definitely be given a new bathrobe and a refreshing face mask along with a bottle of water. Breakfast is included in almost every hotel and there is a free vending machine with coffee and popcorn next to the reception. The rooms are all very technologically advanced and clean.

In Seoul, we were less fortunate. We lived in a hostel, the standard of living there is much worse. But what saved us was that the Koreans were good-natured and, even without understanding English, tried to answer our questions and help.

Before moving into the hostel, we spent the first few days in Korean saunas. What are Korean Saunas (Jimchilbang)? Most often, these are large centers where Koreans come to relax with family or friends. The so-called "sanatorium in the city." These centers have it all: spas, steam rooms, entertainment rooms, food, and more. There you can relax and spend the night. Fixed price: ₩ 17,000 (€ 13) for 12 hours. In small areas, this is the place where people come to bathe and spend the night. You are given sleepwear, soap supplies and a key to your closet. You sleep on a yoga mat with a round pillow under your head. This pleasure costs ₩12,000 (€ 9) for 12 hours. Frequent visitors to such places are drunken Koreans and young people who did not have time to go home.

South Korea became the seventh country in our great journey across Asia. I must say that initially we didn’t really plan a trip to Korea, but shortly before the travel expenses, the news appeared about the abolition of tourist visas for citizens of the Russian Federation. After this good news, we began to consider South Korea in the list of possible countries to visit. The trip itself was organized quite spontaneously, being in Malaysia, without clear plans for the further way, we decided that why not dilute Southeast Asia with another Asia, and bought tickets to Seoul.

First impression of Seoul

We came to Korea completely unprepared. We didn’t have any plans or routes, to be honest, we didn’t even know much about the country. Sometimes it is nice and useful to dilute carefully planned trips with spontaneous ones.

seoul

Seoul met us with a gloomy sky and a slight coolness (about 20 degrees Celsius), which we had already managed to wean off in the hot Southeast Asia. In my mind, Korea was supposed to be like Hong Kong, but it turned out to be more like Japan.

Night Seoul

Seoul has a lot of faceless, utilitarian concrete buildings and monotonous residential areas, but in some places they are diluted with colorful neighborhoods with low houses and shining skyscrapers of business districts.

Housing in Seoul

Seoul is not the best cheap city for the budget traveler. The cheapest accommodation we could find was Hostel Korea Original. A night in a private room cost more than $30. For the first few nights we were able to get a room with our own bathroom at a special price, but then we had to move to a room with a shared bathroom as the price of ours increased.

Room at Hostel Korea Original

Although we do not like hostels, we really liked Hostel Korea Original. The interior of the hostel was clean, quiet and comfortable. For a tourist there is everything you need: a kitchen, a washing machine and even free coffee. The rooms are rather small and austere, but clean. In the morning, if you get up early, you could have time for a symbolic breakfast in the form of toasts with jam, but they were eaten pretty quickly, as they were simply put on the table in the kitchen.

One of the streets in the area where the hostel is located

The hostel was located in a nice area with narrow streets and low brick houses, the center can be reached by metro or walk a few kilometers.

Search hotels in Seoul:

Food

We arrived at the hostel before the check-in hour (settlement), so we decided to go eat. Usually we rely on our own strength, but then we decided to ask the administrator where it would be better for us to eat, so that the food was vegetarian. The guy-administrator turned out to be very responsive, and decided to take us to the cafe himself. We already thought that now we would be taken to another tourist spot with huge prices, but the guy took us to a democratic-looking and priced Korean food diner, and also explained to the employees in Korean that we need meat-free food. No one spoke English in the cafe, the entire menu was in Korean.

bibimbap and kimchi

We were brought two hot pots of rice and vegetables, which were served with broth and kimchi - Korean pickles that are served with almost every meal. Strictly speaking, kimchi is spicy pickled Chinese cabbage, but kimchi snacks are not limited to it. Pots of rice are called bibimbap, and it is one of the most famous traditional Korean dishes. We really liked the food, we returned to this place a few more times.

Kimbap

In Korea, rolls similar to Japanese ones are popular, but they use rice without vinegar and do not put raw fish. Rolls are wrapped in nori sheets, and vegetables, scrambled eggs, ham and seafood are put in the filling. These rolls are called kimbap, they appeared during the Japanese occupation of Korea (from 1910 to 1945).

Korean cuisine is quite spicy, but in my personal opinion, much less spicy than Thai or Indian.

In Korea, as in all of Asia, street food is popular. Tents with food are clustered in certain walk-through places, they look very decent in terms of hygiene.

Street food in Seoul

Korea has not done without food that is a little crazy in the European view, for example:

Toast with whipped cream and caramel sauce
Ice cream, which is poured into edible long spiral tubes
Canned silkworm pupae

Food prices in Korea far from Southeast Asia, and here the budget tourist can not roam. In the most democratic places without waiters, you can hardly find dishes for $5-8; in most cafes, a meal will cost at least $10-15 per person. For at least a couple of weeks, we have not been able to come up with anything cheaper than buying food in a supermarket.