South Korea has a rich history and distinctive culture. Architectural attractions attract a large number of tourists who come to the country to see one of the most picturesque places on the planet.
Travelers are attracted by the amazing nature of the region and, mainly, the East Korean Mountains, stretching along the shores of the Sea of Japan for almost 600 km.
Where is South Korea located
The country is located on the south side of the Korean Peninsula, slightly away from the main Asia.
The state is washed by the waters of 3 oceans that are part of the Pacific Ocean:
| The name of the sea | the side of the world |
| Yellow | the western side |
| Japanese | From the east |
| Korean Strait (East China Sea) | From the south |
The geographical coordinates of the country’s location are 37°33’57” s.w., 126°58’142 v.d. and 37.5660000, 126.9784000. The height of the state’s location above sea level is 18 m. Due to South Korea’s location on the peninsular mainland, the country has the only land border with the DPRK.
By sea, the state is adjacent to Japan. The republic is located in the +9 time zone, so the time difference with Moscow is +6 hours.
The total area of the country is 100,210 square kilometers, of which only 30% is located in flat areas, the rest of the territory is mountains. The country was founded on August 15, 1948, and the capital of South Korea is a city called Seoul.
To date, 51,966,948 people have been recorded in the state, with a density of 516 people per square km. Local residents mainly occupy the southern territory of the country, small plains and lowlands.
There are a large number of uninhabited islands near South Korea. The largest of the 3,000 individual continents is the Jeju Mainland. The highest point of the country is located on its territory – a volcano called Hallasan, with the highest point located at 1,947 m.
The highest mountain peaks of the East Korean system in South Korea are:
| Chirisan Mountain on Sobek Ridge | 1,915 m |
| Mount Soraksan on the Taebaek Range | 1,708 m |
When is it better to rest
Tours to South Korea are best purchased taking into account weather conditions and an assessment of the comfort rating during a certain period. The main tourist season in South Korea lasts from April to October, but activity in the country does not take place in winter.
Moderate temperature indicators, excellent ecology and clean snow attract winter sports enthusiasts here for recreation.
South Korea has a predominantly humid continental and subtropical climate, which is greatly influenced by the East Asian monsoon. It is characterized by a short rainy season (jangma), which begins in June and ends in August.
Statistics collected in South Korea over the past few years:
| month | °C of air | °C of water | comfort rating | The amount of precipitation | rainy days |
| January | +2,3 | +0,7 | 3,9 | 10.4 mm | 4 |
| february | +5,2 | +0,6 | 4,1 | 18.4 mm | 5 |
| March | +10,1 | +0,7 | 4,2 | 27.4 mm | 8 |
| april | +15,9 | +0,9 | 4,5 | 43.0 mm | 9 |
| May | +21,2 | +1,1 | 4,8 | 39.4 mm | 8 |
| June | +24,8 | +1,4 | 4,8 | 52.7 mm | 12 |
| July | +27,5 | +1,7 | 4,4 | 114.7 mm | 17 |
| august | +28,2 | +1,8 | 4,3 | 96.9 mm | 16 |
| september | +24,2 | +1,7 | 4,9 | 51.9 mm | 10 |
| october | +18,9 | +1,5 | 4,7 | 43.5 mm | 6 |
| November | +11,8 | +1,2 | 4,3 | 26.9 mm | 7 |
| december | +3,9 | +0,9 | 4,1 | 20.3 mm | 6 |
The pros and cons of a vacation
Tours to South Korea can be purchased at any agency in large and small cities of the Russian Federation.
The main positive aspects of a vacation in the country:
- Relative safety in public places at any time of the day due to the large number of video cameras.
- The hospitality, openness and good-naturedness of the local population.
- The high standard of living in the country.
- Low crime rate.
- High-quality service in cafes, supermarkets and other establishments.
- A large selection of high-quality goods in stores.
- High-speed internet in public places.
- A well-established public transport network.
- The roads are of perfect quality.
In addition to a large number of advantages of staying in the country, some disadvantages can be noted:
- There are a lot of migrants in some areas, especially Hindus.
- Koreans prefer excessively spicy food and offer the same food to tourists.
- Local residents eat food on public transport, because of this, there is not a very pleasant smell in the cabin and unsanitary conditions are created.
- There are scarce products in the country that are difficult for a European person to do without, such as potatoes, cheese, eggs, milk and apples.
How long to fly from Moscow, Vladivostok
South Korea is one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia, residents of Siberia and the Far East often buy tours and go on vacation here.
Tourists fly to South Korea for a simple beach holiday or to receive medical services, as the country is famous for its high level of medical development.
The direction became especially in demand after the cancellation of the mandatory visa application. Charter flights regularly operate from nearby Far Eastern cities to South Korea.
Despite the distance of the location, travelers from the central part of Russia have recently been flying to South Korea on vacation. To fly to South Korea from Moscow, you need to use Aeroflot or Korean Airlines planes, which fly to Seoul almost every day.
The travel time by plane without transfers will be from 8 hours to 9 hours. Those who want to save money should take advantage of a flight with transfers. In this case, the road will take longer, but it will significantly save the budget.
The cost of a direct flight from Moscow to Seoul will range from 40,000 to 100,000 rubles, depending on the class and comfort of the flight. The price of a road with a transfer can cost 10,000 rubles. or 20,000 rubles cheaper.
Tours to South Korea often start at arrival at Seoul Airport
There are no direct flights to the South Korean city of Busan from Moscow airports, in order to get there you will have to make a transfer. After arriving in Seoul, you will need to purchase a plane ticket departing from Gimpo Airport, which is oriented towards domestic flights.
The Jeju Resort, located on a separate island, can be reached with transfers in Seoul or Busan. You can also get directly from some Far Eastern cities on seasonal charters, the schedule and cost of which are recommended to be specified in advance. The travel time from the Far East by plane to the island will be from 2.5 to 3 hours.
The cost of tours
Tours to South Korea involve a variety of themed holidays:
- ski resorts;
- beaches of the Yellow and Japanese Seas;
- medical tours;
- New Year’s tours;
- gastronomic tours;
- educational tours.
To visit the country, you will need to fill out a special permit form and pay the registration fee. It is necessary to enter personal data in the document, specify the purpose of the visit and provide information about the purchase of plane tickets in both directions. You should also attach a copy of the hotel room reservation.
Tours to South Korea are divided into categories:
- group events;
- a trip for two;
- author’s tours;
- individual.
The cost of group trips to South Korea:
| Name | Cost, $ | Duration |
| Adventures in Busan, Jeju and Seoul | 1 555 | 7 days/6 nights |
| Classic Korea | 2 077 | 7 days/6 nights |
| Safari in Korea | 1 835 | 11 days/10 nights |
| For lovers of all things Korean | 1 838 | 8 days/7 nights |
| Seoul Tour | 1 630 | 7 days/6 nights |
| Korean Sakura and Jeju Island | 1 571 | 8 days/7 nights |
| Sakura Clouds | 2 476 | 8 days/6 nights |
| Blooming Korea | 2 620 | 9 days/6 nights |
| Blooming Korea + Jeju Island | 2 957 | 11 days/10 nights |
| Flower Festivals in Korea | 1 667 | 7 days/6 nights |
| Buddha’s birthday and participation in the Lotus Lantern parade in Seoul | 1 454 | 8 days/7 nights |
| South Korea – China. Four capitals | 2 881 | 12 days/11 nights |
| Seoul impromptu | 598 | 4 days/3 nights |
| Seoul and the surrounding area | 2 063 | 7 days/6 nights |
| Seoul Stories | 2 177 | 7 days/6 nights |
Quite often, travel agencies post last-minute deals for sale, which allow you to significantly save your budget. The less time left before departure to South Korea, the more discount is provided by travel agencies.
Recreation options
During the purchase of a ticket to South Korea, a program of visiting local attractions is planned in advance, and events are scheduled for each day of your stay in the country. As a rule, several days remain free so that the traveler can come up with entertainment at his discretion.
South Korea is considered a country of water parks, there are more than 100 such establishments on its territory. Therefore, on days free from the excursion program, you can visit one of them to enjoy riding from the water slides. A visit to an open-air amusement park can be a great entertainment.
Amusement parks are open in South Korea throughout the year, the most popular and interesting among them is Everland. You can also have a great time sailing on the sea, a boat trip can be combined with fishing.
Free evenings can be spent at a casino or a dance club, this holiday is considered quite prestigious, because admission to such establishments costs at least $ 50.
Beach
The country is washed by 3 seas, so there are a large number of beach areas on the coasts. Some of them are designed for lovers of an active lifestyle and water sports, while others are popular with lovers of silence and privacy. You can go diving or surfing on the beaches.
The most popular beach areas are:
| Songjong | It is located on the eastern shore of the Sea of Japan, on the east side of the city of Busan. Suitable for family holidays, designed for outdoor activities and water sports. |
| Naxan | The beach area is located on the northeastern side of Gangwon Province, near the village of the same name. The beach area is designed for a relaxing holiday among green pines and rocky formations. It is distinguished by clean water and white sand. |
| Cheopja | The beach is located on the seashore among the pristine nature in Hanrim Park. The beach area is characterized by snow-white sand, dense vegetation and turquoise water. The beach offers a magnificent view of the island called Biyando. |
| Haeundae | The beach is located on the east side of Busan. It is the largest and one of the most sought-after beaches in the country, hosting up to 1 million people a day during the high tourist season. In addition to beach activities, various festivals and festivities are regularly held on it. |
| Chunmun | The beach area is located on the south side of Jeju Island. The recreation area has the status of the cleanest among the other beaches in South Korea and is great for outdoor activities. People come here with pleasure to surf or fly over the sea by parachute. |
| Gwakji Gwamul | The most peaceful beach among the rest. The beach is great for families with children of different ages. The site is located between the rocks, so it is not windy and there are no storms. |
| Kenpo | The beach is a 2-hour drive from Seoul, between the eastern shore of the Sea of Japan and Gyeongpo Lake. This is an extremely picturesque place where you can take beautiful pictures against the background of the sunrise. |
| Yes, it is | The beach is located in the Chuncheon region, on the western side of the country, on the shore of the Yellow Sea. This is a noisy youth beach with excellent infrastructure. Various festivals are regularly held on the shore. The beach is famous for its clean sand and nearby pine forest. |
| Hamdeok | The beach area is located on the north side of the island on the Pacific coast. Because of the white-gold color of the sand, it is called “Hawaii of South Korea”. The airport is located near the beach. |
| Yrvani | A free municipal beach located on the southwestern side of the island. It is located next to Incheon Airport, 1.5 hours drive from Seoul. Great for family holidays, it is especially popular with the local population. |
Active leisure
Ski holidays are actively developed in South Korea. Each of them has tracks of various difficulties, which can be ridden by professionals or completely novice athletes.
The most popular ski resorts in South Korea:
- Phoenix;
- Yeonpyeong;
- Muju;
- Star Hill;
- Alpencia;
- Vivaldi.
Yeonpyeong Resort South Korea
Some of them can be used for skiing around the clock. In addition to skiing, in the ski resorts you can play at the casino, visit a nightclub or visit one of the shopping malls.
Fans of extreme entertainment can order a parachute flight or jumps from special platforms with a rope tied to their legs.
Attractions
Tours to South Korea are often purchased in order to see local attractions typical of East Asia. South Korea is considered a country of morning tranquility and a country of endless rice fields. Here temples and palaces are side by side with business skyscrapers and grandiose buildings erected using the most modern technologies.
The main attractions of South Korea:
| Gyeongbokun | The temple ensemble of Seoul, currently has the status of an open-air museum. The structure was built in the XIV century by representatives of the Joseon dynasty of kings. |
| Rainbow Fountain Bridge | The longest bridge on the planet is the fountain. It connects the banks on the Hangan River, there are water arches on its sides, and at night the water stream is illuminated in different colors. |
| Myeongdong Street | A pedestrian street in Seoul, where there are a large number of shops. The best place for shopping. |
| War Memorial | The war memorial includes 6 themed halls where you can see exhibits dedicated to the country’s military past. Near the museum complex, you can view military equipment, sculptures and take a walk in the park. |
| Seoul Tower | The tallest building in Seoul, located on a mountain called Namsam. The entertainment complex has several observation decks, many shops and restaurants. There is an observatory in the building. |
Other entertainment
The settlements of South Korea are replete with numerous colorful festivals and carnivals, and fairs are regularly organized in the country. One of the most significant events in South Korea is the week–long festivities in Busan.
There are a large number of national parks in the country, where you can walk and enjoy the view of local exotic plants and trees.
Rainbow Fountain Bridge in South Korea
South Korea has a very active nightlife. In addition to nightclubs and bars, shops, galleries, cafes and street fast food outlets are open around the clock.
Recommendations
There are several rules that you should familiarize yourself with before traveling.
- In almost all shops and cafes, you can pay for purchases with VISA and Master Card credit cards, but despite this, you must have cash. They are needed to purchase tickets for public transport.
- In ATMs located at metro stations, the commission is much higher, so it is better to worry about withdrawing money in advance.
- It is most profitable to purchase a tourist transport ticket, you can buy it in the arrival area of Incheon Airport.
- Due to the fact that almost 70% of the territory of South Korea falls on mountain ranges and hills, you should choose comfortable shoes for walking.
- If, during your stay in the country, you need to contact the indigenous people for help, you should try to establish contact with young people. Older Koreans behave arrogantly towards those who are much younger than them.
Before traveling to South Korea, it is recommended to study local traditions and rules of conduct in order not to get into an unpleasant situation due to ignorance. During a tour of the country, it is necessary to restrain gestures.
Korean culture often uses gestures similar to European ones, but they can have a completely different meaning, so some of them may be misunderstood.
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