The best time to travel to Korea. Best places to see spring blossoms in Korea What to do in Korea

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 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. Main directions 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 of the party life of the capital. 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 a huge park. The city is considered one of the main tourist destinations in South Korea, so it regularly hosts festivals and exhibitions, including international ones.

The largest island of South Korea is a resort with a 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, it 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. Here is located largest port, 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- perfect place for 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.

Holidays in South Korea will surely give you vivid impressions and emotions. A combination of modern cities with skyscrapers, traditional Korean culture and architecture, scenic national parks, beautiful beaches, flavored developed infrastructure will make your trip to this country comfortable and memorable.

South Korea looks especially beneficial for residents Far East Russia, because flying here is closer than to Moscow and the European part of the country.

I present to your attention a large useful material about traveling to South Korea, where you will learn how to get cheaply, how to move around, where to live, what to see, and how much the trip will cost.

Korean women

Visa to South Korea: is it necessary?

Since 2014, Russians can enter the country without a visa if the period of stay does not exceed 60 days (but not more than 90 days a year).

Documents for visa-free entry to South Korea:

a passport that is valid for at least six more months from the date of entry
completed migration card, which will be given to you on the plane or other transport
completed customs declaration (if there is something to declare)

Instructions for filling out a migration card

On the Internet, I also met that I needed return flights and confirmation of the availability of funds (hotel reservations, a bank statement, cash, etc.). But we were not asked anything from this list, we arrived on a flight from Kuala Lumpur. However, I advise you to do it just in case.

Hotel reservations can be made on booking (choose the "free cancellation" option).

How to make an air ticket reservation without payment, wrote in detail at. Although it is ideal if you have real tickets back.

If you plan to stay longer in the UK, you will need a visa. They are working, student, research.

How to get to South Korea cheap?

Most convenient way to get into the country - to fly by plane, as most tourists do.

There are direct flights from Russia to South Korea from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Khabarovsk and Vladivostok.

There are direct flights to Daegu from Khabarovsk and Vladivostok by T'Way Air and Hanh Air at a price of about 13-15 thousand rubles in both directions.

There are direct flights to Seoul from Vladivostok (S7, Aeroflot, Jeju Air, Korean Air), from Moscow (Aeroflot, Korean Air), from St. Petersburg (Aeroflot), from Khabarovsk (S7, Aeroflot, Asiana Airlines).

There are direct flights to Busan from Vladivostok (Aeroflot).

The cheapest way to get to South Korea is to catch the sale of the Korean low-cost carrier Jeju Air from Vladivostok to Seoul. Once they sold tickets for 3,000 rubles one way and 6,000 round trip. Unfortunately sales don't happen that often.

Airfare from Moscow

Transport in South Korea

Aircraft

by the most major airlines are Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, which have flights between the capital and other cities in the country, as well as between provincial cities.

Also, pay attention to Air Busan, Jeju Air, Eastar Jet, T'way Airlines, Hanh Air if you are planning to take a domestic flight.

Jeju Air Counter at Jeju Airport

Prices are low, discounts are not uncommon at the beginning of the working week, but weekend tickets are more expensive, and besides, they are quickly taken apart. For example, we flew from Jeju to Busan for only 48,000 won for two (with 15 kg of luggage each).

Trains in Korea

The country also has a convenient railway system, although it does not cover all regions.

KTX high speed train

Trains come in three main classes:

KTX- high-speed, fly from Seoul to Busan in two and a half hours (it costs 59,800 won in economy class, 83,700 won in first class)

Saemaul- stop only in major cities, the same way costs 42,600 won.

Mugunghwa- the slowest, but still comfortable. Seoul-Busan costs 28,600 won.

If you plan to travel a lot on trains, buy an unlimited KR Pass, it will be more profitable. A one-day pass costs 81,000 won, and a three-day pass costs 113,000 won.

You can buy tickets at railway stations, travel agencies, as well as on the official website of Korean railways. You can also check the train schedule there.

Buses

The bus system in the country is very developed, with thousands of buses plying the roads between all major and minor cities. There is no place you can't get to.

Buses are divided into express and intersity, which often arrive at different terminals in the same city. The former run between the main large cities, the latter between smaller provincial ones. In addition, there are also varieties by class: Ilban (regular) and Udeung (superior, with three seats in a row). Night buses are usually superior with a corresponding price.

Intercity bus

Vip bass with three seats in a row

In general, the bus ride is quite comfortable, the driver makes stops every 2-3 hours, and the roads have all the infrastructure with cafes, toilets and entire shopping malls.

As a rule, there is no need to buy tickets in advance, except for holidays and weekends. You can do this at the bus station before departure. You can view the schedule in advance at (in the upper right corner, select English).

Bus station in Busan

Ticket vending machine

Car rental in Korea

To rent a car in Korea, you will need an international driving license (issued over a year ago) and you must be over 21 years old. The road infrastructure is well developed here: you will find equipped parking lots, campsites, cafes, gas stations ... The roads are chic wide with a dividing fence, multi-level interchanges.

Road infrastructure is excellent

Ferries

Ferries run to numerous islands. We did not sail on these (more precisely, only from Jeju Island to Udo Island), but all information about the schedule and prices can be found at the ports.

Ferry from Jeju Island to Udo Island

Local urban transport

The best way to save money on moving around cities is to buy a special vehicle. T-money card. It is sold in special machines in the subway (on arrival at the airport too), or in supermarkets GS25, CU, 7-11 and costs 2000-2500 won. You can also top up your balance there. When entering and exiting the subway or bus, simply lean it against a special machine.

What is the main advantage of this card? It gives you a 100 won discount on each trip, plus the option to use one more mode of transport for free if you transfer within 30 minutes. Thus, it pays for itself in a day. We spent the rest of the card in the supermarket at the Seoul airport before the flight.

The subway is the most convenient urban transport, there are subways in 6 major Korean cities. The fare is usually from 1100 won, for long distances a little more. We never gave more than 1800 won for the subway.

Subway in Seoul

When is the best time to go?

The best months to visit South Korea are April, May, September and October (if you plan to actively travel around the country) and from mid-June to September (if a beach holiday is a priority).

In winter, you should come only if you plan to go skiing in the Olympic Pyeongchang and the surrounding area, it is at this time that there is snow in the mountains and all the conditions for a ski holiday.

In spring the weather here is warmer than in Russia. April is famous for cherry blossoms, it looks really incredible, and May is like summer in middle lane Russia. However, a chilly wind can pick up in the evenings, so bring sweatshirts with you.

Summer beach season Opens from late June to early September. Hot and humid. Perfect time for beach holiday at any of the many resorts, the most famous are Jeju Island and Busan.

At the end of September-October, autumn takes mine and the trees dyed yellow-red. Best time for trekking and visiting national parks, besides, it’s not so hot anymore.

When is the best time to go to Korea: spring and autumn

Housing

Finding where to spend the night in Korea is not a problem. In any more or less tourist city you will find a large selection of accommodation from hostels to decent hotels of world chains.

If you are traveling alone, hostels are the best option. But sometimes it’s more profitable to rent a hotel room together.

You can book hotels on the website, which collects offers from different booking systems, such as booking, in one place.

An interesting accommodation option can be a hanok - a traditional Korean house converted into a guesthouse. You will sleep on the floor on a mattress, but the floors are heated, so the house is warm. A list of such houses throughout the country can be viewed at (Korean only).

You can feel like a Buddhist monk and spend the night in a monastery thanks to the Templestay program. More than 100 temples throughout the country are available for travelers. Read more on the official program.

Tents on the beach in Busan

AT national parks there is an opportunity to spend the night in campsites and shelters. It's not expensive at all, besides, there is the necessary infrastructure and amenities, and you don't have to drag a tent with you from home :) List of campsites with prices throughout the country. Choose a national park and look for the "Fee" section in the left menu.

Renting apartments from owners will be beneficial for families with children, big companies and just for those who like to feel at home. To do this, search

Most high prices and demand for hotels in July, August, September on the coast and in October, November in national parks and nearby. Therefore, if you are traveling during this period, it is better to book in advance.

Breakfast is rarely included in the price, but there are still such options, it is very convenient. The staff usually speaks decent English, if you don't get completely out of the way.

Holidays in South Korea: resorts and attractions

Holidays in South Korea are quite diverse. There are both beach and ski resorts despite the small size of the country.

The peninsula is washed by three seas at once from three sides, so there are plenty of beach resorts to choose from. by the most popular resort in South Korea, both among locals and among tourists, there is a volcanic jeju island. Gorgeous volcanic sand beaches, bombastic scenery and clear seas make it a very popular holiday destination.

On Jeju Island

Udo Island and volcano in the distance

When to go:

You can travel to South Korea all year round, but remember that the country is located in a temperate climate zone, so the seasons are expressed very clearly there. Winter is a time for skiers, but not only. Koreans brighten up the cold with a variety of winter-themed festivals. For example, in natural park Tebaxan hosts the Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival. Want to bask in the sun? Then you need to plan a trip for the summer and choose seaside resorts. At this time, the temperature rises to + 35C.

Sightseeing lovers should go to South Korea in the spring, from mid-March to June. At this time it is already warm, a lot sunny days and the monsoon season has not yet arrived. Spring is the season for cherry blossoms. But autumn is also good in South Korea - bright, colorful, without precipitation until the end of September.

How to get there:

Aeroflot and Korean Air fly direct flights from Moscow to Seoul. The flight will take about 10 hours. The cost of a round-trip ticket is from 30,700 rubles. Cheaper (from 26,242 rubles) will fly with a transfer in Dubai by Emirates or to Helsinki with Finnair. From international airport Incheon, located 52 km from Seoul, can be reached by express bus or taxi.

How to get around:

South Korea is a small country, so you should take advantage of this and travel outside the capital. Getting around is very convenient: the main cities are connected by rail, and traveling under the sound of wheels in South Korea, which appreciates advanced technologies, is very pleasant. Trains are divided into 4 types according to speed and level of comfort. The most-most are ultra-fast KTX. Then there are express trains “Saemaeul”, high-speed “Mugunghwa” and passenger “Tong-il”.

For foreigners, there are special general KR Pass tickets that you can buy online. This is a kind of travel card for all types of trains, except for the metro, without restrictions on the number of trips. In addition, the Haeran train runs for tourists with compartments similar to hotel rooms, restaurant and observation deck.

The local buses are also very comfortable. They go frequently, are equipped with air conditioning, and sometimes even free wireless Internet. Do you want complete freedom? Rent a car. There are well-known rental agencies in South Korea, for example, AVIS. However, keep in mind that traffic in the country is right-handed and in large cities it is very intense. Road signs are written in Korean and are duplicated in English in small print.

Where to go and what to see:

The first thing that comes to mind is, of course, Seoul. capital and most Big City South Korea. It usually begins acquaintance with the country. Are you planning a cultural program? Seoul is perfect for you. There are four royal palaces of the Joseon Dynasty and the oldest royal palace of the Gyeongbokgung era. The spirit of the past is still felt in the palaces, and magnificent ceremonies are still held today.

You can travel back in time by walking along Insadong Street, a piece of old Seoul. There you will find many cozy cafes and tea houses, restaurants with local cuisine and traditional souvenirs.

In addition to antiquities, one of the most popular attractions among tourists is a trip to the Demilitarized Zone on the border of South and North Korea. Foreigners are allowed to climb through a secret tunnel dug at a depth of 70 meters under the border. Access to the Demilitarized Zone is possible only with organized tour.

But you can safely go to 4DX, 4D cinema. It was in South Korea that the first such cinemas appeared. From 3D, to which we are already accustomed, they differ strikingly: in addition to visual effects, in 4DX you can feel movement and smells, feel the wind and water splashes.

You can easily spend a week or more in Seoul, but the impression of South Korea will be incomplete, so go to other cities, and on the way, indulge in the pleasure of visiting small villages.

By the way, two historical Korean villages, founded in the 13th-14th centuries, are even included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as important monuments of Confucian culture. These are Hahoe Village in Andong City (Gyeongsangnam-do Province) and Yangdong in Gyeongju City (Gyeongsangbuk-do Province). Andong is known not only as the cradle of Confucianism, but also as the residence of the yangban, Korean nobles. Some of their traditional dwellings have survived to this day and operate as hotels.

The UNESCO site is the entire historical center of Gyeongju, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla. The ancient Buddhist temple of Bulguksa and Cheomseongdae, the oldest of the observatories that have survived to this day, have survived.

Busan, the second largest city in the country and part-time the sea capital of South Korea, is famous for its skyscrapers, and the world's largest department store located there Shinsegae Centum City will delight shopaholics.

Tired of big cities? There are many beautiful parks in Busan: Taejongdae, national marine park Hale, Haeundae and Gwanalli Beaches, Geumgang Park and Monnae Hot Springs. In search of peace, tranquility, and perhaps the meaning of life, head to Thondosa Monastery, where Buddhist relics are kept.

Daegu is beautifully located in a valley surrounded by low mountains, and is a major Buddhist center with numerous temples. The main attraction and pride of Daegu is the highly revered Haeinsa Temple, which houses the Tripitaka Koreana, the most complete collection of Buddhist canons in the vault. East Asia. Don't miss the Chikchisa Monastery with ancient columns and thousands of small Buddha statues.

The city of Suwon is also interesting. Hwaseong Fortress, although not very ancient (only the end of the 18th century), is very beautiful, and there is a Korean Folk Village nearby. Suwon himself is charming harmonious combination new and old, especially in street restaurants, where the aroma of kalbi, grilled ribs, is simply crazy.

Islands deserve special attention. In the Yellow Sea lies the island of Ganghwado, and on it there are as many as 120 dolmens, ancient burial structures. Here is the altar of Tangun, the legendary founder of the nation, and other younger attractions.

Jeju Island is popular seaside resort with a mild tropical climate. If you're into golf, Jeju is a must-see. It has 16 golf clubs and is known as the Island of Golf, one of South Korea's most popular sports.

Dreaming of a winter fairy tale? For snow, skiers need to go to Yongpyeong, Phoenix Park and Hyundai Song.

But the most important thing, without which you cannot leave South Korea, are natural hot springs. An hour and a half drive from Seoul is Asan Spavis, thermal springs outdoors - you can swim in them even in cold weather. Indulge in extraordinary treatments such as the jasmine pool or the yellow clay sauna.

The Koreans themselves are very fond of soaking up in hot water, but also going down with a breeze from water slide will not refuse. One of the most popular water parks, Seorak Votopia, is located next to the Seoraksan Mountains on the coast. East Sea. Even if you don't really love water activities, worth a visit: Seoraksan is part of mountain range Geumgangsan, which means “Diamond Mountains”, is considered one of the most scenic spots in the world.

What to do:

In addition to hot springs and golf, there are other entertainments in Korea, at the mention of which the heart of every Korean starts to beat faster. Oddly enough, this is baseball. The beloved American pastime has become so beloved in the East that it has become almost a national sport. If you have never been to the USA and have not seen this game, be sure to go, just study the rules in advance, otherwise it can be boring.

The second is hiking in the mountains. Perhaps this is one of the secrets of Korean longevity: fresh air, physical activity and contemplation of scenic views are very conducive to increasing life expectancy.

What to try:

Koreans eat a lot of rice, but they also like soups and seafood dishes. An obligatory component of the meal is kimchi, that is, fermented pickled vegetables. Fruit is usually served for dessert, while liqueurs and makkory rice wine are popular drinks.

Koreans love to eat and take food very seriously, but fat people are rare. Probably, the thing is that all dishes, according to the Koreans themselves, are exceptionally healthy.

What to buy:

South Korea has a lot of everything that is an everyday item for locals, and exotic and a good gift for foreigners. Here you can find very beautiful pearls, caskets inlaid with mother-of-pearl, fans, embroidery, masks, wooden and ceramic items.

A special pride of South Korea is ginseng. It is sold in different types- tea, tinctures, extracts, dried and dried ginseng, in honey, in alcohol, in syrup. There are even chocolates and candies with ginseng. Original and, as they say, useful.

(Busan): Don't be put off by the word "motel" in the title. Here you will find excellent value for money and modern comfort with hints of Asian flavor.