South Korea Free Travel Guide

Korean food:

When it comes to food, no country can compare to China, so when Chinese people go abroad, they all feel that they have nothing to eat. Although South Korea is a close neighbor, there are still differences after all. Many people even say that eating in South Korea is like entering a temple. The implication is that there is a lack of oil and water. It is true that Korean food is mainly light, but this does not mean that Korea does not have delicious food. Everyone knows that Korean kimchi is very famous. Kimchi is Korea’s number one delicacy. It is nutritious, delicious and beautiful. It is a dish that Koreans cannot live without.

In addition to kimchi, Koreans can’t live without hot sauce. It’s in kimchi, on barbecue, in noodles, and on seafood. Dipping lettuce and cucumbers in hot sauce is a dish. It can be said that one of the characteristics of Korean food is spicy. This kind of spiciness is different from Chinese spiciness. Chinese spiciness is fragrant and salty, while Korean spiciness is sweet and dry.

There is a snack in Korea, which is similar to Chinese rice cakes. It is cylindrical and long, cut into small pieces, mixed with red spicy sauce in a frying pan, and fried before eating. This snack is available in many restaurants.

Pancakes are also a well-known food in Korea, but they are thicker than Chinese ones. They are often filled with shredded squid and the like, and are mostly palm-sized, making them easy to roll up. There is also a kind of pancake made with potato flour, which is eaten with condiments and is delicious.

Similar to Chinese food, there are also dumplings, mostly fried or steamed dumplings. There are also steamed buns, but they all have sweet fillings, like thick-skinned bean buns. You must have heard of Korean cold noodles.

In the cold sweet and sour soup, there is a ball of thin noodles with two hard-boiled eggs and two slices of pear or radish lying on it. It is very delicious.

Cold noodles are mainly Pyongyang cold noodles made of buckwheat noodles and Hamhung cold noodles made of potatoes. They can also be eaten in two ways: those with soup and those mixed with chili sauce. The texture is very chewy and smooth. . On a hot summer day, sit cross-legged and have a bowl of cold noodles, it’s so refreshing!

When Koreans treat guests to dinner, they usually eat barbecue, which is to marinate beef or steak with condiments and grill it on an iron plate. Garlic, hot sauce, lettuce leaves, and kimchi are naturally indispensable. For more advanced dishes, there are a few more kinds of seafood. The meat is wrapped in vegetable leaves and tastes very good. There is also a type of hot pot, similar to Japanese hot pot, which is actually a frying pan. Put the meat slices, onions, enoki mushrooms, etc. in the pan, add soy sauce, fry it and dip it in the seasonings to eat. It tastes a bit sweet, but it will be a bit greasy after eating too much. Koreans don't like greasy food, so when the meat in the pot leaks oil, use paper towels to absorb it. Once, a friend treated me to steak soup. I thought it must be delicious. When it was served, there were a few large ribs in the casserole, and a few chopped green onions were sprinkled in the clear soup, which tasted very light. They had skimmed off the oil long ago! I had to eat kimchi with my rice.

Bibimbap is also a representative Korean delicacy. It is white rice served in a large, heavy bowl made of stone. The bowl is heated, and meat, eggs, bean sprouts, etc. are put in. The dish is mixed with chili sauce and eaten. The taste is not very good, but the crispy rice is crispy and fragrant.

Korean people are very particular about nourishment, and they also eat ginseng chicken soup during the dog days of summer. Samgyetang is made by simmering baby chicken with glutinous rice, ginseng, dates, etc. until thoroughly cooked and dipped in salt. It is said to be very nutritious. Speaking of soup, there is also beef soup made from beef bones, which is very delicious.

Although I don’t really like Korean food, I quite like their various tableware. It is said that Korean catering was influenced by the lifestyle of ancient royal palaces and paid more attention to form and tableware. What impressed me most were the stainless steel chopsticks and the small bowl with a lid. The chopsticks are a little shorter than Chinese wooden chopsticks. They are heavy in the hand and are engraved with exquisite patterns of various colors. If you accidentally drop them and hit your feet while eating, it will hurt. When I first arrived in Korea, I thought those small stainless steel bowls with lids were hand stoves. After covering them for a while, I discovered that there was rice in them. Maybe because there are so many kimchi, there are various kinds of utensils for holding kimchi, including square, round, multi-layered, single-layered, plastic, ceramic... What surprised me the most is that they often use them when eating. A pair of large scissors. These scissors can cut long noodles when eating cold noodles, cut kimchi when eating kimchi, and cut grilled meat when eating barbecue. In short, they play a very important role during meals.

When eating in Korean restaurants, you usually take off your shoes and sit cross-legged on the Kang. The rooms are small and the tables are low. If there are many people like a banquet, the walls of these small rooms can be pulled up like blinds, and the space can be changed and adjusted at any time, which is very convenient.

The guests usually sit on both sides of square tables, and the tables can be as long as the room is. This reminds me of the scene of kindergarten children sitting in rows to share fruit.

South Korea is also a polite country. Eating is fine, but drinking is different. When they toast someone else, they hold their own wine glass, hand it to the other party, and pour half a glass of wine. The person being toasted turns around, turns his back, raises his head to drink, and then returns the toast. It's really fun to give people the back of their heads when they drink.

Accommodation:

South Korea’s tourist facilities are relatively well-constructed, with hotels of different grades scattered throughout the country. All tourist hotels in South Korea are divided into five levels based on facilities, scale, and service quality.

1. Hotels

Hotels in South Korea are also divided into five levels according to the number of rooms and equipment, and they are distinguished by the number of infinity flowers on the main entrance of the hotel. The special level has five flowers, the first level has four flowers, the second level has three flowers, and so on. World-class luxury hotels are also very common here, such as the InterContinental Hotel, Hilton International Hotel, etc.; in recent years, several large hotels have been built in Seoul. These hotels are well-equipped and elegantly decorated, as well as Chinese, Japanese, and Western-style restaurants and bars. Beauty salon, nightclub, etc.

2. Korean-style hotel

If you want to experience the local Korean culture, it is recommended that you stay in a traditional Korean-style room. If it is winter, Korean-style hotels have copper-plated doors installed at the bottom. Heating comes from the pipe, and then you can lay down bedding on the flat and smooth surface of the pit and fall asleep. The youth hostel has excellent equipment. In addition to guest rooms that can accommodate 6-8 people, there are double rooms, Korean-style "ondol rooms" and even deluxe double rooms.

South Korea travel accommodation recommendations:

1. Jeju Island accommodation

Concentrated in Jeshi, Seogwipo City and Jungmun Recreation Area. Well equipped. The main tourists on the island are tourists and tourists from home and abroad. It is best to book a hotel in advance when going to the island.

2. Accommodation in Busan

Grand hotels are concentrated in the center of Busan, with swimming pools, gyms and open-air hot springs. Bugok Hot Spring is well-equipped and large-scale (such as Bugok Hawaiian Hotel) And famous.

3. Accommodation in Gyeongju

Gyeongju’s high-end hotels are in the Bomun Lake leisure area, and Korean-style hotels are mostly concentrated in the center of Gyeongju or Daegu City. You can stay in a small hotel or at home, if you want to stay in a villager's house in Hesi. You can experience local life.

4. Accommodation in Seoraksan

There are many elegant hotels, Korean-style hotels and villas in Seorakdong. Travelers who love hot spring bathing can visit the starting point of South Seorak, the Goseokyushui Hot Spring, and the mountain hot springs in the suburbs of Sokcho. The East Coast is most famous for the Naksan Seaside Hotel.

Except for Western-style hotels, few accommodation hotels here will prepare toothbrushes, toothpaste, slippers and other essential items for travelers. Travelers need to bring their own. Travelers who go to hot springs are advised to bring their own related supplies. The above Korean accommodation guide and Korean travel accommodation recommendations are recommended to everyone here. Finally, I wish you a happy stay and a comfortable stay.

Shopping:

Korean ginseng:

The types of ginseng in the world can be divided into 6 to 7 types. Common ginseng on the market is in Northeast Asia such as South Korea. Cultivated Korean ginseng; American ginseng in the United States and Canada; Panax ginseng produced in Yunnan and Guangxi provinces in China, etc. Among them, Korean ginseng, which looks similar to humans, can be divided into American ginseng and Panax ginseng. All ginseng cultivated in Korea is called Korean ginseng.

Korean ginseng is a perennial semi-shady perennial grass (perennial grass: a plant that withers and withers in winter, leaving only the roots to continue to reproduce in spring). After sowing, it takes about 4 to 6 years of growth to mature. In particular, the natural environment such as climate, amount of sunshine, and soil are very important. Only when these conditions are met can excellent ginseng be cultivated.

Korean ginseng, said to be able to cure all kinds of diseases, has superior medical effects than other ginseng.

Electronic products:

There are a variety of small shops selling mobile phones, home appliances, computer-related spare parts and other products. And the price is cheaper than the normal market price as the competition becomes fierce. The pricing system implemented mainly in large stores prevents customers from being deceived. And prices vary every day, and the prices of discounted products in each store will also change accordingly.

Therefore, if you visit a few more stores and compare shopping, you can buy your favorite products at a low price. In addition, the latest electronic products on the market will also appear here as quickly as possible. You can choose where to go based on the different characteristics of the two places. Among them, Techno Mart is a comprehensive shopping mall that integrates various products and fashion. On the contrary, Yongshan Electronics Mall only sells electronic products, which are large and miscellaneous, so the prices are low.

Hanbok:

Hanbok, the traditional Korean clothing known as the "clothes of the wind" in France, is the strongest representative of Korean color and Korean culture.

The price of Hanbok varies greatly depending on the brand, fabric, design, embroidery and various decorations.

The price of ordinary women’s Hanbok skirts and tops starts at 150,000 when purchased together. Men's hanbok includes pants, tops, vests, and mandarins. When purchased together, it usually costs about 150,000 to 300,000 won. At this basic price, there will be different increases based on differences in fabrics, embroidery, etc. However, children's hanbok is cheaper and popular.

Jewelry:

Korean jewelry can be said to have various styles, leading fashion, high quality and low price! Especially the styles that are not available in our country, they are unique and exquisite, and they are so beautiful!

Jewelry shopping in South Korea has evolved from the previous consumption characterized by large and expensive items by middle-aged and elderly people to today's popular consumption trend of simple, exquisite, economical and diverse consumption by middle-aged and young people. The sales areas can be roughly divided into three areas: department stores, mid- to low-price jewelry stores and retail stores represented by miniGOLD and LLOYD, and wholesale shopping streets specially prepared for newlyweds.

Department stores: The safest and most reliable stores in terms of quality assurance, and a variety of high-end jewelry brand stores are densely packed, providing free space for consumers who like brands and value quality assurance. But in terms of variety of styles, high quality and satisfaction, Wholesale Street is ahead.

Jewelry retail stores: Retail stores can be divided into jewelry specialty stores represented by LLOYD and miniGOLD and individual retail stores. LLOYD and miniGOLD are large-scale franchise stores and belong to large enterprises, so their quality assurance is guaranteed. There are various styles, mostly suitable for the needs of young people. In addition, the quality assurance of jewelry stores in living areas is similar to that of wholesale merchants, and the main consumer group is middle-aged. The Gangnam area, centered around Cheongdam-dong and Apgujeong, is a place where high-priced jewelry and quality assurance are highly recognized

Jewelry Wholesale Street: Dozens of small shops selling styles in a large shopping street A wide range of jewelry of all types. Because of the concentration of various stores, it is far ahead in terms of design and fashion. Quality assurance is generally reliable, but when purchasing fine jewelry, department store quality assurance is more reliable.

Shopping Tips

Tax Refund:

Shopping in stores marked with the "Tax Free Shopping" logo can get VAT refund services. You must leave the country within 3 months from the date of purchase and purchase goods above a certain amount (minimum purchase price).

1. Obtain a tax-free shopping invoice (Global Refund Check) when shopping in a store marked with the Global Refund tax-free shopping logo.

2. If you plan to check in the purchased goods, do not check in the luggage containing the purchased goods at the airport when leaving the country. Instead, present the invoice and goods to the customs and stamp the confirmation stamp before checking them in.

If the purchased items are too large and you want to check them in, you can take the items together with the shopping receipt to the special cabinets for large items (oversize luggage checking) in front of counters D and J before changing your boarding pass

counter) to handle relevant procedures. Please see the picture below for the specific location.

If you plan to take the purchased goods as carry-on luggage on the plane, you can go to the ② Customs Declaration Office to get a confirmation stamp.

3. Present the invoice at the tax refund window (CASH REFUND) next to Gate 28 of the airport and refund the total VAT on the purchased goods in cash. If you are unable to get a tax refund due to time constraints, you can get a tax refund by showing the airport confirmation stamp at the domestic return office after returning to your country

Entertainment:

South Korea has a first-class large-scale entertainment park, Aibo in Seoul. Paradise is one of the most famous. Tourists can choose one of the places according to their personal preferences and enjoy the exotic pleasure.

In addition, tourists can safely enjoy nightlife in cafes, nightclubs, bars and other places. Myeong-dong, Itaewon, and Gwangbok-dong in Busan are home to a large number of nightclubs and other entertainment venues; Seoul’s Sinchon and Hongdae areas are where young people gather.

The hot springs in Korea are different from those in China and Japan in the way they are formed. Currently, there are 80 hot springs of various types in South Korea. Most of the hot springs in China and Japan are volcanic, and the water is more stimulating to the human body; while the hot springs in South Korea gush out of granite, and the water temperature is lower and the water quality is fine. In particular, the sulfur hot springs in South Korea are rich in sulfur, potassium, magnesium and other minerals, and many tourists visit them here.

Skiing is a winter sport that is very popular among Korean and Southeast Asian tourists. The peak season for skiing in Korea is from December to March every year. Each ski resort is fully equipped and provides a variety of high-quality services. ,

Most ski resorts have night skiing facilities and complete accommodation facilities.

Golf in South Korea is also talked about by everyone. There are more than 120 golf courses in South Korea, most of which are near Seoul, as well as in Gyeongju, Jeju and other places. Although prices vary among golf courses, the cost is generally 80,000-90,000 won from Monday to Friday and 110,000 won on weekends.

In addition, there are currently 13 casinos in South Korea, all of which are located in government-licensed special hotels and are restricted to foreigners. Among them, the Walkerhill Hotel and Casino in Seoul is the largest in Korea, and you can enjoy Las Vegas-style and Korean traditional performances.

South Korea travel tips:

The government stipulates that Korean citizens must respect the national flag, national anthem, and national flower. Not only do radio stations regularly broadcast the national anthem, but theaters also play the national anthem before performances, requiring the audience to stand. If foreigners show excessive indolence in the above places, it will be considered as disrespectful to Korea and the Korean people.

Korean people have many taboos. When meeting each other during the holidays, you should not say unlucky words, let alone get angry or quarrel. During the first three days of the first lunar month, you are not allowed to take out garbage, sweep the floor, or kill chickens or pigs. Avoid making fire during the Cold Food Festival. The zodiac signs are incompatible with each other.

Marriage, the wedding date should not be on a single day. Fishermen are not allowed to turn the fish over because they are afraid of capsizing the boat. Don't go to someone else's house to cut your nails, otherwise the two families will get into trouble after death. Don't wear a hat when eating, otherwise you will be poor for life. Avoid sleeping with a book on your pillow, otherwise you will not succeed in reading. Taboo

Kill a dog born in the first month, otherwise it will definitely die within three years.

When sitting with older people, sit with an upright posture. Since the Korean dining table is a small table with short legs, placed on the floor, both the host and the guest should sit cross-legged on the floor. If you are in front of your elders, you should kneel and sit on the soles of your feet. No matter who you are, you must not straighten or spread your legs, otherwise it will be considered impolite or insulting. You are not allowed to smoke in front of your superiors or elders, and you are not allowed to borrow or receive fire from them without obtaining permission. Don't make any noise when eating, let alone talk. Shoes should be taken off when entering a family home or Korean restaurant. Eating on the street and blowing your nose in front of others are considered rude.

In front of Koreans, do not mention the word "North Korea" or refer to "Seoul" as "Beijing" "Photography is strictly restricted in South Korea. Military facilities, airports, reservoirs, subways, national museums, and entertainment venues are all prohibited. Photography in the air and in high-rise buildings is also prohibited.

01. Greetings and saying thanks when meeting or breaking up are very important to Koreans.

02. It is also a very important etiquette to bow your head when saying thank you (the degree of bowing depends on the age of the other person and the relationship between superior and subordinate)

03. Koreans do not like to go too far. initiative.

04. From an etiquette perspective, Koreans do not like physical contact except shaking hands.

05. In South Korea, intimate physical contact such as holding hands or putting shoulders between same-sex people is taken for granted.

06. Overly intimate behavior between opposite sexes in public places is restricted.

07. Most men and women in South Korea use the restroom. Restrooms in various hotels, restaurants and other places are also completely open.

08. According to tradition, Koreans eat, sleep, and live on the heated kang, so they must take off their shoes before entering the house.

09. It is considered rude to go barefoot, so out of politeness, you must wear socks when visiting.

10. When checking out after eating or playing, there is almost no phenomenon of paying separately. Generally, everyone takes turns to pay.

11. Excessive talking during meals is considered impolite.

12. Blowing your nose during meals is considered impolite.

13. You can burp during meals.