South Korea Country Dossier

"A visit to South Korea is as unusual now as it has been throughout history."

"My time in the Hermit Kingdom was brief but full of surprises. Surprise at the heady mix of traditional and ultra-new that makes Seoul such a fascinating capital - and surprise at the fabulous system of National Parks, just for starters. Yes - the parks can be very busy at times, but why shouldn't the locals appreciate the stunning beauty that nature has dropped on their doorstep?! It only takes a little extra effort to get beyond the crowds and discover those hidden gems. Come with us and enjoy this fantastic destination before word gets out."

Ian Ford, Destination Manager Far East – The Imaginative Traveller

Factfile

Capital: Seoul
Official Language: Korean.
Religions: The four main belief systems are: Shamanism (from central Asia); Buddhism (which entered from China in the 4th century AD); Confucianism (also of Chinese origin) & Christianity (which gained popularity in the 18th century).
Voltage: 220 Volts. Sockets are two round pins (there is no earth pin). Conversion plugs for electrical appliances are useful.

Preparing to go

Visas

Most nationalities arriving in South Korea with a confirmed outbound ticket will be granted a stay of up to 90 days.

You should check visa requirements with your embassy before departure.

All passengers arriving in South Korea are required to complete an immigration card and customs declaration. Those arriving from regions where cholera, yellow fever or bubonic plague have been detected may be required to fill in a quarantine questionnaire.

Money

Local Currency

The monetary unit in South Korea is the won (W). Coins are available in denominations of 10, 50, 100 and 500. Banknotes come in 1000, 5000 & 10000 won. You usually get a better exchange rate on arrival in country than before departure from your home country.

Approximate exchange rates (as at Aug 2006) are as follows:

At present there are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency that a visitor may bring into South Korea.

XE.com is a useful site for currency conversion.

Changing Money, Credit Cards & ATMs

Cash and traveller's cheques can be easily changed at banks in cities throughout the country and oddly the latter attract a better rate than cash. US Dollars are easiest to exchange. There are also ATMs in all major cities and these facilities are very reliable. Credit cards are accepted in larger shops, but not generally in the restaurants we frequent.

It is very easy to change money at the airport on arrival in Seoul. If you are relying on travellers’ cheques, it is advisable to change some money at the airport, particularly if you arrive on a weekend. Credit cards are readily accepted and ATMs are found throughout the city.

The Pre Departure Booklet that you will receive once you have booked your tour contains general information about organising your spending money. Your Tour Leader will be able to advise you on local facilities.

Imtrav Travel Tip
International credit or debit cards are an easy way of accessing money in South Korea. However, you should be prepared for the unexpected and bring some cash and travellers cheques.

Working out your Budget

The Pre-Departure Information contains general information about the things you will need to consider when budgeting for your holiday. Below are some specific notes relevant to our tours in South Korea.

Entrance Fees

Adventurer trips do not include any entrance fees to allow you the freedom to choose what to visit. On average entrance fees vary between US$1 and US$4. Full or half day excursions are more expensive. Details of entrance fees to some popular sites are shown below.

Note: The entrance fees specified below are approximate and subject to change without notice.

From Seoul, a half day tour of the DMZ costs around US$40 and a full day tour around US$60. These tours include lunch. Entry to the Folk Museum in Seoul is US$1.

Entry to the Manjanggul lava tunnel in Jeju-Si is US$2.

In Gyeongju, entry to the Bulguksa Temple complex is US$3, the Tumuli Park is US$1.50, & the Seokguram Grotto is US$2.50.

Note: International student cards are not generally accepted for discounts on entrance fees in South Korea.

Optional Excursions

All of our itineraries include free time, during which you can take optional excursions. Your Tour Leader will be able to advise you of the possibilities in each area.

Meals

Adventurer tours do not generally include any meals. Meals are generally arranged by the Tour Leader and take advantage of local specialities. Often this means a banquet style meal with the bill split between those eating together. Approximate costs for meals and snacks are shown below:

For a guide to the type of food you will find in COUNTRY see the Local Food & Drink section of this dossier.

Drinks
Meals are usually accompanied by Korean tea. This has a slightly smoky taste. It is not recommended that you drink the local tap water in South Korea. However, bottled water, carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices are widely available throughout the country.

Approximate costs for drinks bought in a shop in the street are shown below.

Note: Prices in restaurants, hotels and on cruise boats can be considerably higher.

Local Transport

Seoul and Busan have underground railway networks (Seoul’s is one of the largest in the world). These are cheap (US$1 maximum), efficient and easy to use, but can be crowded at rush hour. City buses are similarly crowded, but also cheap (US$1 maximum). Taxis are an effective method of local transport within cities. There is a starting rate of around US$1.50, after which the charge is around US$0.50 per kilometre.

Note: Taxi drivers do not usually speak English. It is useful to pick up a business card from your hotel and city maps in each city. A phone translation service does operate in most major cities and drivers will use this if they can’t understand you.

What to Take

The Pre-Departure Information that you will receive once you have booked your tour contains a comprehensive list of items that you should consider bringing with you. Please note that you DO NOT need to bring a mosquito net or sleeping bag on any of our tours in South Korea. Check your Trip Dossier for any special requirements.

The Imaginative Traveller Recommends: Bring a backpack or easy to carry luggage and travel light! You will have to carry your own luggage frequently – don't let this be an ordeal!

Clothing

As a general guideline, clothing should be lightweight, loose fitting, hard-wearing and easily washed. In South Korea's hot and humid summer months, cotton clothing is much more comfortable than man-made materials like nylon. Be prepared for cooler evenings and early morning starts - for this reason you will generally find it better to pack several thin layers rather than one thick layer. A fleece can be invaluable and double as a pillow.

In South Korea, people are judged by their appearance, so Koreans are generally very fashion conscious and dress neatly.

The Imaginative Traveller Recommends: It doesn’t go amiss to bring along a set of smart/casual clothes for the occasional night out.

Prepare Yourself
Whilst few of our tours can be described as physically demanding you will find all activities more enjoyable if you are reasonably fit and active.

The tour includes a number of optional hikes. If you intend to participate in these, you should undertake some walks of several hours duration at home beforehand.

Cultural & Environmental Guidelines

Customs & Etiquette

Naturally South Korea has customs and attitudes that you will not be familiar with. However, if you respect these customs you will receive a friendly welcome and your visit will be all the more enjoyable.

Show a little respect when meeting someone; a nod or bow being better than a handshake. The traditional greeting is “Annyonghaseyo”. (See Useful Phrase in Korean for pronunciation and other civilities.)

You may even want to bring a few business cards to exchange with acquaintances. This will increase their respect for you. Being smartly dressed helps too.

Remember to take off your shoes before entering a home (It is therefore more appropriate that you wear socks or stockings). You will usually be prompted by a pile of other shoes. If you must take shoes inside your room, place them on some paper not directly on the floor.

Try not to blow your nose in public. If possible retire to a restroom. At least make the effort of turning away from companions.

Toilets
Whenever you use a western or squat style toilet please place your toilet paper in the rubbish bin provided – DO NOT flush it down the toilet as this may block the sewerage system. You may also want to carry your own toilet paper as not all toilets will supply it.

The Imaginative Traveller Recommends: You may find it useful to take along a supply of antiseptic gel (ie water free soap).

Litter
South Korea is generally a very clean country. Please keep it that way by holding onto your waste until you find a litterbin or somewhere appropriate to dispose of it.

Begging

Begging is not common in South Korea but has started to appear at some tourist destinations. Ultimately donations are a travellers’ personal choice, however our recommendation is NOT to give money, pens, gifts or sweets as this encourages a begging mentality and is largely ineffectual. If you do want to help it is probably better to give to a recognised charity. If you choose not to give, simply say no with a smile and keep on walking. If you learn nothing else of the local language, try to learn to say ‘no thank you’.

Shopping

In most shops prices are fixed and not negotiable.

Arrival

Arrival Transfers

All international flights to Seoul now arrive at Incheon airport. We DO NOT provide complimentary arrival transfers from this airport as public transport is so efficient and easy to use (For details, see the ‘Making your own way’ section below).

Making Your Own Way

The Meeting Point for your tour should be clearly marked on your travel vouchers.

It is easy to make your own way to the meeting point using the excellent public transport network. For economy we recommend against using a taxi for the whole of this 60km journey. Expect to pay about US$40 if you do.

Bus
(to Hapjeong Metro Stop, Exit No. 4) Bus service 602 stops at Hapjeong metro stop within walking distance of our meeting point. Purchase a ticket at counters 5B or 12B on the arrival floor (1st floor) of the passenger terminal. There are information counters near the exits no. 2, 4, 9 & 13 to assist you if required. Buses leave every 15-20 minutes between 04:40 and 21:30. A ticket costs US$6 and the journey takes about 60 minutes.

Train
A new rail link from Incheon airport to the old Gimpo airport is expected to be completed in 2007. Gimpo airport is on the No. 8 line requiring only one change (or a slightly longer walk) to reach Hapjeong metro stop. The rail link is planned to go through to Seoul station eventually.

Foot
When you arrive at the Hapjeong metro station you need Exit 8 when you will see an SK gas station on your right. Walk along this road, passed Holt Children's Service (also on your right) and a second SK gas station. Bear right and follow this road past the statue of Jeong Mong Jun on your left. Take the first road on your right and you will see the Hotel across the road.

See map on separate page which also shows the name of the hotel in Hangeul script.

On Tour

Safety

Most people find that South Korea is a very friendly and hospitable country and feel quite comfortable wandering around alone during the day. However, as with any country you are not familiar with, it is recommended that you exercise more caution at night. Pickpockets and other opportunists operate around some tourist sites.

Korean men are known to drink quite heavily in public. Some can become aggressive when drunk and are best avoided. Do not react but keep walking.

Tour Leaders & Guides

Your Tour Leader's role is to ensure all aspects of the trip run smoothly. He/she will share their local knowledge, advise on how to fill your free time and co-ordinate the day to day running of the tour – although occasionally he/she may need your understanding if things do not go according to plan. If you have any problems on the tour, please let your Tour Leader know so that steps can be taken to put it right. Tour Leaders are supported by our regionally based office staff and, in most cases, a locally based manager.

Please note that some styles of trip, such as Imaginative Escapes or Imaginative Honeymoons, do not have a Tour Leader. However, there will be representatives on hand who will be able to assist you in arranging any excursions that you wish you take.

Accommodation

Our main criterion for choosing hotels is cleanliness. On Adventurer tours hotels are simple, but comfortable. Bathroom facilities may sometimes be shared and rooms may sometimes be multi share rather than twin. Hotels on Traveller tours almost always have private bathrooms, air conditioning and bar / restaurant facilities. Please bear in mind that hotels can sometimes suffer from minor problems and technical difficulties.

At each hotel your Tour Leader will try to organise the rooming arrangements to suit everyone's requirements. If you are travelling alone you will be allocated a room with another group member of the same sex (unless you have paid a single supplement). If you are travelling as a couple please note that we cannot guarantee the availability of double beds.

Note: Single supplements are only applicable to single travellers who wish to have their own room. Single supplements are also only available on Traveller tours and are not applicable on overnight boats, trains and while camping.

Laundry

Most hotels offer laundry services and laundrettes are also available in most major cities.

Local Food & Drink

Food
Korean, Chinese and Japanese foods are all available in South Korea. The staple of Korean cuisine is kimchi. Kimchi is a mix of chopped vegetables and other ingredients such as chilli, ginger and garlic, which is left to ferment in earthenware pots. This is served as a side dish with almost every meal, or as a meal itself. Bibimbap is basically kimchi on rice with chilli sauce.

Bulgogi, which is a form of barbeque, is one of the most popular dishes amongst travellers. This relaxing way of eating involves you cooking strips of marinated beef at your table and sharing with friends.

Korean stews – jjigae are inexpensive, tasty and available in an almost endless variety. Bean curd and beef spare ribs are some of the most popular. The Korean version of sushi, Korean-style dumplings and soups are also delicious and available in a number of different forms. There is also a variety of simpler dishes such as noodles or omelettes with rice.

A good way to experience a variety of Korean cuisine is to have a hanjeongsik, or banquet meal, with a range of different dishes.

Please note that at traditional restaurants you will sit on the floor and eat from a low table.

Drinks
Korea produces some of the best herbal teas in the world. Tea or coffee rooms can be great social places, but coffee tends to be expensive.

Koreans also love to drink alcohol, but drinking tends to be a male dominated and boisterous activity. The local rice beverage – makgeolli – can be pretty potent. Local red and white wines are also widely available, as are local beers.

Special Dietary Requirements

Vegetarians
Vegetarians need not be apprehensive about travelling in South Korea; a non-meat alternative is always possible.

Food Allergies
If you have food allergies or preferences, please make them known to your Tour Leader who will do their best to ensure that your requirements are met.

Please note: Unfortunately we can give no guarantee that special requirements can always be met.

Communications

Email
Internet cafes can be found almost everywhere in South Korea. The cost for an hour is usually around US$3.

Phone
The South Korean phone system is extensive and reliable. Local and international calls can be made from coin or card operated public phones. However, the cheapest option is to buy an international phone card. The international access code can be 001, 002 or 008. South Korea’s mobile phone network is not compatible with the GSM system in Europe.

Post
The postal service is good and stamps are available everywhere. An overseas stamp for a postcard will cost approx. US$0.40.

Cameras

Availability of Film
Camera film can be found almost everywhere. Remember, fast film will allow you to take photos even when flash photography is not permitted. It is easy to find memory cards for digital cameras - they may well be cheaper than at home.

General Information

Weather

We do not operate our tours to South Korea during the winter months when it becomes very cold.

Overall, spring and autumn are quite mild and considered the best seasons to travel. Daily average temperatures rise to around 25 degrees in the summer, peaking around 30 in July and August. July sees the highest rainfall in most parts of the country, so summer can be quite humid.

The following chart shows average temperatures (in Degrees Celsius):
(Mean temp throughout a 24 hour period)

City / Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Seoul -2 0 6 12 18 22 25 26 21 15 7 1
Jeju-si 5 6 8 13 17 21 26 27 23 18 12 8
Busan 2 4 8 13 17 21 24 26 22 17 11 5

Meteorological Authority

Holidays

National Holidays

Banks and government offices are closed for National holidays, but many shops remain open on these days.

Festivals & Events

South Korea Public Holidays

Suggested Reading

Guidebooks

Background Reading

Useful Phrases in Korean

The following words and phrases are spelled phonetically to help you with pronunciation.

Korean Numbers
Korean has two counting systems: one of Chinese origin and one native Korean. The native system only goes up to 99

Contact Details

UK Office

The Imaginative Traveller
1 Betts Avenue
Martlesham Heath
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP5 3RH
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1473 667337
Fax: +44 (0)1473 614566

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