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Korea
Often referred to as the “Land of the Morning Calm,” Korea is located at a major crossroads of Northeast Asia. Its 5,000-year history has helped shape not only the peninsula located between China and Japan but the world as a whole. It has become an economic force through modernization while preserving its traditional heritage and cultural roots. The land of the Morning Calm is among the world’s most “Sparkling” destinations.

Beautiful nature and wonderful tourist attractions, timeless Korean culture, and ‘HanStyle’ are examples of the attributes that differentiate Korea from other advanced tourist destinations. ‘HanStyle’ refers to the elegant and refined aspects of Hansik (Korean style food), Hanok (traditional Korean style houses), Hanji (Korean paper), Hanguk eumak (Korean traditional music), Hangeul (Korean alphabet) and Hanbok (traditional Korean clothes), which have turned everyday Korean culture into a brand.

We invite you to visit Korea to experience ‘HanStyle’ and see all that Korea has to offer. Rest assured, you will return with a personalized understanding of why Korea is “Korea, Sparkling.”

10 Things to do

Seoul City Tour - Seoul, Korea’s capital city, is a tourist destination with a host of activities to enjoy, from traditional royal palaces to shopping districts boasting the latest fashion trends. To get the most out of your stay, hop on a Seoul City Tour Bus.

DMZ: The Demilitarized Zone - Korea is the only divided country in the world. After the Korean War, South Korea and North Korea negotiated and designated the DMZ 2km away from the truce line on each side of the border. As one of the last relics of the Cold War, the DMZ attract a great deal of public interest.

Temple Stay - A Temple Stay is a cultural-experience program designed to help people better understand Korean Buddhism. Temple stays offer various kinds of practicing methods such as Yebul (ceremonial service chanting), Chamseon (Zen meditation), Dado (tea ceremony) and Baru Gongyang (communal Buddhist meal service.)

Gyeongju City - Known as The Museum Without Walls this popular attraction houses a vast amount of shrines, tombs, and Buddhist sculptures. It is considered by UNESCO to be on of the top 10 most historically significant places in the world.

Jeju Island – A UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, this volcanic island located in the South of Korea is a recreational and leisure sport heaven. For travelers hoping to get away and explore this beautiful island, the newly opened Jeju "Olle" walking paths offer a unique opportunity.

Palaces in Downtown Seoul - Changdeok-gung Palace – Listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, visitor access is limited to guided group tours to safeguard the palace. Gyeongbokgung Palace - Seoul's most prominent palace. Although situated in the middle of the city, once inside the gates of the palace, you quickly forget the hustle and bustle of city life.

Performance – Nanta – Cookin’ as it is known in the state, Jump Seoul – a taekwondo performance, B-Boy – modern breakdancing, Kim Duk-soo’s traditional Yeonhui performance, changing of the Royal Guard Ceremony, and Korean traditional stage “MISO.”

Day tour of North Korea’s Gaeseong City - Get a chance to peek behind the curtain of one of the world’s most hidden nations.

Korean Folk Village – is a living museum that recreates the lifestyle of several centuries ago. There are potters, weavers, blacksmiths and other artisans who practice their trades in a traditional fashion. There are also 270 traditional houses and a small amphitheater for traditional folk music and dance performances.

Medical Tourism – Korea provides world-class healthcare services accompanied by highly advanced facilities and cutting-edge technology. At 20% of the cost of treatment in the United States, visitors can seek treatment in several areas including health screening, cosmetic surgery, dental care, and infertility treatments.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Korea experiences four distinct seasons. During the autumn months, Korea’s weather is typically sunny, skies are cobalt blue, and the spectacular foliage is a big draw. In the spring, visitors are struck by the beautiful cherry blossoms, while winter brings great opportunities to take part in winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding.

ANNUAL EVENTS

Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving, October) - One of Korea’s most largely celebrated holidays. It is a time when families and friends gather to share food and enjoy their time together, giving thanks to their ancestors for the year’s bountiful harvests.

Seollal (Lunar New Year’s Day) - On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Koreans hold a memorial service for their ancestors and perform sebae (a formal bow of respect to their elders) as a New Year’s greeting. The most common food for this day is tteokguk (rice cake soup.) It is said that one cannot become a year older without eating a bowl of this special Korean soup.

Lotus Lantern Festival (April) - This festival commemorates Buddha's birthday. Over 100,000 lotus lanterns parade the streets of Jongno in Seoul, creating a continuous wave of harmony and unity.

Mystic Sea Parting Festival (May) - This festival is held where the sea parts between Jindo and Modo Islands when the tide drops. It is referred to as the "Moses’ Miracle".

Boryeong Mud Festival (July) - Daecheon Beach, with the longest coastline on Korea’s west coast, holds an annual mud festival offering visitors opportunities to receive packs and massages with pure, well refined sea mud.

Pusan International Film Festival (October) - This festival has grown into one of the most influential film festivals in Asia, filling Busan with famous film makers, actors, critics, fans and huge audiences.

Gwangju Kimchi Festival (October) - This festival celebrates everything about kimchi. Outstanding kimchi chefs and curios visitors come to see the many varieties available.

Andong International Maskdance Festival (September) - Visitors to the festival will enjoy the many performances of Korea’s traditional mask dances. As well as performances, events in the festival program also include mask dance competitions and mask dance lessons, which are available for international visitors.

SIGNATURE FOODS

Kimchi: Cabbage (or radish, cucumber, etc), julienne radish, minced garlic, diced green onion, salted fish, salt

Bulgogi: Better known to Americans as Korean BBQ, Bulgogi is thinly cut beef, marinated in a soy sauce seasoning and grilled over fire.

Galbi: Seasoned ribs of pork or beef

Bibimbab: Various seasoned vegetables, meat and egg are nicely arranged over rice, then mixed and eaten.

Samgyetang: Chicken Soup stuffed with ginseng & other ingredients.

Haemultang: Seafood stew including crab, clams, shrimp and fish

Kimchi jjigae: Kimchi stew

Soju: A distilled beverage native to Korea.

Click Here to Visit Korea's Culinary Page

TOP BUYS

	Tailor made suites and dresses
	Traditional food and liquors
	Leather goods and sports wear
	Jewelry and Accessories (Amethyst, white jade, eyeglasses, etc.)
	Folk Arts and Antiques
	For those into high fashion, Lie Sang-bong’s Hanbok inspired clothing is being picked up by Hollywood elite.

BEST SHOPPING AREAS

	Downtown Shopping Area (Myeongdong Street, Namdaemun Market, Insadong Street, Dongdaemun Market)
	Duty Free Shops (Airports and Downtown)
	COEX Mall
	Techno Electronics Mart

KEY WORDS

	No – Aniyo
	Yes – Ye
	Nice to meet you – Mannaseo bangawoyo
	Please help me - Dowa-juseyo
	Good morning, afternoon, evening – Annyeong-haseyo
	Thank you – Gamsa-hamnida
	You’re welcome – Cheonmaneyo
	Excuse me – Sillye-hamnida
	I’m sorry – Mian-hamnida
	Please take me to... - euro gajuesyo
	How much is it? - Geugeoseun eolma-imnikka?

FAQ

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	Big Mac	$3.00
	Dinner for two	$40.00
	Cab ride from airport to town	$50.00
	Local subway/train	$1.00
	Souvenir tee shirt	$4.00
	30-minute massage at a local spa	$35.00
	A bus tour around the city	$10.00
	Souvenir Gift	$20.00

Seoul Weather Forecast, South Korea

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