Step into wonderful Korea and discover a sparkling world that you have never known before. It is a country where Eastern and Western cultures blend a wealth of historical treasures with cutting edge contemporary amenities. Sandwiched between China and Japan, lesser-known Korea is a country with its unique and distinctive language, culture and food. Korea has risen as a global landmark of modernity. Renowned for its ship building industry, electronics and automobiles, it has emerged as one of the strongest and fastest growing economies in the world. Today, it is also an important sporting destination after having hosted two of the greatest sporting events, Summer Olympics in 1998 and the FIFA World Cup in 2002.
The Korean Peninsula is roughly 1,020km long and 175km wide at its narrowest point. Mountains cover 70 percent of the Korea’s landmass, making it one of the most mountainous regions in the world. This has created breathtaking landscapes of scenic hills and valleys.
Korea enjoys four distinct seasons. In late March or early April, the trees burst into leafy splendor to mark the beginning of spring. Mostly sunny days can be expected from March through June. During the relatively hot and rainy summer season, the vegetation is lush. By June average temperatures are over 20°C. Monsoon rains usually begin around the end of June and last until mid to late July. August is hot, but never exceeds 32°C for the whole summer period. The coming of autumn in late September brings continental winds and clear, dry weather, marking the fall months perhaps the most pleasant time of the year. October’s vivid goals and vibrant reds create a colorful panorama. December to February is cold and dry with occasional snow.
Freedom of religion is fully guaranteed. Korea’s major religions have all played an integral role in the country’s socio-cultural development.
Seoul, the bustling metropolis is the financial, political, commercial, recreational, educational and cultural center of Korea. It is home to over 11 million people with a high standard of living. Seoul’s busy streets are lined with smart shops and shopping malls laden with the latest in fashion world. Entertainment districts are packed with Internet rooms, billiard halls, bowling alleys, live jazz clubs, raging nightclubs and private rooms where you can sing and dance to Karaoke. The city is equipped with an efficient transportation system supported by metro within the city and an excellent rail, road, air and ferry network within the country.
Korea is one of the few countries to have a superfast train operating within the country. Han River running through Seoul provides a retreat from the skyscrapers of the city. Riverside parks along the banks of the Han River are equipped with a host of amenities like jogging paths, outdoor swimming pools, roller-skating rinks and other sporting facilities. Floating restaurants and cafes add to the fun. Taking river cruises from riverside parks is an excellent way of enjoying the scenery.
Namsan Park is evergreen part of Seoul located on Mount Namsan. It features a botanical garden and a playground on the lower side of the park. A cable car ride in the park enables you to get a bird’s eye view of the city. The landscaped park offers world class jogging tracks, spectacular views and a path leading on the wooden slopes of the mountain. In the vicinity lies the Seoul N Tower which includes an event hall, an observatory and a restaurant.
Seoul was blessed with another tourist attraction which has become the cynosure of all eyes, the Cheonggyecheon Stream. The stream is approximately 5.8km stretch flowing through the heart of city with landscaping on either side, walkways, bridges with unique design and fantastic nighttime illumination.
Itaewon is one of the most popular shopping area with over 2,000 shops and dining areas for foreign tourists. Enjoy Korea’s museums and galleries, treasures of ceramics and Literati ink paintings in the alleys of Insa-dong in Seoul where one can find contemporary installation and multimedia art. Or feel the pulse of life in operas, dances and percussion quartets.
Korean folk village is set in a natural environment occupying 243 acres; visitors can experience authentic Korean atmosphere with 260 traditional houses and a general view of the Korean food, clothing and housing style of the past era. About 20 workshops and various handicrafts such as pottery, baskets, bamboo and woodenwares, paper, brass, fans, musical instruments etc are practiced. Here the customs and lifestyles of past generations have been faithfully maintained without impairment.
DMZ is another world-renowned tourist destination famous for its natural heritage with rare plants, migratory birds as well as its significance as a symbol of confrontation and peace. Korea is the only divided country in the world since the Korean War in 1950. After the end of Korean War, South and North Korea brokered a deal to set up the demilitarized zone otherwise called as the DMZ, 2 km away from the truce line on each side of the border. As one of the last relics of the Cold War, the DMZ attracts a great deal of public interest.
Dive into a shopper’s paradise and explore the markets that start bustling at night. Redolent ginseng traditional artifacts, tableware, electronic goods, apparel and accessories that offer an eye opening variety to shop. Namdaemun Market is Korea’s oldest open-air markets that has existed on the same spot for more than 600 years. It sells virtually everything from clothes, toys, leather goods, gift items, ceramics, handicrafts, imported goods etc.
Jeju Island is one of the most beautiful islands in East Asia and nicknamed “Hawaii of the Orient.” It is located just one hour by air from Seoul. Lilliput Miniworld is a miniature park featuring world’s renowned structures like Colosseum of Rome, statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower, Forbidden City in Beijing, Great Wall of China, Opera House of Sydney, and Buckingham Palace etc. Manjanggul is the longest lava cave in the world displaying a bizarre underground world caved in the hands of nature. Sangumburi Crater is one of the three major craters on the island. It is a botanical garden with species of subtropical, temperate and some alpine flowers. Over 70 hot springs are scattered across Korea. The tourists are attracted to the hot springs according to the minerals, quality of their hot spring water, pleasant facilities and services available.
DIAL 1330
Visitors who need information or encounter problems during their stay in Korea can dial 1330 for visitor information or interpretation in English. This service is free-of-cost and available 24 hours.
