Weather

There are 4 distinct seasons in this temperate zone. Autumn (September to November) is dry with cool temperatures and perhaps the best time to visit. Not only is the weather pleasant, but nature shows off its grand foliage. Winters are dry and cold with snowfall. Spring (March - April) temperature average is approximately 11 degrees C with lots of rainfall and plenty of pretty blossoms. Summers are hot (about 20 - 30 degrees C during the day) and rainy.

What to Wear

If travelling during the spring and summer months, be sure to pack waterproofing and lightweight clothing. Sweaters and jackets may be needed for cool evenings, particularly during springtime. During autumn and winter you will need medium to heavyweight clothing. Thermals, woollen hats and gloves are a must especially in the mountainous areas and for those taking part in the winter sport activities.

Visa, Immigration, Customs

Passport valid for the duration of your scheduled length of stay.

Visa/Permit/Tourist Card:No visa required for stays of up to 3 months. Single parents or other adults vacationing alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.

Transportation

There are a number of domestic and international airports ensuring easy and affordable travel to almost any destination within South Korea. Korean Air and Asiana Airlines operate these services.

Airports in South Korea:There are 179 airports in Korea, South.

Travel by Rail:Super express, express and local trains operate on an extensive network. This mode of transportation is easy and quick. Seoul and Busan have subways making urban travel simpler.

Travel by Water:Ferries operate to Jeju-do Island from various ferry terminals along the coast. Hydrofoils will transport you from specific locations and along specific routes.

Travel by Road:You can hire a car with or without a chauffeur. You will need both your national driver’s licence and an International Drivers Permit. The road signs are clearly marked.

You can travel by taxi, either regular or deluxe. Bus services, both for long and short distance travel are affordable and efficient and will take you just about any city or town.

What Side of the Road?:Driving is on the right side of the road.

Speed Limits:Highways - 100 kph

Culture & Food

Languages Spoken:Korean, English widely taught in school.

Religions: Christian 49%, Buddhist 47%, Confucianist 3%, Shamanist, Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way), and other 1%.

People and Culture: The people of South Korea are generally quiet and reserved. Traditions and customs are adhered to. Seniority and marital status are important aspects of their culture. You may not be considered an adult until you are married! Arranged marriages are still practiced today, although it is becoming rare. Confucianism, Shamanism and Buddhism form part of their social culture. Devotion and respect to family, friends and rulers are very important. The Koreans are a homogenous nation, descendants of the Mongols. The languages spoken include Korean and English. They use the Chinese characters for their alphabet, which is called Han-gul. Dance and performing arts are colourful and usually include bright traditional costumes called Hanbok. The Buchae-chum dance is performed with exquisitely painted fans. Masks and the masked dance, bamboo art and pottery are other traditional forms of art and entertainment. Taekwando has its origin in Korea.

A resident or national of Korea, South is called "Korean". The Term used to describe things from here is "Korean". For example, "Korean food".

Tipping and Bargaining: Tipping is not practiced here. Most prices for merchandise are non-negotiable except at a night market or open-air marketplace.

Restaurants:	None
*Porters:	None
Taxi:	None

* Try to use local currency. Foreign coins cannot be exchanged and will be useless to the person receiving them. Foreign paper money requires a trip to the bank for exchange. However paper US dollars are accepted almost universally.

Food:A traditional dish, kimchi, is pickled or preserved vegetables prepared for winter months in special pots. Gimjang is the ceremony for preparing this dish. Other interesting dishes include naenchae (chilled vegetables), sinseollo (hot pot) and jeonyueo (a pan fried fish dish). You may want to taste Ginseng Chicken Soup. For the adventurous foodies, octopus salad, eel, stuffed pigs intestines or silkworm pupae are on the menu. An alcoholic beverage made of rice or potatoes, dong-dong-ju is widely enjoyed.

Money Conversion

South Korea's currency is called the Won (KRW).

Currency Converter :use the following currency converter tool to help you with your vacation. Currency Convertor Tool

Currency Cheat Sheet: use the following currency cheat sheet as a quick conversion reference on your vacation.Currency Cheat Sheet

Attractions

Destination Cities:Seoul is the capital city on the Hangang River and encircled with mountains. These mountains promise panoramic views of the city and cool mountain springs. Here you can visit centuries old shrines, temples and four ancient palaces with landscaped gardens. The Choson Royal Ancestral Shrine and Jongmyo Shrine are classic structures and well worth visiting. Explore the tranquility of Huwon Gardens which mimics the surrounding natural beauty. For something ethnic, visit the Korean Folk Village. Insa-dong is in the city centre and is great for shopping for antiques and cultural souvenirs as well as many other items. Here you will find traditional teahouses, restaurants, art galleries and bookstores. Seoul Tower offers a great view of the city, especially at night. You can reach the tower by car, cable car or by hiking. As an alternative for viewing the city, you may opt for a leisurely boat cruise on the Hangang River. The city of Busan ( Pusan) has much to offer the avid tourist. Great beaches for swimming, sun tanning, windsurfing, yachting, fishing, rowing and jet skiing. Sand art contest are sometimes held on Haeundae Beach. The sculptures are impressive. For a cultural experience, there are many festivals and dances held in the city. Other places of interest include Yongdu Cultural Street, Mt. Yondu Park, Chungyeol Shrine, Sumir Park, Dongnae Fortress and Minju Park. There are other beaches, parks and temples which are well worth visiting. Golf is on offer as well as relaxation at the Dongnae Spa. The islands of Eulsuk and Oryuk are close by. Gimhae, is the ancient capital of the Gaya Kingdom. Here you can visit the Gimhae Royal Tomb, Gimhae National Park and the Yeonji Park. The ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom is Gyeongju. This kingdom dates back from 57 BC to 935 AD. Here you will find Gyeongju National Museum. The architecture is traditional and awesome. Visit the Sacred Bell of Songdok and other artefacts in the open air museum. The Tumuli Park, Bomun Lake Resort, Gyerim woods, Buddhist temples and Anapji Pond are highlights of this region.

Points of Interest:Jindo Island is a fertile treasure trove. Tourist attractions include the mystic sea road, eight beauties of Gwanmae in Gwanmae Island, Uldolmok Shore (Myeongryang Battle Ground), the Namdo-seokseong Stone Wall, Ullimsanbang Atelier and the Yongjang-sanseong Fortress Wall. During May and July, the water between Jindo Island and Modo Islet 'part' for about 2 hours, allowing for dry land crossing. Jindo Island is known for the Jindo breed of dog. Muju Ski Resort is the biggest ski resort in South Korea and is situated in the southwest region of the country. Natural tourist attractions in South Korea include Mt. Jinsan, Mt. Gayasanand Hallyeosudo Waterway. In the Eastern Region you will find Cheoksan Hot Springs, an International Puppet Festival in Chuncheon and Ulleungdo Island, which is an extinct volcano. The list is endless, perhaps one short holiday is not enough to explore the riches of this Asian country.