Since January 1 of this year, it has become much easier for Russian tourists to get into South Korea. However, the same can be said about Koreans who want to visit Russia. A visa-free regime began to operate in bilateral relations. Korea - interesting country, there is something to see, where to relax and how to spend your time interestingly. RG previously wrote about the sights of Korea, and the Koreans themselves, for the most part, leave a favorable impression.

According to the latest data, the introduction of a visa-free regime has led to an increase in the number of Russian tourists in Korea by 36%, and 61% more Koreans came to Russia than a year earlier, when visas for tourist trips were still required. Recently, the South Korean government announced that it would rely on attracting Russians to the country. Thus, according to the plans of the Korean government, by 2017 the number of Russians visiting Korea should double, reaching 350 thousand people.

In general, we can confidently say that Russia and South Korea have a chance to become even closer to each other and get to know each other better. “The more often we go to visit each other, the better we will be able to understand: Russians are Koreans, and Koreans are Russians. The importance of public diplomacy in last years is growing more and more, and therefore the visa-free regime will serve to form a more objective image of Russia in South Korea,” said Andrei Osmakov, Consul General of the Russian Federation in Busan, in an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

With this publication we continue the series of RG articles devoted to the introduction of a visa-free regime between Russia and South Korea.

"Russian newspaper": Let's follow the entire chain that a Russian faces when visiting South Korea under a visa-free regime. Where should I start?

Consul: To begin with, let's say that official name document, which came into force on January 1, 2014, is as follows: Agreement between the Government Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Korea on the mutual abolition of visa requirements. The introduced new regime does not mean the abolition of visas altogether, and therefore, on the eve of departure, you need to decide whether you need a visa. Let us emphasize right away: regardless of the duration of your visit - even if you are going for one week - you need a visa if you are going to study or work in Korea. You will have to receive it, and this is explicitly stated in the agreement. Visas are not required only for those traveling to Korea for tourism purposes or on a business trip.

"RG": Judging by the responses, many are interested in the question of the length of possible stay without a visa. It's kind of a confusing system...

"TO": It's not that complicated, everything is quite simple. The principle is this: within 180 days, that is, in six months, you can visit Korea for a total of no more than 90 days without a visa. But at the same time, each visit cannot be more than 60 days. That is, you have a limit of 90 days in six months, and you “choose” it: you can have 60+30, you can have 30+30+30, you can have nine times ten, etc., but in any case you can’t be more each time 60 days in a row. That is, 65 + 25 will not work. The 180-day period within which your 90 days is determined is counted from the date you entered Korea. Once it has expired, a new one begins, where you are again allowed to be without a visa for a total of up to 90 days, but no more than 60 days in one visit.

"RG": That's sorted out. I’m traveling as a tourist, and therefore I don’t need a visa, I don’t plan to stay more than 60 days. I started going through passport control and...

"TO": And here again there is one “BUT”, which applies in any country, including South Korea. Even if you do not need a visa, the country's authorities may deny you entry without giving a reason. As they often write on the visas themselves: “Having a visa does not guarantee your entry into the country. The final decision is made on the spot by a migration control officer.” And there is no use in being indignant, “demanding a consul” - it is the right of the host country not to let anyone in. And the authorities are not obliged to explain the reason. At the same time, it is useless to contact or call the Russian Federation missions in Korea - the migration service will not explain anything to diplomats, and any attempts to put pressure on it will be interpreted as “interference in internal affairs.”

"RG": Did this happen often in reality? Based on your experience...

"TO": Let's put it this way: when the Korean authorities refused entry, they usually had good reasons for this. They didn’t always voice the reasons, but it was just like, “I’m in a bad mood - fly back to Russia” - I don’t remember that. As a rule, they “deployed” those who had previously had some kind of “sins” in Korea: perhaps they had been given a suspended sentence, or were put on the “black list” for one reason or another. In general, all this does not come out of the blue and, as a rule, the “offended” themselves understood “where the legs grow from” such an attitude, but did not always admit it.

"RG": It may well be that someone previously had some problems with the law in Korea, he returned to Russia and now wants to visit Korea again. What do you recommend to those so that he is not immediately sent home on the next plane?

"TO": On the eve of the trip, you need to go to the Korean embassy or consulate, explain the situation and ask the Korean authorities to find out if there are any complaints against him. But only the Korean authorities themselves can do this. Russian diplomats cannot find out this for every Russian, and the Koreans are not obliged to provide us with such information. And if you do this personally, then they should tell you: you can go or there are still some claims against you. And one more thing: you should not hope that you will be able to deceive the system and “slip” through a roundabout route to Korea. Everything is entered into a common database, which the Koreans, with their technology, are in excellent condition. And therefore, at every point of entry - be it at the airport of Seoul, even in Busan, even in the port of Sokcho, in general, anywhere, everyone will know about you. There is a single database here.

"TO": Even if you do not need a visa, the officer has every right to ask you where you are going to live. Need to know the exact address accommodation. It will be great if you print out the booking sheet from the hotel. This should be enough. There may be other clarifying questions of a general nature, but, as a rule, this does not happen - no one wants to create a queue. Usually, questions begin when your entry document (a small tear-off coupon that is filled out at the entrance) is filled out so that questions inevitably arise.
And again I would like to draw the attention of potential students. If you are traveling to Korea tourist visa, but they wrote that you will live at the university, then you will have questions and you may not be allowed in. We repeat: if you are going to study, get a study visa, even if you will only study for a month. If it becomes clear that you have decided to use visa-free regime(and this is directly prohibited by the agreement), then you will most likely be returned back.

"RG": Okay, we passed passport control and here it is - the long-awaited Korea. Yours general impression from the Korean police? Have you ever heard of law enforcement officers trying to somehow find fault with foreigners, as they say, “out of the blue”?

"TO": The Korean police simply, without explanation, according to the law, have the right to detain any person for 48 hours, that is, for two days. They must then file charges, extending the detention to 10 days, after which they must transfer the case to the prosecutor's office. But in practice, no one in this country will detain you “just like that.” If you have been detained, believe me, there is most likely a reason.

Korean police are very friendly. If you are lost or don’t know something, feel free to come up and ask, this is perceived as normal. Most likely, a “standard” Korean police officer will be able to say at least a couple of words in English. Many of the police are young guys who serve in the police instead of the army. So there is no need to be afraid of them, and they are friendly. I haven’t heard about any “harassment of foreigners out of the blue.” If you do not violate Korean laws, then no one will even think of approaching you, the police have a lot of their own things to do, and a foreigner is always a difficult situation in legal terms, various formalities and so on. In general, the likelihood that a police officer will start looking for a reason to “extort” something from you is very, very small, almost zero. Here, even a passport is extremely rarely just asked for.

"RG": Do I need to carry my passport with me?

"TO": It is better to store it in a hotel safe so as not to lose it yourself through negligence. And just in case, you can make a copy of the first page of your passport and carry it with you. In the vast majority of cases this will be enough.

"RG": It is clear that Korea is a very safe and civilized country. But maybe there are laws and rules that we may not know about, and therefore we may find ourselves in conflict with local laws simply out of ignorance?

"TO": This situation is possible. It's difficult to cover all possible issues, but one feature of South Korea immediately comes to mind. Consider the peculiarities of inter-Korean relations. The country has a National Security Law that prohibits the import and distribution of materials from the DPRK. And this is no joke. This can result in serious punishment, including prison terms. In practical terms, this means that there is no need to bring North Korean newspapers, books, badges to South Korea, or offer to listen to North Korean songs, etc. You should also not agitate for the “Land of Juche” - this also falls under the National Security Law. By the way, the South Korean authorities are blocking Internet access to North Korean websites. And we do not advise you to try to get to North Korean sites from the territory of the South. Overall, don't take any chances with this one. Local authorities They will also most likely first warn you, and only then “punish you to the fullest extent,” but they can deport you if you give a reason in this direction.

"RG": Well, can we talk about politics or is everything too strict?

"TO": It's already quite liberal here. The opposition is influential in South Korea; many Koreans themselves will be the first to tell you what, in their opinion, their leadership is doing wrong. You can calmly talk, ask, discuss here, including about policy towards the DPRK. Many South Koreans may ask you about this themselves, knowing that Russia is actively cooperating with both Seoul and Pyongyang. This is as much as you want, but, we repeat, there is no need to bring and distribute packs of newspapers from the DPRK. This will be punished quickly and severely.

"RG": Is there anything else that Korea is strict with?

"TO": Very strict with weapons, drugs, violence in any form. Any hint of involvement in this means you immediately come under the close attention of the police and intelligence services. The very weak distribution of drugs and weapons in Korea is primarily the merit of the authorities. They are fighting this very hard. Even a starting pistol will be considered as a weapon; in general, no “traumatic guns,” “pneumatic guns,” “weed guns,” or anything else.

Korean police officers look very friendly, and they are. But if you have given reason to suspect yourself of something illegal, then this whole system will immediately show its rigidity, thoroughness, and uncompromisingness. This is the case that “everyone is good as long as you are good.” Do not try to offer bribes - this will only complicate the situation and worsen your chances of receiving the most lenient punishment.

"RG": Let's say I wanted to stay in Korea, work or study, then...

"TO": Then you must personally appear at the Immigration Service and find out all the rules and procedures. It is possible that you will still have to leave the country to do this. But only employees of the Immigration Service can answer these questions; the embassy and consulate of the Russian Federation does not have the right to interfere in these issues. Only the applicant himself and only personally...

"RG": It is clear that no one will look for problems of their own free will, but in life anything can happen. What are your tips?

"TO": Standard and well-known: try not to find yourself in such situations, do not visit questionable establishments, if you drink alcohol, do it in moderation. Many “stories” occur precisely after excessive drinking. And you don’t have to give up. Fighting, even if you just push a Korean, is perceived very badly and is punished severely.

There is one peculiarity of Korean legislation. Let's say you got into a fight with someone, and then came to an agreement with him, even paid him money as compensation. But then this person can still go to the police and write a statement against you with all the legal consequences. It is enough for him to bring two witnesses who will confirm his words and the police will begin an investigation. And “we agreed or we didn’t agree” - that’s your problem.

By the way, it’s the same thing if you went to the police, they interrogated you, but then you - the offender and the victim - decided to come to an agreement. If there was any damage and a case was initiated, then the investigation and trial will take place regardless of the fact of reconciliation between the parties. This may be taken into account, but the fact that “the one whose nose you broke no longer has any complaints” is not an argument for the Korean Themis. Once a case has been opened, it must be completed and the culprit punished.

"RG": Let's say that for one reason or another a Russian found himself in some unpleasant situation, he was brought to the police station and began to be interrogated. What do you advise?

"TO": If you don’t speak Korean confidently, ask for a Russian translator. This is your right, which they are obliged to fulfill and will fulfill. Demand clearly and adamantly - this is not the first time that the Korean police have encountered Russians, they have lists of people who help them as translators, so demand. If you think that the translator does not speak Russian well and does not provide the proper level of mutual understanding with the police representative, demand that the translator be replaced. This is again your right. And demand that the consulate or embassy be notified. The police should also do this at your request.

"RG": Maybe something else when communicating with the police?

"TO": General rule: if you don’t understand something, never sign, ask for clarification and translation. If you were released after being handed “some pieces of paper”, do not throw them away, but figure out what they are. There are frequent cases when a person was released, obliging him to appear upon request. And if you don’t show up, it will be interpreted not in your favor and the maximum possible punishment will be imposed. There were cases when compatriots were released from the police, they left, and then at the border when they returned to Korea again, immigration would no longer let them in. It turned out that the case was not closed, the Russian was summoned for repeated interrogations, although he had already gone abroad, then a trial, a verdict in absentia and a “black list”. So make sure that there are no more claims against you, and do not throw away any documents or certificates you have received. Koreans have an open judicial system and on the relevant websites you can find out everything using your case number - what the result is, sanctions, etc.

"RG": What line of behavior do you recommend choosing?

"TO": From experience in dealing with various conflicts, I will say that there are two tactics of behavior. Some categorically deny everything completely and say: “Just try and prove it!” The latter admit everything and ask for leniency. Therefore, if there really was an incident and you were taken “into the case,” then you must confess and repent. Most likely (if the conversation is not about serious crimes) you will simply be deported and given a suspended sentence. And then you can enter again, you just need to make sure that your “non-entry period” has expired. And there is no need to show off, saying, “where are my fingerprints and other objective evidence,” knowing that in fact “something happened.” Based on circumstantial evidence, they can assign a serious sentence, and this is most likely what will happen. The Korean court does not like such self-confident suspects.

"RG": The season will start soon" beach holiday"What should we keep in mind here?

"TO": Please note that in Korea swimming season only from mid-July to the end of August. Many beaches close at night. Especially it concerns small towns and villages. At night on closed beaches It’s better not to interfere, and even during the non-swimming season. Even during the swimming season, no one will let you swim far. Usually an area is fenced off where you can reach the bottom with your feet - and splash around there. And if you decide to swim further away, then the rescuers will immediately return you back. So the situation here is somewhat different than on the beaches familiar to Russians.

We also categorically do not recommend photographing local girls in swimsuits - at least without their explicit and clear consent to do so. On all major beaches, announcements are constantly made asking people to report such “photographers” to the police. We know of a case where Indonesians were detained for photographing Korean women on the beach and then deported.

"RG": Many perceive eastern countries as an analogue of Thailand in terms of the prevalence of the sex industry.

"TO": Wrong country. It is prohibited in Korea, although it is present in one form or another. And everyone will answer - the “priestess of love” herself, the pimp and the client. In general, this exists, but it is punishable, and therefore we do not recommend it.

"RG": And finally, a few words about transport, traffic on the roads.

"TO": Yes, public transport It's comfortable here. Very well developed bus service, wonderful high speed trains KTX, reasonable taxi prices. Convenient and clean metro, which is not only in Seoul, but also in others major cities- Busan, Daegu, Incheon. In general, public transport is very good, but there are a lot of cars on the roads, and therefore you need to be careful. Cars sometimes drive through a red traffic light, they may try not to let pedestrians pass, etc., although, as they say, this does not amount to “lawlessness on the roads,” there is generally order here.

"RG": Recently, many Russians have been actively using car rental, and here the number of potential conflict situations is increasing. Your advice, comments?

"TO": Yes, when Russians get behind the wheel, they often begin to look at Koreans differently. On the other hand, there are simply wonderful roads here, a convenient road numbering system. As for advice... Firstly, don’t delude yourself that you rarely see the transport police. Everything here is in cells, and therefore when needed, they will appear very quickly. The “Korean style” of driving should also be taken into account: some may not use turn signals when changing lanes. The driving style of taxi drivers and buses is often similar to our minibuses: sudden lane changes, fairly aggressive driving, can cut you off, and therefore you need to be careful with them. I wouldn’t say about ordinary Koreans that they are better or worse drivers than Russians.

"RG": Nobody wants to get into an accident, but it is better to know how to behave. What are your tips?

"TO": Of course, it is better to let a reckless driver pass, even if he is wrong, than to get into an accident with him. Litigations usually take place between commissioners of insurance companies, and therefore it is important to take out insurance when renting a car. There is one Korean peculiarity: even if you are innocent by Russian standards, but committed a movement, then some part of the insured amount will be “hung” on you. It may be 10-20%, but it is rarely accepted that only one side is entirely to blame. This is a general approach and not an attempt to deceive foreigners. Perhaps you have to stand in a parking lot or in front of a traffic light for 0% to be written down. Otherwise, even if it is entirely the other party’s fault, they will also write you at least 5%.

In the case of pedestrians, it is better to let them pass everywhere and always, even if they cross in the wrong places. If you hit someone while driving, even if the pedestrian violated the rules, then 99.9% of the time the driver of the car will be found guilty. The situation is similar with motorcycles and mopeds. They drive very dangerously, but if there is a collision, then, from the police point of view, the car will most likely be at fault. The principle here is this: whoever is weaker and more vulnerable is right, according to the police. This is what we were told at one time in the Transport Police Review Group. Therefore, be very careful with pedestrians, mopeds, and motorcycles.

"RG": Well, maybe you want to say something to those who are planning to come to Korea?

"TO": We've done a lot of work to answer most common questions up front. Therefore, we strongly advise you to visit the website of our embassy in Seoul and the consulate general in Busan (listed below in the “help” - RG note) - there are tips, recommendations, etc. helpful information, including the full text of the Agreement on the Reciprocal Waiver of Visa Requirements. We advise you to write off your emergency phone number from the website just in case.

If you still have questions, please contact us on our “pages” on Facebook, Twitter or by email. We are always in touch. We respond very quickly on social networks, and we also respond quickly by email - about three to five days.

We also advise you to register with the consulate. This can be done by personally visiting the representative office, but it can also be done through our websites - there are links there. This will take no more than 5-10 minutes. From time to time it happened that we needed to urgently contact one of the Russians in Korea, but there was no contact information. The question may arise: “Why all this?” The answer is: "Anything can happen." Who knows what could happen at home, with your family or again with you. It may be necessary to tell you something urgently, but they contact us - the consulate or embassy. It's in your best interest.

But overall, we wish you a pleasant stay. South Korea is an interesting country with rich culture and traditions, we hope that when you come here you will only get good impressions.

Korea is one of the most safe countries in the world: no large number of thefts, no drug addicts, no robberies, and public morality is so developed and strong that it is almost impossible to hear rudeness addressed to you.

If you decide to go to South Korea, namely in, decide on specific dates in advance, because the cost of the flight will depend on them, and not on how far in advance you buy plane tickets. The cheapest tickets to South Korea are, and.

If we talk about transport in Seoul, then to rent a car you will need an international license book - Russian plastic is not suitable. All public transport and orange taxis (state) are paid for by the T-money system - a plastic card on which money is deposited through the terminal.

Everything is like in Russia - you put your card on the turnstile, it tells you the remaining balance, and you move on.

The subway is quiet and calm inside the cars, but no one waits for people to get off and gets on right away, so be prepared to jostle a lot and for a long time. If you live in Moscow and think that this will not surprise you, you are mistaken, in Korea everything is much tougher.

There are corrugated paths in the subway and on the streets yellow color- guidelines for the blind. In Seoul, everything is quite well equipped for people with disabilities, so if you or your relatives were afraid to face the problem of the inability of Korean streets, then feel free to brush aside all fears.

Money. Don't count on credit cards- they are accepted, but rarely and reluctantly: Koreans love cash very much. Therefore, exchange part of the money immediately at the airport, and the rest in banks. When you go to stores, pay attention to the price tags. If they are not there, the price of the product is most likely greatly inflated, and you will not be able to negotiate.

If you smoke, take a supply of cigarettes with you because Koreans hardly smoke and it can be difficult to buy cigarettes.

Before the trip, you need to remember about the traditional greeting - you need to bow slightly. Koreans also prefer to bow rather than say “thank you” as a form of gratitude. Direct eye contact, by the way, can be regarded as a threat and disrespect. You can also shake hands, but there is a special ritual in this too: both the right and left hands are presented and shaken, although preference is given to the right - the left hand is placed under the right. If this rule is not followed, the impression will be that you are a very uncultured person and far from polite.

If it turns out that you will be drinking with one of the Koreans, you should never fill your glass - pour it for others, not for yourself.

Since we're talking about alcohol, it's worth mentioning food. The meal cannot begin until the oldest person in age sits down at the table. When choosing food, don't think that in Seoul they cook only dogs and insects, you can find completely normal European cuisine there, but the food is often spicier than we are used to. Also, not all cafes and restaurants offer tea, but they always bring water for free. But be prepared for the fact that in some restaurants and cafes they wash plates right on the road, and you watch all this.

Several years ago, South Korea abolished visas for Russian citizens. A visa is still required only for students, migrants and those who intend to work in the country. But tourists can stay in South Korea for up to 60 days. We found ten reasons to travel to a country that, in less than half a century, has transformed from the most backward corner into one of the most progressive states in the world. But with all the speed of this progress, ancient traditions are still respected in Korea.

Treatment and recovery


South Korea is quite popular among tourists who want to improve their health. The healthcare system here is one of the best not only in Asia, but throughout the world. The main directions of medical tourism: plastic surgery, dentistry, gynecology, oncology. In addition to the latest medical centers, you can undergo treatment using traditional Korean methods - this will certainly appeal to those who do not like doctors and medications, preferring traditional methods of treatment.

You can strengthen your health and immunity in a chimchilban. On the Internet, such a place is usually called a “Korean bathhouse,” which, to put it mildly, does not even come close to reflecting its capabilities. As a rule, this is a large complex with a sauna, massage, swimming pool, bathhouse, fitness center, cafe and other conditions for have a nice rest for the benefit of the body. The most famous chimchilbans in Seoul are Dragon Hill Spa, Sports Club Seoul Leisure and The Spa in Garden 5.


Seoul is one of those cities that never sleeps. In principle, this can be said about any metropolis, but life in the South Korean capital really does not stop for a second. There are always crowds of people on the streets: during the day they rush to run errands, in the evening and at night they rush to clubs, bars and restaurants.

There are colorful establishments here at every turn - both inexpensive and top-level, where the bill per night can easily be equal to the budget of the entire trip to South Korea. The most hurricane-prone area of ​​Seoul in this regard is Gangnam-gu. This is the epicenter of the capital's party life. Lovers of cocktails, parties until the morning and spontaneous acquaintances should settle here.

In ancient times, this city was the capital of the Silla state, and now attracts travelers with many monuments of Korean culture. The national park of the same name is located here, as well as an impressive State Museum Gyeongju, which displays ancient objects of Korean life, as well as clothing, sculpture and painting.

In the city center you will find the Myonghwal and Wolseong fortresses, and a little further away you will find Pomun Lake. You can stay longer near it, because there is the Posum summer theater, numerous resorts, hotels and a huge park. The city is considered one of the main tourist destinations in South Korea, so it regularly hosts festivals and exhibitions, including international ones.

The largest island of South Korea is a resort with a good climate. There are still few tourists here, and the infrastructure is well developed. There are several resort areas, the most famous of which are Seogwipo and Jungmun. They have equipped beaches with all amenities for vacationers. Here you can also go diving, horse riding and archery.

Jeju is popular among honeymooners, and some places are designed especially for them. If you are not the shy type, take a look at the Love Land park - there are about 140 sculptures frozen in unambiguous poses. Well, if you prefer classic tourist places, welcome to the traditional Korean village. And most interesting object Mount Hallasan is considered to be on the island, this is the highest point (1950 meters) on Jeju and the best place to photograph the sunrise.

The Taekabsan Range runs through the eastern part of South Korea. Highest point- Daecheonbong Peak - 1708 meters in height, it is second only to Hallasan Volcano and Mount Chirisan. National Park It is especially popular among tourists in the fall, when the trees turn bright yellow and red.

However, even in summer there is something to see here. The park contains unique plants, including dwarf cedar and edelweiss. Animal lovers will be able to get up close and personal with the Korean musk deer, Himalayan bear and eastern goral. The place has been a candidate for inclusion on the list since 1994 World Heritage UNESCO.

It is the second largest city in Korea and is home to more than three and a half million people. Located here largest port, as well as a huge number of resorts and sanatoriums. In 2002, Busan hosted the FIFA World Cup - then there were definitely enough tourists here, but even after the high-profile sporting event, the city was not forgotten.

Busan has first-class beaches, National parks and hot springs. However, the main attraction of the city is the Buddhist temple of Beomeosa, where three incarnations of Buddha are located. It was built on Mount Krimjeongsan in 678. The temple is one of the oldest in South Korea.

The long name belongs to a traditional Korean village near Namsan Mountain. Or rather, it is a museum located in the center of Seoul. But being here, it’s easy to forget that skyscrapers, neon signs, expensive boutiques and pretentious establishments are within walking distance.

The museum opened in 1998 and includes the Namsan Gugaktan Traditional Korean Music Center, a classical Korean garden, and a time capsule site. You can appreciate the national architecture - there are five hanoks (houses) here. All of them at one time belonged to people of different social classes, and you can see the difference in decoration and decoration between the houses of wealthy and less wealthy Koreans.

In shopping centers in South Korea you can buy absolutely everything. Moreover, you don’t have to go to Seoul to do this. For example, Busan is home to the world's largest department store, Shinsegae Centum City. You can walk through the halls from morning to evening for several days, which will certainly delight female travelers and darken the mood of travelers. However, sometimes this can be beneficial: they left their companion in a department store, and they themselves walked around the city.

In addition to the usual global brands, Shinseg Centum City features many local Korean brands that specialize in cosmetics and accessories.

This park will keep you busy for the whole day, and the attractions will appeal to both adults and children. They say that the roof of Lotte World is visible even from satellites. The park is open without breaks on weekends, every day from morning to evening.

In addition to attractions, you will find a shopping center, a cinema, several cafes and a hotel. Lotte World is a great place for family vacation. It is more aimed at children, but adults will not be bored either.

There are five palaces of the Joseon Dynasty in Seoul: Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, Gyeonghigun, Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung. One of them, Gyeongbokgung, was destroyed during the Imjin War in the sixteenth century, and was restored in the mid-nineteenth century. Changgyeonggung also suffered, but mostly due to time. In 1983 it was completely restored.

And we also have


We talk about what to see independent traveler in Seoul. The capital of South Korea hides an unlimited number of surprises and surprises.

When planning to visit South Korea, tourists hope to see the beauty of the local nature, taste Asian cuisine, and get acquainted with historical, cultural and architectural monuments. But no one can even imagine what a surge of emotions and carnival of impressions hospitable Seoul has prepared.

Main city South Korea and also one of the largest economic and shopping centers Asia is located on east coast countries. Seoul is a mixture of antiquity and modernity, making it attractive to a wide range of audiences. Do you want to be in a secluded place alone with nature? Do you have a desire to get to know the centuries-old masterpieces of architecture that belonged to the imperial dynasties? Are you looking for a city for shopping or want to have fun in nightclubs with friends? The capital of South Korea will satisfy any wishes of its guests.


Organizing a trip to Seoul

Since 2014, the visa has been abolished for Russians planning to stay in South Korea for up to 60 days. All you need is a passport, insurance, and a round-trip ticket. The country can be reached by air or by water. Closest to Seoul sea ​​port is located in Incheon. An international airport is located in the same city. You can get from Incheon to Seoul by subway, train, bus or taxi. It all depends on the budget and available time.

The recommended time to plan a trip is April-May and August-September. Although Seoul is located at the same latitude as Mediterranean resorts (Turkey, Sicily, Balkans), weather it has more contrast due to the absence of obstacles for northern winds, the predominance of a monsoon climate with its high humidity.


What to bring as a gift from South Korea

Seoul is a shopaholic's paradise. There are many shopping centers, markets and... Appliances, clothing, jewelry, furniture, dishes - you can buy absolutely everything on the city streets. Tourists bring as souvenirs from South Korea:

Planning a trip? That way!

We have prepared some useful gifts for you. They will help you save money while preparing for your trip.

  • Porcelain;
  • Painted ceramics;
  • Folk products: embroidery, National costumes, fans, umbrellas;
  • Ginseng in any form;
  • Amethyst and jade products;
  • Seaweed cookies.


Solo travel going abroad is a doubly exciting event. There will be no guide or tour organizer nearby, wherever you go, you can only rely on yourself and your travel companion. What is it like to travel to South Korea on your own? Do you want to know about tickets, accommodation, attractions and features of this country? Then our material is for you.

Now the whole world is watching the events unfolding on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea continues to test its nuclear weapon, trying to prove to the whole world, in particular the USA, that it is better not to touch them. In turn, the United States is already threatening the “northerners” not only with sanctions, but also with war. South Korea, as always, finds itself caught between two fires. What is happening during such a tense period in this country and how is life for the population?

The VK Press correspondent cast aside all fears and doubts and went to Seoul to relax. How it was? Read on.

Preparing for an independent trip to Korea

I have wanted to visit South Korea for a long time. The land of morning freshness, as it is called, attracted not only its culture and traditions, but also its level of development. Just think, in half a century it was able to transform from an agricultural region destroyed by the Japanese occupation and civil war into a prosperous high-tech state. The republic’s economic breakthrough even received its own name, “The Miracle on the Han River.”

We began preparing for our trip to this extraordinary country with the most important step - buying plane tickets. It is better to do this two to three months before the trip to make it cheaper. We flew with a transfer in Moscow. Four flights (Krasnodar - Moscow, Moscow - Seoul and back) cost one person 40 thousand rubles. It is convenient to search for suitable tickets on the Skyscanner website.

The treasured ticket to Seoul.

After purchasing tickets, you can safely proceed to booking accommodation, in our case it was a hostel. There are many booking sites, I usually choose Booking, Roomguru and Trivago are also quite popular. Double Room in a Seoul hostel for two weeks cost almost 24 thousand rubles. It is better to print out your air tickets and reservations in advance so that you can provide them on the spot.

The next step for a tourist is usually to apply for a visa, but in this case it is not needed. Our countries have entered into an agreement under which Russians can stay in South Korea without a visa for three months.

What to take with you on a trip to Korea

For many, packing a suitcase becomes a real headache. To understand what things are needed and how much, we carefully studied the weather forecast, thought about what would be comfortable for walking the streets and visiting attractions. Be sure to take a comfortable pair of sneakers with you or go straight away in them to save space. If we talk about the climate of South Korea, it reminded me of Kuban. At the end of September it was hot, in October it got a little colder and I had to put on a sweatshirt over my T-shirt.

Don't forget the first aid kit. In Korea, it is not so easy to buy the necessary medications; usually even the simplest cold medicine requires a prescription. Also take care of insurance, because medicine in Korea is very expensive.

The question of how much and in what form to take money, we decided this way - a little cash in dollars and on a card. Upon arrival at Seoul airport, dollars can be exchanged for local currency.

The rest of your luggage depends on individual preferences; the only thing you definitely need to pack is deodorant. In Korea there is a very small selection of these products, since local residents do not use them due to the characteristics of their body.

Road to Seoul

The path to the Land of Morning Freshness began at Pashkovsky Airport in Krasnodar. After two hours in the sky, we had a six-hour layover in Moscow.

The flight to Seoul took 8.5 hours. The flight was operated by the Korean airline Korean Air, which impressed with the high level of service and caring attitude of the staff towards passengers.

And so we arrived at international Airport Incheon, which is located in the city of the same name, 70 km from the capital of South Korea. For several years in a row he has been recognized as one of the best in the world. The airport building is beautiful and modern. Inside you will find a convenient location of the passport and customs control, baggage claim. There are signs in English everywhere.

On passport control Passengers are divided into two streams - Korean citizens and foreigners. Each guest from abroad has their retina and fingerprints scanned using a special device to be entered into the database. The automated system itself will tell you what to do. And don't worry about the language - the device also speaks Russian.

After receiving your luggage, the most interesting part begins - the quest “Find your hostel in unfamiliar city" To begin with, we exchanged some currency. The rate at the airport was good, although the best one was found in the Myeongdong area. Local money is called won. According to the exchange rate, 1000 won is equal to approximately 50 rubles.

There are different ways to get to Seoul from Incheon: taxi, bus, subway and express. Cheapest and convenient option- metro. In order not to look for change every time for tickets, buy transport card T-money, which is sold in special machines and replenish it in the terminal by selecting the “Reloading the transit card” function. A trip to Seoul by subway costs an average of five thousand won.

Speaking of the metro. At first it is confusing with its complexity, many passages, turns, escalators, steps and exits. But over time you get used to it. The main thing is to carefully look at the colors of the branches, and in the direction of which station you need to go.

Subway stops are announced in four languages: Korean, Chinese, Japanese and English. Information is also broadcast on special screens. This helps a lot when you couldn't hear the name of the station.

Sights and just Beautiful places Seoul

Having reached the hostel, you want to quickly unpack your things, relax a little and go see the city. What is a must-see in the capital of South Korea?

History and Korean architecture buffs will love Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Traditional Village.

It is also worth visiting Gwanghwamun Square, where monuments to the most revered and famous historical figures of the country are erected - King Sejong, thanks to whom the Korean alphabet appeared, and General Yi Sun-sin, a national hero.

Be sure to rent a hanbok, a traditional Korean costume. Five hours of rent cost 10 thousand won per person, that is, only 500 rubles. The plus is that entry to Gyeongbokgung Palace is free for visitors wearing hanboks; others will have to pay three thousand won.

If you're craving something more modern and high-tech, visit Dongdaemun Design Plaza. This is a complex of exhibition buildings that look like spaceships with an adjacent park. It was built according to the design of the talented British architect of Iraqi origin Zaha Hadid, whose works are known throughout the world due to the boldness of their forms.

With the onset of darkness it is especially beautiful there, as the buildings and installations in the form of a meadow of flowers turn on.

At the beginning of 2017, another ultra-modern building opened in Seoul - the Lotte World Tower. Its height is 555 meters (123 floors). Today this is the most high building in South Korea.

The tower has Seoul Sky - observation floors with transparent floor areas. It is especially breathtaking on the site, where the floor suddenly becomes transparent after you stand on it. A ticket to Seoul Sky is not cheap - 26 thousand won, but it's worth it. The capital of South Korea is mesmerizing from a bird's eye view.

For a relaxing holiday on earth, we chose parks. During the warmer months, Oido is ideal next to the Han River, which divides Seoul into northern and southern parts. Right there you can buy a bedding and have a picnic, admiring the river, motor ships passing by and launched into the sky kites. This type of vacation is very popular among Koreans.

It is also worth visiting another city novelty - Seoullo Park 7017. It is an overpass, which was blocked by decision of the authorities and turned into a green area. This is a serious decision for the improvement of the city. In Seoul, they try to use every free plot for landscaping; plants even appear on the roofs of buildings.

If we talk about atypical attractions, then it is worth paying attention to Korean universities. The university buildings are very beautiful, made in European style, sometimes it even seems that you are somewhere in Germany or England. During our trip, we were able to visit four universities in Seoul: Ewha, Yongse, Hankuk and Gyeonghee. Each of them amazes with its vast territory, beautiful buildings and unusual landscape.

Ewha is one of the largest and most famous universities in the city, and it is also the largest women's university in the world. Yense is one of the three most prestigious higher educational institutions In Korea. Hankuk University of Foreign Studies is known all over the world, as it is the third university in the world in terms of the number of languages ​​studied at the university - there are 45 of them. And Gyeonghee is famous for its beautiful campus, on the territory of which there are buildings in the Gothic style.

Food and drink in South Korea

Koreans love to eat delicious food. We can say that in the Land of Morning Freshness there is a “cult of food”, that is, wherever you go, there will be food everywhere.

In Seoul, you can find street food everywhere. It is quite high in calories and not particularly healthy, but it is very cheap.

A separate topic is spicy food. It is better to ask when ordering that the dish is not too spicy. And if a Korean tells you that it will be spicy, it’s better not to even try it. Believe me, the feeling that your stomach is literally being eaten away by spice is not the most pleasant.

What is the real must-try food on the streets of Seoul? First of all, teokbokki is a kind of rice flour dumpling in a spicy sauce. In Korea, like other Asian countries, rice is the king of everything. Therefore, it is eaten not only in its usual form, but also ground into flour, from which noodles and dough for confectionery are prepared.

We also really liked omuk - fish flour cakes. They are sold on skewers. You can take a paper cup and pour yourself the broth in which the omuk was cooked for free, it is also very tasty and will warm you up perfectly if it’s cool outside.

As for desserts, we liked the punoppan fish-shaped pies with a sweet red bean filling. Speaking of red beans... They are a traditional filling for most Korean desserts, so don't be surprised. The taste is unusual, but it’s worth trying and you won’t be able to put it down.

Hotteok are flatbreads that are fried in oil. We tried it filled with sugar and sunflower seeds. Very hot and sweet.

In the summer, you should definitely order bingsu - crushed ice or frozen milk with the addition of berries, fruits, chocolate, cream, and various syrups. We were able to try it with mango, apple and cream cheese. It’s a little expensive (from 1.3 thousand rubles), but one serving is enough for two, three, or even four people.

You can't visit Korea without trying these traditional dishes, like kimbap and pipimpap. Everyone knows Japanese rolls; kimbap is also a roll, but only Korean. Usually a sheet of nori seaweed is taken, a layer of rice on top and a variety of fillings - ham, omelette, pickled radish, cucumber, carrots, tuna. Then all this is rolled into a roll and cut into small pieces. Kimbap can be bought not only in stalls with street food, but also in stores like 7-Eleven, GS25, CU. Price from 1.8 to 3.5 thousand won (100–170 rubles).

The traditional version of pipimpap consists of rice, which is topped with chopped vegetables, pieces of meat, mushrooms, spicy paste and fried eggs. The ingredients are mixed right before eating. Not far from our hostel we found a cafe that specialized in making pipimpaps. I liked it best with chicken and teriyaki sauce. I was also pleased with the price - five thousand won (about 250 rubles). By the way, in Korea, the main course is always served with several appetizers. Usually this is kimchi - spicy pickled cabbage and radish, seaweed, bean sprouts.

Another feature of Koreans that attracted attention was that they drink cold drinks at any time of the year, even in winter. The cafe serves simply ice water, and the most popular coffee in Korea is iced Americano. It even turned out that in one cafe we ​​asked for a normal hot cappuccino, but they told us: “Sorry, we only have iced Americano.”

Shopping in Seoul: where to go shopping

It is difficult to imagine a trip to any country without shopping. Where is the best place to go for shopping in Seoul?

Several areas are suitable for this - the tourist paradise of Myeongdong, the traditional souvenir market of Insadong and the student district of Hongdae, where young people from all over Seoul gather. It’s worth saying right away that of these three, Mendon is the most expensive. This area is very popular among foreigners, so prices are often inflated. But it’s still worth a visit to Myeongdong, if only for the eight-story Daiso store, where you can buy everything from ballpoint pens and spoons to products for dogs and gardening.

For cosmetics and clothes, you need to go to Hongdae. Prices here are lower, since the area is considered a student area. You can find both branded items and mass market items. By the way, Honda is loved not only for shopping, but also for its special creative atmosphere. In the evenings, young people perform here at various venues. They play on musical instruments, sing and dance, gathering a crowd of passers-by around them.

And here traditional souvenirs and gifts can be bought on Insadong. I noticed that all the souvenirs, without exception, were made in Korea, which is confirmed by the words Made in Korea (instead of the usual Made in China). Here you will find incredibly beautiful cards, bookmarks, keychains, magnets, figurines, fans, dishes, writing utensils, hanboks and much more.

Attitude of Koreans towards foreigners

Any person likes it when his country is respected and his culture is interesting. Koreans have become more open to others in recent years. They are very friendly towards foreigners, at least towards Europeans (Russians for them are also residents of Europe). Passers-by often greeted us, asked where we were from, gave us compliments, and showed us our class. In general, a girl with light eyes and light brown hair will definitely not be ignored.

As we walked around the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace wearing hanboks, a man approached us. When he found out that we were from Russia, he started talking about Putin. In general terms, we realized that our president is very good because he does not give in to the Japanese (apparently he meant our steadfastness on the issue of the Kuril Islands).

We did not receive any aggression, rude words or sidelong glances in Korea. Russians are treated really well. By the way, Koreans believe that the most beautiful women live in Ukraine and Russia.

Even though Korea is a country where people experience a lot of stress due to intense competition in school and work (hence the high suicide rate), you won't see a gloomy expression on its people's faces. Everywhere you are greeted with warm smiles and friendliness. Believe me, if you open your soul to Korea, it will happily do the same for you.