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South Korea Travel Guide

The 6 reasons to go to South Korea

With its capital in full boom and its traditions still very much embedded, South Korea is an Eldorado of serenity and modernity, and will please a variety of travellers.

1
Visit remarkable imperial palaces
2
Discover a unique and delicious gastronomy
3
Make the most of an easy destination
4
Visit Seoul, the capital that never sleeps
5
Swimming at Jeju
6
Go on beautiful walks in a natural reserve

1. Visit remarkable imperial palaces

In Seoul or elsewhere, the Korean palaces are majestic and incredibly well conserved. Not to miss: the numerous temples that you can visit, where you can also sometimes eat or even sleep in the same place as monks.

2. Discover a unique and delicious gastronomy

South Korea offers very unusual dishes, with food that we are not used to eating: stock made with soya seeds, spiced paté with cabbage (called kimchi), entire squids and plenty more!

3. Make the most of an easy destination

Koreans are renowned for their organisation, their welcome and it's not for nothing: the metros are very well indicated, and even in an immense city like Seoul, you can get your bearings very easily! It's a country which is very safe for travelling around freely and many inhabitants will be happy to help you if you ask for directions.

4. Visit Seoul, the capital that never sleeps

Seoul is THE reason why visiting Korea is so impressive: in the Myeongdong province, shop's lights only rarely go out, and you can drink a coffee, eat, go to the sauna, or even go shopping at any time during the day or night.

5. Swimming at Jeju

The island of jeju, in the far South of the country, it's a seaside resort which is very calm compared to the rest of the country. Many don't know it, but you can spend a few days making the most of the beautiful fine sand beaches in South Korea!

6. Go on beautiful walks in a natural reserve

The country of the calm morning is made up of 70% mountains, and it is possible to go on organised treks across the country to witness a unique and very well preserved wildlife.

When to go in South Korea?

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The best period to go to South Korea is from September to November. It's at this time of year that the weather is the most pleasant and the natural colours are the most beautiful. It's also possible to go to South Korea in winter to see it covered in snow. Though spring can be pleasant too, the hotels and tourist sites are often crammed: it's during this period that Japanese tourists choose to visit. Summer is the most touristy period, but it's sometimes stiflingly hot and it can rain heavily in July: best to avoid it.

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What to see in South Korea?

Top places to discover.

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Prepare your departure to South Korea

South Korea, recently open to tourism, is a country replete with holiday options suitable for all ages, tastes and favourite activities. For these reasons, it has become a very attractive destination.

What documents do you need to travel to South Korea?

British citizens can enter South Korea as tourists for up to 90 days without a visa. You must also have an onward or return ticket. Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 3 months from the date of entry into South Korea.

Entry requirements are the same for Canadian nationals, for a 3-month stay in South Korea.

Health advise

It is necessary to take out health and repatriation insurance before travelling to South Korea. You are advised to inquire about avian influenza (bird flu) and preventative measures to be taken. For more information, please consult the government site

You are advised to avoid drinking tap water in favour of bottled water, and to wash your hands as often as possible, particularly before any meal.

Language

South Korea's official language is Korean. English is taught as a second language in schools, along with Chinese. These languages are therefore quite common.

Time difference

There is a time difference of 9 hours between London and Seoul. At 8 a.m. in London, it is 5 p.m. in Seoul.

Phone and internet connection

The area code for South Korea is 82. Phone cards can be used for phone calls. Some phone cabins even accept international bank cards. With regards to mobile phones, you are advised to find out beforehand if your operator exists in South Korea.

South Korea is one of the best connected countries in the world; it will therefore be easy for you to connect to the internet.