After all, South Korea almost started the war in the Yellow Sea, and deliberately. Why Korea is "Korea" I taki South Korea
Brief information about the country
Foundation date
Official language
Korean
Form of government
Presidential republic
Territory
99,720 km² (109th in the world)
Population
48 955 203 people (25th in the world)
South Korean won (KRW)
Timezone
Largest cities
Seoul, Incheon, Gwangju, Busan, Daegu
$1.457 trillion (12th in the world)
Internet domain
Telephone code
South Korea - this is usually called a beautiful, prosperous and original country, located on the eastern outskirts of Asia, in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. The official name of the state is the Republic of Korea.
Video: Korea
Basic moments
Korea boasts outstanding history, rich culture and amazing nature. Its shores are washed by the waters of the three seas included in the water area Pacific Ocean, - Yellow, Japanese and South, as the Koreans themselves call the Korea Strait. Along the coast of the Sea of Japan stretch the East Korean Mountains, whose numerous spurs cover the entire eastern half of the peninsula, creating intricate labyrinths. Closer to the southern shores, mountain landscapes become so amazing that they have earned the fame of the most picturesque places on the planet.
In the mountainous regions of the country, surrounded by dense forests, mountain rivers and lakes, there are ancient monasteries and pagodas, original villages. The natural wonders of South Korea are protected by the state and are part of the national parks and reserves, without visiting which no trip around the country is complete.
The coastline of South Korea is literally dotted with numerous bays and bays, it is incredibly picturesque, which gives the local beaches a special charm. There are 3,000 islands scattered off the coast of the peninsula. Many of them are uninhabited, some have nature reserves or secluded beaches, and the largest island, Jeju, is the country's main resort.
The peculiar landscape and climate of South Korea have made it one of the most popular ski centers in the Asian region. Modern ski resorts are built here, most of which turn into sports and recreation centers in the summer.
Many attractions located in the historical cities of Korea are on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and modern metropolitan cities amaze with their modern architecture and luxurious parks. It is pleasant to spend time here in entertainment centers, restaurants with national cuisine, go shopping, wander around numerous museums.
History of Korea
The history of the Republic of Korea begins in 1945. Then, after the fall of Nazi Germany, a conference was held in Potsdam with the participation of the leaders of the three major powers anti-Hitler coalition- USSR, USA and Great Britain. Here it was decided to divide the territory of the Korean Peninsula into two zones - its northern part temporarily came under the control of the USSR, and the southern part was under the influence of the United States. In 1948, the division of the once united country was formalized legally, as a result of which two states were formed on the peninsula: the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea).
These countries, today hostile to each other, have, nevertheless, common history. Archaeological finds found on the territory of both states indicate that even in the Stone Age, the Korean Peninsula was inhabited by kindred tribes. The first major political formation of these ancient peoples was the state of Joseon (VII-II centuries BC), which in historical literature is usually called Ancient Joseon (Kuchoson). Its territory extended to the northern lands of the Korean Peninsula and the south of Manchuria.
The poetic names of Korea - "Land of Morning Calm", "Land of Morning Cool", "Land of Morning Calm" - are a translation of the hieroglyphic spelling of the word "Joseon".
In 108, Joseon was captured by the Chinese Yan Dynasty. However, the struggle of the local population against the invaders did not stop here for several centuries. Three hundred years later, several feudal states formed in the south of the peninsula. The most powerful of them, Silla, conquered neighboring territories in the 7th century, and a state was formed on the Korean Peninsula with its capital in the city of Gyeongju. In the 9th century, as a result of civil strife, Silla broke up into several feudal estates, but by the 10th century state unity was restored. The new Korean state was named Korea.
In 1232, the peaceful development of the country was interrupted by the invasion of the Mongols. In the 14th century, after the liberation from Mongolian yoke, the military leader Lee Song came to power, under which Korea again became known as Joseon. Beginning in the 16th century, the peninsula was repeatedly invaded by Japanese and Manchu troops, which led to the decline of the state. In 1910, the Korean Empire - the name the state received in 1897 - was annexed by Japan. Colonization continued until 1945
The last hostilities on the Korean Peninsula broke out in 1950. This time they were fought between North and South Korea. Three years later, both countries concluded a ceasefire agreement, and since then they have been separated by a demarcation zone, which is 4 km wide and 250 km long.
In the post-war era, South Korea experienced periods of military dictatorship, authoritarian and democratic rule. The modern period, called the Sixth Republic, began in 1987, when direct presidential elections were held in the country and restrictions on the activities of a number of parties were lifted. Despite the political crises, the country's economy has been growing rapidly since the 60s of the last century, and today South Korea, along with neighboring Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong, is called the "economic tiger" that has made an incredible leap in development.
Religion and culture
The main religions in South Korea are traditional Buddhism and Christianity, which came here in the 18th century. Most Christians are Catholics and Protestants. One of the oldest religious movements on the Korean Peninsula - shamanism - today is represented mainly by ritual rites. Tourists can see such mystical performances during folklore festivals and folk holidays. However, the ancient cult is not forgotten by Koreans of all faiths: many of them turn to shamans for advice and help during the hours of life's trials.
More than half of the country's inhabitants are not adherents of any religion. However, the worldview of the Koreans, regardless of whether they are religious or not, is based on the traditions of Confucianism, widespread in East Asia, an ethical and philosophical doctrine developed in the 5th century BC. e. Chinese thinker Confucius. In the Republic of Korea, Confucian ethics is mainly manifested in the relationship between people. The norms of behavior in modern Korean society are based on the Five Rules of Relationships: between ruler and subject, father and son, husband and wife, old and young, and between friends.
At first glance, you may think that Koreans are somewhat distant and arrogant, but in fact they often simply do not notice people who are outside of this system. But as soon as you are introduced to a Korean, the rules of relationships with friends will apply to you, and his indifference will be replaced by sincere goodwill.
The culture of South Korea also preserves ancient traditions. Korean music, although very similar to Japanese and Chinese, has its own structure, melody, rhythm and harmony. Traditional Korean music is based on two traditional genres: jeonggak and minseogak. Chonggak is the so-called "intellectual music", which is characterized by a very slow tempo, the sound of one note lasts 3 seconds. Minsogak - music is fast, cheerful, full of drama. Improvisation in it, as in jazz, is quite a familiar technique.
The most famous Korean dances are mugo (an expressive pair dance in which participants accompany themselves on drums that hang around their necks), seungmu (dance of monks) and salpuri (spiritual cleansing dances). A separate genre of classical art is theatrical performances, during which masked artists dressed in bright costumes perform dances and play performances, their plots are based on folklore.
Music festivals and colorful performances are held in different regions of Korea all year round. Especially often they are held from May to September. This period successfully combines traditional Korean holidays associated with the agricultural calendar with the peak tourist season.
In the culture of South Korea, the art. Traditional painting is dominated by Chinese motifs and elements of calligraphy; the best sculptural works of Korean masters are those depicting the Buddha, and the influence of shamanism is manifested in fine examples of woodcarving.
Korean pop culture has been taking over the world in recent years. There are countless TV shows and movies filmed in Korea that are very popular not only in Southeast Asia, but also in other countries where people from this region live.
tourism seasons
At any time of the year, the nature of South Korea is infinitely beautiful. Already in April, forsythia, azaleas, cherries bloom here in lush color, the weather is clear and warm, around +17 ° C in the daytime. This month is one of the best for excursions around the country. In May, educational trips can already be combined with a beach holiday: the sea temperature on the south coast at this time reaches +19 °С, and the air warms up to +22 °С.
Summer in Korea is warm, but capricious. The first half of June is usually sunny and dry, but then the rainy season begins, which lasts almost until the end of July. But in August, the heat sets in. At this time, the beaches and resorts of the country are especially crowded, because the Koreans themselves go on vacation this month. In summer, daytime air temperature ranges from +27 to +30 °C, sea water temperature from +24 to + 27 °C.
In September, summer does not give up its positions yet. It is usually clear this month, but the south coast of Korea is occasionally hit by typhoons. In October, the air temperature drops to +20 ° C, and the mountains gradually dress up in decoration of crimson and gold foliage. It is at this time that it is pleasant to go on a trip to national parks and mountainous areas.
In November, it gets significantly colder, and at the end of the month, the resorts of South Korea begin to receive winter sports enthusiasts. In the mountainous regions of the country in winter, the daily air temperature fluctuates around 0 °С, at night it is usually -10 ... -8 °С. It often snows here, and in 1-2 days the snow cover sometimes reaches 50-60 cm. In the north-west of Korea, in the flat terrain, it is several degrees warmer. In the south, winters are even milder. During the day it is +8...+10 °С, at night it is about 0 °С.
Cities and sights of South Korea
It is best to start acquaintance with the historical and architectural sights of Korea from the capital of the country, its main economic and cultural center - Seoul. The city is located on the banks of the Hangang River, in the area where in the 14th century there was a small settlement of Hanyang, which eventually became the capital city of the ancient state of Joseon. The Korean capital has been bearing its modern name since 1945.
The old district of the city is located on the right bank of the river, and it is here that most of the historical monuments are concentrated. First of all, it is worth visiting the five famous palaces of the era of the Joseon state: Gyeongbokgung Palace - the first of those built here (today the National Folk Museum and the Museum of Royal Relics are located here), Changdeokgung Palace, reputed to be the most beautiful palace in Seoul, as well as the equally beautiful Deoksukung Palaces, Gyeonghikun and Changyangkun.
Worthy of attention is the original city gate of Dongdaemun, an example of the architectural style of the late Joseon era and a recognizable symbol of the capital of the Republic of Korea.
On the right bank of the river there are also the royal temple-tomb of Chonme, the main Catholic temple of the country Myeongdong, the Korean house, which hosts traditional performances and dinners with tasting of national Korean dishes, the Namsan folklore village, the largest Buddhist temple in Seoul Chogyesa.
In the capital, it is worth looking into the Nyanjin market, wandering around the Amsadon archaeological park, located on the site where archaeologists discovered the site of primitive people. This area of Seoul houses the Grand Park Seoul entertainment center, which houses one of the world's largest zoos, the Seoul Land amusement park, and shopping and entertainment complexes. A popular evening entertainment among tourists is a sightseeing ferry cruise on the Hangang River.
From Seoul, you can make an interesting journey to the demilitarized zone that separates South Korea from North. The tour includes a visit to the city of Panmunjom, where negotiations were held between representatives of the two warring states during the Korean War, and a ceasefire agreement was signed.
Geographically, Seoul is located in the center of Gyeonggi province, but administratively it is not included in it. The provincial capital is Suwon. From the main city of South Korea, you can get here very simply - by subway. The historical center of Suwon is under the protection of UNESCO. Here is the Hwaseong Fortress, built in late XVIII century by King Chenzhuo, and the royal garden. The dominant of the ancient stronghold is the Hwaseong Hengkun Palace. Since 1789, it served as a place where the reigning persons came to rest. Of the original buildings of the palace complex, only the Uhwagan pavilion has survived. Today, a colorful spectacle takes place near its walls - the changing of the guard, intended for tourists. In the fortress itself, tourists have the opportunity to feel like ancient warriors: they have the opportunity to shoot from a bow, light one of the 5 signal pipes installed on the stone fortress wall. In September, a magnificent historical festival is held here with a theatrical staging of the royal procession.
Not far from Suwon, there is a folklore village, a kind of open-air museum where local craftsmen present their products. Shows with national dances are periodically arranged here, national rituals are demonstrated. In the village, tourists can taste Korean cuisine, shop at a local souvenir shop.
Very close to Suwon is Everland amusement park. Here visitors can enjoy many attractions, a safari park, a water park, a racing track, and an art museum. You can spend more than one day in Everland, and those who decide to stay here can stay in guest houses specially equipped for tourists.
West of Seoul, on the coast of the Yellow Sea, is one of the largest port cities in Korea - Incheon. It is famous for its history. In 1904, in the neutral seaport of Chemulpo, as the city was called in those days, among the ships from different states, the Russian cruiser Varyag was on the road. In January, he was attacked by a dozen ships navy Japan. Russian sailors, not wanting to surrender to the enemy, decided to flood the ship. This episode served as one of the casus belli for the start of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. And in the middle of the last century, during the Korean War, an American landing was carried out in Inchon, which subsequently broke through the defenses of the North Korean army, which allowed the UN coalition forces to capture Seoul. This event was a turning point in the course of the war. You can get acquainted with the history of the city by visiting the City Museum and the Incheon Memorial Hall.
Incheon has Korea's largest airport, and the city's sea harbor is called the "Seoul Gate". In 2003, a free economic zone was created here.
Incheon is a metropolitan city that includes several islands. Among them is Ganghwa Island, rich in sights. On the island you can see ancient stone dolmens - Bronze Age burials, crowned with marvelous structures made of grandiose boulders.
In the Middle Ages, when the country was shaken by civil strife, unrest and military conflicts, Incheon became a refuge for royal family and her retinue, becoming for a while the second capital of the state. Over the centuries, many defensive structures, monasteries, palaces were built here. One of the most famous monasteries is Chondynsa, founded in 327. From the 13th to the 14th century, within the walls of this temple, located on the slopes of Mount Jeongzhok, the monks kept the sacred Korean scripture Tripitaka Koreana, the oldest and most voluminous set of Buddhist canons. The sacred texts engraved on almost meter-long tablets were the second "edition" of the Tripitaka Korean, as the originals were lost during the invasion of the Mongols. Among the oldest sights of the monastery is a huge pavilion built in the 17th century, where you can see the original sculpture of a naked woman carved from wood, created by one of the masters who took part in the construction of the temple. The ancient Chinese bell of the 11th century also attracts attention.
In the southeast of Gyeonggi province is the city of Icheon. He was glorified by the masters of pottery, which has ancient traditions here. In the city, you can visit the exhibition pavilion, which presents original pottery products and the craft village, where local craftsmen exhibit their creations and demonstrate the stages of production.
In the northeast of the Republic of Korea, along the coast of the East Sea, Gangwon Province is known for its magnificent mountain landscapes, beautiful national parks, winter resorts and a picturesque coastline with magnificent beaches.
Traveling in this region, visit the city of Sokcho. By the way, it is well known to Russian tourists arriving at its port by ferry from the Far Eastern city of Zarubino. Sokcho is an attractive modern city with beaches, shopping centers, fish markets, hotels, restaurants. Its main avenue stretches along the coastal strip from the Donmen Marine Passenger Terminal to the south. Near the port there is a noisy fish market, the original gazebo Yengkim-jong, where romantics like to meet the dawn, an old lighthouse with an observation deck and the picturesque lake Yongnan. A park is spread along the banks of the reservoir - a favorite vacation spot for citizens and tourists. At the southern end of the avenue there is another beautiful lake - Choncho. Seorak Sunrise Park is located in this area, and fish restaurants are located nearby.
From Sokcho, you can go to the Geumgangsan Mountains (Diamond Mountains). This area is located on the territory of North Korea, but, according to an agreement between the two countries, a special tourist zone has been set up here, which has the status of a special province. You can't go to Geumgangsan on your own, so if you want to enjoy the beauty of the area, join an organized tour group.
The peak of the mountain range is located at an altitude of 1638 m. The slopes of the Diamond Mountains, almost sheer to the sea, are cut by canyons, in which streams of water rushing along the rocky bottom form numerous cascades and waterfalls. The originality and charm of the Geumgangsan Mountains are emphasized by luxurious mixed forests of cedar pine, oak, hornbeam, maple, covering most mountains In their central part there are ancient Buddhist temples, blue lakes, mineral springs.
To the south of Gangwon Province is the province of Gyeongsangbuk-do. In its northern part is ancient city Andon. During the existence of the state of Silla, it was called Chinhan and was known as a stronghold of Buddhism in the country. Many ancient monuments and Buddhist shrines have been preserved here. In Andong, it is worth visiting the Bongjeong Monastery, built at the end of the 7th century, the Museum of Soju, an ancient national alcoholic drink made from sweet potatoes, rice and wheat, the Hahoe Folk Village and the Confucian Dosansowon Academy.
In the southeast of the province is the city of Gyeongju, which was the capital of the state of Sila from the 4th to the 10th century. The city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Among the many historical sights located here is the Cheomseongdae Observatory, built in 647. It is the oldest surviving observatory on the planet. Not far from the building is Tumuli Park, where the royal tombs are located, the oldest of which date back to the 3rd century AD. e.
There are seven sacred mountains in Gyeongju, the most famous of which is Namsan. Here the beauty of nature is harmoniously combined with man-made masterpieces. Inquisitive travelers will need more than one day to see Buddhist temples, pagodas, Buddha images carved in stone.
In the north of Gyeongju, near Lake Pomun, there is a resort area with hotels, golf courses, shopping centers, restaurants. In the vicinity of the city, there is the Bulguksa Monastery and the cave temple of Seokguram, built in the 8th century.
The city of Busan is located at the southeastern tip of Korea. It is the second largest city in the country. Busan has long been known as the shopping center of Korea. Today, its seaport is the main one in the country and ranks 4th in the world in terms of cargo turnover. One of the symbols of Busan is the grandiose suspension bridge Gwanan, connecting the two main districts of the city, stretching along both sides of the Suenman Bay. Its total length is almost seven and a half kilometers.
Busan is famous for its Jagalchi fish market. It is an endless galleries of stalls where you can buy fish splashing a couple of hours ago in sea waters. There are also many cozy restaurants where you can taste the most delicious seafood dishes in Korea.
Not far from Busan there are two sacred places for Buddhists: Haeinsa and Thondosa monasteries. Founded in 802, Haeinsa Monastery houses more than 80,000 wooden tablets containing the sacred texts of the Tripitaka Korean, brought here from Jeongdeunsa Monastery. Every year the temple hosts the Tripitaka Koreana festival. Only on these days is it possible to examine the sacred scriptures in close proximity. The monastery of Thondosa, founded in 646, is known for the fact that the teachings of the Buddha have been passed on to the monks here for a long time. In the monastery, even today, Buddhists who are preparing to take the dignity are undergoing certification.
The main Buddhist temple of Korea - Songwangsa - is located in the province of South Jeolla, near the city of Suncheon. Founded in 1190, the monastery houses Buddhist relics: a huge wooden bowl for rice porridge, two giant junipers and a fine handmade temple bowl. There are many legends associated with these artifacts.
Summer rest
The sandy beaches of the Republic of Korea are known as some of the best in Southeast Asia. The disadvantage of the beach season is that it is not too long: most beaches open in late June - early July, at the time when the rainy season ends, and close in late August - early September. However, no one will forbid you to sunbathe and swim, it’s just that after the closing of the holiday season, the beaches are no longer open. rescue services, showers, toilets, and there is no possibility to rent umbrellas and sun loungers.
Coastline and seascapes of western, eastern and south coast Korea is different, but each of the coasts is beautiful in its own way and has its own fans. Popular resort areas are also located on several islands located near the mainland coast.
It is worth noting that in South Korea there is no concept of "the hotel's own beach." All beach areas here are municipal. In addition, due to the continuous hilliness, only a few dozen hotels are located directly on the coast. Entrance to all beaches is free, and each has the same rates for renting beach equipment. Renting a table with an umbrella, sun lounger and four chairs will cost you about $40. You can rent just one umbrella for $ 15, but if you don’t need all this, you can safely sit directly on the sand.
One of the most famous resort cities in the Republic of Korea is Gangneung. It is located in the east of the country, on the coast of the Sea of Japan. There are two popular beaches here - Chumunjin and Chengdongjin. Chumunjin is a fairly quiet place, mostly couples with children rest here: the entrance to the water is gentle, and the sand is fine and very soft. On Chengdongjin Beach, the crowd is more motley and noisy. Directly in the beach area is one of the local railway stations, due to its location in the Guinness Book of Records. There are several beautiful parks near the beach.
In the city of Gangneung there is another wonderful well-maintained beach. It is located on the shores of Lake Kenpo, where, by the way, there is excellent fishing.
Beautiful beaches are located on the south coast of Korea - in Busan and its environs. The most popular of them are Haeundae and Gwanally.
In the west of Korea, on the coast of the Yellow Sea, not only tourists like to relax, but also capital residents, because it is very easy to get here from Seoul. The most popular beaches on the west coast are Eurvanni and Daechon. Muchangpo Beach, famous all over the country, is located 8 km from Taecheon Beach. It stretches for almost one and a half kilometers along the sea coast, bordered by pine forests, and is known for its "Moses Road". Once a month, at low tide, a sandy bottom is exposed in the coastal waters, forming a kind of path to the uninhabited island of Seoktaedo located off the coast.
Despite all the attractiveness of the resort areas of the mainland of Korea, they are inferior in their popularity to Jeju Island, located in the Korea Strait, in the south of the country. The island, which is a popular center of tourism, is famous for its volcanic landscapes, luxurious nature, incredibly beautiful broken coastline, luxurious hotels and restaurants. Local beaches with snow-white, like flour, or, on the contrary, asphalt-black volcanic sand, are perfectly equipped and ready to receive tourists from July to the end of September.
Jeju Island is also known for its peculiar tradition of catching marine life. Here, this has long been done by women who can dive to a depth of 10 meters! For another half century, the “army” of divers-hunters numbered about 30,000 of the fair sex. To date, only a few thousand sea hunters are engaged in this trade. Their average age- 60 years old, some have already exceeded 80. In Korea, they are called "hene", that is, "women of the sea." Such an amazing custom has been included in UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage.
In Jeju, the main city of the island, where the airport is located, tourists usually do not stay long, and head to the coast. The most popular among the guests of the island is its southern part. The center of this region is the city of Seogwipo, located in a picturesque area surrounded by tangerine plantations. In its southeastern part there is Chonbang - the only waterfall in Asia that drops its waters directly into the depths of the sea.
Seogwipo is home to the main diving centers of the island. From here, organized groups of divers go to small islands located off the southern coast of Jeju. The maximum diving depth in the local water area is 40 meters.
You can go fishing from Seogwipo Port on a rented boat. The main prey here is tuna and sea bass.
To the west of Seogwipo lies the largest resort in South Korea - Chungmun. Not far from its snow-white beaches there are places of interest for the guests of the island: Pacific Land Park, Yemizhi Nursery, where about 4,000 species of trees and flowers are grown, Chongzheyen waterfall. In the western part of the Chungmun resort, you can admire a fantastic landscape - here rocks of volcanic origin rise up from the coastal sea waters, creating a kind of natural fortress, as if protecting the island coast. It is pleasant to meet and see off the sun in this romantic corner.
The most famous beach in the eastern part of Jeju is Pioseon. This place, which is a shallow lagoon, is a great place to relax with children. To the north extends another popular beach among tourists - Kimnen. Not far from it is one of the main natural attractions of the Republic of Korea - Manchzhangul Cave, formed by lava flows. Its tunnels stretch for thirteen and a half kilometers, and it is the largest lava cave on the planet.
Winter holidays
In South Korea, skiing and snowboarding have long been national sports. Korean ski resorts are well equipped, and most of them are not inferior in their level to European ones. In the mountainous regions of the country there are trails of various levels of difficulty, many of which are illuminated around the clock. The resorts have chair lifts and snow cannons. Everywhere there are centers where experienced instructors give lessons to beginners. By the way, the infrastructure of most resorts is designed to receive guests at any time of the year: golf courses, amusement parks, bowling alleys, indoor and outdoor pools are equipped on their territories.
Most of the ski centers in Korea are located in the province of Gangwon-do. Here is also the most famous resort of Korea - Enpyeong. At the service of athletes - 31 ski slopes with different levels of difficulty, 15 lifts. For snowboarders, there is a half-pipe. The Alps resort is also popular among skiers, where the snow cover lasts until mid-April.
Those who have just started to master winter sports should pay attention to the Taemyun Vivaldi Park resort. There are no risky sections on the ski slopes laid here.
The most respectable resort in Korea, Phoenix Park, is also located in the province of Gangwon-do. Here the ski slopes are designed for both experienced athletes and beginners. On the territory of the resort complex there are hotels, villas, small motels, as well as a skating rink, a swimming pool, a sauna, bowling and billiards halls, restaurants, a nightclub.
Muju Ski Center
Thermal spas
On the territory of the Republic of Korea there are about 70 thermal springs with healing mineral water. Resorts and spa centers have been created on their basis. Several famous resorts are located in the mountainous province of Gangwon-do, between the city of Sokcho and Seoraksan National Park. Among the most popular health resorts in these places is Khanva Sorak. There are hotels, open-air pools, baths, baths, a water entertainment center with attractions. Local mineral waters, having a sodium-calcium-magnesium composition, are effective in the treatment of arthritis, neuralgic and skin diseases.
Nearby is another popular thermal resort, Cheoksan, where treatment is based on mineral waters similar composition.
In the province of Gyeonggi, springs are concentrated in the vicinity of the city of Icheon. Around them are thermal complexes with baths, saunas, swimming pools and water parks with attractions. Healing water is also connected to many local hotels that offer their guests spa and wellness services.
Thermal spas are also found in the province of South Jeolla and on the slopes of the mountains near Busan.
National parks and reserves
The most outstanding natural attractions of South Korea are united in specially protected areas. Almost in every national park or the country's reserve has its own "highlights" - ancient monasteries, which even more attracts tourists to such places.
One of the most famous national parks in Korea - Seoraksan and Odaesan, located on the densely forested mountain ranges of Gangwon Province. Seoraksan Park has hotels and campsites, so you can stay here for a few days. At the entrance to the park begins cable car, which leads to the Kwong Geum mountain peak (700 m). Climbing to it is an indispensable ritual for all travelers who want to admire magnificent panoramas from a bird's eye view. There are hiking trails throughout the park. Traveling along them, you can get to the famous Biren and Towanson waterfalls, the ancient Sinheungsa monastery, the temples of Anyang, Newon. Visit Gejo Shrine - this temple is located in a cave.
Odaesan Park is located northwest of the resort town of Gangneung and is a mountain forest with lakes and waterfalls. It is interesting to visit the botanical garden in the park, which is divided into several thematic zones. Here you can see indoor pavilions with indoor plants, an extensive ecological garden where wild plants grow, a herb garden with mountain flowers and herbs. There are 9 Buddhist temples built in the era of the Silla state in the park.
In the vicinity of the city of Busan, at the mouth of the Nakdong River, there is an extensive migratory bird sanctuary. There are sand dunes in its coastal part, and small picturesque islands in the river delta. In spring and autumn, you can watch migratory waterfowl - snipes, ducks, swans. About 150 species of birds come here. Tourists travel through the park on special boats.
South Korea is home to the largest mountain park in the mainland, Jirisan. A dozen mountain peaks rise above its territory, creating landscapes of incredible beauty.
Another famous national park, Hallasan, is located in the center of Jeju Island. It was created in 1970 to protect the ecosystem of the slopes of the extinct Hallasan volcano. Its crater is the most high point Republic of Korea (1950 m). The last volcanic eruption occurred in the 11th century. A reminder of its activity is a lot of tunnels, pillars and other bizarre formations formed by solidified basalt lava. The natural attractions of the park are included in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List.
About 2,000 species of plants grow on the territory of the reserve and many species of animals live. Hiking trails of various types of difficulty are laid here, but there are no places for overnight stays in the park.
Korean cuisine
The modern cuisine of South Korea is a kind of symbiosis of the gastronomic traditions of Korea itself, Japan, China and Europe. Japanese restaurants are considered the most prestigious and, accordingly, expensive here. In simpler establishments with Chinese cuisine "yeri", gourmet food is a little cheaper, but the portions are significantly larger. In Chinese restaurants "siksa", where everyday food is on the menu, prices are quite economical. The most democratic restaurants are those that serve Korean food. But restaurants with European cuisine in Korea are considered exotic.
A three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant typically costs $20-$25 for two.
The main dish of the Korean meal is rice. It is served with a variety of accompaniments, depending on the region and season. Among the others traditional dishes- kimchi (spicy sauerkraut or radish); khwee (a dish based on raw fish: miniature fish pieces are dipped in vinegar, peppered, salted, garlic, chopped carrots or radishes are added, and after 20 minutes they are treated to guests); kuksu (homemade noodles made from unleavened dough, served with meat or chicken broth). A popular Korean dish is bulgogi, which are slices of beef cooked in a special brazier, which is located right on the table. Pieces of meat are pre-marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, sesame oil, sesame seeds, garlic, young onions and other seasonings, among which there is certainly hot red pepper.
A Korean meal is not complete without first courses, which are usually generously seasoned with spices and spices. Separate cups for soup and rice are placed on the table in front of each guest, and all other dishes (fish, meat, seafood) are placed in the middle of the table, from where everyone takes the desired portion of food for himself. During the meal, Koreans use spoons and special chopsticks. For dessert, it is customary to serve apples, pears, peaches, persimmons, and dates.
Where to stay
In South Korea, hotels are classified into five categories. Deluxe and super deluxe are prestigious hotels with luxurious rooms equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Their infrastructure includes cafes, restaurants, conference rooms, fitness centers, spas, shops. This is followed by first-class hotels (in terms of service they correspond to European 3 * plus hotels), second and third class - 3 * and 2 * plus, respectively.
Most high prices accommodation in Seoul. A room in a hotel of the highest category will cost an average of $ 200-250, in a first-class hotel (3 * plus) - $ 90-100 per day.
Those who wish to get acquainted with the culture of the country can stay in traditional guest houses, which are called "hanok" here. The interiors of these dwellings are made in the style of old Korean houses. This type of accommodation is popular in historical cities. In South Korea, there are also traditional boarding houses - minbak. This is a kind of family hotels, where it is convenient to stay with children.
There are many roadside and suburban motels in the country. As a rule, they are well equipped, many have cable TV, high-speed Wi-Fi, jacuzzi or sauna.
Tourists who want to save money should pay attention to the so-called "egvans" - city hotels with small, but cozy and clean rooms with air conditioning, TV, telephone, shower and toilet. There may not be a bed in the room, as in this type of hotel, as a rule, local residents stay, many of whom adhere to the tradition of sleeping on the floor. Daily accommodation here costs $22-27.
In South Korea, tourists get a rare chance to live in a Buddhist monastery, although not every temple provides such an opportunity.
shopping
The best places for shopping in Korea are the capital of the country and large cities, where a huge number of shopping centers, supermarkets, boutiques, and markets are located. In Seoul and Busan, it is convenient to make purchases in duty-free shops - you will recognize them by the “tax free shopping” signs. Keep your receipt and 10% VAT will be refunded to you at the airport.
Tourists often buy electronics in local stores, but do not buy mobile phones - they are not compatible with Russian standards.
As souvenirs from South Korea, travelers traditionally bring trinkets inlaid with mother-of-pearl, porcelain, and ceramics. Here you can also buy good leather goods. And, of course, do not forget to purchase healing ginseng products. In the country that is the leader in the cultivation of this magical plant, you can buy ginseng tinctures, tea, and many cosmetics based on it.
In Korea, there is no clear distinction between store opening hours. Most of them open at 9:00 and close after 19:00, but many shops in popular tourist areas can stay open until midnight. Some cafes and markets are open around the clock.
Transport
South Korea is a small country, you can cross it in just 4-5 hours. but transport infrastructure located here on high level. Railway transport is developed here, and there are several types of trains: express trains, bullet trains and simple trains, and even a leisurely tourist train-hotel with a cozy restaurant, comfortable rooms and an observation deck.
The provinces are also connected by regular bus service. Even ordinary buses are equipped with an air conditioning system, and in de-luxe transport, each seat is equipped with a telephone and a TV screen.
Passenger ships and ferries run between coastal cities.
Seoul, Daegu, Busan and Incheon all have subways. All taxis in Korea are equipped with electronic navigators, terminals for paying with bank cards and digital simultaneous translators - there will be no problems with communication.
You can rent a car in Korea if you are over 21 years old and have at least a year of driving experience. Please note that in Seoul and other major cities traffic jams are quite common, and parking is quite difficult to find.
Practical information
Russian citizens can stay in South Korea for 60 days without a visa in their passport.
The official currency of the country is won. International name - KRW.
It is more convenient to change money in banks and specialized exchange points. In hotels in Korea, the exchange is not profitable. US dollars are readily accepted in most small shops and markets, foreign currency can also be paid in Tax free shopping stores. In large shopping malls and museums only accept won.
Korean banks serve customers on weekdays from 9:30 to 16:30, on Saturday - until 13:30. On Sunday they are closed. You can use the ATM from 9:30 to 22:00.
How to get there
Most often, tourists from Russia arrive by plane in Seoul, and from there they go to resorts or other cities in Korea. There are direct regular flights from Moscow and Vladivostok, seasonal ones from St. Petersburg, Irkutsk.
From the Primorsky Territory of Russia to South Korea can be reached by ferry. For example, a ferry departs from Vladivostok once a week. Travel time - 20 hours. The cost of a one-way ticket is from $180.
Airfare low price calendar
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Inspired by the possibilities of Unicode, I continue to post extended versions of some of my old popular articles. This time - about the history of the name of the country, which in Russia is called Korea. As they say, "a new version, expanded and redesigned."Why is Korea "Korea"?
Korea has many names. Despite the fact that in almost all languages of the world this country is called approximately the same - "Korea", "Coria", "Korea", etc., only foreigners show such unity. The Koreans themselves and, at the same time, their closest neighbors - the Japanese, the Chinese, the Vietnamese - have used a variety of names for their country for centuries.
Even now, the names of North and South Korea are not the same. I do not mean the official names of these states at all, the term "Korea" itself sounds differently, which, of course, is included in the name of the North and the name of the South. In Germany, at one time both East and West Germany included the word Deutchland in their official name. In Korea, things are different: North Korea is called "Joseon" (조선 in alphabetical notation, 朝鮮 in hieroglyphic notation, the full official name is the Democratic People's Republic of Joseon, 조선민주주의인민공화국, which traditionally translates into Russian as "Democratic People's Republic of Korea Republic"). South Korea is called "Hanguk" (한국 in alphabet, 韓國 in kanji, officially the Republic of Hanguk (Daehan minguk 대한민국 / 大韓民國), Russian translation is "Republic of Korea"). Indeed, these names even by ear have nothing in common with each other. How did it happen?
The origins of this situation lie in the affairs of bygone days. Once upon a time, about three thousand years ago, some tribes lived near the northeastern borders of China, the distant ancestors of modern Koreans. Of course, they did not know how to read and write, because in those days few inhabitants of a few countries owned this art, but somehow they called themselves. Over time, these tribes began to unite in unions and gradually a principality arose there, in terms of its level more or less reminiscent of Kievan Rus century in the IX, before the arrival of the Rurikovich. This happened about two and a half millennia ago (although many nationalist Korean historians claim that this happened much earlier, but they do not provide any serious evidence, so we'd better stick to the facts).
Around the 5th century BC learned about this principality and the Chinese. They found out - and wrote down its name in those Chinese characters that, to the ears of ancient Chinese scribes, sounded more or less similar to this, unknown to us, original name. Two characters were chosen for this - 朝 and 鮮. In modern Chinese, in its northern dialect, these characters are pronounced "chao" and "xian", and in modern Korean, respectively, these same characters sound like "cho" (meaning, among other things, "morning") and "sleep" ( it also has several meanings, one of them is "freshness"). And so it happened - "Land of the Morning Calm", the poetic name of Korea, which is known, probably, by any person who has visited Korea at least once - and many of those who have not had to visit Korea.
It sounds really quite good, but the trouble is - this remarkably beautiful phrase has nothing to do with the original name of the ancient Korean tribes. The fact is that Chinese characters, which (along with their writing) are also used by Koreans and Japanese, convey not only the sound of the word, but also its meaning, therefore, unlike the letter of the alphabet, absolutely any character necessarily has at least some meaning. . Since there are no cases (and, strictly speaking, no parts of speech) in Chinese, this means that any arbitrary combination of characters, including any transcription of a foreign name written in Chinese characters, can always be "translated" based on these values. For example, the Chinese write the name of the city of Moscow with a combination of three characters 莫 斯 科. Each of them has its own meaning (strictly speaking, even several), so if you want to consider these three hieroglyphs as a meaningful phrase, they can even be translated. Several variants of such a "translation" are possible, for example, "calm cutting of cereals." However, it is clear that neither with cereals (科 "ke", another, more common, meaning is "science"), nor with cutting (斯 "sy"), nor with "calmness" (莫 "mo", besides - negative particle) the Chinese name of the Russian capital is not connected in any way. Quite simply, in modern Chinese, these hieroglyphs sound similar to the name of the capital, so they were used - according to the rebus principle. According to the same principle of the rebus, Chinese scribes wrote down some name unknown to us three thousand years ago in two similar-sounding hieroglyphs.
In addition, it must be taken into account that the pronunciation of hieroglyphs did not remain constant: over the centuries it changed, and quite significantly. After the Koreans borrowed Chinese characters, their pronunciation also began to evolve in Korean, and eventually the Korean pronunciation became very distant from both the ancient Chinese original and the modern Chinese reading of the same characters. True, modern techniques allow us to approximately reconstruct the ancient Chinese pronunciations, so that through rather complex calculations, linguists have established that three thousand years ago two hieroglyphs, about which in question, respectively read as "*trjaw" (朝) and "*senx" (鮮). As you can see - a little in common with their modern readings! Thus, the ancient name unknown to us, once written in these hieroglyphs, must have sounded somehow remotely similar to "Tryausenkh". Nevertheless, now it is almost impossible to understand what it actually meant and where it came from.
I spoke about the problems with the "Land of the Morning Calm" in such detail because all the other names of Korea, which will be discussed further, arose according to approximately the same pattern: a certain (exactly unknown) self-name of some ancient Korean tribe ==> its approximate transcription those Chinese characters that were then pronounced more or less similar to this name ==> the evolution of the pronunciation of these characters (its own in each of the four "hieroglyphic" languages - Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese).
So, back to our story. The ancient Korean state of Joseon (in fact, as we remember, its name sounded more like trjawsenx) was captured by the Chinese at the end of the 1st century BC. BC, but the memory of him remained in Korea for a long time. At about the same time, other ancient Korean tribes lived on the territory of the Korean Peninsula and in the adjacent part of Manchuria (however, among them there could be representatives of other nationalities, who later disappeared among the Koreans). The names of those tribes that lived in the north were written in three hieroglyphs 高句麗. The modern Korean pronunciation of these characters is Goguryeo (고구려). Soon these tribes formed a powerful and very warlike principality, which occupied the entire north of the Korean Peninsula and the adjacent territory of Manchuria. Meanwhile, many tribes lived in the south of the peninsula. On the coast of the Korea Strait, the Han tribes (한 again, the modern Korean reading of the character 韓) lived, while in the southeast, the principality of Silla quickly grew stronger.
Of course, all these tribes and principalities were constantly at war with each other. In the end, the victory went to Silla, which at the end of the 7th century united the Korean Peninsula under its rule. Thus, the first unified Korean state arose, which was called Silla (신라 / 新羅). What does it mean? The question is difficult. If you "translate" by hieroglyphs, you get ... "new network". I think that it is now clear to the reader that this name has exactly the same relation to the "new networks" as Moscow has to the "calm cutting of cereals." These hieroglyphs simply transcribed some ancient Korean (was it ancient Korean?) word. This is also clear because the current spelling of "Silla" was not established immediately. The name of this state was written down with other pairs of hieroglyphs - in particular, those that in modern Korean are read as "Sara" (사라 / 斯羅 i.e., literally translated as "cutting the nets"), and those that are now pronounced as "Saro "(사로 / 斯盧). It is clear that these signs recorded the self-name, which sounded approximately like Silla-Saro-Sara. What is the Korean word for this? There are many hypotheses on this subject, but none of them is generally accepted.
However, "the times of monarchies and kings are not eternal" ... At the beginning of the 10th century, after a short period civil wars a new dynasty came to power in the country. Its founder, Wang Gong, came from the lands where the kingdom of Goguryeo once flourished. He - himself a military general - was very proud of his ancestral ties with the most warlike of all ancient Korean principalities, which is why he decided to call his dynasty Goryeo (고려 / 高麗.). It was an abbreviated form of the old name Goguryeo (perhaps it also reflected phonetic changes - the loss of one of the consonants). At that time in East Asia, the country was often called by the name of the dynasty that ruled in it, so that Korea itself began to be called Goryeo. It was at that time that rumors about the existence of this country reached Europe (the ubiquitous Marco Polo seems to have brought them first), so all European names for Korea sound very similar to "Koryo"
However, time passed, and the distant descendants of Wang Gon also lost power. Another general, Lee Song-gye, made a coup, and in 1392 founded a new dynasty. He decided to take the name for it the most ancient - "Joseon" (in other countries it was often called by the name of the ruling family - "Li dynasty"). As you remember, these characters were used for the Chinese record of the name of the very first of the Korean states, which existed two millennia earlier.
This name remained official until the end of the last century. After Korea became a Japanese colony in 1910, the Japanese continued to call it that (of course, the Japanese themselves read the hieroglyphs in their own way - "Chosen"). After 1945, the new communist government, which, with the help of Soviet army came to power in the North of the country, decided not to abandon the name that had become familiar for more than five centuries, and retained it. Therefore, North Korea is called "Joseon", but if you use the full name - "Democratic People's Republic of Joseon". It is clear that "Joseon" is translated into Russian as "Korea", and the whole name is translated as "Democratic People's Republic of Korea".
But what about South Korea, the Republic of Korea? V late XIX century in Korea, an attempt was made to change the official name of the country. Instead of the "Kingdom of Joseon", it became known as the "Han Empire" - more precisely, the country began to be called somewhat more magnificently, " Great empire Han" (대한제국 / 大韓帝國). However, the word "great" can, according to the rules of Chinese grammar (this is not a typo, the whole phrase is quite Chinese), in this case, can refer to both the empire and the country itself. How do you , you probably already guessed, the name of Korea "han" (한 / 韓) used in this case comes from the name of another group of tribes that lived in the very south of the Korean Peninsula about two millennia ago.
In 1910, the Japanese colonialists returned the old name "Joseon" to the country, but many leaders of the national liberation movement did not recognize this renaming and, in defiance of the Japanese rulers, continued to call their country "Hanguk", that is, "Country of Han". When in 1919 the leaders of the anti-colonial movement created the Korean government-in-exile, they called it: "The Provisional Government of the Republic of Khan" The word "great" was left in the title, although in translations into foreign languages it is usually omitted.
In this case, one more curious circumstance must be taken into account. It happened in the 1910s, when many of the terms for designating new, borrowed from the West, objects and phenomena had not yet settled down. Therefore, in the “hieroglyphic” languages of East Asia, two terms with the meaning “republic” coexisted at that time (let me remind you that in the languages of the region, almost all serious socio-political and scientific vocabulary consisted of Chinese borrowings, or, more precisely, of words collected from Chinese roots, for more details see . ). Some preferred to translate the new word as 共和國 (Korean reading conhwaguk, Chinese gunhaego, Japanese kyawakoku), that is, the "state of social harmony", while others tended to the less pretentious 民國 (Kor. minguk, whale. mingo), i.e. "people's state". As a result, the first, more eloquent, option won, but in 1919 in Shanghai, Korean nationalists leaned towards the second option - fortunately, it was then also used in the official name of China. As a result, it turned out that in full official names North and South Korea are different not only the names of the country, but also the translation of the word "republic"
Over time, many of the leaders of the Shanghai interim government established ties with the United States, and in 1945, with the help of the American military administration, they ended up in South Korea. It was these people who became the founders of the current South Korean state, which also inherited this name - the "Republic of Khan". Again, this word is translated into Russian as "Korea". On the other hand, as mentioned above, the Korean left, which, with Soviet support, came to power in the northern part of the peninsula, decided to keep the name by which Korea was known in colonial times, and continued to call their country Joseon. So this is the current situation.
She has, by the way, one funny aspect. Speaking Korean, one inevitably has to express one's attitude to the current political situation all the time. It is impossible to say "Korean language (or Korean history, or Korean literature) in general". Using one of the two names for Korea, the speaker inevitably emphasizes which of the two rival Korean states he is on the side of.
North Korean authorities said South Korea was the first to fire on the maritime border between the two Korean states on Tuesday morning, Reuters reported, citing the Pyongyang Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). “Despite our persistent warnings, South Korea fired dozens of salvos starting at 13:00 (07:00 Moscow time), and we immediately took military action in response,” the statement said.
But the most important thing is that the South Korean authorities did not refute the DPRK!
During joint exercises With the United States, South Korean troops fired about 80 volleys across the territory that the DPRK considers its water area. Pyongyang does not recognize the so-called northern boundary line in the Yellow Sea, which was drawn unilaterally by the United States after the Korean War (1950-1953). It was this line that made Yeonpyeong Island South Korean, and the DPRK still lays claim to it.
In 2007, the governments of the two Korean states agreed to turn the disputed waters into a joint zone of peace and cooperation, but the new government in Seoul, which came to power in 2008, canceled the previous course of rapprochement with the DPRK and the agreements signed under the previous administration.
Moreover, it was from Yeonpyeong Island that the first volleys were fired, and the DPRK artillery retaliated not only on the island, but on the South Korean military base located on it, which in itself is a demonstration of the South Korean regime’s far from peaceful intentions towards the DPRK. .
The question is, why was it necessary to conduct exercises of the 70,000-strong joint American-Korean contingent near the demilitarized zone? Why was it necessary to carry out artillery preparation from the disputed territory?
Now we see how the aircraft carrier "George Washington" is moving into the zone of the newly formed conflict, - the editor-in-chief of FORUM.msk reminded Anatoly Baranov. - This is, presumably, a peacekeeping mission? Again, the question is why all the world media, including Russian ones, continue to carry a blizzard about the aggression of the DPRK, when it is obvious that Pyongyang was provoked, and not only by Seoul, but also by Washington? Why are they repeating the words of the UN Secretary General of South Korean origin and not saying anything about the efforts of the South Korean regime to disrupt the peace process with the DPRK? Why talk about North Korean nuclear threat and say nothing about the nuclear forces concentrated in this region of the United States - the only country in the world that constantly keeps its strategic nuclear forces outside its own territory? For some reason, it never occurs to anyone that the North Korean regime cannot act as an aggressor due to the state of its economy, including against South Korea, whose armed forces are not inferior to North Koreans and are reinforced by a powerful American contingent based in the region. And the hypothetical nuclear forces of the DPRK for many years to come will not be able to pose a threat to anyone except the aggressor who has invaded the territory of the DPRK - not a single North Korean missile has yet reached even Japan, and Pyongyang, if it can explode nuclear charges, only on its own territory. But the DPRK itself is threatened by many - if you read the Western media, then just the whole world. And it is quite natural that Pyongyang makes it clear to a potential aggressor that it does not intend to concede. Pyongyang is defending itself, but it simply does not have the strength and ability to attack.
