National territory

The Republic of Korea is located in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, covering an area of about 99,400 square kilometers, bordering the Sea of Japan to the east and the Shandong Province of China across the Yellow Sea to the west. The terrain is lower than the northern half of the peninsula, with hills and plains dominating the landscape. Major rivers include the Han River, which is 514 kilometers long.

Climate

South Korea is a temperate monsoon climate, four distinct seasons, the southern part of the performance of the mild oceanic climate characteristics. March to May for the spring, flowers bloom; June to August for the summer, the rainfall accounted for half of the year, high temperatures and humidity; September to November for the fall, autumn, high and cool, is the most suitable for tourism; December to February for the winter, the weather characteristics are similar to the northeast of China! December to February is winter, the weather characteristics similar to China's northeast, "three cold, four warm", is a good season for skiing.

Brief history of the country

South Korea is a product of the division of the Korean state. Historically, Korea went through the era of Silla, Baekje and Gaya (~676), the era of unified Silla (676-935), the era of Goryeo (918-1392), the era of Chosun (1392-1910), and the period of Japanese invasion and independence movement (1910-1945). 1945 Korea became independent, but due to the former Soviet Union and the United States of America's two armies to the 38th parallel of the north latitude line On August 15, 1948, the Republic of Korea was proclaimed the Republic of Korea. 1950 saw the outbreak of the Korean War, 1953 saw an armistice, and 1991 saw the North and South join the United Nations at the same time.

The origin of the name

The southern tip of the Korean Peninsula first had three Koreas, namely, Bent Han, Ma Han, and Tatsu Han (Tatsu Han is probably related to 'Qin', but it is doubtful), so after the war they used the old name for their founding to make a Republic of Korea. Note that 'Korea' is a shortened form of the Chinese word/hanja, and their official name is the Republic of Korea, as opposed to the Chinese pre-Qin period vassal state of Korea.

Political Economy

Korea is a constitutional democracy*** and state, with the president as head of state, a separation of powers system, and a unicameral National Assembly. South Korea's economy is relatively developed, per capita gross national product of more than 10,000 U.S. dollars, electronics, semiconductors, automobiles, shipbuilding, steel, petrochemicals, six backbone industries have entered the world's top 10, light industrial production slump, the end of 1997 by the financial crisis, the economy is in a stage of adjustment.

Ethnicity and Culture

South Korea has a population of about 45 million people and is a single ethnic group, the Koreans. Although the Koreans belong to the Mongoloid family, they have a unique language, culture and living habits that have evolved over thousands of years. Since ancient times, Korean society has been centered on family lineage, and although this tendency has gradually faded in modern society, the basic etiquette and loyalty to one's relatives have remained unchanged. Historically, the country has been influenced by Chinese culture, and many Chinese characters have been used in the writing of the language, so if there is a language barrier, a written conversation can be used to communicate to a certain extent.

Religion

a. Buddhism

Buddhism was introduced to Korea in the 2nd century (AD372) during the time of the King of Goguryeo, the youngest beast of the forest, and has had a great influence on Baekje and Shilla. The Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grottoes, which have been designated by the United Nations as World Heritage Sites, are artifacts of Silla Buddhism. Buddhism has a long history and has had a great influence on Korean culture. There are still many buildings, sculptures, paintings, artifacts, and other valuable Buddhist artifacts in Korea.

b. Christianity

Christianity was introduced to Korea after the establishment of diplomatic relations with the United States in 1882. Early believers in Christianity were persecuted because of the contradiction between Christianity and the basic values of Korean society. However, Christians were active in the anti-colonial movement, and the church promoted education, so it was gradually accepted by the public. Today, Korean churches conduct missionary activities overseas, and about 25 percent of Koreans in the country are Christian.

c. Catholicism

Catholicism was first introduced to Korea as a Western discipline by a Korean envoy of the Ming Dynasty. He was first baptized in Beijing in 1784, and after returning to Korea, he established a Catholic church. At that time, despite the cruel persecution, many people believed in Catholicism. Today, the Catholic Church has more than 2 million believers.

d. Confucianism

Confucianism, which emphasizes the fundamental importance of "benevolence," was once the ****ing ideology of ancient Korean society. The combination of Confucianism and Korean values has had a great influence on Koreans. Confucianism is the ethical system of Korea, and it is an indispensable element of the Korean way of life and the law of the land. Confucianism, once the main ideology of the Joseon Dynasty, has evolved into a practical science. Confucianism is y rooted in the Korean consciousness, as evidenced by the many rituals. This is evidenced by the many rituals that have been passed down to the present day (Jongmyo Ritual: the royal family ritual at the Jongmyo Temple; Sasongjeongdae Ritual: the ritual at the Sungkyunkwan Hall in honor of Confucius and his theories, as well as the sages of China and Korea)

e. Wiccan Beliefs

Korean people's lives have been imbued with a wide range of wiccan customs. Wiccan beliefs have been embedded in folk beliefs since ancient times and are closely related to the beliefs of primitive societies that worshiped heaven. A prominent feature of Korean witchcraft beliefs is the use of communication between humans and spirits to solve earthly problems. This can be seen in the various ceremonies that are now held.

Family life

Traditional Korean families are usually large families with 3~4 generations*** living together, as it was a Korean custom at that time to like to have a large number of people in the family. However, with the rapid development of industrialization and urbanization in the 1960s and 1970s and the establishment of population control policies, the traditional culture of the extended family style gradually disappeared. By 1980, the average number of children per family was reduced to one or two. However, there are still traces of the patriarchal ideology, such as the preference for the eldest son and the son. In order to break this mentality, the government legislated that men and women have equal rights in inheritance.

Today's young Koreans have almost all freed themselves from the extended family system and started their own small families alone. The shape of the family in Korea is now mainly a small family centered on a couple.

Diet

Historically, Korea was an agricultural country, and rice has been the staple food since ancient times. The basic ingredients of Korean cuisine are chili powder and garlic, and a variety of other flavors are added. Therefore, in addition to the spicy taste of Korean food, it also has a unique color and flavor, mouth-watering. Nowadays, Korean cuisine includes a variety of vegetables, meat, seafood, etc., and fermented foods such as kimchi (fermented spicy cabbage), seafood sauce (pickled fish), and daejang (fermented soybean products) have become the most representative and nutritious foods in Korea. The most important feature of Korean table culture is that all dishes are served at once. Traditionally, the number of small dishes varies from 3 to 12 for the emperor. The arrangement of the table varies greatly depending on the type of cuisine. The table setting etiquette has been greatly developed because of the importance Koreans place on formality. Tableware is mainly chopsticks. In addition, spoons are used more frequently in Korea than in neighboring China and Japan, especially when soup is served.

Traditional Clothing

The Hanbok is the traditional clothing of the Korean people that has evolved from ancient times to modern times. The lines of hanbok are both curvy and straight, especially the short tops and long skirts of women's hanbok, which are thin at the top and thick at the bottom, making them dignified and elegant. Nowadays, most of the people are used to wearing western clothes, but many of them still love to wear traditional national costumes on festivals such as the Lunar New Year's Eve (Mid-Autumn Festival), or for weddings. For women, the Hanbok is a short top (jeogori) with an elegant long skirt (chima), while for men, it is a short tunic with long pants and a thin belt (daenim) to tie the wide leg of the pants. The tops and skirts are colorful, and some are even embroidered with brightly colored brocade.

Traditional Houses

The traditional Korean houses remained unchanged from the Three Kingdoms period (57~668 B.C.) to the late Joseon Dynasty (1392~1910). It was only slightly improved in some aspects to adapt to the different climates of the cold north and the warm south. The main materials used to build traditional style houses were clay and wood. Clay separates the interior from the heat of the outdoors. The black tiles used on the roof are made of clay. They are usually red in color. Moreover, the frames of Korean-style houses are made of wooden stakes without nails. The simple traditional house has a rectangular floor, a kitchen, and a bedroom on one side to form an 'L' shape, and later a 'U' shape or a square with a yard in the center. The upper class house consisted of several separate buildings, one for the women and children, one for the men of the family and their guests, called the "wing", and one for the servants. All of these are within a walled compound.

Transportation

Many airlines fly between Seoul and major cities around the world. South Korea has four international airports, Incheon, Gimpo, Gimhae and Jeju, and many ports, as well as two major airlines, Korean and Asiana, with regular flights to 14 domestic cities. Beijing, Hong Kong has direct flights to Seoul, Weihai, Qingdao, Tianjin has to Incheon liner, sailing time takes 20 to 24 hours.

Subways currently run in Seoul and Busan; buses in the city are cheap, but foreign travelers are inconvenienced by the fact that routes are marked only in Korean.

Taxi fares are slightly cheaper than in other countries, and taxis are readily available. Trains connect almost all parts of the country by branch and main lines, and highways provide access to major cities and tourist attractions throughout the country. Excursion boats are available along the coast. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery and the best services on board.

Shopping

While Korea's big stores offer a wide array of world-famous brand-name goods, open-air markets are also fun to visit. Korean antiques and handicrafts, ready-made clothes, shoes and furs are popular.

Seoul's main shopping districts are:

Myeongdong - a busy district with a high concentration of stores selling decorative items, shoes, purses and silk products.

Insa-dong - selling antiques, paintings and calligraphy, tea sets and handicrafts, etc. There are traditional Korean tea stores and ceramics stores, full of antique flavor.

Itaewon - selling leather goods, denim, furs, etc., frequented by foreigners.

Yongsan Electronic Shopping Street - a commercial street specializing in electronic products.

Etiquette and customs

1. Although Korea and China are close neighbors, their customs and manners are still different. The so-called people of the country to ask the custom, if you can have a little common sense, careful attention, you can avoid the occurrence of disputes due to the offense of losing manners, so that the tourism come and go back to the trouble of failure.

2. Confucianism in South Korea, the custom of respect for the elderly. Such as in the car to the elderly to give up their seats; help the elderly to ascend the stairs; queue, should also let the elderly at the head to show respect for the elderly.

3. Table manners are slightly different from those in China, where food is eaten with a spoon, and chopsticks are used only to hold food. It is considered impolite to eat from a bowl.

Festivals

Korea is also notable for its various festivals and traditional ceremonies. The main festivals are:

1. New Year's Day: It is a holiday for the whole family to celebrate the New Year and to welcome the new year, and it is usually observed as a two-day vacation.

2. Spring Festival: Every Lunar New Year, young people pay tribute to their elders and receive New Year's money. Most Koreans now celebrate the Lunar New Year.

3. March 1: Koreans revolted on March 1, 1919, against Japanese imperialist occupation. On this day, the government holds a commemorative ceremony and reads out the text of the declaration of independence at that time.

4. Arbor Day: April 5th. It is the day of national tree planting and greening campaign.

5. Buddha's Birthday: A festival celebrating the birth of Buddha. Every April 8 on the lunar calendar, solemn ceremonies and rituals are held in major temples across the country, and at night there is a lantern procession.

6. Constitution Day: July 17th. It is a day for all people to celebrate the promulgation of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea. It was on July 17, 1948, that the Constitution was first published.

7. Restoration Day: August 15: August 15, 1945 is the anniversary of Korea's independence from Japanese colonial rule.

8. Autumn Eve: August 15 on the lunar calendar. Autumn Festival is the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, which is a big festival that Koreans attach great importance to. In addition to family reunions, they also go to the graves of their ancestors and usually take a three-day vacation.

9. The Festival of the Founding of the Republic of Korea: October 3rd. The nation celebrates the founding of the Korean nation.

10. Christmas: December 25th. It is celebrated by Korean Christians and the general public with colorful religious ceremonies and celebrations.

11. Hyeonchung Day: June 6th. As the name suggests, it is a day to show your loyalty to your country. Today, June 6 has become an annual not-to-be-missed day at Martyrs' Park to remember the martyrs and heroes who sacrificed their lives to protect national security.

Accommodation

Special or first-class hotels (equivalent to four- and five-star hotels in China) have a variety of restaurants and facilities. In recent years, general hotels have been equipped with Western-style beds and sanitary facilities for travelers who want to save money. Since you have come to Korea, you may also want to stay in a traditional Korean-style room, called "On Dol" (On Dol), installed by the bottom of the copper pipe from the heater, and then in the flat and smooth pit bedding, guests slowly fall asleep, you can enjoy the warm pit of interest.

Currency

The Korean currency is expressed in wons (rounds). There are 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 won banknotes, and coins of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 won.

The following credit cards are widely available in Korea: VISA, American Express, Diners Civb, Master Card and JCB.

Banking hours:

9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Saturdays: 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Electricity

Korea's electricity is 110 volts, but more recently it has also been 220 volts. Currently, there are two types of power supplies, 110 volts and 220 volts, available in hotels, so please check the voltage before using electrical appliances.

Plugs are generally round, and in many places Chinese plugs cannot be used, so please be prepared with a converter

Telephones

Telephone calls to urban areas in Korea cost 40 won per call and are limited to 3 minutes. To make a domestic call, dial the area code first and then the other party's number. The area codes for major cities are as follows: Seoul (0)2, Incheon (0)32, Busan (0)51, Daegu (0)53, Gyeongbuk (0)54, Gyeongnam (0)55, Gwangju (0)62, and Jeju (0)64.

First Aid

Burglary alarms are 112, fire alarms are 112, and emergency ambulances are 119. If you need medical treatment or an ambulance in a large hotel, you can simply ask the desk or manager for assistance. Ask the service desk or the manager for assistance. If you are in trouble or hurt on the road, you can ask for help directly from the police or pedestrians at the local police station. There are police stations at all major locations in the city.

Reporting Lost and Found

If you accidentally lose or forget something in the car while traveling, you can contact the following organizations as soon as possible to find it.

Seoul Police Department Police Division

Address: 201-11 Neji-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Tel: (02) 725-4400/1

720-4400

Famous Sites: Gyongbokgung Palace is located in the Jongno-gu district of Seoul, the capital of Korea (formerly known as "Seoul"). Seoul") Jongno-gu, is a famous ancient palace, the construction of which was begun in 1394 A.D. by the founder of the Lee Dynasty, Taejo Lee Seong-gye. The palace was named after the ancient Chinese poem in the Book of Songs, which reads, "The gentleman is a man of ten thousand years, and he is a jungbok". The main hall of the palace is the Hall of Qinzheng, which is the center of Gyeongbokgung Palace, where all the kings of the Lee Dynasty used to handle state affairs. In addition, there are also the Hall of Sizheng, the Hall of Qianqing, the Hall of Kangnyeong, and the Hall of Jiaotai. The palace also has a 10-story Gyeongcheonjoo Stone Pagoda, which has an elegant shape and is one of the national treasures of Korea. Gyeongbokgung Palace Palace built outside the wall, the wall is 3626 meters long, 6.7 meters high. The south side of the Royal Palace has Gwanghwamun, the east side of the Jianchun door, the west side of the door to welcome the fall, towards the north for the Shenmu Gate. Gwanghwamun in the Xingli Gate, Xingli Gate, there is an east-west canal, the river across an elaborate Jinchuan Bridge. In the center of the lotus pond in the palace garden there is a stone boat - Qinghui Lou, was once the king's grand banquet pavilion. 1553 due to fire destroyed part of the north corner of the palace, the Japanese invasion of most of the buildings in the palace garden destroyed, by 1865 when rebuilt only 10 palaces remain intact.

Changdokgung (Changdokkung), also known as the Palace of Music, is Korea's "Imperial Palace", located in the capital city of Seoul (formerly known as "Seoul"), the city of Won-seo-dong, is the most well-preserved of the royal palaces of the Lee Dynasty in a palace. In 1405 A.D., the third king of the Lee Dynasty built a palace here. It was burned down during the Imjin Rebellion. The existing building was rebuilt in 1611 AD. The building was used as a royal palace for 300 years. The entire palace is a Chinese-style architecture, after entering the main gate, it is the Hall of Benevolence, which deals with the administration of the court, and was remodeled in 1804 A.D. The palace is tall and dignified, and the interior of the palace is magnificently decorated with the emperor's royal seat. The front of the hall is paved with granite and surrounded by corridors on three sides. The southeast part of the hall behind the Le Shan Zhai and other buildings are mainly, is the place where the princess lives. The bedchamber, Rakseonjae, is a typical Joseon style wooden building, and inside the hall, the crown and royal clothes as well as ink treasures, weapons and other handicrafts are displayed. In the courtyard, there are bridges and carriages used by the royal family and early automobiles used by the last king. In addition, there are Daesojeon, Seonjeongjeon and Injeongjeon. The Secret Garden behind Injeongjeon was built in the 17th century and is a royal garden with an area of about 60,000 pyeong. Inside the garden, there are pavilions and natural canyons and streams, as well as Yeonghwadang, which was used as an examination hall during the imperial examination era, and Yusui-jeong, a fishing platform built next to a lotus pond for the king to fish, and Hibiscus-jeong in the middle of the pond.

Kwanghanrn is located in Eupcheon Gul-ri, Namwon-gun, Jeollabuk-do, and is a famous monument in Korea. It is said to have been built by Hwang Hee, the prime minister of the early Lee Dynasty, and was originally called Kwangtongrn. It was rebuilt in 1434 A.D. (the 16th year of King Sejong of the Joseon Dynasty) before it was renamed to its current name. It was burned down during the Joseon Imjin War. It was rebuilt in its original form in 1635 A.D. (13th year of King Injong of the Joseon Dynasty). Gwanghwamnok, with its beautifully carved beams, is a representative of Korean gardens, which includes three small islands, a stone statue, and a magpie bridge, and its overall structure symbolizes the universe. At present, there are plaques with the words "Gwanghwanro" and "Gwigwan" hanging on the upper floor. It is said that the famous legendary story "Chunhyang Chuan" took place here. The Chunxiang Pavilion on the north side of the building is the Chunxiang Ancestral Hall established in 1931, in which the portrait of Chunxiang is provided. Every year on April 8 of the lunar calendar people hold the Chunhyang Festival here.

Chong Wa Dae is the official residence of the President of South Korea and is located at 1 Sejong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Here is the original Goryeo dynasty's Palace, 1426 the Joseon dynasty built the capital of Seoul (old translation "Seoul"), it is made for the Gyeongbokgung Palace back garden, the construction of the Ryumudang, Qingnongjae and martial arts and some other buildings, and opened a piece of the king's pro-plow land. 1927 Japan invaded after the destruction of all the buildings outside of the Woyungak, the establishment of the official residence of the Governor General of Korea. 1945, the Japanese invasion of Japan, the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1927, the Japanese invasion of Korea. After the Japanese invasion in 1927, all the buildings other than Goeunghak were destroyed and the residence of the governor of Joseon was built, and after the surrender of Japan in 1945, it became the official residence of the military governor, and in August 1948, when the Republic of Korea was established, it became the official residence of the president, and the name was changed to Kyung Mu Dae, and after the overthrow of Lee Seungman's regime in April 19, 1960, Yoon Poo-sun was elected as the president, and became the head of the Kyung Mu Dae. Soon after, the white-walled and blue-tiled buildings were named Cheongwadae because of Yoon Poo-sun's desire to avoid the character "武", which corresponds to the White House in the U.S. The building is now known as the Cheongwadae Main Building (青瓦台主楼) and the Cheongwadae Main Building (青瓦台主楼) is located in the center of the city. Now, the main building of Cheong Wa Dae is the official residence of the president, with the president's office, reception hall, conference room and living room, and the annex building has a secretary's office, police room and welcome building.

Jeju Island (Chejudao) is South Korea's largest island, also known as Tamna Island, the island of honeymoon, the island of romance, is located in the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula, across the Jeju Strait and the Peninsula, more than 90 kilometers from the coast of South Korea in the north, the ground strangled by the gateway to the Korean Straits, the geographic location is very important. Jeju Island has a total area of 1,826 square kilometers, including 34 islands such as Bull Island, Wol Island, Brothers Island, Jagui Island, Mosquito Island, and Tiger Island, and is 100 kilometers northeast of Jeollanam-do, making it an ideal destination for tourism and fishing. Here you can see places of interest and enjoy natural scenery, and on the island stands Mt. Hanna, the highest mountain in Korea at 1,950 meters above sea level. You can also go hiking, horseback riding, driving, hunting, surfing and golfing. The area is sparsely populated and the land is vast, consisting of either alpine forests or farmland villages. Farmers grow rice, vegetables and fruits, and the most spectacular flowers are the rape flowers, which are golden yellow in spring. Jeju Island is Korea's main fishing base, the nearby waters have both temperate marine fisheries, tropical and subtropical fisheries. >>>

The Korean Folk Village, located on 163 acres near Suwon, the capital of Gyeonggi-do, brings together a variety of buildings from all over Korea, including farm houses, temples, aristocratic mansions, and official residences, to recreate the humanistic landscape and regional flavor of the Korean Peninsula as it existed more than 500 years ago, during the Lee Dynasty. There are 240 traditional buildings in the village, including 'government offices' and prisons of the Lee Dynasty, residences of noblemen, people's houses, stores and workshops, and a children's playground, to name a few. Most of the goods in the stores and open-air bazaars in the village are local traditional handmade products and unique food, such as wooden carvings, painted paper fans, national costumes, colorful porcelains, etc. Porcelain is the specialty of the village. Porcelain is a specialty here, with more than 60 kinds, all of which have high preservation value. There are many kinds of food in the folk village, and the most popular among visitors are vegetable cakes and rice wine. The open-air field is bustling with exciting daily performances at regular intervals, such as folk dances, acrobatics and drumming by the village masters. The villagers here wear the clothes and interpret the customs of the ancient villagers of the Lee Dynasty, and the rituals such as welcoming a bride and sending the deceased to the grave are authentically modeled after the Lee Dynasty era.

Korean food is characterized by kimchi culture, and kimchi is indispensable for three meals a day. Korea's traditional famous dishes of barbecued pork, kimchi, and cold noodles have become world-famous dishes