Full name: Republic of Korea
Territory
The Republic of Korea is located in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, covering an area of ??about 99,400 square kilometers. It is bordered by the Sea of ??Japan to the east and Shandong Province of my country to the west across the Yellow Sea. see. The terrain is lower than the northern half of the peninsula, and the terrain is dominated by hills and plains. The main river is the Han River, with a total length of 514 kilometers.
Climate
South Korea has a temperate monsoon climate with four distinct seasons, and the southern part exhibits mild maritime climate characteristics. March to May is spring, when flowers are in full bloom; June to August is summer, with half of the year's rainfall, high temperatures and humidity; September to November is autumn, with crisp air, making it the most suitable season for traveling; December to the following year February is winter, and the weather characteristics are similar to those in Northeast my country, with “three colds and four warms”, making it a good season for skiing.
Brief History of the Country
South Korea is the product of the split of North Korea. Historically, Korea has experienced the era of the three kingdoms of Silla, Baekje, and Gaya (~676), the era of unified Silla (676~935), the Goryeo era (918~1392), the Joseon era (1392~1910), and the Japanese invasion. and the independence movement period (1910~1945). North Korea became independent in 1945, but because the armies of the former Soviet Union and the United States were stationed on the Korean Peninsula respectively along the 38th parallel, the north and the south were divided. On August 15, 1948, the Republic of Korea was proclaimed. The Korean War broke out in 1950 and ended in 1953. In 1991, the North and the South joined the United Nations at the same time.
Origin of the name
There were three Koreas at the southern end of the Korean Peninsula, namely Benhan, Mahan, and Chenhan (Chenhan is estimated to have something to do with 'Qin', but there is doubt), so they fought After they founded the country, they used the old name and created the Republic of Korea. It should be noted here that ‘Korea’ is an abbreviation using Chinese words/Chinese characters. Their official name is the Republic of Korea, which is different from Korea, a vassal state in China’s pre-Qin period.
Political Economy
South Korea is a constitutional democratic republic, with the president as the head of state, a system of separation of powers, and a unicameral Congress. South Korea's economy is relatively developed, with a per capita GDP exceeding US$10,000. Its six key industries of electronics, semiconductors, automobiles, shipbuilding, steel, and petrochemicals have ranked among the top 10 in the world. However, light industry production is sluggish. Affected by the financial crisis at the end of 1997, The economy is in an adjustment stage.
Ethnicity and Culture
South Korea has a current population of approximately 45 million and is a single ethnic group, the Korean ethnic group. Although the Korean people belong to the Mongolian family, they have unique language, culture and living habits after thousands of years of changes. Korean society has been centered on family lineage since ancient times. Although this tendency has gradually faded in modern society, the basic etiquette and loyalty to relatives have always been adhered to. Historically influenced by Chinese culture, many Chinese characters have been used in writing. If there is a language barrier, written communication can still be communicated to a certain extent.
Religious beliefs
a. Buddhism
Buddhism was introduced to Korea in the 2nd century (AD372) during the reign of Goguryeo's King Xiaojulin, and successively had a huge impact on Baekje and Silla. Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto, designated as World Cultural Heritage by the United Nations, are works of art from Silla Buddhism. Buddhism has a long history and has a great influence on Korean culture. To this day, Korea still preserves many types of valuable Buddhist heritage such as buildings, sculptures, paintings, and handicrafts.
b. Christianity
After the establishment of diplomatic relations with the United States in 1882, Christianity was introduced to South Korea. Because Christianity was in conflict with the basic values ??of Korean society, early believers suffered persecution. However, Christians actively participated in the anti-colonial movement, and the church also promoted the development of education, so it was gradually accepted by the public. The Korean church is still conducting missionary activities overseas, and about 25% of Koreans in Korea believe in Christianity.
c. Catholicism
Catholicism was originally introduced to South Korea as a Western culture by envoys from the Ming Dynasty in North Korea. He was baptized for the first time in Beijing in 1784. After returning to Korea, he established a Catholic church.
Despite the brutal persecution at that time, many people still believed in Catholicism. The Catholic Church now has more than 2 million believers.
d． Confucianism
Confucianism emphasizes the fundamental importance of "benevolence" and was once the most influential thought in ancient Korean society. The combination of Confucianism and Korean values ??has had a huge impact on Koreans. Confucianism is Korea’s ethical system and an indispensable factor in Korean people’s lifestyle and national laws. Confucianism, which was once the main ideology of the Joseon Dynasty, gradually developed into practical learning. Confucianism is deeply ingrained in Korean consciousness, as evidenced by numerous rituals. Including the consciousness that has been passed down to this day (Ancestral Temple Ceremony: a royal memorial ceremony at the ancestral temple; Sakyun Daejie: ??a memorial ceremony for Confucius and his theories and the sages of China and Korea at Sungkyunkwan)
e. Witchcraft Beliefs
Korean people’s lives are steeped in a variety of witchcraft customs. Witchcraft beliefs have been embedded in folk beliefs since ancient times and are closely related to the belief in God in primitive societies. The outstanding feature of Korean shamanic beliefs is the use of communication between humans and souls to solve human problems. This can be seen in the various rituals now held.
Family life
A traditional Korean family is usually a large family with 3 to 4 generations living together, because it was a custom in Korea at that time to like family members to be prosperous. . However, with the rapid development of industrialization and urbanization and the establishment of population control policies in the 1960s and 1970s, the traditional culture of large families gradually disappeared. By 1980, the average number of children per household had dropped to one or two. However, traces of the idea of ????preferring sons over daughters can still be found today, such as the eldest son being given priority and the son being given priority. In order to get rid of this idea, the government legislated that men and women have equal rights in inheritance.
Today's young people in South Korea are almost all liberated from the big family system and start their own small families alone. The current family structure in Korea is mainly a small family centered on a couple.
Food
Korea was an agricultural country in history, and rice has been the staple food since ancient times. The basic ingredients of the restaurant are chili powder and garlic, and a variety of seasonings with different flavors are added. Therefore, in addition to being spicy, Korean food also has a unique color, aroma, and mouth-watering taste. Today's Korean cuisine includes a variety of vegetables, meats, seafood, etc., and fermented foods such as kimchi (fermented spicy cabbage), hoisin (marinated fish), and doenjang (fermented soybean products) have become the most representative foods in Korea. Foods that are also rich in nutritional value. The biggest feature of Korean table culture is that all dishes are served at once. According to tradition, the number of side dishes varies from 3 dishes for the lower class to 12 dishes for the emperor. The placement and layout of the dining table also vary greatly depending on the type of food. Because Koreans attach great importance to form, table setting etiquette has also been greatly developed. The main tableware is chopsticks. In addition, compared with neighboring China and Japan, spoons are used more frequently in Korea, especially when soup appears on the table.
Traditional Clothing
Hanbok is the traditional clothing of the Korean nation that has evolved from ancient times to modern times. The lines of Hanbok combine the beauty of curves and straight lines, especially the short tops and long skirts of women's Hanbok, which are thin at the top and thick at the bottom. They are dignified and elegant. Nowadays, most people are accustomed to wearing western clothes. However, many people still like to wear traditional ethnic costumes during festivals such as the Spring Festival and Autumn Festival (Mid-Autumn Festival), or during weddings. Women's hanbok is a short jacket (jeogori) paired with an elegant long skirt (chima); men's hanbok is a short jacket paired with trousers, and the wide trousers are tied with thin belts (daenim). The colors of the tops and long skirts are colorful, and some are even embroidered with bright and gorgeous brocade.
Traditional Housing
Traditional Korean-style housing has not changed much from the Three Kingdoms Period (57 BC to 668 BC) to the late Joseon Dynasty (1392 ~ 1910). It is just slightly improved in some aspects to adapt to the different climates of cold north and warm south. The main materials used in building traditional style homes are earth and wood. The earth separates the indoors from the heat of the outdoors. The black tiles used on the roof are made of earth. Usually red.
Moreover, the frame of Korean-style houses is supported only by wooden piles without nails. The simple traditional house had a rectangular floor, a kitchen and bedrooms on one side thus forming an 'L' shape and later a 'U' shape or square with a yard in the middle. Upper-class residences consisted of several separate buildings, one for the women and children, one for the men of the family and their guests, called "chambers," and one for the servants. All this within a walled complex.
Transportation
Many airlines have routes between Seoul and major cities around the world. South Korea has Incheon, Gimpo, Gimhae, and Jeju international airports and many ports. It also has two major airlines, Korean and Asiana, with regular flights to 14 domestic cities. There are direct flights to Seoul from Beijing and Hong Kong, and liner services from Weihai, Qingdao, and Tianjin to Incheon. The sailing time takes 20 to 24 hours.
Currently there are subways running in Seoul and Busan; bus fares in the city are cheap, but since the routes are only marked in Korean, it is slightly inconvenient for foreign passengers to take them.
Taxi fares are slightly cheaper than in other countries, and taxis are also readily available. Trains and railway branches and main lines connect almost all parts of the country, and highways can also lead to major cities and tourist resorts across the country. There are tour boats along the coast. Visitors can take a boat ride to enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery and enjoy the best services.
Shopping
In Korea, the dazzling array of world-famous products in big stores attracts attention, but visiting open-air markets is also fun. Korean antiques and handicrafts, ready-made clothing, shoes, furs, etc. are very popular.
The main shopping areas in Seoul are:
Myeongdong - a bustling area with dense shops selling decorations, leather shoes, leather bags, silk products, etc.
Insadong - sells antiques, calligraphy and paintings, tea sets and handicrafts, etc. There are traditional Korean tea shops and ceramics shops, full of antique atmosphere.
Itaewon--sells leather products, denim, furs, etc., and is mostly visited by foreigners.
Longshan Electronics Shopping Street - a commercial street specializing in electronic products.
Etiquette and customs
1. Although South Korea and our country are close neighbors, their customs, habits and etiquette are still different. As the saying goes, if you have a little common sense and pay careful attention to the customs of the place where you visit, you can avoid the trouble of disputes due to offense and rudeness, and the trouble of traveling in a pleasant way and returning in a bad way.
2． Korea, which advocates Confucianism, has the custom of respecting its elders. For example, you should give up your seat to the elderly in the car; help the elderly climb the stairs; and when queuing, you should also let the elderly sit first to show respect for the elderly.
3. Table etiquette is slightly different from that in China. Eat with a spoon and use chopsticks when picking up food. It is considered impolite to eat from a bowl.
Festivals
South Korea’s various festivals and traditional ceremonies are also eye-catching. The main festivals are:
1. New Year’s Day: It is the time for the whole family to reunite for the New Year. , the festival of seeing off the old and welcoming the new, usually takes two days off.
2. Spring Festival: Every Lunar New Year, young people pay New Year greetings to their elders and receive lucky money. Most Koreans currently celebrate the Lunar New Year.
3. March 1st: Koreans uprising on March 1, 1919 to resist Japanese imperialist occupation. Every year on this day, the government holds a commemorative ceremony and reads the declaration of independence at that time.
4. Arbor Day: April 5. It is the day for the national tree planting and greening movement.
5. Buddha’s Birthday: A festival to celebrate the birth of Buddha. Every April 8th of the lunar calendar, major temples across the country hold solemn ceremonies and ceremonies, and there are lantern parades at night.
6. Constitution Day: July 17. It is the day when the whole nation celebrates the promulgation of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea. South Korea first promulgated its constitution on July 17, 1948.
7. Liberation Day: August 15. August 15, 1945, is the anniversary of Korea’s independence from Japanese colonial rule.
8. Qiuxi: August 15th in the lunar calendar. Chuseok is the Mid-Autumn Festival in China. It is a major festival that Koreans attach great importance to. In addition to family reunions, they also visit the graves of ancestors and usually take a three-day holiday.
9. Opening Day: October 3.
The nation celebrates the founding of the Korean nation.
10. Christmas: December 25th. Korean Christians and ordinary citizens celebrate this festival and hold colorful religious ceremonies and celebrations.
11. Show loyalty day: June 6. As the name suggests, it is the day to offer daring loyalty to the country. To this day, June 6 has become an annual day that cannot be missed. It is a day to go to the Martyrs Park to remember the martyrs and heroes who gave their precious lives to protect national security.
Accommodation
Special or first-class hotels (equivalent to four or five-star hotels in my country), equipped with various restaurants and facilities. In recent years, most hotels have provided Western-style beds and sanitary facilities for travelers who want to save money. Now that you are in Korea, you might as well stay in a traditional Korean-style room, called "On Dol". The heating is transmitted from the copper pipes installed at the bottom, and bedding is spread on the flat and smooth pit surface. Guests slowly When you fall asleep, you can enjoy the warmth of the pit.
Currency
The unit of Korean won is round (Won), represented by "W". Banknotes are available in 1,000, 5,000, and 10,000 yuan, and coins are available in 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 500 yuan.
In South Korea, the following credit cards are widely used: VISA, American Express, Diners Civb, Master Card and JCB, etc.
Bank business hours:
9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Saturday: 9:30 am to 1:30 pm
Electricity
The voltage used in South Korea is 110 volts, but recently it also has 220 volts. Currently, there are two types of power supplies in the hotel, 110 volts and 220 volts. Please check the voltage before using electrical appliances.
Power plugs are generally round-hole jacks. Chinese plugs cannot be used in many places. Please prepare a converter
Telephone
Every telephone number in South Korea is Each round costs 40 yuan, and the time limit is 3 minutes. When making a domestic long-distance call, dial the area code first and then the other party's number. The area codes of 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 , Jeju(0)64.
First aid
The burglary station is 112, the fire alarm station and the ambulance are 119. If you need medical treatment or call an ambulance in a hotel, you can directly ask the service desk or manager for assistance. When you encounter difficulties or are injured on the road, you can directly seek help from the police at local police stations or pedestrians. There are police stations in every major location in the city.
Declaration of lost property
If you accidentally lose or forget your items in the car while traveling, you can contact the following organizations as soon as possible to recover the lost items.
Police Division, Seoul National Police Agency
Address: 201-11, Naejidong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Tel: (02) 725-4400/1
720-4400
Attractions: Gyongbokkung is located in Jongno District, Seoul, the capital of South Korea (formerly translated as "Seoul"). It is a famous ancient palace and the ancestor of the Lee Dynasty. Taizu Li Chenggui began construction in 1394 AD. In the ancient Chinese Book of Songs, there was a poem that said, "A gentleman will live forever, and you will be blessed with good fortune." This hall got its name from this. The main hall of the palace is Geunjeongjeon, which is the central building of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Kings of the Lee Dynasty used to handle state affairs here. In addition, there are Ideological and Political Hall, Qianqing Hall, Kangning Hall, Jiaotai Hall, etc. The palace garden also has a 10-story stone pagoda with an elegant shape and is one of South Korea's national treasures. There is a wall built outside Gyeongbokgung Palace, which is 3626 meters long and 6.7 meters high. There is Gwanghwamun Gate to the south of the palace, Jianchun Gate to the east, Yingqiu Gate to the west, and Shenmumun Gate to the north. There is Heungryemun Gate inside Gwanghwamun Gate, and there is an east-west canal outside Heungryemun Gate, with the exquisite Geumcheon Bridge spanning the river. There is a stone boat in the center of the lotus pond in the palace garden - Qinghui Pavilion, which was once the pavilion where the king held a banquet for guests.
In 1553, a fire burned part of the north corner of the palace. When the Japanese invaded, most of the buildings in the palace were destroyed. By the time of reconstruction in 1865, only 10 palaces remained intact.
Changdokkung, also known as Le Palace, is the "Forbidden City" of South Korea. It is located in the west cave of the city courtyard of Seoul, the capital of Seoul (formerly translated as "Seoul"). It is the most complete preserved palace of the Lee Dynasty. palace. In 1405 AD, the third king of the Li Dynasty built a palace here. It was burned down during the Renchen Rebellion. The existing building was rebuilt in 1611 AD. This building served as a royal palace for 300 years. The entire palace is a Chinese-style building. After entering the main entrance is the Renzheng Hall, which handles government affairs. It was rebuilt in 1804. The palace is tall and solemn, with gorgeous decorations and an emperor's throne. The front of the hall is paved with granite and surrounded by corridors on three sides. The southeastern part behind the palace is dominated by buildings such as Leshanzhai, where the princess lives. The bedroom, Leshanjae, is a typical Korean-style wooden building. Crowns, royal clothes, calligraphy treasures, weapons and other handicrafts are displayed in the palace. On display in the courtyard are bridges used by the royal family, carriages and early cars used by the last king. In addition, there are Dazao Hall, Xuanzheng Hall and Injeong Hall. The secret garden behind Renzheng Palace was built in the 17th century and covers an area of ??about 60,000 square meters. It is an imperial garden built on the mountain. There are pavilions, pavilions, natural canyons and streams in the garden, as well as the Yinghua Hall, which was used as an examination room during the imperial examination period, the Yushui Pavilion built next to the lotus pond for kings to fish, the Diaoyutai and the Furong Pavilion in the pond.
Kwanghanrn Tower (Kwanghanrn) is located in Eupcheonqu-ri, Namwon-gun, North Jeolla Province. It is a famous historical site in South Korea. Legend has it that it was built by Huang Xi, the prime minister of the early Li Dynasty, and was originally named Guangtong Tower. It was renamed after reconstruction in 1434 AD (the 16th year of King Sejong of the Ri Dynasty). It was burned down during the Imjin Patriotic War in Korea. In 1635 AD (the 13th year of Renzong of the Li Dynasty), it was rebuilt according to its original appearance. Gwanghanlou, with its carved beams and painted buildings and gorgeous shape, is the representative of Korean courtyards. It includes three small islands, stone statues, and magpie bridges. Its overall structure symbolizes the universe. Now there are large character plaques with "Guanghan Tower" and "Guiguan" hanging upstairs. According to legend, the famous legendary story "The Legend of Chunxiang" happened here. The Chunxiang Pavilion on the north side of the building is the Chunxiang Ancestral Hall built in 1931. There is a portrait of Chunxiang in the hall. People hold the Chunxiang Festival here every year on April 8 of the lunar calendar.
Chong Wa Dae (Chong Wa Dae) is the official residence of the President of South Korea, located at No. 1, Sejong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (formerly translated as "Seoul"). This was originally the palace of the Goryeo Dynasty. After the Joseon Dynasty established its capital in Seoul (formerly translated as "Hanseong") in 1426, it was used as the back garden of Gyeongbokgung Palace, and some buildings such as Yongwudang, Qingnongjae and a martial arts training ground were built. , and opened a piece of land owned by the king. After the Japanese invasion in 1927, all buildings except Wuyun Pavilion were destroyed and the Korean Governor's Residence was built. After Japan surrendered in 1945, it became the official residence of the military and political governors. When the Republic of Korea was established in August 1948, it became the presidential residence and was renamed Kyung Mu Dae (Kyung Mu Dae). After the overthrow of Syngman Rhee's regime on April 19, 1960, Yin Pushan was elected president and took over Gyeongwutai. Soon, because Yin Pushan was jealous of the word "武" and in order to correspond to the White House in the United States, he named the group of buildings with white walls and blue tiles Blue House, so some people also called it the "Blue House". Nowadays, the main building of Qingwadae is the official residence of the president, with the president's office, reception hall, conference room, and living room. The auxiliary buildings include the secretary's room, the guard room, and the guest building.
Jeju Island (Chejudao) is the largest island in South Korea, also known as Tamna Island, Honeymoon Island, and Romantic Island. It is located at the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula, across the Jeju Strait from the peninsula, and South Korea to the north. The southern coast is more than 90 kilometers away, and it is the gateway to the Korean Strait. Its geographical location is very important. Jeju Island has a total area of ??1,826 square kilometers, including 34 islands including Niudao, Wodo, Brother Island, Chagui Island, Mosquito Island, and Tiger Island. It is 100 kilometers away from South Jeolla Province in the northeast. It is an ideal tourist and fishing resort. Here you can view historical sites and enjoy the natural landscape. The island is home to the tallest mountain in South Korea - Mount Halla, which is 1,950 meters above sea level. You can also hike, ride horses, ride, hunt, surf and play golf. There are sparsely populated areas and vast land, either in mountains and forests, or in farmland and cottages.
Farmers mainly grow rice, vegetables, and fruits. The largest and most spectacular ones are rapeseed flowers. In spring, the ground is golden and very beautiful. Jeju Island is South Korea's main fishing base. There are both temperate marine fisheries, tropical and subtropical fisheries in the nearby waters. gt；gt;gt;
The Korean Folk Village is located near Suwon City, the capital of Gyeonggi Province, covering an area of ??163 acres. It gathers various buildings such as farmhouses, temples, noble residences and government buildings from all over Korea. This reproduces the cultural landscape and regional customs of the Korean Peninsula during the Lee Dynasty more than 500 years ago. There are 240 traditional buildings in the village, including the "yamen" from the Li Dynasty, prisons, mansions of high-ranking officials, ordinary people's houses, shops and workshops, children's playgrounds, etc. Most of the goods in the shops and open-air markets in the folk village are local traditional handicrafts and unique foods, including wooden carvings, painted paper fans, national costumes, colorful porcelain, etc. 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, the most popular among tourists are vegetable cakes and rice wine. There are wonderful performances every day on the open air field, such as folk dance, acrobatics and village drum music, which is very lively. The villagers here wear the clothes of the ancient Li Dynasty and interpret the customs of the ancient villagers. Etiquette such as marrying the bride and sending the deceased to their graves are all truly imitated from the Li Dynasty.
Korean food is characterized by kimchi culture, and kimchi is indispensable for three meals a day. The traditional Korean dishes of barbecued pork, kimchi and cold noodles have become world-famous dishes