South Korea almost started the war in the yellow sea, and deliberately. Korea Cities and Landmarks of South Korea
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", "Corea", "Korea", etc., such unity is shown only by foreigners. The Koreans themselves and, at the same time, their closest neighbors - the Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese - have used a variety of names for their country over the centuries.
Even now, the names of North and South Korea are not the same. I do not mean the official names of these states, the term "Korea" itself sounds differently, which, of course, is included in both 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 Democratic People's Republic of Joseon, 조선 민주주의 인민 공화국 which is traditionally translated into Russian as "Democratic People's Republic of Korea Republic"). South Korea is called "Hanguk" (한국 alphabet, 韓 國 hieroglyphs, officially - the Republic of Hanguk (Taehan mingguk 대한민국 / 大 韓 民 國), Russian translation - "Republic of Korea"). Indeed, these names, even by ear, have nothing to do 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. They, of course, did not know how to read and write, because in those days only a few inhabitants of a few countries owned this art, but somehow they called themselves. Over time, these tribes began to unite into unions and gradually a principality arose there, in terms of its level more or less similar to Kievan Rus in the 9th century, before the arrival of the Rurikids. It 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. We recognized - and wrote down its name with those Chinese characters, which sounded more or less similar to this, unknown to us, original name to the ear of ancient Chinese scribes. Two hieroglyphs 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 are pronounced like "cho" (meaning, among other things, "morning") and "sleep" (it also has several meanings, one of them is "freshness"). And so it happened - "The Land of Morning Freshness", the poetic name of Korea, which probably anyone who has visited Korea at least once knows about - and many of those who did not have to visit Korea.
It sounds really quite good, but the trouble is that this remarkably beautiful phrase has nothing to do with the original name of the ancient Korean tribes. The fact is that Chinese hieroglyphs, which (along with their writing) are also used by Koreans and Japanese, convey not only the sound of a word, but also its meaning, therefore, unlike a letter of the alphabet, absolutely any hieroglyph 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 meanings. 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, you can even translate them. There are several options for such a "translation", 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", in addition - negative particle) the Chinese name of the Russian capital is not connected in any way. Quite simply, in modern Chinese, these hieroglyphs sound like the name of the capital, so they were used - according to the principle of a rebus. According to the same rebus principle, Chinese scribes wrote down some unknown name three thousand years ago with two hieroglyphs similar in sound.
In addition, one must take into account that the pronunciation of hieroglyphs did not remain constant: over the centuries it changed, and very significantly. After the Koreans borrowed Chinese characters, their pronunciation in Korean also began to evolve, and in the end the Korean pronunciation was very far away from both the ancient Chinese original and the modern Chinese reading of the same characters. True, modern techniques make it possible to approximately reconstruct ancient Chinese pronunciations, so that through rather complex calculations, linguists have established that three thousand years ago the two hieroglyphs in question were 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 "Tryausenh". Nevertheless, now it is almost impossible to understand what it actually meant and where it came from.
I spoke about the problems with the "Country of Morning Freshness" in such detail because all the other names of Korea, which will be discussed later, arose according to approximately the same scheme: a certain (definitely unknown) self-name of some ancient Korean tribe ==> its approximate transcription those Chinese characters, which 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, however, 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 characters 高 句 麗. The modern Korean pronunciation of these characters is Goguryeo (고구려). Soon, these tribes formed a powerful and very militant 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. The Han tribes lived on the coast of the Korea Strait (한 again, the modern Korean reading of the hieroglyph 韓), in the southeast, the Silla principality was rapidly gaining strength.
Of course, all these tribes and principalities were constantly at war with each other. In the end, the victory went to Silla, who at the end of the 7th century united the Korean Peninsula under their rule. This is how the first unified Korean state arose, called Silla (신라 / 新 羅). What does it mean? The question is complex. If you "translate" by hieroglyphs, you get ... "new network". I think that the reader is now clear: this name has just as much relation to "new networks" as Moscow does to "calm cutting of cereals." These hieroglyphs simply transcribed some ancient Korean (ancient Korean?) Word. This is also clear because the current spelling of Silla was not established immediately. The name of this state was also written in other pairs of characters - in particular, those that are read as "Sarah" in modern Korean (사라 / 斯 羅, literally, "cutting the nets"), and those that are now pronounced as "Saro "(사로 / 斯 盧). It is clear that these signs recorded a self-name, which sounded approximately like Silla-Saro-Sara. What is the Korean word behind this? There are many hypotheses on this score, 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 of civil wars, a new dynasty came to power in the country. Its founder, Wang Gong, came from the land where the Goguryeo principality once flourished. He - himself a military general - was very proud of his ancestral ties with the most belligerent of all the ancient Korean principalities, so he decided to name his dynasty Goryo (고려 / 高 麗.). It was an abbreviated form of the old name Goguryeo (perhaps it reflected phonetic changes - the loss of one of the consonants). In those days, in East Asia, the country was often named after the name of the dynasty that ruled in it, so Korea itself began to be called Koryo. It was at that time that rumors about the existence of this country reached Europe (the first, it seems, were brought by the ubiquitous Marco Polo), so all the European names for Korea sound very similar to "Koryo"
However, time passed, and the distant descendants of Van Gong also lost power. Another general, Li Sung-ge, staged a coup, and in 1392 founded a new dynasty. He decided to take the most ancient name for it - "Joseon" (in other countries it was often called by the name of the ruling clan - "Li dynasty"). As you remember, these characters were used for the Chinese writing 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 the 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 in Russian "Joseon" is translated as "Korea", and the whole name - as "Democratic People's Republic of Korea".
Well, what about South Korea, the Republic of Korea? At the end of the 19th century, an attempt was made in Korea to change the official name of the country. Instead of the "Kingdom of Joseon", it began to be called the "Han Empire" - more precisely, the country began to be called somewhat more magnificently, "Great Han Empire" (대한 제국 / 大 韓 帝 國). However, the word "great" can, according to the rules of Chinese grammar (this is not a slip of the tongue, the whole phrase is quite Chinese) in this case can refer to both the empire and the country itself. As you probably already guessed, the name "khan" (한 / 韓) used in this case for Korea 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 country to its old name "Joseon", but many leaders of the national liberation movement did not recognize this renaming and, in spite of the Japanese rulers, continued to call their country "Hanguk", that is, "Khan Country". When the leaders of the anti-colonial movement set up the Korean government in exile in 1919, they called it “The Provisional Government of the Han Republic.
In this case, one more curious circumstance must be taken into account. This took place in the 1910s, when many of the terms for designating new, borrowed from the West, objects and phenomena were not yet settled. Therefore, in the "hieroglyphic" languages of East Asia, then two terms coexisted with the meaning of "republic" (let me remind you that 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 kongwaguk, Chinese gunhego, Japanese kyowakoku), that is, a "state of social harmony," while others leaned towards the less pretentious 民 國 (cor. minguk, whale. mingo), that is, "people's state". As a result, the first, more eloquent, option won, but in 1919 in Shanghai, Korean nationalists leaned towards the second option - since it was then used in the official name of China. As a result, it turned out that in the full official names of North and South Korea, not only the names of the country are different, 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 present South Korean state, which also inherited this name - "Republic of Khan". In Russian, and this word, again, is translated as "Korea". On the other hand, as mentioned above, the Korean left forces, which came to power in the northern part of the peninsula with Soviet support, decided to keep the name by which Korea was known in colonial times and continued to call their country "Joseon". And so the current situation has developed.
By the way, she has one funny aspect. Speaking in Korean, you inevitably have to express your attitude to the current political situation all the time. It is impossible to say "Korean language (or Korean history, or Korean literature) in general". By using one of the two names for Korea, the speaker inevitably emphasizes which of the two rival Korean states he is on.
North Korean officials said South Korea was the first to open fire on Tuesday morning at the maritime border between the two Korean states, Reuters reported, citing Pyongyang's Central Telegraph Agency of Korea (CTAC). "Despite our persistent warnings, South Korea fired dozens of volleys starting at 13.00 (07.00 Moscow time), and we immediately took military action in response," the message says.
But the most important thing is that the South Korean authorities did not deny the DPRK!
During joint exercises with the United States, South Korean troops fired about 80 salvoes 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 the island of Yongphendo 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 Yongphendo Island that the first volleys were fired, and a retaliatory strike by the DPRK artillery was struck not just at the island, but at the South Korean military base located on it, which in itself is a demonstration of the not peaceful intentions of the South Korean regime towards the DPRK. ...
The question is, why was it necessary to conduct exercises of the 70-thousandth joint American-Korean contingent near the demilitarized zone? Why was it necessary to conduct artillery barrage 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 recalled. Anatoly Baranov... - This, I suppose, is a peacekeeping mission? Again, the question is why all the world media, including Russian ones, continue to carry a blizzard about the DPRK's aggression, when it is obvious that Pyongyang was provoked, and not only by Seoul, but also by Washington? Why do they reproduce the words of the UN Secretary General of South Korean origin and say nothing about the efforts of the South Korean regime to disrupt the process of a peaceful settlement with the DPRK? Why are they talking about the North Korean nuclear threat and not saying anything 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 with respect to South Korea, whose armed forces are not inferior to the North Korean ones and are reinforced by a powerful American contingent based in the region. And the hypothetical nuclear forces of the DPRK for many years will not be able to pose a threat to anyone except the aggressor invading the DPRK - not a single North Korean missile has yet reached even Japan, and if Pyongyang can detonate nuclear charges, then only on its 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.
Brief country information
Date of foundation
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 what is usually called a beautiful, prosperous and distinctive 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 an outstanding history, rich culture and delightful nature. Its shores are washed by the waters of the three seas that are part of the Pacific Ocean - the Yellow, Japanese and South, as the Koreans themselves call the Korea Strait. The East Korean Mountains stretch along the coast of the Sea of Japan, whose numerous spurs cover the entire eastern half of the peninsula, creating intricate labyrinths. Closer to the southern shores, mountain landscapes become so delightful 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, distinctive villages. Natural wonders of South Korea are protected by the state and are part of 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 coves, it is incredibly picturesque, which gives the local beaches a special charm. There are 3,000 islands scattered along the coast of the peninsula. Many 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 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 historic cities of Korea are on the UNESCO World Heritage List, while 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 through 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 largest powers of the anti-Hitler coalition - the USSR, the USA and Great Britain. Here it was decided to divide the territory of the Korean Peninsula into two zones - the northern part of it temporarily came under the control of the USSR, and the southern part was in the sphere of US influence. In 1948, the division of the once unified 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 unfriendly to each other, nevertheless share a common history. Archaeological finds found on the territory of both states indicate that even in the Stone Age, the Korean Peninsula was inhabited by related tribes. The first major political formation of these ancient peoples was the state of Joseon (VII-II centuries BC), which in the historical literature is called Ancient Joseon (Kuchoson). Its territory extended to the northern lands of the Korean Peninsula and southern Manchuria.
The poetic names of Korea - "Country of Morning Freshness", "Country of Morning Coolness", "Country of Morning Calm" - are the translation of the hieroglyphic spelling of the word "Joseon".
In 108, Joseon was captured by the troops of the Chinese Yan Dynasty. However, the struggle of the local population with the occupiers did not stop here for several centuries. Three hundred years later, several feudal states were 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 Kenzhu. In the 9th century, as a result of civil strife, Silla split into several fiefdoms, but by the 10th century, state unity was restored. The new Korean state was named Kore.
In 1232, the peaceful development of the country was interrupted by the invasion of the Mongols. In the XIV century, after liberation from the Mongol yoke, the military leader Lee Songge came to power, under whom Korea again became known as Joseon. Since the 16th century, Japanese and Manchu troops have repeatedly invaded the peninsula, which has led to the decline of the state. In 1910, the Korean Empire - this name the state received in 1897 - was annexed by Japan. Colonization lasted until 1945
The last hostilities on the Korean Peninsula erupted in 1950. This time they were conducted between North and South Korea. Three years later, the two countries signed 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 has 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 grown 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 penetrated 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 ceremonies. Tourists can see such mystical performances during folklore festivals and folk festivals. However, the ancient cult has not been forgotten by Koreans of all religions: many of them turn to shamans for advice and help during their trials.
More than half of the country's inhabitants are not adherents of any religion. However, the worldview of 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. NS. by the Chinese thinker Confucius. In the Republic of Korea, Confucian ethics are mainly manifested in relationships between people. The code of conduct in modern Korean society is based on the Five Rules of Relationship: between ruler and subject, father and son, husband and wife, old and young, and between friends.
At first glance, you might think that Koreans are somewhat aloof and arrogant, but in fact, they often simply do not notice people who are outside the framework of this system. But as soon as you are introduced to the Korean, the rules of relationships with friends will apply to you, and his indifference will be replaced by sincere benevolence.
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: chongak and minseogak. Jungkook is the so-called "intellectual music", which is characterized by a very slow tempo, the sounding of one note lasts 3 seconds. Minsogak - music is fast, cheerful, full of drama. Improvisation in it, as in jazz, is a completely familiar technique.
The most famous Korean dances are Mugo (an expressive pair dance, during which the participants accompany themselves on drums that hang around their necks), Seungma (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 stage performances, their plots are based on folklore.
Music festivals and colorful performances are held in different regions of Korea all year round. They are especially often held from May to September. This period successfully combines traditional Korean holidays associated with the agricultural calendar with the peak times of the tourist season.
Fine arts are vividly represented in the culture of South Korea. Traditional painting is dominated by Chinese motifs and calligraphic elements; the best sculptural works by Korean masters are those that depict the Buddha, and the shamanistic influences are manifested in the beautiful examples of woodcarving.
Korean pop culture has been actively conquering the world lately. In Korea, countless TV series and films are filmed, which 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 bloom, the weather is clear and warm, in the daytime around + 17 ° С. 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 southern coast at this time reaches +19 ° С, and the air warms up to +22 ° С.
Summer in Korea is warm, but moody. In the first half of June, it 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 Koreans themselves go on vacation this month. In summer, the daytime air temperature ranges from +27 to +30 ° С, the temperature of sea water is from +24 to + 27 ° С.
In September, the summer has not yet surrendered its positions. Usually clear this month, but typhoons occasionally hit the south coast of Korea. In October, the air temperature drops to + 20 ° C, and the mountains are gradually dressed up in decoration of crimson and golden foliage. It is at this time that it is pleasant to go on a trip to national parks and mountainous regions.
In November, it gets significantly colder, and at the end of the month, the resorts of South Korea begin to host winter sports enthusiasts. In the mountainous regions of the country in winter, the daytime air temperature fluctuates around 0 ° С, at night it is usually -10 ... - 8 ° С. There are frequent snowfalls here, and in 1-2 days the snow cover sometimes reaches 50-60 cm. In the north-west of Korea, in the flat area, it is several degrees warmer. In the south, winters are even milder. During the day here +8 ... + 10 ° С, at night 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 XIV 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 spread out 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 five famous palaces of the Joseon era: Gyeongbokgung Palace - the first of those erected here (today the National Folklore Museum and the Museum of Royal Relics are located here), Chandokgung Palace, which is reputed to be the most beautiful palace in Seoul, as well as no less beautiful palaces of Toksugung. Kenhikun and Changyungkun.
Also noteworthy 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 Chongme, the main Catholic temple of the country of Myeongdong, the Korean house, which hosts traditional performances and dinners with tasting of national Korean dishes, the folklore village of Namsan, the largest Buddhist temple in Seoul Jogesa.
In the capital, it is worth stopping by the Nyanjin market, wandering around the Amsadong archaeological park, located on the site where archaeologists discovered the site of primitive people. In this area of Seoul, the entertainment center Grand Park Seoul is located, on the territory of which one of the world's largest zoos, the Seoul Land amusement park, and shopping and entertainment complexes are located. A popular evening entertainment among tourists is a cruise on a sightseeing ferry along the Hangang River.
From Seoul, you can take an interesting journey to the demilitarized zone that separates South Korea from North Korea. The excursion includes visits to the city of Panmunjom, where negotiations were held between representatives of the two belligerent states during the Korean War, and a ceasefire agreement was signed.
Seoul is geographically located in the center of Gyeonggi province, but administratively it is not included. The capital of the province is Suwon. From the main city of South Korea, you can get here very easily - by subway. The historical center of Suwon is under the protection of UNESCO. Here are the Hwaseong Fortress, built at the end of the 18th century by King Chenzhou, and the royal garden. The dominant feature 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 Yhwagan pavilion has survived. Today, a colorful show is taking place at its walls - the changing of the guard, intended for tourists. In the fortress itself, tourists have the opportunity to feel like ancient warriors: they are given the opportunity to shoot a bow, light one of the 5 signal pipes installed on the stone fortress wall. In September, it hosts a splendid historical festival with a theatrical performance 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.
Everland amusement park is located very close to Suwon. Here visitors can find many attractions, a safari park, a water park, a race track, 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 located 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 at that time, the Russian cruiser Varyag was also in the roadstead among ships from different countries. In January, he was attacked by a dozen ships of the Japanese navy. Russian sailors, not wanting to surrender to the enemy, decided to sink the ship. This episode served as one of the casus belli for the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. And in the middle of the last century, during the Korean War, American troops landed in Incheon, which subsequently broke through the defense 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. The history of the city can be learned by visiting the City Museum and Incheon Memorial Hall.
Incheon is the largest airport in Korea, and the city's sea harbor is called the "gateway to Seoul." In 2003, a free economic zone was created here.
Incheon is a metropolitan city that includes several islands. Among them is the island of Gangwao, which is rich in attractions. On the island you can see ancient stone dolmens - burials of the Bronze Age, 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 the royal family and its retinue, becoming for a time the second capital of the state. Over the centuries, many fortifications, monasteries and palaces were built here. One of the most famous monasteries is Chondinsa, founded in 327.From the 13th to the 14th century, within the walls of this temple, located on the slopes of Mount Jeonjok, the monks kept the sacred Korean scriptures Tripitaka Koreana - the oldest and most voluminous set of Buddhist canons. The sacred texts engraved on almost one meter long plates were the second "edition" of the Tripitaka Korean, since the originals were lost during the invasion of the Mongol hordes. Among the most ancient sights of the monastery is a huge pavilion, built in the 17th century, where you can see an original sculpture of a nude woman carved from wood, created by one of the masters who took part in the construction of the temple. An 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, where original pottery products are presented, and the craft village, where local craftsmen display their creations and demonstrate the stages of production of the products.
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 picturesque coastline with magnificent beaches.
When traveling in the region, visit Sokcho City. By the way, he is well known to Russian tourists arriving at his 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 runs along the coastal strip from Donmen Passenger Terminal to the south. Near the port there is a bustling fish market, the original Yengkum-chjon gazebo, where romantics love to meet the dawn, an old lighthouse with an observation deck and the picturesque Yengnan Lake. A park stretches along the banks of the reservoir - a favorite recreation place for citizens and tourists. Another beautiful lake, Choncho, is located at the southern end of the avenue. In this area there is Sorak Sunrise Park, not far from it there are fish restaurants.
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 was established here, which has the status of a special province. You cannot get to Kumgangsan individually, so if you want to admire the local beauty, join an organized tourist group.
The peak of the mountain range is located at an altitude of 1638 m. The slopes of the Diamond Mountains, almost steeply dropping 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 beauty of the Kumgangsan mountains is emphasized by the luxurious mixed forests of cedar pine, oak, hornbeam, maple, covering most of the mountains. In their central part there are ancient Buddhist temples, blue lakes, mineral springs.
South of Gangwon Province, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province is located. In its northern part is the ancient city of Andong. During the existence of the state of Silla, it was called Chinhan and was known as the stronghold of Buddhism in the country. Many ancient monuments and Buddhist shrines have been preserved here. In Andong, it is worth visiting the Bonjong Monastery, erected 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 Tossansovon Confucian 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 included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Among the many historical sites located here is the Chomseongdae Observatory, built in 647. It is the oldest surviving observatory on the planet. Not far from the building is the Tumuli Park, where the royal tombs are located, the oldest of which date back to the 3rd century AD. NS.
Gyeongju has seven sacred mountains, 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, images of Buddha carved in stone.
In the north of Gyeongju, near Lake Pomun, there is a resort area with hotels, golf courses, shopping centers and restaurants. In the vicinity of the city, there is the Bulguksa monastery and the Seokkuram cave temple, built in the 8th century.
On the southeastern tip of Korea is the city of Busan. It is the second largest city in the country. Busan has a long history of being the trade 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 Gwanan Suspension Bridge, which connects the two main districts of the city, stretching along both shores of Suenman Bay. Its total length is almost seven and a half kilometers.
Busan is also famous for its Jagalchi fish market. It represents endless galleries of stalls where you can buy fish splashing a couple of hours ago in the 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 Buddhist sacred sites: the Haeinsa and Thondos monasteries. Haeinsa Monastery, founded in 802, houses more than 80,000 wooden tablets containing the holy texts of Tripitaka Koreana, transported here from Chondinsa Monastery. The Tripitaka Koreana festival is held at the temple every year. Only on these days is it possible to view the scriptures in close proximity. Thondosa Monastery, founded in 646, is famous for the fact that the teachings of the Buddha were passed on to the monks here for a long time. Even today Buddhists who are preparing to be ordained are undergoing certification in the monastery.
The main Buddhist temple of Korea - Songwansa - is located in the South Jeolla province, 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 finely handcrafted temple bowl. Many legends are associated with these artifacts.
Summer rest
The sandy beaches of the Republic of Korea are renowned as some of the best in Southeast Asia. The only disadvantage of the beach season is that it is not too long: most beaches open in late June - early July, 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 holiday season is closed, rescue services, showers, toilets no longer work on the beaches, and there is no way to rent umbrellas and sun loungers.
The coastline and seascapes of Korea's west, east, and south coasts vary, but each coastline 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 "a hotel's own beach". All beach areas are municipal. In addition, due to the continuous hilly area, only a few dozen hotels are located directly on the coast. All beaches are free to enter, and each has the same rental rates for beach equipment. Renting a table with an umbrella, chaise longue and four chairs will cost you approximately $ 40. You can rent only one umbrella for $ 15, but if you don't need all this, you can safely stay 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 Chendongjin. Chumundzhin is a fairly quiet place, here mostly married couples with children relax: the entrance to the water here is shallow, and the sand is fine and very soft. At Chendongjin Beach, the crowd is more motley and noisy. Directly in the beach area there is one of the local railway stations, which, due to its location, was included in the Guinness Book of Records. There are several beautiful parks not far from the beach.
In the city of Gangneung, there is another wonderful landscaped beach. It is located on the shores of Lake Kenpo, where, by the way, excellent fishing.
Beautiful beaches are located on the south coast of Korea - in Busan and its surroundings. The most popular of them are Haeundae and Gwangalli.
In the west of Korea, on the coast of the Yellow Sea, not only tourists, but also capital residents like to relax, because it is very easy to get here from Seoul. The most popular beaches on the west coast are Eurwanni and Daecheon. 8 km from Daecheon Beach is the country famous Muchangpo Beach. It stretches for almost one and a half kilometers along the coastline, bordered by pine forests, and is famous for its "Moisey Way". 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 Soktedo located near the coast.
Despite all the attractiveness of the resort areas of the mainland of Korea, they are inferior in popularity to the 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, magnificent nature, incredibly beautiful broken coastline, luxury hotels, restaurants. Local beaches with snow-white, like flour, or, on the contrary, asphalt-black volcanic sand, are perfectly equipped and are 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 know how to dive to a depth of 10 meters! For another half a century, the "army" of divers-hunters numbered about 30,000 individuals of the fair sex. Today, only a few thousand sea hunters are engaged in this fishery. Their average age is 60 years, some of them have already passed 80. In Korea they are called "hyne", that is, "women of the sea." Such an amazing custom is 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 the southeastern part of it, there is Chonban, the only waterfall in Asia that drops its waters right into the depths of the sea.
The main diving centers of the island are located in Seogwipo. From here, organized groups of divers go to the small islands off the southern coast of Jeju. The maximum diving depth in the local waters is 40 meters.
From Seogwipo Port, you can go fishing with a rented seagoing boat. The main prey here are tuna and sea bass.
To the west of Seogwipo lies the largest resort in South Korea - Chunmun. Not far from its snow-white beaches, there are places of interest for guests of the island: Pacific Land Park, Yemichji Nursery, where about 4,000 species of trees and flowers are grown, Chongjeen Waterfall. In the western part of the Chunmun resort, you can admire the fantastic landscape - here volcanic rocks rise up from the coastal sea waters, creating a kind of natural fortress, as if protecting the island coast. In this romantic corner it is pleasant to meet and see off the sun.
The most famous beach in the eastern part of Jeju is Pyoseon. This place, which is a shallow lagoon, is a great place for families with children. To the north, there is another popular beach among tourists - Kimnen. Not far from it is one of the main natural attractions of the Republic of Korea - Manjangul 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 on a par with European ones. In the mountainous regions of the country, trails of various difficulty levels are laid, many of which are illuminated around the clock. The resorts have chair lifts and snow cannons. There are centers everywhere where experienced instructors teach 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 Korea's ski resorts are located in Gangwon Province. The most famous resort in Korea, Yongpyeong, is also located here. For sportsmen there are 31 ski slopes with different levels of difficulty, 15 lifts. There is a half-pipe for snowboarders. Popular among skiers and resort "Alps", where the snow cover lasts until mid-April.
Those who have just started to master winter sports should pay attention to the Tamun Vivaldi Park resort. There are no risky areas on the ski slopes laid here.
The most respectable resort in Korea, Phoenix Park, is also located in the Gangwon Province. Here, the ski slopes are designed for both experienced athletes and beginners. The resort complex houses hotels, villas, small motels, as well as an ice rink, swimming pool, sauna, bowling and billiard halls, restaurants, and a nightclub.
Muju Ski Center
Thermal resorts
There are about 70 thermal springs with healing mineral water on the territory of the Republic of Korea. Resorts and spa centers have been created on their basis. Several famous resorts are located in the mountainous Gangwon Province, between Sokcho City and Seoraksan National Park. Among the most popular health resorts in these places is Khanwa Sorak. There are hotels, outdoor pools, baths, saunas, a water entertainment center with attractions. Local mineral waters with 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 carried out on the basis of mineral waters of a similar composition.
In Gyeonggi province, the 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 supplied to many local hotels that offer spa and wellness services to their guests.
Thermal resorts are also located in South Jeolla province and on the mountain slopes near Busan.
National parks and reserves
The most outstanding natural attractions of South Korea are combined into specially protected areas. Almost every national park or nature reserve in the country has its own "zest" - ancient monasteries, which even more attracts tourists to such places.
Some of the most famous national parks in Korea are Seoraksan and Odesan, located in the densely forested mountain ranges of Gangwon province. Hotels and campgrounds are located on the territory of Seoraksan Park, so you can stay here for a few days. At the entrance to the park, a cable car begins, which leads to the Kwongum mountain peak (700 m). The ascent to it is an indispensable ritual for all travelers who want to admire the 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 Tovanson waterfalls, the ancient Sinheungsa monastery, Anyang and Newon temples. Visit the Gechjo Shrine - this shrine is located in a cave.
Odesan 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. On the territory of the park there are 9 Buddhist temples, erected during the era of the state of Silla.
In the vicinity of the city of Busan, at the mouth of the Naktong River, there is an extensive nature reserve of migratory birds. In its coastal part there are sand dunes, and in the river delta - small picturesque islets. In spring and autumn, here you can watch migratory waterfowl - snipe, ducks, swans. About 150 species of birds come here. Tourists travel through the park on special boats.
The Chirisan Mountain Park, the largest on the mainland of the country, is located in the south of Korea. Above its territory, a dozen mountain peaks rise, creating landscapes of incredible beauty.
Another famous national park, Hallasan, is located in the center of Jeju Island. It was established in 1970 to protect the ecosystem of the slopes of the extinct Hallasan volcano. Its crater is the highest point in the Republic of Korea (1950 m). The last volcanic eruption took place in the 11th century. A reminder of its activity - many 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.
The reserve is home to about 2,000 plant species and many animal species. There are hiking trails of various types of difficulty, but there are no places for spending the night in the park.
Korean food
The modern cuisine of South Korea is a kind of symbiosis of the gastronomic traditions of Korea proper, 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 noticeably larger. In Sixa Chinese restaurants, where everyday food is on the menu, prices are quite economical. The most democratic restaurants are those serving Korean food. But restaurants with European cuisine in Korea are considered exotic.
The cost of a three-course meal in a mid-range restaurant is usually $ 20-25 for two.
The main dish of a Korean meal is rice. It is served with a variety of accompaniments, depending on the region and time of year. Other traditional dishes include kimchi (spicy sauerkraut or radish); hwe (a dish based on raw fish: miniature fish pieces are immersed in vinegar, pepper, salt, garlic, chopped carrots or radish 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 spices, including hot red pepper.
A Korean meal is not complete without first courses, which are usually generously seasoned with spices and herbs. 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 their own desired portion of food. During the meal, Koreans use spoons and special chopsticks. For dessert, it is customary to serve apples, pears, peaches, persimmons, dates.
Where to stay
In South Korea, hotels are classified into five categories. The 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 (according to the level of service they correspond to European 3 * plus hotels), second and third class - respectively 3 * and 2 * plus.
The highest prices for accommodation are 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 wishing 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 historic cities. There are also traditional boarding houses in South Korea - minbak. These are a kind of family hotels, where it is convenient to stay with children.
There are many roadside and suburban motels in the country. They are generally well-equipped, many with cable TV, high-speed Wi-Fi, jacuzzi or sauna facilities.
Tourists who want to save money should pay attention to the so-called "yegwans" - city hotels with small but cozy and clean rooms, equipped with air conditioning, TV, telephone, shower and toilet. The room may not have a bed, as in this type of hotels, as a rule, locals stay, many of whom adhere to the tradition of sleeping on the floor. Daily accommodation here costs $ 22-27.
In South Korea, tourists have 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, markets are located. In Seoul and Busan, shopping is conveniently done at duty-free shops - you can recognize them by the tax free shopping signs. Save your receipt and the 10% VAT will be refunded to you at the airport.
Tourists often buy electronics in local shops, but do not buy mobile phones - they are not compatible with Russian standards.
Travelers traditionally bring trinkets inlaid with mother-of-pearl, porcelain and ceramics as souvenirs from South Korea. You can also buy good leather goods here. And, of course, don't forget to purchase the medicinal 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 delineation of opening hours for shops. Most of them open at 9:00 am and close after 7:00 pm, but many shops in popular tourist districts can be 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. However, the transport infrastructure is at a high level here. There is a developed railway transport, and there are several types of trains: express trains, bullet 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 the seaside towns.
Seoul, Daegu, Busan and Incheon have subways. All taxis in Korea are equipped with electronic navigators, payment terminals for 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 your driving experience is at least a year. Keep in mind that traffic jams are common in Seoul and other major cities, and parking is difficult to find.
Practical information
Russian citizens can stay in South Korea for 60 days without visas in their passports.
The official currency of the country is won. International name - KRW.
It is more convenient to change money at banks and specialized exchange offices. In hotels in Korea, the exchange is not profitable. US dollars are accepted willingly in most small shops and markets; foreign currency can also be paid at Tax free shopping. Major shopping malls and museums only accept won.
Banks in Korea serve customers on weekdays from 9:30 to 16:30, on Saturday - until 13:30. They are closed on Sunday. The ATM can be used from 9:30 am to 10:00 pm.
How to get there
Most often, tourists from Russia arrive by plane to Seoul, and from there go to resorts or other cities in Korea. There are direct regular flights from Moscow and Vladivostok, seasonal - from St. Petersburg, Irkutsk.
You can get from the Primorsky Territory of Russia to South Korea by ferry. For example, a ferry leaves Vladivostok once a week. Travel time is 20 hours. One-way ticket costs from $ 180.
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