South Korea

An intriguing land of ancient ruins, romantic legends, natural wonders, breathtaking landscapes and teeming modern cities, the Republic of Korea can trace its history back half a million years.

Tourists are discovering with delight the hidden treasures of the southern half of the mountainous Korean peninsula, which pokes southwards from the eastern end of the Asian continent. South Korea has been separated from North Korea by a demilitarised zone since 1953, and has flourished to become a stable and mature democracy, home to 50-million people who are spread across its nine provinces, concentrated in seven mega-cities. Previously dubbed 'the hermit kingdom', South Korea is now flaunting its bright plumage like a proud peacock.

Largest of the metropoles, and the area most frequented by visitors, is the capital, Seoul, the world's tenth largest city, where ancient shrines nestle beneath soaring skyscrapers. This seething city, ringed by mountains, offers hundreds of attractions and experiences, vibrant nightlife and unforgettable dining.

The least populated area of the country is Gangwon-do Province on the eastern side of the Peninsula, where remote forested mountains and valleys are studded with small towns. This area, which played host to the Asian Winter Games in 1999, is fast becoming one of the worlds most sought after skiing destinations. The rest of the year visitors are drawn to the province's magnificent beaches and scenic hiking trails.

Another area rich in tourist attractions is the south-eastern region, with its wealth of archaeological treasures. Gyeongju, ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom, is an open-air museum boasting tombs, temples, pagodas and ruins dating from as early as 57 BC. The Bomun Lake Resort with its luxury hotels is a fine base from which to explore the area. New resort complexes are currently under construction to open up this fascinating area even more to tourism.

Those seeking a romantic getaway should head for South Korea's resort island, Jejudo, known as 'little Hawaii' because of its subtropical vegetation, volcanic landscape, sandy beaches and sparkling waterfalls. The island is dominated by the towering Mount Halla volcano, but visitors need not fear a natural disaster - the volcano was last active in 1007!

Climate

The climate in Korea is temperate with four very distinct seasons. South Korea has a continental climate characterised by very cold, dry winters and very hot, humid summers. Spring and autumn are relatively short and temperatures are mild and generally quite pleasant making autumn and spring the most comfortable seasons to visit South Korea. Koreans pride themselves in their four distinct seasons. Spring is generally quite short and occurs in late March and early April. South Korean summers arrive suddenly in late April and are warmed by moist, warm prevailing winds from the Pacific Ocean. Typhoon season is from June to September and while South Korea doesn't experience typhoons like those in Southeast Asia the southern parts of the peninsula do experience a lot of rain. In fact, most of the rain falls in summer during a monsoon season known as 'jangma'. Autumn passes through the peninsula from late September through October with the winter setting in sooner in northern areas such as Seoul, and autumn lasting longer for the southern cities, such as Busan. South Korean winters are harsh with temperatures dropping below freezing and icy winds blowing in from Siberia. Mountainous areas as well as the northern areas of the country experience some snowfall but the southern parts and costal regions experience little to no winter snowfall.

Money

South Korea's monetary unit is the won (KRW). Currency can be exchanged at most banks and at casinos, and travellers cheques cashed at authorised banks and hotels. Most merchants in the cities accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit cards, but Koreans traditionally prefer cash. ATMs at banks are usually accessible only during banking hours, and instructions on the machines are generally only in Korean. Public ATMs at convenience stores and subway stations are generally available 24 hours. US Dollars are an accepted form of foreign currency and can be used as US Dollars in the areas around the American Military bases in South Korea.

Passport Visa

All visitors require a valid passport, a return or onward ticket, sufficient funds, all documents for the next destination and a contact address in South Korea. Those requiring a visa should obtain one from a Korean Embassy or Consulate before entering the country. Visas are not required if passenger holds an APEC Business Travel Card, provided the back of the card states validity for travel to South Korea. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Entry Requirements

• A valid passport is required for entry. A visa is required, except for stays of up to three months for business or tourism purposes. Proof of sufficient funds for the duration of stay must be shown at immigration.
• A valid passport is required for entry. A visa is required, except for stays of up to three months for business or tourism purposes for passport holders endorsed British Citizen, British Overseas Territories Citizen with Right to Abode, or British Subject with Right to Abode. British citizens entering South Korea through Jeju island will only be given a 30-day visa.
• A valid passport is required for entry. A visa is required, except for stays of up to three months for business or tourism purposes.
• A valid passport is required. A visa is required, except for stays of up to three months for business or tourism purposes. Holders of an APEC Business Travel Card do not need a visa provided it is endorsed 'valid for travel to KOR'.
• A valid passport is required, however South African citizens do not need a visa for touristic stays of up to 30 days.
• A valid passport is required. A visa is required, except for stays of up to three months for business or tourism purposes.
• A valid passport is required. A visa is required, except for stays of up to three months for business or tourism purposes. Holders of an APEC Travel Card do not need a visa.

Health

There are no required vaccinations for entry to Korea and standards of medical care are high. Payment for treatment is usually expected in advance. Medical insurance with provision for repatriation is also recommended. Hepatitis A and typhoid inoculations are recommended, and there is a small risk of malaria is some areas. Outbreaks of bird flu have been confirmed throughout the country, but no human infections have been reported. The risk to travellers is low, but as a precaution visitors should ensure that all poultry and egg dishes are well cooked, and contact with live birds is avoided. Tap water is chlorinated but may cause stomach upsets, therefore it is preferable to drink bottled water. Food should be well cooked and milk boiled.

Embassy Consulates

• South Korea Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 939 5663.
• South Korea Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7227 5500/2.
• South Korea Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 244 5010.
• South Korea Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6270 4100.
• South Korea Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 460 2508/9.
• South Korea Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 660 8800.
• South Korea Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 473 9073/4.

Foreign Embassies

• United States Embassy, Seoul: +82 (0)2 397 4114.
• British Embassy, Seoul: +82 (0)2 3210 5500.
• Canadian Embassy, Seoul: +82 (0)2 3783 6000.
• Australian Embassy, Seoul: +82 (0)2 2003 0100.
• South African Embassy, Seoul: +82 (0)2 792 4855.
• Irish Embassy, Seoul: +82 (0)2 774 6455.
• New Zealand Embassy, Seoul: +82 (0)2 3701 7700.