LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL GUIDEBOOK INFORMATION
Getting Started
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Squashed onto its small patch of hilly peninsula, South Korea is a compact nation, just an hour by plane from north to south, so it’s easy to tour around the country’s bundle of delights. Hike through green forested mountains and national parks, listen to shaven-headed monks chanting in remote, colourful Buddhist temples, and step ashore onto unspoiled islands populated by bronzed fisher folk who turn into chefs in the evenings. Explore the relics of ancient Korean dynasties, tour round the extraordinary volcanic scenery of its two largest islands, Jejudo and Ulleungdo, and experience the warlike menace of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) border with impoverished, dictator-worshipping North Korea.
Discover the country’s unique barbecue and seafood cuisine; knock back pine-needle soju (Korean vodka) one-shots with new-found friends in convivial bars or on scenic mountainsides; and immerse yourself in boisterous traditional markets or glitzy modern malls. The most wired, busy-busy cities on the planet are straining every sinew to become Asia’s IT, cultural, sporting and style leaders, the hub of a global trading empire with a GDP that’s already in the world’s top 10. Everybody is hard at work, but somehow they find time to befriend foreign visitors and make their visit memorable. Only in Korea do taxi drivers turn down tips, and drivers go out of their way to drop hitchhikers where they want to go.
Transport on planes, buses, trains, subways and taxis is a reasonably priced marvel, while smart new US$35-a-night motels provide clean, facility-filled rooms to stay in all over the country. If no one understands what’s coming out of your mouth, simply think back to party charades and use the language of gesture and mime. If you get lost, don’t worry as someone is bound to offer to help, especially if you’re a solo traveller.
Korea in a word? Dynamic. Korea in two words? Dynamic and conservative. Westerners see this as a (sometimes infuriating) contradiction, but to Koreans its yin and yang, two linked aspects that make up the circle and cycle of life.
DON`T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT…
Studying the food chapter so you know the difference between samgyetang and samgyeopsal.
Checking your socks have no holes in them as you must remove your shoes to enter Buddhist shrines, traditional restaurants and private homes.
Packing your hiking boots, as Korea is stuffed with scenic mountains and well-marked trails.
Improving your skill at charades and gestures as not many Koreans understand English.
Learning the 24 Han·geul letters so you can figure out Han·geul motel and restaurant names, Han·geul menus and Han·geul bus destinations.
Practicing being naked in front of strangers so you can enjoy Korea’s many excellent and reasonably priced hot-spring spas.
Packing a pair of sheets if you’re planning to stay in budget accommodation which often has just quilts.
Bringing personal hygiene and brand-name medical items that may be difficult to obtain.
Lonely Planet recommends World Nomads Travel insurance
