SEOUL

CLIMATE

In Seoul, the capital of South Korea, located in the northwest of the country, a short distance from the
coast of the Yellow Sea, the climate is continental, with cold but sunny winters, and hot and rainy
summers.

The best time of year to visit South Korea is generally considered to be the spring months of April,
May & June when the temperature is 18 to 30°C , and the autumn months of September, October &
November that have temperature from 19 to 21°C. During these two seasons days are typically sunny
and dry with comfortable average temperatures.

Japan and China protect South Korea from most of the area’s typhoons, but one or two still manage
to get through each year during the summer months.

GETTING AROUND

Is possible to arrive in Seoul by plane, from Otopeni Airport to any Seoul airport after a flight of 18-20
hours. Plane tickets are cheaper if you book one as early as possible. If you want to leave tomorrow ,
the average cost of a ticket is huge, at a price between 6400 RON and 7200 RON.

For getting around in Seoul, you have a few options.

By Subway - Seoul is covered by an extensive and modern subway system, the Seoul Metro.The
system is fast, clean, safe, and cheap, and runs frequently. But the best things about the Metro are
that it can take you anywhere and everywhere you'll want to go in Seoul, and the maps and recordings
are in English.

You can buy single fares(tarife unice), it is much more convenient and cheaper to buy a pass - it will
save you the hassle (bataie de cap) and time of having to wait in line to buy your ticket. The minimum
fare is W1,000 or W900(W=won) with a T-money card or Seoul City Pass, which allows you to ride up
to 12km. Remember to hold onto your ticket or card, as you'll need it to exit the station, as well.

By Taxi - You can flag down a taxi almost anywhere in Seoul. There are two types of taxis, and both
are generally clean and safe. All taxis are metered with fares determined by distance and time.
On the way to Incheon Airport, passengers have to pay the road toll on top of the meter charge.
Sharing a cab with strangers is supposedly illegal, but people do it often during rush hour and after
midnight, when subways and buses stop running.

Regular or Ilban (se citeste cum se scrie) Taxis are usually silver, blue, or white and have a light-up
"taxi" sign on top. The base fare is usually around W1,900 and goes up every 2km.
Deluxe or Mobeum (Mobum) Taxis, which are black, cost almost twice as much as the regular taxis,
but can be convenient for many reasons. The drivers are trained to serve foreigners and can speak
basic English. It is more like an Uber.

By bus - the buses can take you pretty much anywhere you want to go. Bus passes can be purchased
at newsstands near bus stops in increments of W5,000, W10,000, or W20,000. You can also use your
T-money card or Seoul City Pass. Express buses, although slightly more expensive, are usually faster
and more comfortable than regular buses, since seats are available. Maeul (Meul) that means "village"
buses are green and cost W1,000 and travel only within a district. They usually take exact change only,
tokens, bus passes, and T-money cards.
By Car - Driving around Seoul can be a hair-raising experience and is not recommended. However, you
can rent a car starting at around W70,000 per day, cheaper for multiple days. You have to be at least
21 years old and have an International Driving Permit (IDP). The best place to rent a car is at Incheon
Airport.

On Foot – Seoul is virtually impossible to explore by walking alone; however, certain neighborhoods
are best enjoyed on foot and some degree of walking will be necessary to explore the city. Be careful
when crossing streets, since Seoul drivers are not trained to stop for pedestrians and don't always
stop at red lights.

Seoul City Tour Bus - This double-decker tour bus, run by the city of Seoul, is an economical and
efficient way to see the city's major tourist destinations. The buses leave daily, every 30 minutes from
9am to 7pm with a full tour taking 2 hours. Tour guides speak English, Japanese, and can get by in a
few other languages. A 1-day pass costs W10,000 for adults, W8,000 for children, and you can
purchase tickets at the Gwanghwamun (Guang uanum) counter or on the bus itself.

ENTERTAINMENT

People from all over Korea travel to Seoul to party, shop and play sport and visitors from all walks of
life will find plenty to do here. Whether you want to play golf, enjoy the vibrant nightlife or watch a
play at the theater, Seoul has something for everyone.

Lotus Lantern Festival – Seoul’s Buddhist Festival

This colorful festival is held in April to park Lord Buddha's birthday and features a special flea market
(piata de vechituri), a lantern-making event and an outdoor stage. The highlight of the festival is the
Lantern Parade, which consists of hundreds of monks carrying beautiful hand-made lanterns in a
procession from Chogyesa (Cioghiesa) Temple.

Little America – Seoul’s Nightlife

Often referred to as Little America, tourists and students head to Itaewon (Itewon) after the sun
sets. The roads here are lined with numerous restaurants, bars, clubs and music venues and this is a
great place to listen to live jazz.

The Seoul Arirang Festival

Is an autumn festival that is jointly held by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Arirang
Festival Organizing Committee Secretariat. The 5th Seoul Arirang Festival was held for 3 days from
October 13 to 15, 2017 at Gwanghwamun (Guang uanum) Square under the theme of ‘Song of Passion,
Arirang.’
After the opening performance, the festival presented various programs that included the Seoul
Arirang Festival Awards, Pannori Gillori (Panori Ghilori) and the Gwanghwamun (Guang uanum )City
Rock Festival. A massive performance of ‘Arirang Nanjang’ (Arirang nandjang) participated in by
citizens, was held on the 6-lane street of Sejong-daero (Sedjong-dero) in front of the Sejong (Sedjong)
Center for the Performing Arts as part of the closing ceremony.
SIGHTSEEING

Changdeokgung (Ciang dec gung) Palace

You must join a guided tour to look around World Heritage–listed Changdeokgung (Ciang dec gung),
the most beautiful of Seoul's five main palaces. English tours run at 10.30am and 2.30pm.
It was originally built in 1405 as a secondary palace, but when Gyeongbokgung (ghiong boc gung)
the Seoul’s principal palace was destroyed during the Japanese invasion in the 1590s, it became the
primary royal residence until 1872.
Well worth joining are the monthly Moonlight Tours (April to June only) limited to 100 people and
costing ₩30,000.

Jogye-sa (Djioghie sa) Temple

The focus of Jogye-sa (Djioghie sa) is the giant wooden hall Daeungjeon ( Deung djon), Seoul's largest
Buddhist worship hall. Completed in 1938, its design followed the Joseon-dynasty style. The exterior
is decorated with scenes from Buddha’s life and carved floral latticework, while inside are three
giant Buddha statues.
The temple compound, always a hive of activity, really comes alive during the city’s spectacular
Lotus Lantern Festival celebrating Buddha’s birthday and dates change annually according to the
lunar calendar. It's free to visit.

National Museum of Korea

The grand, marble-lined, modernist building cleverly channels plenty of natural light to show off
Korea’s ancient treasures.
Hour-long, English-language tours leave from the Great Hall lobby at 10am, 11am and 2pm Tuesday
to Friday, and 11am and 2pm weekends; alternatively you can rent an audioguide that costs ₩1000.

Bukchon Hanok Village (Buc cion hanoc)

Meaning ‘North Village’, Bukchon (Buc cion), is home to around 900 hanok, Seoul’s largest
concentration of these traditional Korean homes. It’s a busy tourist area, but it’s still a pleasure to
get lost in the streets here admiring the patterned walls and tiled roofs contrasting with the modern
city in the distance.

FOOD AND DRINKS

Food in South Korea is centred around rice and soup accompanied by a meat or fish dish, with
numerous sides available.

Kimchi (chim ci)

Kimchi (chim ci) is a bit part of the national identity and is therefore served with pretty much every
meal in South Korea. It’s usually made from fermented cabbage and chili, and it’s fair to say it’s a bit
of an acquired taste for travellers.
Barbecue

Generally at a barbecue restaurant you’ll find on offer bulgogi (bul go ghi), cuts of marinated meat
(usually pork or beef), and galbi (gal bi) , ribs that are usually unmarinated. You cook these yourself at
your table, and then choose from a number of sides or sauces to complete the meal.

Soups and stews

You’ll find soups and stews made with vegetables, kimchi (chim ci), seafood, meat, tofu, noodles, and
more, sometimes all at once.

Drinks

South Korea is the home of cheap alcohol and heavy drinking: someone considered to be an average
drinker here could well be considered a heavy drinker in the UK.
The national drink of South Korea is soju (so dju). It’s a bit like vodka (around 20% proof), and you’ll
usually find it’s the cheapest beverage on the menu.
You can also try takju (tac dju), Korean rice wine, and ginseng wine, which is more expensive but
generally has a better taste.
You can also try sikhye (sic hi), a sweet and grainy rice drink sometimes served with dessert, and
sujeonggwa (su djong ua), a cinnamon-flavoured drink made from persimmons (curmal japonez).