The South Korea travel guide is something everyone has been paying attention to. So, what should you keep in mind when traveling to South Korea? To satisfy your curiosity, our editor has specially compiled some South Korea travel tips for your reference.
Pre-Trip Preparation for Your South Korea Trip
Documents:
Passport, ID card, copies of your documents, and two 2-inch ID photos (in case you need to replace lost documents). Travelers under 16 without an ID card who have connecting flights within China must bring their household registration book.
Clothing:
1. Bring a light jacket for summer to guard against large temperature differences between day and night or cold air conditioning in rooms and cars. Winters are quite cold, so pack warm outerwear.
2. Choose comfortable, well-fitting shoes suitable for walking. Avoid wearing newly bought shoes or high heels.
3. For beach activities, bring items such as swimsuits, swim caps, goggles, and inflatable rings based on your personal needs.
Daily Essentials:
1. Items such as razors, skincare products, cosmetics, sun hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, umbrellas, watches, pens, and notepads—bring them as needed.
2. Korean hotels generally do not provide disposable towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, or shampoo/conditioner, so please bring your own.
Cash and Bank Cards:
1. The Chinese Yuan is not used in South Korea. Please exchange your RMB for Korean Won or US Dollars before departure (US Dollars can be exchanged for Won in South Korea). For details on how to exchange, call the customer service lines of major banks. Be sure to exchange currency early.
2. In South Korea, major stores usually accept UnionPay, MasterCard, and VISA. It’s recommended to load money onto your card. Policies vary by bank and card type—consult your issuing bank for how to use your card in South Korea.
3. Chinese customs regulations allow each person to carry up to RMB 20,000 or the equivalent of USD 5,000 in foreign currency. Only exchange as much as you need.
4. Reference Exchange Rates (subject to bank real-time rates)
1 RMB ≈ 177.6716 KRW; 1000 KRW ≈ 5.622 RMB
Electronics:
1. Bring your camera, camcorder, batteries, chargers, memory cards, etc.
2. Check with your phone manufacturer before traveling to confirm whether your phone can be used in South Korea and what network standard it supports. Ask your carrier about whether your number can be used there, how to use it, and related fees.
3. South Korea uses the same voltage as China, but the plugs are two-pin round types. You’ll need a plug adapter to use Chinese electronics. Although some hotels may have adapters at the front desk, quantities are limited. It’s best to purchase a German-standard plug adapter from a large supermarket or online electronics store in China beforehand.
Medications:
1. Bring essential medications such as cold medicine, anti-inflammatory drugs, stomach medicine, painkillers, as well as band-aids, essential balm, and motion sickness pills.
2. If you have conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or relevant medical history, make sure to bring enough backup medication.
China Customs Entry/Exit and Airport Security Regulations:
1. Customs regulations allow each person to carry up to RMB 20,000 or the equivalent of USD 5,000 in foreign currency. Amounts exceeding this must be declared in writing to customs. Try not to exceed the limit, as excess amounts may be subject to taxation, fines, or confiscation.
2. If you are carrying expensive items such as cameras, camcorders, or lenses worth more than RMB 5,000 each, you must declare them to customs before checking them in as luggage.
3. Passenger regulations for carrying liquid items:
(1) Passengers traveling on international or regional flights departing from airports within China are allowed to carry liquid items in their carry-on luggage, with each item not exceeding 100 milliliters (ml). Containers holding liquids must be placed in a transparent, resealable plastic bag with a maximum capacity of 1 liter (L). Each passenger is permitted to carry only one such transparent plastic bag per trip; any amount exceeding this limit must be checked in. Passengers traveling with infants may carry reasonable quantities of liquid dairy products, and diabetic or other patients may carry necessary liquid medications (with a doctor’s prescription or certificate), which may be carried after security inspection confirms they are necessary.
(2) If you have a domestic connecting flight first, you must follow the domestic flight regulations for liquid items. Domestic flights prohibit passengers from carrying any liquid items in their carry-on baggage, but a small quantity of personal cosmetics for travel use is allowed. Each type of cosmetic is limited to one item, with the container not exceeding 100 ml (ml), and must be placed in an individual bag for opening and inspection. Passengers traveling with infants may apply to the airline when purchasing tickets to receive free liquid dairy products on board. Diabetic or other patients may carry necessary liquid items (with a doctor’s prescription or certificate), which, after security inspection confirms they are needed, will be kept by the cabin crew.
4. If you plan to purchase goods in Korea and bring them into the country, please check the relevant customs regulations in advance to avoid items being prohibited or taxed upon entry.
5. Learn more about China's entry and exit regulations.
Korea Travel Guide – Local Information
Currency Exchange:
U.S. dollars can be exchanged for Korean won at airports and currency exchange locations marked with an exchange sign in Korea. Some hotels may also offer exchange services in emergencies. Please present your currency and passport when exchanging.
Transportation:
1. Like in China, people drive on the right side of the road in Korea. Please obey traffic rules when crossing the street to ensure your own safety.
2. Transportation options include taxis, buses, and subways. It is recommended to take the subway for convenience and economy.
Hotels:
1. The hotels used in this itinerary are generally Korean “Four-Star Standard” hotels (equivalent to three-star or near-three-star in China). Compared to those in China, Korean hotels are smaller in size, with slightly simpler facilities. There may be no front desk, but the rooms are clean and fully equipped.
2. Hotel rooms usually come with pay TV, telephones, paid beverages, and snacks. Please inquire about the fees before using them to avoid misunderstandings at checkout.
3. Unlike in China, people in Korea are accustomed to drinking cold water, and rooms generally do not have kettles for hot water.
4. Be mindful of electrical and water safety, conserve resources, and smoke safely. If any facilities are damaged, you may be required to cover the cost.
Shopping:
1. Popular local specialties include: Korean ginseng and related products, cosmetics, digital products, specialty foods (such as kimchi and seaweed), fashionable clothing, shoes, and hats.
2. Major shopping destinations include Dongdaemun Market, Namdaemun Market, and Itaewon in Seoul, and department stores such as Lotte, Shinsegae, and Hyundai.
Food:
1. Eating habits differ greatly from those in China. Korean cuisine mainly features kimchi and grilled meat. Dishes are usually low in oil and have a spicy taste, which some may find unfamiliar. Travelers may wish to pack some convenient food items.
2. Korean bibimbap, samgyetang (chicken soup with ginseng), Korean BBQ (especially black pork BBQ in Jeju Island), stir-fried rice cakes, stir-fried squid, tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), naengmyeon (cold noodles), oxtail soup, and gimbap (seaweed rice rolls) are all popular Korean dishes.
Restaurants:
1. When using a buffet, take a small amount first, then go back for more if you like.
2. If you need to use knives and forks, hold the fork in your left hand and the knife in your right. Do not wave them around while talking, and try to keep utensils as quiet as possible.
3. During peak holiday seasons and tourist high seasons, you may need to wait for a table. We appreciate your understanding.
7. Tipping: Higher-end hotels and restaurants in Korea include a 10% service charge, so additional tipping is not required. However, tipping is generally expected in entertainment venues.
Attractions and Other Public Places:
1. Do not smoke, spit, or make loud noises in public places. Do not cut in line or push when queuing, and do not litter or discard chewing gum.
2. Temples and upscale entertainment venues are considered formal settings. When entering, dress modestly and neatly. Avoid wearing revealing clothing, flip-flops, shorts, mini-skirts, sleeveless tops, or other inappropriate attire.
3. Photography is strictly regulated in Korea. Military facilities, airports, reservoirs, subways, national museums, and entertainment venues are all photo-prohibited areas. Taking photos from the air or from high-rise buildings is also not allowed.
Customs and Taboos:
1. The South Korean government mandates that citizens must show respect for the national flag, national anthem, and national flower. Tourists who display excessive indifference in these contexts may be regarded as disrespectful to South Korea and its people.
2. Never mention the word "North Korea" in front of South Koreans.
3. South Koreans receive gifts with both hands but do not open them in front of the giver. It is not appropriate to give foreign cigarettes to South Korean friends. Alcohol is the best gift for South Korean men, but never give alcohol to women.
4. Traditional South Korean dining uses low tables placed on the floor. Both hosts and guests should sit cross-legged on the floor while eating. No one should stretch their legs straight out or spread them apart, as this is considered impolite or insulting.
South Korea Travel Guide – Group Tour Essentials
1. Please follow the arrangements of the tour leader and local guide, and do not leave the group or act on your own.
2. Smoking is prohibited inside the tour bus. Dispose of fruit peels and other packaging waste in the trash bins to keep the bus clean.
3. Remember the time and location announced by the guide for regrouping, as well as the color and license plate number of the bus.
4. During group activities, be punctual to avoid delaying the entire group’s itinerary due to individual lateness or separation.
5. When traveling in a group, prioritize the interests of the team, maintain a considerate attitude, and show mutual respect and understanding. Respect and cooperate with the work of the guide and tour leader.
6. Without reducing the number of attractions or guaranteed visiting time, the guide may make reasonable adjustments to the order of the itinerary.
South Korea Travel Guide – Safety Tips
Carry your passport, hotel business card, and the contact information of your guide and tour leader with you. Avoid walking in secluded areas after dark.
2. Obey traffic rules, do not jaywalk or force your way through traffic, and stay alert.
3. Do not strike up conversations with strangers or accept services offered by unknown individuals to avoid scams or being taken advantage of.
4. Never put cash, documents, or other valuables in checked luggage. Always carry them with you.
5. Hotels and drivers are not responsible for the safety of valuables left in guest rooms or on buses. Do not leave valuables in hotel rooms or on tour buses to avoid unnecessary financial loss.
6. Tourist attractions, hotel lobbies, shopping malls, and other crowded places are common sites for theft. Keep a close watch on your belongings.
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