South Korea is the country of Morning Freshness. Why South Korea is a country of morning freshness

I took Korean language courses cultural center at the South Korean Embassy in Moscow, and our sonsenim (that is, teacher) explained why South Korea is called the country of morning freshness. In a nutshell, this is simply the most beautiful meaning of the two hieroglyphs that are included in the name of the country.

Numerous names of South Korea

Korean writing appeared only in the 15th century and was practically not used until the 19th-20th centuries. There was an oral Korean language, but for writing, Koreans used the hieroglyphs of their global neighbor. The name “Korea”, which is used by foreigners, comes from the ancient state that existed on the territory of the Korean Peninsula, Goryeo. However, the Koreans themselves called their country Joseon. Now this name remained with North Korea, and South Korea began to call itself Hanguk. However, until the 20th century, the name “Joseon” was used, which once in ancient times the Chinese wrote down in their own characters, so to speak, by ear, as they heard from the ancient tribes of the Korean Peninsula. So it turned out that the word, the name of the country, exists, but what it means is unclear.

Choosing a beautiful name

The name "Joseon" consists of 2 characters: "cho" and "son". I don’t know whether the Koreans or the Chinese themselves chose beautiful and matching words (in general, the inhabitants of that region like to give beautiful meanings everything), but it is precisely this that has come into general use. In general, one of the meanings of “cho” is morning, and “sleep” is freshness.

Other meanings of the hieroglyph “cho”:

• ruling dynasty, reign,
• face,
• travel and others.

Other meanings of the hieroglyph “sleep”:

• painting,
• appearance,
• reciprocity and others.

In general, it was not easy to find another suitable combination. So they began to call South Korea the land of morning freshness. But, what is most interesting, Koreans also call their country “a country with four seasons,” quite seriously believing that all four seasons are clearly expressed in their country. But they still don’t believe that they have the freshest morning.

World East Asia for a long time remained for the West in a fog of uncertainty and was designated on maps as the mysterious “Catay”. After its discovery, it seemed like a world of pure exoticism and nothing more. But the history of South Korea proves how it is possible to harmoniously combine national traditions and universal technologies of the modern world.

GOGURYO - KOREA - KOREA

The history of the Korean Peninsula, little known to the West, is full of dramatic events. To understand what they meant for the Koreans, it is worth recalling a popular aphorism in the East attributed to Confucius: “God forbid you live in an era of change!”

The Korean Peninsula has attracted people since the Stone Age, approximately 70 thousand years ago. In Korea, the starting point of the first Joseon state is considered to be 2333 BC. e. Although, most likely, this happened in the 4th-3rd centuries. The proximity to China led to the fact that in 108 BC. e. it was subjugated by the Han Empire.

The next stop on the way to Korea is the state of Goguryeo, whose name comes from the tribe of the same name, which became its basis. In 37 BC. e. it achieved independence from China. And until 668 AD. e., when China again subjugated its neighbors, it managed to leave its notes in the history of the peninsula and in the souls of people.

The successor to Goguryeo in name and genetics was the state of Koryo (935-1392). It created the world's first metal printing matrix, ahead of Guttenberg's experiments, and it also became the “matrix” from which the name “Korea” comes.

In 1231-1259, six attacks were made on Kore Mongol invasions. Their result was dependence and tribute for the next 80 years. This story ended with the overthrow of the last king of Goryeo U and the formation of a new Joseon dynasty, whose king Gongmin ousted the Mongols from Korea in 1350. At this time, Hanson became the capital of the state ( modern Seoul), and the official religion since 1394 is Confucianism. The figurative name of Korea, as “The Land of Morning Freshness,” is associated with the name of the kingdom of Joseon (cho - “morning”, dream - “bright”).

But the country wrapped itself in its archaic traditions, like a caterpillar in a cocoon. And stronger neighbors tried to take advantage of this circumstance. In the war of 1894-1895 it was China and Japan.

Victory and power over Korea went to Japan. King Ko-jeong of Korea even escaped from the palace and lived in the Russian embassy for about a year. Then he returned, becoming emperor, without actually possessing any power. Moreover, from 1910 to 1945, Korea's colonial dependence was formalized legally.

Japan's defeat in World War II led to the expulsion of all Japanese from the country. But it started almost without intermission" cold war" The north of the Korean Peninsula was occupied by USSR troops, and the south by the USA. The difference in political poles created by this circumstance was so radical that in 1948 Korea was divided into two states: the pro-American (at that time) Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the pro-Soviet DPRK. The Korean War (1950-1953) cemented this status quo.

However, only since 1992, when the country’s first civilian president, Republic of Korea has become truly democratic state. This last stage in the life of the country is associated with its greatest successes and growth of authority in the world. History has conducted an amazing experiment, showing how the same culture can develop dynamically if there is freedom, and find itself in decline if it is squeezed, as in the DPRK, into a framework totalitarian state. Polls in South Korea indicate that many people believe it is highly likely that the two Koreas will become one country in the future. In the East they know how to wait.

Almost the entire country, except for the border with the DPRK, is surrounded by water, the length of the coastline is 2413 km. In the west it is washed The Yellow Sea, in the south - East China, in the east - Japanese. The relief is predominantly mountainous, plains occupy 30% of the territory, 3000 islands are mostly small and uninhabited.

HIGH TECHNOLOGY IN A TRADITIONAL COORDINATE SYSTEM

In the 20th century East Asia has become cramped in clothes old culture, like a teenager in children's pants, and many [countries have joined the traditions of the Western way of life. Korea did not escape this either. But she did it without compromising her own traditions.

The culture of the Korean people has characteristics characteristic of East Asia. These are: collectivism (with all its pros and cons); politeness; patience (as in Taekwon-Do, which requires repeated repetition of the same movements).

These qualities, as it turns out, can be a fertile basis for development in modern conditions: good traditions do not wear out, they master new experiences.

Confucianism remains an important foundation of Korean life. Over many centuries, the basic ethical norms of Confucius (551-479 BC): a noble husband, philanthropy, correct behavior - became part of Korean culture. They give society stability and do not interfere with the development of the reality of the global world.

Han (Korean) style includes hanbok (traditional attire), hanok (Korean home), hansik (Korean cuisine), hanji (rice paper), hangul (Korean writing), and other important things and customs.

The birth of Hangul is associated with the work of a group of scholars led by King Sejong (1397-1450). The path of new writing in culture begins in 1446, when the document “Hunmin Chongum” (“Instruction to the people about correct pronunciation"). It was an extremely successful reform. Hangeul although similar to Chinese characters, but is a combination of 24 letters that are combined into groups resembling syllables. Even in ancient times, as the reformers intended, it became available to a large number of common people. The name "Hangul" appeared in 1912 and means "great Korean writing." During Korea's dependence on Japan, Hangul was an important way of preserving national identity. Immediately after liberation, it became the official script of Korea. The oldest collection Buddhist texts, carved on printed tablets, Tripitaka Coreana (13th century). Haeinsa Temple, where they are kept, primarily for this reason, was listed World Heritage UNESCO.

Buddhism began its journey in Kogu-ryo and reached its peak in Goryeo. In Korea of ​​the 20th century. experienced periods of decline, but since the 1960s it has begun to play an increasingly important role in the spiritual life of the country. At the same level, the religious map of South Korea is shaped by Christianity. But in general, this country is one of the most diverse in the spiritual sphere. Perhaps it was precisely this feature of hers that became Starting point for communications with the West.

South Korea quickly learned the “language” of Western technology. It is enough to name the corporations “Samsung” or LG. It has its own programs and successes in the development of telecommunications, consumer electronics, robotics, biotechnology, and space equipment. It was this country that became the birthplace of e-sports - computer game competitions.

Of course, there are a lot of different problems, both within the country and in relations with the DPRK. In 2010, several armed clashes occurred between the two Koreas, but in February 2011, a negotiation process began between them.

South Korea looks to the future with optimism. Its experience proves that the West and the East can successfully complement each other. And countries of the same civilization, despite all the contradictions between them, will inevitably come to the same thing.

FUN FACTS

■ Not only history, but also names in Korea begin with geography! A Korean name consists of a surname followed by a personal name. There are about 250 surnames in use. The most common of them are the Kims from the city of Gimhae, the Lees from Jeonju and Gyeongju, and the Parks from the Laymen. Korea appeared on European maps only with late XVI c., when it was depicted as an island. In the 17th century it was depicted as a long and narrow isthmus. Only in the middle of the 18th century. her cartographic portrait took on real shape. In 1864, the talented geographer Kim Jongho wrote “Geography of Korea” and... went to prison for disclosing state secrets.

■ Respect for elders in age and position in Korea is brought up by a centuries-old historical tradition and Confucian ethics. Bowing and admiring them is the cultural norm of the country. Hwangab (60th birthday) or kahi (70th birthday) of parents are the most important family holidays.

■ The national currency of Korea “won” in 1953-1962 was called “hwana”. On their front side there are portraits of important historical figures. For example, images of King Sejong, philosopher, writer and poet Lee Yi.

■ In Korea, there are many customs that have shaped the value system of the people. Many of them have been preserved: you cannot leave chopsticks in the rice while eating, as this is associated with funerals; You cannot write names in red ink - this is how the names of the dead are written; you cannot stand on the threshold so as not to let evil spirits in; You can’t talk about divorce, death or ruin, even as a joke, so as not to incriminate yourself evil rock; in elevators of multi-storey buildings there is no fourth floor (the word “sa” - “fourth” sounds the same as “death”), so it is usually designated by the letter F or the third is immediately followed by the fifth floor.

ATTRACTIONS

■ Seoul: Pongunsa Temple, Jongmyo Shrine, palaces of the Joseon Dynasty: Gyeongbokgung (National Museum of Korea, National Museum of Ethnography), Deoksogung (Tenhanmun Gate, Throne Hall), restored Gyeonghigun Palace; Anglican Cathedral, Russian Mission. Agricultural Museum, Nantes Theater.
■ Gyeongju: Bulguksa Temple (“Buddha Kingdom Monastery” and Emille Bell), Seokguram Grotto Cave Temple (listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site);
■ Gongju: State Museum with a collection of treasures from the tomb of King Mureng (6th century).
■ Haeinsa Temple (Gyeomsan-nando province) - a repository of ancient Buddhist texts, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site;
■ Suwon: Hwaseong Fortress.
■ Ganghwan Island: altars of Chhamseongdan, Sunyeoljong and Cheongnyangdan, fortress walls and forts of the Royal Residence of the 15th-19th centuries, an ancient oven of the 13th century. for the production of celadon, Jeongdeunsa Monastery, Koindol Dolmen, Namhansanseong and Samnanseong Fortress, Pomunsa, Gukcheonsa, Manwolsa and Jeondus temples.
■ National parks: Bukhansan, Chirisan, Geryongsan, Seoraksan, Seongnisan, Odaesan, Jeju Island.

Atlas. The whole world in your hands No. 65

Tormented with endless calculations and ultimately completely confused, I always gave the year of my birth when asked about my age - then we understood each other perfectly, since the interlocutor usually answered in the same way. By the way, answering exactly this way—naming the year of your birth—is a fairly common way. True, after this the Korean begins to roll his eyes and count: “So many calendar years, plus the year at birth, plus (if it runs up) to account for the current year...”

If you decide to understand all the intricacies of calculating age, then be prepared for the fact that Koreans will have “not everything right” with a specific birthday. A specific date will be written on the ID card, but it will correspond to a specific date according to the lunar calendar. Koreans most often celebrate their birthdays according to the lunar calendar, and not the usual Gregorian calendar. To put it simply, their birthday is celebrated every year on different days- approximately, of course, in the same period, but the spread in dates can reach several weeks.

I encountered this when I entered my master's program. All students entering their second year were required to work in the administrative office. I was assigned to receive documents from future freshmen. The electronic system was unified, so I copied the birth dates of all my classmates so that I could later congratulate them on their birthday. The Koreans were very pleased and thanked me for my attention, but they always said that the birthday had either already passed or was still a few days away. Not once did I guess the correct date. At first I didn’t understand what was going on, but then they explained to me: the lunar calendar is to blame. In general, in the Land of Morning Freshness, compared to Russia, people celebrate their birthdays much more modestly, and some do not do this at all. However, if you congratulate a Korean, he will be extremely touched by your attention - that's for sure.

Often instead direct question Koreans can ask about age like this: “What year are you?” eastern horoscope? By this they mean the twelve-year “animal” cycle: the year of the Mouse, Ox, Tiger, etc. As a rule, according to appearance the interlocutor can be approximately told how many twelve-year “orbits” he has gone through, and clarification based on the animal talisman makes it possible to absolutely accurately determine the year of birth and, as a consequence, age. In addition, Koreans know - and believe - quite well about the correspondence of a person’s character to a particular sign, so that, having heard the answer, they will at the same time give you an assessment with psychological point vision. How true this is is another matter.

But the horoscope that we have adopted, broken down by month, has not received much widespread use in South Korea. It's interesting that Koreans Lately they began to ask the question about the year of birth according to the animal horoscope specifically to women. Korean women, like all other representatives of the fair sex, do not always want to reveal their true age, especially since local system calculations strive to “age” them by a year or two. Therefore, despite all the assurances that in Korea it is considered normal to ask about age, a local girl can easily upset you, reminding you that such a question is inappropriate in relation to a lady. That’s when the horoscope comes to the rescue: it doesn’t seem to say anything directly about age, but on the other hand, everything immediately becomes clear. The main thing is to know well the correspondence of zodiac signs to years. However, the girls know very well about this trick, so they may not answer here either.

Returning to the differences in age calculation systems, it should be noted that now, when filling out various documents, Koreans indicate as many years as they have already turned, without adding an extra year to themselves. To do this, the word “man” is written before the age - in this case, the data is indicated in the usual way. By the way, I noticed that for athletes, even when exclusively Korean competitions are held, their full age is currently indicated. This seems to be the influence of international regulations. A difference of a year or two can play a very big role when determining who is still qualified by age for youth and youth competitions, and who should only compete in adults.

4. The land of morning freshness, or Why Korea is not Korea

Do you know that the word “Korea” is exclusively foreign, and the Koreans themselves call their country differently? In principle, such cases are not so rare. The bizarre play of a variety of random factors often leads to the fact that the names are taken to be those words that have a very distant relation to a specific place. Want an example? China. The Chinese call their country “Zhongguo”, which is not very similar to the name we are used to. Japan was luckier. The inhabitants of the archipelago call their homeland “Nippon”, so the connection can be traced with the well-known Japan.

By and large, the same thing happened to Korea as to China. The division of the country also played a role here. Speaking in native language, a Korean now cannot say that he is simply from Korea. A resident of the Land of Morning Freshness will answer in such a way that it immediately becomes clear whether he is a southerner or a northerner, because each of the Koreas has its own proper name. South Korea, which has the officially accepted name in Russia, the Republic of Korea, is called “Hanguk” (literally translated – “country of Han”). By the way, this is where the slang word “Hanguk”, which means “South Koreans”, invented by Russians who have lived in the Republic of Kazakhstan for a long time, came from. The name of the Northern, or, as it is officially called, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is “Joseon”.

First, let’s figure out where these “Joseon” and “Hanguk” came from, and along the way it will become clear why foreigners call the Land of Morning Freshness “Korea”, “Korya”, “Korea”, etc.

As A. N. Lankov notes in his book “Being a Korean,” we first encounter the name of a state located on the Korean Peninsula in Chinese chronicles describing events around the 5th century BC. e. Two hieroglyphs were chosen for the name, which, as modern linguists were able to establish, sounded like “Tryausenkh”. These two hieroglyphs did not carry a semantic load, but were only more or less similar, with Chinese point point of view, on the name of the country, which was used by the proto-Koreans themselves. Over time, the pronunciation gradually changed, but the Chinese name remained attached to the Korean state. Nowadays the Chinese read these characters as “Chaoxian”, the Japanese as “Cho-sen”, and the Koreans as “Joseon”.

However, let's return to ancient history. The very state that the Chinese first gave any name to is now called “ancient Joseon.” It existed successfully until the 2nd century BC. e. and was absorbed by China. But the memory of him, and especially of those two hieroglyphs that now sound like “Joseon,” remained.

Over time, a powerful warlike principality arose on the territory of Manchuria and modern North Korea, whose name in a modern way sounds like “Koguryo”. In the southeast of modern South Korea was the Principality of Silla, and along the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula lived the Han tribes. Again, all of this modern names, and the relationship between the pronunciation of that time and the current one is approximately the same as between “Tryausenkh” and “Joseon”, but for convenience we will say it that way. Naturally, these tribes and principalities regularly fought among themselves and still managed to periodically arrange showdowns with the Chinese. Silla first took control of all of modern South Korea, including the lands of the Han tribes. Goguryeo, although it was the most powerful domain on the peninsula, ultimately could not withstand the allied onslaught of Silla and China and fell. For “friendly help,” Silla was forced to give China almost the entire territory of Goguryeo, but in the end it became the only Korean state on the peninsula.

Residents Ancient world were distinguished by their active character, so the wars continued: civil strife began in China, and its government forgot about the ex-Koguryo, while Silla slowly withered away. So in the 10th century AD. e. A new all-Korean state arose - Koryo. The founders of Koryo considered themselves the heirs of the glorious Goguryeo, and therefore took the same name for themselves - only after several centuries the hieroglyphs sounded somewhat differently. In short, they became Koryo.

Which country has the poetic name – “The Land of Morning Freshness”? Yes, that’s right, we are talking about South Korea. So why is this country called that? and why does it attract tourists so much?

“Land of morning freshness” - this figurative expression comes from the word “Joseon” - the name of the last Korean kingdom. “Cho” means “morning”, and “sleep” means “bright”.

South Korea is an exotic country in East Asia located on the Korean Peninsula. The country quickly escaped from poverty and turned into a powerful, economically developed state and stood on par with the most developed and high-tech countries in the world. Today it is a rich and influential country not only in Asia, but throughout the world.

Korea is mysterious eastern country, which combines the incompatible: exoticism and antiquity are naturally combined with the latest achievements of world civilization. Rich story left behind many attractions: here you can see ancient Buddhist temples and monasteries, luxurious royal palaces, architectural and sculptural monuments, numerous museums. And the picturesque and carefully protected nature gives the country a special charm.

Everything in the Land of Morning Freshness is good: a scattering of attractions, temples, monasteries - many of which are hundreds of years old, magnificent nature - carefully groomed in the open spaces national parks and well-organized gardens, excellent opportunities for treatment - in the healing hot waters of thermal springs and in world-famous clinics; wonderful beach and ski resorts.

Most of the country is located in the zone temperate climate, where the seasons are clearly felt. In spring, the trees are covered with bright foliage. Largest quantity Sunny days occur between March and May. Autumn is very short, October-November, but this is the best beautiful time of the year. Summers are hot and very humid, temperatures can reach up to +35 °C. The monsoon season usually begins in late June and continues until mid to late July. August is hot and humid. Winters are cold (up to −10 °C) and dry, with periodic precipitation in the form of snow or rain. Best time to visit the country - the period from late April to October. The ski season in Korea opens at the end of November and lasts until April.

There are a lot of interesting sights in South Korea. The pride of Seoul is the four royal palaces of the Joseon Dynasty and Royal Palace Gyeongbokgung during the reign of the corresponding dynasty. On the left bank of the Han River there are luxurious skyscrapers, observation decks, from which you can see the entire city from a bird's eye view.

Incheon is a center of pottery production. The main attractions are: the village of potters, thermal springs, Museum of Ceramics; Chayu Park, Munhaksanseong Fortress, a Confucian school created in the Joseon era, Songdo-wonji Park with two artificial lakes and nice beach on one of them.

Ganghwa Island lies in the Yellow Sea northwest of the center of Incheon. Here you should definitely visit the altar of Tangun - the legendary founder of the nation, fortress walls and forts of the 15-19th centuries, and the Chondynsa Monastery.
Suwon is famous for the ancient Hwaseong Fortress. Everland Amusement Park, a huge water park with artificial waves and Caribbean Bay water slides, folk village, Temple of Sillux in Yeoju, Tomb of Sejong the Great in the vicinity of Yeoju.

Woljeongsa Temple is the 4th church ward of Korea's Buddhist religious order located in Gangwon-do Odaesan Province. Experience the quiet temples and walk through the forest will provide an opportunity to have a pleasant time, gain a large number of impressions and at the same time learn a lot about the culture and history of Korea and Buddhism.

Korea has a huge number of restaurants offering guests traditional Korean, Chinese and Japanese cuisine. Here you can also find restaurants serving European and Russian cuisine, for every taste and budget. In Korea, they eat a lot of rice, pickled vegetables “kimchi” and soups; fish and seafood dishes are also popular. Fruits are usually served for dessert, and instead of tea they drink a variety of decoctions and tinctures. Among the drinks with a high degree of alcohol, the most popular are rice wine “makkori”, as well as rice liquor “Soju”. Korean restaurants are the most universal and democratic: both in terms of prices and in terms of the audience. Korean cuisine has a lot of spicy dishes. If you are not a big fan of spicy food and want to avoid it, then visually spicy dishes can be “identified” quite simply: if there is a red color, then most likely the dish is spicy. Korean cuisine is quite diverse, so you can also find non-spicy dishes. Almost always something for everyone Korean cuisine is served with white rice and a large number of small snacks. Koreans also consume meat widely, they are very fond of a wide variety of seafood, they also eat noodle dishes, and soups (meat, fish) are common.

IN last years In South Korea, the direction of medical tourism has begun to actively develop, and Russians are considered one of the main clients, if not the most important. People come to Korea from the countries of Southeast Asia, China, the USA, Japan, and Russia. The reasons are different for everyone: general medical examination, treatment of serious diseases, plastic surgery And so on.

Every major clinic in South Korea has “international centers” aimed at receiving foreigners. There are translators there, including those who speak Russian. Korea offers a very competitive combination of “price-quality-speed of service”, and therefore the influx of foreign “medical tourists” is growing from year to year. At the same time, let us repeat once again: Russians are one of the main clients that many clinics target.

Another reason to visit Korea is K-pop. Nowadays, Korean groups such as BTS, EXO, Got7, Seventeen, SHinee, Monsta X, girls Generation, NCT, Big Bang, Red Velvet, Twice, BlackPink and many others are very popular. K-pop is not only music, it has grown into a subculture popular among young people around the world, driven by interest in modern South Korean fashion and styles. Thanks to the Internet and the availability of digital content, K-pop is reaching a wide audience previously unimaginable. South Korean pop culture is one of the driving forces of youth culture in the Asia-Pacific region today, with a particular emphasis on China, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan and much of Southeast Asia. So, if you want to visit the country of your idols, and even perhaps go to their concerts and just breathe the same air with your favorite. This trip will make your dreams come true.

Korean twist:
Towards the end of our story about the main attractions of South Korea, a few words about what can be called the “Korean highlight”. That is, something that can only be seen in Korea or for which Korea is especially famous.

Immediately noteworthy is the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a heavily guarded border separating South and North Korea. Tours there are streamed and are interesting in the sense that this cannot be seen anywhere else, only in Korea. Therefore, in this regard, trips to the DMZ with a visit to the border itself, the village of Panmunjom, the North Korean “invasion tunnels” and other things are attractive. There you can really feel the “unusuality” and some tension that exists in relations between the South and North of Korea.

Other highlights include tours of leaf fall (October-early November) or flower blooming (March-April). IN different places Korea really has very picturesque places that are very surprising with their beauty in these times. In terms of autumn foliage, for example, Najangsan National Mountain Park in southwest Korea is famous.

South Korea can also be called the “land of festivals”. Here, festivals dedicated to certain events or themes are almost always held in one place or another. According to some estimates, more than 700 festivals are held in the country every year. Among them there are some very interesting ones: Buddhist lanterns, healing mud, snow, space, dinosaur EXPO, winter fishing, leaf fall, blooming azaleas and many others.

In recent years, temple stay tours have become very popular among foreigners (and Koreans too) - that is, staying for a short time in Buddhist monasteries. For a couple of days you are given the opportunity to plunge into the atmosphere of a Buddhist monastery: they dress you in monastic clothes, go to prayers together, get up at 4 in the morning, do meditation, teach you the ceremony of making green tea, and so on.

Korea is a great place for shopping. Everywhere is full of huge shopping centers and markets with a large and affordable selection of various goods. But most often purchases are made in certain shopping areas. Exactly there the best choice and all the conditions for a full shopping experience from morning to evening. Large department stores are open daily from 10:00 to 20:00, small shops from 9:00 to 22:00, large supermarkets, shopping centers and markets - often 24 hours a day, every day.

Most often, shopaholics go shopping in the Myeong-dong district of Seoul. This is a huge market (open until 22:00) + shopping centers + bars and cafes. There you can buy almost everything at any price and request. From food to clothes and cosmetics, both very expensive and at bargain prices. There are a lot of foreigners there who often go to Seoul just for shopping in Myeongdong. You can spend the whole day shopping and bargaining there. Not far from Myeongdong is N Seoul Tower and Namsan Park.

For good clothes (mostly Western brands), it also makes sense to go to Itaewon. It probably has the highest concentration of English-speaking vendors in Seoul, so shopping will be no problem.
The next most popular shopping area in Seoul is Dongdaemun Market, which smoothly turns into Namdaemun. The largest markets in Seoul. The word “market” should not confuse you - on Tandemun they sell not only from tents by weight (you won’t immediately find such places there), but also in large stores and shopping centers. There are a lot of them there, and the prices are considered the lowest among all the shopping areas of Seoul. Namdaemun (Hoehyeon subway station, exit 5) is a little simpler - there are more small shops than shopping centers. The atmosphere at Namdaemun is more authentic and simple. It’s a bit like Insadong, but there’s only one shopping street, while Namdaemun is a whole district! Namdaemun Market is open from 11:00 to 15:00. But shopping centers on Tandemun are open all night. Some shops even open only in the evening.

For lovers picturesque landscapes and natural landscapes are interesting to visit South Korea. In spring you can enjoy trips to the fields in agricultural areas. At this time, lavender, sakura and other flower crops bloom here. Delicate tones and halftones are pleasing to the eye. In autumn there are many tourists from different countries visit Nejangsan Park to admire the leaf fall.

Korea, with its rich cultural and historical heritage and picturesque nature, mountains, beaches and rivers, is one of the most interesting in terms of tourism countries of Southeast Asia. South Korea is very ancient and incredible beautiful country, which every traveler simply must visit, as it will not leave anyone indifferent and will give you an unforgettable vacation!

Noun, number of synonyms: 1 Korea (4) ASIS Dictionary of Synonyms. V.N. Trishin. 2013… Synonym dictionary

Land of morning freshness- Country and morning light (about Korea) ... Russian spelling dictionary

Korea Toponymic dictionary

Korea- land of morning freshness, Joseon, North Korea, North Korea Dictionary of Russian synonyms. Korea Country of morning freshness Dictionary of synonyms of the Russian language. Practical guide. M.: Russian language. Z. E. Alexandrova. 2011… Synonym dictionary

KOREA- country in the East. Asia. National name the country of Joseon goes back to the ancient ethnonym and the name Roc Wa is mentioned in sources already in the 5th–3rd centuries. BC e. Modern The hieroglyphic spelling of this name reads as Land of Morning Freshness.… … Geographical encyclopedia

Joseon- (literally morning beauty, more often the country of morning freshness), one of the names of Korea. Included in the name of the DPRK (Joseon minjujuy inmin konhwaguk). * * * JOSEON JOSEON (lit. morning beauty, often the land of morning freshness), one of the names of Korea.… … encyclopedic Dictionary

KOREA - ancient country East Asia, occupying the peninsula of the same name, which stretches north from the border with Russian Federation and Chinese People's Republic almost to southern islands Japan. After the end of World War II, the country... ... Collier's Encyclopedia

KOREA- (Korean Joseon lit. country of morning freshness), a country in the East. Asia, on the Korean Peninsula (including islands). 220.8 thousand km². Population approx. 67 million people (1993), 99% Koreans. Official language Korean. Believers Buddhists, Confucians, Christians... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

Korea- (Kor. Joseon, literally the land of morning freshness), a country in East Asia, on the Korean Peninsula (including islands). 220.8 thousand km2. Population over 69 million people (1996), 99% Koreans. The official language is Korean. Buddhist believers... encyclopedic Dictionary

DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA- (North Korea, Choson Minjujuui In min Konghwaguk), a country in East Asia, in the northern part of the Korean Peninsula. It borders with China and in a small area with Russia. Along the 38th parallel lies the border with another Korean state, the Republic of... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

Books

• Watching the Koreans. Land of morning freshness, Oleg Kiryanov. This book will be produced in accordance with your order using Print-on-Demand technology. Life in modern Korea is a life in the style of "ppali-ppali", which means quickly, quickly. Koreans...