Korea is gaining popularity in the travel services market. People from all over the world travel to the eastern country to enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery. Korea is 70% covered in mountains. Every year, thousands of climbers visit the resort. And they come here for shopping. It is really impossible to leave Korea without buying something for free. In major cities of the country there are many duty-free shops where you can buy a memorable souvenir. Consider what to bring from South Korea to ourselves, friends and loved ones.
Features
Tourists are interested in South Korea. It is not easy to get into the North as a foreigner. But you should not strive there, because the most interesting travelers will be able to see in the southern country: picturesque ski resorts, exotic beaches, tangerine groves, arenas for bull fights.
South Korea is a picturesque and diverse country. Its capital is Seoul. This is a huge metropolis located on the banks of the river Hangan. This is where tourists come for shopping.
The country is located in the temperate zone. The best time to relax is the months from April to October. The ski season starts in November.
For Russian citizens, Korea is a visa-free country. Russians can travel to the colorful cities of the eastern country for 60 days, after which a visa will be required.
The country has a Tax-free system. When making purchases in the amount of more than 30,000 South Korean Won (KRW), 10% VAT is returned.
Korea is a safe tourist country. Almost all city streets are well lit; CCTV cameras are installed in different areas. City streets are constantly patrolled by police cars.
Shopping
Before answering the question of what to bring from South Korea, we learn the features of shopping in this country:
- Large stores in the country are open from 10:30 to 19:30 seven days a week. Small shops open their doors to customers in the early morning and close them in the late evening.
- The largest Seoul markets are Tndemun and Namdaemun. At night, there is wholesale trade.
- In the country there is a market of medicinal plants and herbs - Kendon. It works from 09:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Koreans can provide no more than 5% discount on goods sold.
- In the Namdaemun and Kendon markets, you can only pay with the country's national currency.
- In large supermarkets, goods are sold at lower prices. An undamaged item can be returned there without problems, subject to the availability of a check. At small retail outlets, purchased goods are returned in exchange for a new one.
- Shoes in Korea are measured in millimeters, and clothing in centimeters.
- In almost all Korean stores, you can pay with VISA and Mastercard. Cash is accepted at the market.
Souvenirs
What to bring from South Korea as a gift? First of all, it is worth paying attention to national souvenirs:
- Porcelain modern products. Beautiful and high-quality porcelain dishes are sold in stores and markets. It can be purchased at affordable prices. The only thing you should not buy in Korea is porcelain antiques. It cannot be taken out of the country.
- Wooden masks depicting folk characters. They are saturated with the spirit of identity and look very original. They can be safely presented as a presentation to business partners and colleagues.
- Lava figurines that are made on the volcanic island of Jeju.
- Fans and dolls in traditional costumes.
- Figurines made of wood and shells.
- Lacquered products decorated with mother of pearl (snuff boxes, caskets).
- Celadon products that look very beautiful and elegant. And all thanks to a special coating - green glaze. But there is one drawback - they are quite fragile, so they require careful transportation.
- Korean paintings, calligraphy panels are in great demand among tourists. They can be made to order or purchased ready-made.
Korea is the only country on earth in which valuables are taken from the bottom of the sea by women. Korean women boldly descend to the seabed without scuba gear in search of beautiful shells. Therefore, when answering the question of what to bring from South Korea, many recommend paying attention to products decorated with sea shells. Such a souvenir will be especially valuable if, at its delivery, you tell the story of the extraction of shells from the bottom of the sea.
National treats
What can be brought from South Korea edible? Fans of different national dishes should try kimchi. These are fermented vegetables that must be stored for a long time. They contain certain bacteria that contribute to the easy digestion of food. Residents of the country use kimchi with any dishes.
Hanhwako - traditional Korean sweets will be a great gift. Fans of hot seasonings can buy muzhany. This is a paste made from red pepper.
Leaving Korea, you should definitely bring along traditional tea and liquor. The most delicious tea drink in the country is Chaksolchha. It is made from young tea leaves.
Alcoholic Korean drinks are divided into 5 types:
- Yakchu - is a purified liquor.
- Thakchu is an unrefined liquor.
- Soju - distilled liquor.
- Fruit wines.
- Therapeutic wine drinks.
Korean treats are best bought at duty free stores.
Kim kale is very popular in Korea. It can be found on store shelves in kind or fried in sesame oil.
Those who want to surprise their friend with an exotic dish should buy Korean canned food with silkworm larvae.
Clothes and shoes
What to bring from South Korea for sale? Silk products are in great demand in the country. Koreans make silk, dresses, scarves, underwear, scarves. It is recommended not to save on such things. The high cost of the product corresponds to its quality. It serves for a long time, and will look like new, even after a long time. Visitors buy a silk product for themselves, as a gift to friends and for resale.
Korea is a country specializing in the manufacture of leather and fur products. The range of goods here is very wide. From March to September, many stores set discounts on fur and leather products. Therefore, they are purchased not only for themselves, but also for the purpose of subsequent resale.
Cosmetics and Jewelry
What to bring from South Korea to a woman? Korean cosmetics will be a great option. Local cosmetics stand out for their quality and reasonable price. Every year they gain the trust of Korean women and tourists. The main component of almost all Korean cosmetics is ginseng root. It is known for its healing properties.
For beautiful ladies, sellers offer face masks based on collagen, pilling rollers, BB creams, patches. Despite the low cost, all cosmetic products are of high quality.
As for jewelry, pearl jewelry is considered traditional here. They decorate earrings, rings, necklaces. To avoid fakes, it is better to buy jewelry in specialized stores.
Ginseng
This root requires special attention. The fact is that Korean ginseng is considered the best on Earth. It has unique properties: it helps to strengthen the immune system, tones the body, restores vitality. Ginseng root has long been used by Koreans to treat various ailments. Thanks to him, Korean cosmetics is so popular. What to bring from South Korea, except for cosmetics based on ginseng? The plant is added to teas, medicinal preparations, herbal tinctures. They can easily be found in the market and in stores. Korea also sells fresh and dried ginseng roots.
Electrical goods
There is also an electronics market in the country. What to bring from South Korea from electronic and digital technology?
First, it should be noted that the Korean electronics market is located near the Yongsan station. Buying electric appliances here is more profitable than in city stores. The product range is diverse: from flash drives to computers. Korean electrical products have long established themselves in the international market. They are widely sold in online stores. As for quality, it will depend on the manufacturer.
It is not recommended to purchase cell phones in Korea. They have good quality, but Korean and Russian cellular standards are different. Therefore, in Russia there may be problems with the settings and the subsequent use of the Korean phone.
What to buy to the child?
Now let's find out what to bring to South Korea for children. To begin with, you should buy national sweets. In Korea, there are enough of them. These are mostly healthy candied fruits, neatly packed in boxes. Despite the apparent simplicity of preparation, they have a complex formulation.
In Korea, you can buy baby electronic products for children at affordable prices. There are also classic toys. So, for a girl you can pick up a beautiful Korean doll, and for a boy - an original toy car.
Gift for a man
The choice here is diverse. Thinking about what to bring from South Korea to a man, first of all, you need to pay attention to high-quality Korean purses, belts, and briefcases. The country specializes in the manufacture of leather products, so the purchased items will be of high quality and will last a long time.
Many in Korea and sporting goods. Here you can buy tennis rackets, football and baseball accessories, high-quality sportswear and shoes.
A colorful and memorable gift will be the hanbok national costume. The male version consists of wide pants (padzhi), a shirt, a top jacket (pho). They make it from bright single-color fabrics. Such a suit looks very impressive and original, but this is a festive option for clothes - it is not intended for everyday wear.