Frequently Asked Questions - Korea Tourism Organization Singapore Office - A guidebook of the frequently asked questions we have here in Korea ...
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AUGUST 2021
Frequently Asked
Questions
Korea Tourism Organization Singapore Office
A guidebook of the frequently asked questions we have
here in Korea Tourism Organization. A guidebook where
almost all your queries will be answered.Index
Ⅰ. General Enquiries --------------------------- 3-7
Ⅱ. Transportation --------------------------- 8 - 15
◉ Airport
◉ Transport
◉ Transport Card
Ⅲ. Cities --------------------------- 16 - 27
◉ Seoul
◉ DMZ
◉ Busan
◉ Jeju
◉ Gangwon
Ⅳ. Seasons --------------------------- 28 - 31
Ⅴ. Korea Plaza ---------------------------- 32 - 34
2Ⅰ. General Enquiries
1. Do Singaporeans need a visa when visiting Korea?
Answer: Under the Visa Exemption Agreement between both countries,
Singapore Nationals travelling to Korea for a period of 90 days do not require
a visa. For more information, please check from the Embassy of Korea’s
website below.
www.overseas.mofa.go.kr/sg-en/index.do
2. Where is the embassy of Singapore in Korea?
Answer: The embassy of Singapore is located in Seoul on the 28th Floor of
Seoul Finance Center. To find out more, please check out their website below.
https://www.mfa.gov.sg/seoul/
3. Are there directories or road signs in English or Chinese?
Answer: All directories and road signs in Korea will be available in English.
There are some directories that have Chinese as well, especially in the tourist
attractions area.
34. Is Google Maps accurate in Korea?
Answer: Google Maps is not advised as it does not provide accurate
information of Korea. We would recommend you to download either Naver
Map or Kakao Map. They are both available in English. Simply key in your
current location and your ending destination, it will provide you with the
different transportations available.
5. What are the useful apps to download when in Korea?
Answer: There are 4 different apps which you can download before you head
to Korea. They are all available in English; in Play Store or the Apple Store.
Korea Subway - Simply key in your “Departing” and “Arrival” and it will
tell you how to get there.
Papago – Translation app where you can type, write, speak, or capture
a photo to translate.
Naver Map – Works the same way as Google Map, however, it is more
accurate.
Korea Travel Books – An ebook app where it recommends the different
attractions in cities or provinces of your interest.
6. Which SIM card or wifi router company do you recommend?
Answer: There are 3 biggest telecommunication companies in Korea. You may
check out the different prices and types of SIM card from the website below.
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/TRV/TV_ENG_1_4.jsp
47. Can I buy the SIM card straight at their counter when I am in Incheon
International Airport?
Answer: Yes, you may. However, booking in advance ensure you to definitely
get your SIM card. While buying straight from the counter, they may have
limited stocks for the day, and may run out when you want to purchase.
8. Will my phone be compatible with Korea SIM card?
Answer: Most phones are compatible with Korea SIM Card. However, we
strongly recommend you to check from the different telecommunications’
website before making purchase.
9. Can most Koreans there speak English?
Answer: If you are in Seoul, most of the younger adults or teenagers will be
able to converse in English. English will also be available on the directories so
you do not have to worry about not understanding the directories in Korea.
10. Where can I get help in Korea when there is an emergency?
Answer: We have a 24-hour Travel Hotline where you can ask for
help. Alternatively, you may check under our website below on emergencies
hotline in Korea.
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/TRV/TV_ENG_1_5.jsp
511. What are the attractions we can go during major holidays (eg. Chuseok;
Seollal)?
Answer: Chuseok and Seollal are major holidays in Korea. Many attractions or
shops may be closed during that period. However, some of the attractions
that will still be open include royal palaces; museums; restaurants; department
stores; and amusement parks. However, we strongly recommend travelers to
check the opening hours in order to plan well.
12. What are the current festivals in Korea?
Answer: On our website there is a travel calendar
where you can check out the list of festivals happening all year round, in
every part of Korea. Do check it out before you head to Korea so you don’t
miss any important festivals!
13. Where can we pick strawberries in season?
Answer: From December – June, it is the season of strawberries. There are
many strawberries farms located in the Gyeonggi-do province which is
approximately an hour away from Seoul. You may check out “Young Farmers’
Strawberry Farm”; or “Yangsu-ri Strawberry Farm”. However, do take note that
we are unable to promise you the quality of the session and the fruits at the
farm.
614. Where can we pick tangerines in season?
Answer: From October – February, it is the season of Hallabong, which is a
kind of tangerine which can only be found in Jeju Island! You may check out
“Kyul Hyanggi”; “VIP Hallabong Farm”; and many more around the island.
However, do take note that we are unable to promise you the quality of the
session and the fruits at the farm. Thank you for your understanding.
15. What can I see in Gyeongju?
Answer: Gyeongju is recognized as a UNESCO Heritage Site in Korea. If you
are into the Shilla Dynasty which dates back to the 57BC – 935CE, we would
definitely recommend you to visit Gyeongju, the main capital of the Shilla
Dynasty, with a history of 992 years.
16. What can I see in Daegu?
Answer: Daegu is a big city that offers the comfort of a rustic lifestyle. There
are major attractions which include parks equipped with diverse recreational
facilities; and a traditional herbal medicine market which has been in
operation since the Joseon Dynasty!
7Ⅱ. Transportation
On Airport Enquiries
1. How much is the checked-in baggage for domestic flights?
Answer: Depending on the different airline and flights travelers are taking, most
domestic flights only allow 15KG checked-in baggage. We would strongly advise
all travelers to check from the airline’s official website for more information
before booking your flight tickets.
2. What is the check-in time for domestic flight?
Answer: For domestic flights, you will be required to check in 40mins prior to
departure time; and boarding will close 20mins prior to departure.
3. How many airlines are there going to Jeju Island from Seoul or Busan?
Answer: There are many domestic flights that go to Jeju Island. To list a few,
Asiana; Korean Air, Jeju Air, Air Busan, and many more!
8On Transport Enquiries
1. What are the different modes of transport from Incheon International
Airport to Seoul?
Answer: There are 3 different modes of transport that goes to Seoul from
Incheon International Airport.
Taxi – Depending on your designated location in Seoul, a normal taxi
will take approximately an hour, costing estimated 65,000KRW.
AREX – Provides 2 different types of train into Seoul. Express Train
which goes directly to Seoul Station, which take approximately 45mins,
costing estimated 9,000KRW. All Stop Train will take approximately 1
hour, costing estimated 3,750KRW. Check out:
https://www.arex.or.kr/main.do for more information.
Airport Limousine Bus – Offering 19 different bus services that take you
to almost any area in Seoul, you may purchase a ticket from the bus
driver by paying cash, or head to the bus ticket counter near the bus
stop. Check out: http://www.airportlimousine.co.kr/eng for more
information.
2. How do I get to Gimpo Domestic Airport from Incheon International
Airport?
Answer: You will have to either take a taxi; bus; subway. It will take
approximately 30mins by subway or by car; while 45mins by the airport bus.
93. How long does it take to go from Seoul to Busan by KTX?
Answer: It takes approximately 2h 30mins to get from Seoul to Busan by KTX.
It is also the fastest land transport to get to Busan.
4. Where can I check the train schedules?
Answer: You may check and make bookings for the train schedules up to one
(1) month in advance from KORAIL official website.
www.letskorail.com
5. What is Korail Pass?
Answer: Korail Pass is a rail pass for foreigners with unlimited rides for the
certain period of time. Once you purchase the Korail Pass, You will be able to
select the specific dates and seats you want. You should buy the pass 31 days
prior to your travel date. Korail Pass does not cover AREX (Airport Rail Road),
Subway (Metro), and SRT (Super Rapid Train).
6. Is it necessary to purchase my train tickets here in Singapore before I go?
Answer: If you are buying train ticket to metropolitan cities or travelling on a
weekday, you may choose to purchase your tickets at the train station. Trains
to metropolitan cities are very frequent, unless you have a tight schedule,
buying on the day, would be alright as well.
However, do take note that purchasing your tickets in advance enables you to
secure a train and seat that you best prefer.
107. Can I use T-money card for KTX?
Answer: No, T-money card can only be used for public transportations such as
subways, buses, and selected taxis WITHIN the city. KTX is the high speed rail,
which would require a separate ticket that can only be purchased from
KORAIL’s website
8. Are taxis expensive in Korea?
Answer: Taxi fares in Korea are relatively similar to Singapore. Do take note
that limousine taxis will be more expensive.
9. What are the car rental companies in Korea?
Answer: For more information on car rental companies in Korea, you may
check out the link below.
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/TRP/TP_ENG_8_3.jsp
10. Are there any subways in other cities except for Seoul and Busan?
Answer: In metropolitan cities such as Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, and
Daejeon, they have their own subway systems. Other cities such as Gyeongju
or Gangneung, only buses and taxis are available.
11. Where can I check the bus schedules?
Answer: There are two (2) different websites where you may check the bus
schedules. Please refer to their website below.
www.kobus.co.kr/main.do
www.intercitybuse.tmoney.co.kr
1112. I can’t seem to buy the express bus tickets to other cities on their website?
Answer: As the website, requires one to have a Korean card, we regret to
inform you that one is not able to purchase the bus tickets on the website.
However, you may still purchase the tickets on site. If you are heading to
metropolitan cities, there are frequent buses going to and fro so you do not
have to worry.
On Transportation Cards Enquiries
1. What is the T-money card and its function?
Answer: T-money card functions like our EZ-Link card. It is the transportation
card which can be used on public buses and subway in several metropolitan
cities. Unlike Singapore, the minimum top-up for T-money card is 1,000KRW,
and you may ask for the remaining value from the subway stations.
www.tmoney.co.kr
2. How much do I have to top-up into my T-money card for a 1-week trip to
Korea?
Answer: The fare of the subways and the buses in Korea is relatively similar to
Singapore. If you are planning to take a lot of public transport, you may start
by topping up 10,000KRW, if there is insufficient balance, there are reloading
machines at all the subway stations with a minimum top-up of 1,000KRW.
123. How much is the T-money card?
Answer: T-money card alone with no value, cost from 2,500KRW with a non-
refundable deposit of 500W. You can reload the card with money at the
subway stations or the convenience stores.
4. Is the T-money or Cashbee card better?
Answer: Both works similar as a transportation card in Korea. However, we
would recommend the use of T-money card as it is more widely used in
Korea compared to Cashbee.
T-money: www.tmoney.co.kr
Cashbee: www.cashbee.co.kr
5. Where can we purchase the T-money card?
Answer: T-money cards can be easily found at the airports; or at any
convenience stores or subway stations in Seoul, and other major cities in
Korea.
6. Can we buy the T-money card in Singapore?
Answer: No, the T-money card can only be purchased in Korea. T-money is
widely available in Korea, therefore one do not have to worry about not being
able to get them.
137. Can the remaining balance inside the T-money card be refunded?
Answer: At the end of the trip, you can get the remaining balance inside the
T-money card refunded back at the subway stations. The balance will be
refunded back with a non-refundable deposit of 500W.
8. What if I don’t return the T-money card?
Answer: If you do not return the card, it can still use it for the next trip, as the
T-money does not have any expiration date. However, you will not be able to
get back the remaining balance in the T-money card.
9. Is there a child’s T-money card?
Answer: For children and youth, you can enjoy the discount fare if you
register the T-money card along with your passport at the convenience store.
Children: 6 – 12 years old
Youth: 13 – 18 years old
10. Do senior citizens get discounts for T-money card?
Answer: There are no senior citizens discounts for foreigners. Senior citizens
will have to pay the normal adult fare.
11. Where can I find more information about T-money or the Korea Tour
Card?
Answer: You may check out their official website below for more information.
14www.t-money.co.kr
12. What is the Discover Seoul Pass?
Answer: Discover Seoul Pass is a pass where you can enjoy free attractions at
certain attractions in Seoul during a period of 24, 48, or 72 hours. Even after
the pass has expired, one can still use them to receive additional discounts for
performances; duty-free shops; and many more! Find out more from their
website below.
www.discoverseoulpass.com
13. How is the Discover Seoul Pass different from T-money card?
Answer: T-money only has the function of a transportation card while the
Discover Seoul Pass entitles one to free admission to certain attractions and
discount benefits.
15Ⅲ. Cities
Enquiries on Seoul
1. How long do you recommend for Seoul?
Answer: It is hard to recommend how many days are needed for Seoul due
travelers’ personal preferences. However, based on other visitors’ comments;
to do sightseeing and shopping leisurely, around 4-5 days will be
recommended for Seoul.
2. Where is a more centralized area to stay in Seoul?
Answer: To stay in the heart of Seoul, most visitors would prefer to choose
accommodations in the area of Myeongdong; Dongdaemun; and Seoul
Station. However, based on one’s personal preference and travel destination
in Seoul, there are also many visitors prefer accommodations in the area of
Gangnam; Itaewon; and Hongik as well.
3. What are the attractions in Seoul you would recommend?
Answer: As different people have different travel preferences, we are unable
to provide you any list of attractions. However, majority of the visitors who
visit Seoul, will tend to visit the royal palaces; Insadong; Myeongdong;
Dongdaemun; and etc. If you take a look at our brochures or our website, you
will be able to find different attractions suited to your needs.
164. Which palace do you recommend me to go?
Answer: There are a total of 5 grand palaces in Seoul, and each palace has
their own unique structure and story. The most visited royal palace will be the
Gyeongbokgung Palace, which is also the biggest royal palace amongst the 5
royal palaces.
5. What are the traditional markets in Seoul do you recommend?
Answer: There are many traditional markets in Seoul, and each market will
have its own specialty. When in Seoul, we would recommend you to at least
one of these markets below.
Gwangjang Market
Tongin Market
Noryangjin Market
Namdaemun Market
6. Where can I get Halal food in Seoul?
Answer: There are many places where you can find halal food in Seoul.
Especially in Itaewon, there are many halal restaurants which serve really good
food as well! Alternatively, you may try Myeongdong or Hongdae; they do
have their fair share of halal restaurants as well.
177. What time do the shops in Myeongdong usually close?
Answer: They usually close at around 10PM – 11PM KST. Different shops have
a different closing time, therefore we would advise you to check out their
opening hours from their website.
8. Where in Seoul can I enjoy the nightlife?
Answer: For nightlife, you may head to Hongik University Station (Hongdae);
or Itaewon where the night is still young for everyone to have fun!
9. Are there any tourist information centers in Seoul?
Answer: Yes, there are many tourist information centers in Seoul if you require
any assistance. They are mostly located at the tourist attractions area like
Myeongdong; Dongdaemun; Itaewon; Hongdae; Seoul Station; and many
more. We also have a Korean Experience & Information Center, also known as
the K Style Hub in Seoul.
10. Where can I get some KPOP goods in Seoul?
Answer: In Myeongdong or Dongdaemun area, there are tons of shops that
sell KPOP goods. However, if you are looking for official goods, you may try
Kyobo Bookstore or simply heading down to the official shop will be much
better.
1811. Which cities are good for 1-day tour when in Seoul?
Answer: Cities located nearby which are perfect for a 1-day tour will be
Incheon; Suwon; Chuncheon; Gangneung; and many more. All these cities are
very accessible either by the subway, trains, or the express buses. However, do
take note that based on one’s personal preferences and the number of
destinations they are heading to, some may take less or more than a day to
tour around the same city. Therefore, we would recommend you to find out
more about the different cities have to offer!
12. Which mountain is good for hiking?
Answer: The nearest mountain located in Seoul will be the Bukhansan
Mountain. Other than Bukhansan Mountain, there is also Gwanaksan
Mountain located in the southern Seoul, or Inwangsan Mountain and many
more. If you do not mind a day trip slightly away from Seoul, then we would
recommend the Seoraksan Mountain which is approximately 3h 30mins away
from Seoul, located in Sokcho, Gangwon-do province.
13. Can I cover Nami Island, Petite France, Rail Bike, & Garden of Morning
Calm in one day?
Answer: We would not recommend you to cover all 4 attractions in one day
as it is quite hard or close to impossible. Relatively, visitors take approximately
2hrs for each park; therefore choosing 3 parks will allow you to have more
free time to explore the different attractions leisurely.
1914. Are there any tour buses that can take me to all these attractions?
Answer: Yes, Gapyeong provides a tour bus where it will bring you to all the
nearby attractions such as, Gapyeong Rail Bike Park; Nami Island; Petite
France; and many more! For more information, check out their website below!
http://www.gp.go.kr/eng/contents.do?key=916
15. How to go to Nami Island from Seoul?
Answer: You may take the ITX either from Yongsan Station or Cheongnyangni
Station in Seoul, and head down to Gapyeong Station. It will take slightly less
than an hour, estimating cost to be around 6,500KRW. From Gapyeong
Station, you may choose to take the Gapyeong City Bus or the public bus to
get to the ferry terminal. It will take approximately 30mins to reach the ferry
terminal where you purchase the ferry tickets to Nami Island.
16. What can I see in Nami Island?
Answer: Nami Island is famous because of the drama “Winter Sonata”. Nami
Island is like a big park where there will be trees lined up in a straight line.
Definitely an Instagram worthy place!
2017. Where is a nice place for kids to have fun in Seoul?
Answer: There are plenty of places/attractions where kids can have fun! Lotte
World, which is an amusement park, is enough for kids to spend a whole day
there. Alternatively, if your kids prefer something sportier, we would
recommend “Sports Monster” located in Hannam, where they will be able to
experience all kinds of sports and activities indoors!
18. Recommend me some hotels in Korea.
Answer: As we are a neutral organization, we are unable to recommend
specific accommodations. However, if you head down to our website,
www.english.visitkorea.or.kr , under “Accommodations” & “Search”, you may
click into the different regions where you are interested in on the map, and a
list of accommodations will appear. Click onto your most preferred
accommodations to find more information about its location!
Enquiries on DMZ tours
17. I am interested in the DMZ tours; do you have any tours for that?
Answer: We regret to inform you that we do not provide any kind of tours
here in our office. However, below are the Korea travel agencies where they
provide DMZ tours.
www.eg-shuttle.com
www.cosmojin.com/en
www.hanatouritc.com
www.koreadmztour.com
2118. What is the difference between the DMZ and the JSA tours?
Answer: DMZ stands for Demilitarized Zone while JSA stands for Joint Security
Area, which is also known as the Panmunjom. JSA sits at the western side of
the DMZ, which is also the place where both North and South Korea sign the
truce. To visit any of these two, it is strictly by tours only. JSA tours are
relatively stricter compared to the DMZ tours. For example, kids below 11
years old are not allowed to join the tour. Therefore, we would strongly
recommend one to research more about the tours before booking.
Enquiries on Busan
1. How many days would you recommend for Busan?
Answer: It is hard to recommend how many days are needed for Busan due
one’s personal preferences. However, based on other visitors’ comments, to
do sightseeing and shopping leisurely, we would recommend around 2-4 days
in Busan. Do take note that most of Busan’s main attractions are spread
across the city, therefore, do plan your trip well so you don’t miss any!
2. Where is a more centralized area to stay in Busan?
Answer: To stay in the heart of Busan, most visitors will choose
accommodations located near Busan Station; Seomyeon Station; or Nampo
Station. However, based on one’s personal preferences and travel destinations,
there are many visitors who prefer accommodations in the area of Haeundae;
or Gwangalli, which are the famous beaches in Busan.
223. What are the traditional markets you would recommend in Busan?
Answer: There are many traditional markets in Busan, and each market will
have its own specialty. When in Busan, we would recommend you to at least
one of these markets below.
Jagalchi Market
Gukje Market
Bupyeong Kkangtong Market
4. What are the must-eat when in Busan?
Answer: There are many foods to enjoy in Busan! First and foremost, as Busan
is located next to the sea, they have the freshest seafood! Fishcake (eomuk);
Pork Rice Soup (dwaeji gukbap); Busan style milmyeon (flour noodles), and
many more!
5. Which nearby cities are good for 1-day tour when in Busan?
Answer: Cities located nearby which are perfect for a 1-day tour will be
Gyeongju, Ulsan, Daegu, and Daejeon. All these cities are very accessible
either by the subway; train; or the express buses. However, do take note that
based on one’s personal preferences and the number of destinations they are
heading to, some may take less or more than a day to tour around the same
city. Therefore, we would recommend you to find out more about what the
different cities have to offer!
236. How to get from Gimhae Airport to downtown Busan?
Answer: There are 3 different modes of transport to get into downtown
Busan.
Taxi – Based on travelers’ designated location, it will take approximately
35mins from Gimhae Airport to downtown Busan, estimating cost to be
around 25,000KRW.
Subway – It will take approximately 50mins from the Airport Station to
your designated location, estimating cost to be around 2,000KRW.
Limousine Bus – There are 2 different bus service lines, one which
heads to Seomyeon/Busan Station; and another is towards Haeundae. It
will take approximately 40mins based on your designated location,
estimating cost to be around 7,000KRW. Check out
https://www.airport.co.kr/gimhae
7. Can we go to Busan straight from Incheon International Airport?
Answer: Traveler will need to take a domestic flight from Gimpo Domestic
Airport to Gimhae Domestic Airport. If KTX is preferred, you will have to go to
Seoul Station, as there are no direct KTX going to Busan from Incheon
International Airport. Alternatively, with the new route, you can now take a
direct flight from Singapore to Busan with JejuAir or SilkAir.
24Enquiries on Jeju Island
1. How can I get from Seoul/Busan to Jeju Island & vice versa?
Answer: To get to Jeju Island, the fastest way will be by plane. If departing
from Seoul, you will have to take a plane from Gimpo Domestic Airport. If
departing from Busan, you will have to take a plane from Gimhae Domestic
Airport to Jeju International Airport.
2. Is it true that the ferry from Busan to Jeju Island takes 12 hours?
Answer: Yes, it takes approximately 12-hours by ferry from Busan Port
International Passenger Terminal to Jeju Ferry Passenger Terminal. To find out
more about the ferry service to Jeju Island, you may check out the link below.
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/TRP/TP_ENG_3_2.jsp
3. How long do you think it takes to tour Jeju Island?
Answer: Due to each travelers’ personal preferences, it is always hard for us to
recommend exactly how many days are needed to tour around Jeju Island.
However, based on other visitors’ comments, we would recommend at least
2-3 days to be able to tour around Jeju Island leisurely.
254. What are the traditional markets you would recommend when in Jeju
Island?
Answer: There are many traditional markets in Jeju Island, and each market
will have its own specialty. When in Jeju Island, we would recommend you to
at least one of these markets below.
Dongmun Traditional Market
Jeju Five-Day Folk Market
Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market
5. What is the recommended food in Jeju Island?
Answer: Jeju Island is known for its seafood, black pork, and hallabong.
Hallabong is a type of sweet and sour tangerine, known for its high sugar
content and its juicy and very soft texture which can only be found in Jeju
Island!
6. Is it safe to rent a car and drive in Jeju Island?
Answer: It is safe to rent a car and drive in Jeju Island. However, do take note
that in Korea; the driver will be on the left-hand side, which is the opposite
from Singapore. We would strongly advise travelers to find out more about
driving in Korea before deciding. You will also be required to get your
international driving permit from AAS (Automobile Association Singapore).
267. Is Hallasan Mountain easy to climb for non-hikers?
Answer: There are a total of 5 different trails ranging from 2hours - 5hours.
However, do take note that there are only 2 different trails that will take you
to the summit of Hallasan Mountain. For non-hikers, we would recommend
you to climb the shorter one which will take approximately 2h 30mins.
Enquiries on Gangwon
19. How to go to Seoraksan Mountain?
Answer: Seoraksan Mountain is located in the city of Sokcho, Gangwon-do
province. If you are departing from Seoul, you will have to take a bus bound
for Sokcho which takes approximately 3h 30mins. From there, you will have to
take another public bus to get to Seoraksan Mountain.
20. What can I see in Gangneung?
Answer: Gangneung is the representative city in the east coast of Korea, and
is well-known for its picturesque scenery. It is gaining popularity due to the
beaches and the cafes there. During spring, you can catch the cherry
blossoms at Gyeongpoho Lake; or simply enjoy a relaxing time at Anmok
Coffee Street.
27Ⅳ. Seasons
Enquiries on seasons in Korea
1. When is the spring season?
Answer: Spring in Korea usually starts from March lasting till the end of April.
However, due to the fluctuations of the weather, we are unable to predict the
exact dates of spring. If you are planning for a trip to Korea to catch the
cherry blossoms, we would advise you to find out the previous years’ spring
record; and +/- a few days from there.
2. Where to go to see cherry blossoms in Seoul?
Answer: There are many places where you can catch the cherry blossoms in
Seoul. Held annually, there are also cherry blossom festivals in Yeouido Park
and Seokchon Lake! Other places like the Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul
Forest, Kyunghee University, or the Seoul Grand Park are places where you
can catch the cherry blossoms too!
3. Is summer in Korea hotter than Singapore?
Answer: Summer in Korea can get especially hot, especially from mid-July to
August. The average temperature in Seoul was around 31 degree Celsius.
However, do also take note that during mid-July, it may get wet as well, as it
is the monsoon season.
284. When is the autumn season?
Answer: Autumn in Korea usually starts from September till the end of
October. However, due to the fluctuations of the weather, we are unable to
predict the exact dates of autumn. If you are planning a trip to Korea to catch
the autumn foliage, we would advise you to find out the previous years’
autumn foliage record; and +/- a few days from there.
5. Where do you recommend seeing the autumn foliage in Seoul?
Answer: If you are not a fan of hiking up mountains to catch the autumn
foliage, don’t worry as there are still plenty of places in the city where you
can still immerse yourselves into the autumn feels. You may head down to
Haneul Park, Deoksugung Palace, or Seoul Forest! If you don’t mind travelling
out of the city, Nami Island, or cities like Chuncheon or Pocheon have pretty
autumn foliages too!
6. What kind of clothes do we need to prepare/bring during winter?
Answer: Winter in Korea can get relatively cold due to the wind. We would
strongly recommend you to bring along your thermal wear, gloves, scarves
and your down-padded jacket.
7. How cold is it in winter?
Answer: Winter is from December to February. It will start to get chilly from
mid-November. January will be the coldest month where the temperature can
get as low as -11 degree Celsius!
298. When can I see the first snow in Korea?
Answer: It is hard to predict the first snow due to the ever-changing weather.
However, they tend to usually happen in late November to early December in
Seoul.
9. Will there be enough snow to ski in mid-November?
Answer: Almost all of the ski resorts are located in the Gangwon-do province
which is also known as the coldest region in Korea. Due to the fluctuations of
temperature, it is hard for us to determine if there will be enough snow for
one to ski during mid-November. We would strongly advise you to check out
the official websites of the ski resort for updates.
10. When do the ski resorts open for reservation/skiing?
Answer: The ski resorts will only open for reservation/skiing in late October to
early November. Each of the ski resorts will upload a notice from their official
website. Travelers can find out from the ski resorts’ official website that one is
interested in.
11. Which ski resort is located closest to Seoul?
Answer: The nearest ski resort located closest to Seoul will be Elysian
Gangchon; Vivaldi Park; and Oak Valley Snow Park. However, we would
recommend that travelers check out the ski resorts and the available facilities
first before making reservations.
3012. How do we get to the ski resorts we are interested in from Seoul?
Answer: There are many of the ski resorts which provide shuttle bus services
to their resorts from Seoul or the nearest cities from them. We would advise
one to check from the ski resorts official website.
13. Other than skiing are there any suitable activities for kids at ski resorts?
Answer: Depending on each ski resorts, some of them do have other theme
parks or activities kids can enjoy. We would advise travelers to check the
official website of the ski resorts one is interested in before booking.
31Ⅴ. Korea Plaza
Enquiries on Korea Plaza
1. What are your opening hours?
We are open on:
Monday – Friday, 9AM – 6PM
We are closed on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays and some of Korean
holidays as well. We would recommend you to visit our Facebook page (KTO
Singapore) or Instagram (@kto_singapore) should there be any notice on
closures.
2. How to get to Korea Plaza?
Answer: The closest MRT Stations will be Red Line, Raffles Place Station, Exit F
& Downtown Line, Telok Ayer Station, Exit B. Walk approximately 5mins to get
to Samsung Hub.
Our address:
Korea Plaza, Samsung Hub
3 Church Street, #01-02
Singapore 049483
3. What is Korea Plaza for?
Answer: Korea Plaza is a tourist information center operated by Korea Tourism
Organization. Here at Korea Plaza, we provide brochures and guidebooks to
travelers going to Korea. Travelers are also able to approach our guest
32officers should they require any assistance. However, do take note that we will
not be able to assist with any bookings.
Korea Plaza is also a place to experience the Korean culture via various means
– free Hanbok trying & photo-taking; cooking classes; and Korean Language
courses.
4. Do you have travel packages to Korea?
Answer: We do not sell any travel packages here at our organization.
However, we have a list of local travel agencies where we are working with.
You may check out the link below for more information.
http://bit.ly/2mibpk2
5. Are online travel agencies/platforms trustworthy?
Answer: As we are a neutral organization, we are unable to recommend you
any online or offline travel agencies. We would strongly advise you to check
their Terms & Conditions carefully before booking your tickets.
6. Can you assist on booking tickets for us?
Answer: Under the Travel Agents Act (Chapter 334), we are not able to make
any bookings or reservations on travelers’ behalf as we do not have the
license to perform any Travel Agents duties. We thank you for your
understanding.
337. What can Korea Tourism Organization do for me?
Answer: We are only allowed to provide general information on travelling to
Korea. As we do not have any license to assist with any bookings whatsoever,
the help we can offer is limited. We thank you for your kind understanding.
8. We will be going to Korea soon, do you have any free gifts (eg.
Transportation cards)?
Answer: Please check our social media page, Facebook (KTO Singapore) &
Instagram (@kto_singapore), as we will be uploading giveaway information
from there. If there isn’t one during the period you are going, we still have
discount books and coupons which you may feel free to take before you head
over to Korea. Thank you.
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