A Glimpse into the Korean Culture

South Koreans have a lot in common with North Koreans in terms of culture. However, since the division of the two Koreas in 1945, South Koreans and North Koreans have developed rather different modern ways of life. In South Korea for example, traditional arts are emphasized through government funding and education programs by the South Korean Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Various forms of Korean ceramics, paintings, sculptures and metalwork have spread all over the Korean Peninsula. Nowadays, Western influences, American in particular, have had obvious impact in the Koreans' everyday life. After the Japanese occupation, the government banned all imports from Japan until 1999. Today, trading between Korea and Japan has increased. But there is still a strong sense of anti-Japanese sentiment in South Korea.

The City of Daegue

Every county has an industrial capital that contributes most to the booming economy. In South Korea, it is the city of Ulsan. Tourists can begin to understand why Korea has such an amazing and rapid economic growth.

Halfway between Seoul and Pusan lies the city of Daegue, which is the educational capita of the South Korea. This city has the most number of English-speaking citizens. Gyeongju, has the most historical sites in the whole of South Korea. Tourists will not run out of places to go to: temples, palaces, graves, ruins, etc. There is also a wonderful amusement park near the beautiful Bomun Lake. These are the more popular attractions in South Korea.

The Korean Way of Life

Culture and history form a large part of the Korean way of life. It is no surprise, therefore, that there are a lot of historical sites outside the capital city of Seoul. Two cities in particular, Pusan and Gyeongju, have to be in any tourist's itinerary because the richness of the Korean culture and history can be experienced in these places. If time and money permit it, tourists should also go to Daegue, Gwangu and Mokpo.

If transportation is a concern, Korean public transport will put to shame other public transportation services. There are high speed trains that bring people between and across cities. An extensive bus network also guarantees an efficient and safe way to move around the county.
For those seafood lovers, the city of Pusan which is a harbor city provides the freshest seafood. The city also offers a lot of wonderful sites. For short but satisfying trips, the islands of Manono and Apolima are a must-see for any tourist.

For more information on Korea, visit www.worknplay.co.kr
*image from flickr