Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Customs checkpoints are usually set up after the baggage claim area, with officers
standing by to collect the customs forms handed out on the plane earlier. These contain
a few simple questions about whether you're carrying contraband such as drugs, guns, or
pornography (hopefully the answer will be no); fresh fruit, vegetables, or meat (most of
which can't be brought into South Korea); or alcohol or tobacco in excess of the duty-
free allowance, currently around one carton of cigarettes and one liter of spirits. If you've
answered any questions in the affirmative, customs officials will want to inspect your lug-
gage and may seize anything they find objectionable; otherwise you'll probably be waved
on through. Travelers are sometimes singled out for random inspections, especially if
they're carrying large amounts of luggage. If this happens to you, smile and stay cooperat-
ive, and you'll be on your way soon enough.
CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION
South Koreans never need much of an excuse for a party, and the country's calendar
is crammed with festivals celebrating historical events, esteemed local produce, and
even just the existence of a few places. They can be a lot of fun and often bring some
much-needed attention and tourist dollars to the nation's remoter corners. Here's a
list of a few of the higher-profile annual events; check with the Korea Tourism Or-
ganization for additional and up-to-date event information.
Hadong Wild Tea Cultural Festival (May): Held among the scenic tea plantations
of the south, the first place tea was cultivated in Korea, this event allows visitors
to sample and buy fine green teas from specialist producers and to study tea ce-
remonies and cultivation.
Boryeong Mud Festival (July): The mudflats of the coastal city of Boryeong are
said to be rich in minerals good for the skin, and thousands flock to the beach
here every summer to slather themselves in the stuff in a variety of ways. Mud
baths, mud wrestling, mud slides—the list goes on. This festival is one of the
main events on the youngish expat crowd's social calendar and tends to be pretty
hyperactive and booze-fueled; the less party-inclined may want to give it a miss.
Gangjin Celadon Festival (July/August): Korean ceramics have built a justifiably
high reputation over the centuries, and this festival in the celadon production
center of Gangjin is a good opportunity to view and purchase work from some
of the country's finest living artisans or try your hand at sculpting your own.
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