You can apply for a personal travel visa by yourself or through a travel agent. For detailed information, visit the websites below. Websites for Korean Visa Information:  http://chn.mofa.go.kr/korean/as/chn/main/index.jsp(Embassy of the Republic of Korea in China) http://chinese.visitkorea.or.kr (Korea Tourism Organization)

Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, certified currency exchange booths, and hotels. - Hours of downtown banks (9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) - Korea Exchange Bank (KEB) handles over 40 foreign currencies. (Travelers checks can be exchanged into Korean Won at KEB.)

Korea has four very distinct seasons with characteristics of continental climate. - Spring: March to May / warm and flowers in full bloom - Summer: June to September / hot and humid; many Koreans enjoy summer vacations - Fall: September to November / nice weather and great for travel - Winter: December to mid-March / very cold due to cold air from Siberia; great for skiing in northeastern areas due to a lot of snowfall.

Gyeonggi-do encircles Seoul like a donut. The province boasts numerous attractions from the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) as the symbol of demarcation between the two Koreas (unique in the world) to the royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty (a UNESCO World Heritage site), Suwon Hwaseong Fortress (reflecting the filial love of King Jeongjo), Namhansanseong fortress(an impregnable fortress for 400 years) diverse theme parks, pottery towns, world-class premium outlets, shopping districts, and artist villages. Capable of accommodating any type of themed traveling, Gyeonggi-do is the most popular day-trip among Koreans.

1. Biking along the DMZ area (unique in the world) and taking pictures with pinwheels in Pyeonghwa Nuri Park near Imjingak Pavilion 2. Walking along the wall of Sunwonhwaseong Fortress (a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site), experiencing traditional Korean archery, and eating delicious Suwon wanggalbi (big-sized beef short ribs) 3. Making crafts at Icheon, the famed town of pottery, and eating Icheon ssalbapjeongsik (set menu with steamed rice and side dishes) prepared with rice that used to be served to kings in the past

Every part of Gyeonggi-do is an hour from Seoul by car. The M-Bus system in Gyeonggi-do made it easier to travel between Gyeonggi-do and Gangnam Station or Seoul Station in Seoul. Highways also facilitate traveling between the two regions that takes an hour or less. Newly built Bundang Line and Sinbundang Line along Suwon (southern part of Gyeonggi-do) and Gwanggyo make for convenient public transportation between the two regions.

- Only Korean is used in Korea. But major tourism sites offer guides who are capable of speaking languages such as English, Japanese, and Chinese. Visitors are advised to check the availability of translation services before visiting intended s. * Gyeonggi-do’s Translation Services Website http://120.gg.go.kr - Visitors who want to learn Korean may look for Korean language courses offered by universities. * Korean Language Course Sites by Universities in Gyeonggi-do http://www.ajou.ac.kr (Ajou University) http://korean.cau.ac.kr/ (Chung-Ang University)

Korea boasts Confucian culture. It emphasizes maintenance of social etiquettes and respect for the elderly. Gyeonggi-do is also home to the royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Visitors who want to enjoy hands-on experiences may check the programs offered by the Korean Folk Village in Yongin. Making Kimchi, a major Korean food, can be fun as well; Kimchi hands-on programs are available at Kimchi School (in Goyang) and Pungmi Foods (in Suwon). * Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty : http://english.cha.go.kr * Korean Folk Village : http://www.koreanfolk.co.kr * Kimchi School : http://www.kimchischool.com * Pungmi Foods : http://www.kimchicenter.com

Korea’s cultural trends are changing rapidly and diversely. To experience Hallyu (Korean Wave), visitors may want to stop by the filming s of Korean movies and dramas. MBC Dramia (in Yongin) and KBS Suwon Studio offer exciting attractions for visitors. * MBC Dramia http://withmbc.imbc.com/dramia/main http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1321483  * KBS Suwon http://office.kbs.co.kr/suwon/

Diverse religions exist in Korea. Popular religions include Buddhism, Protestantism, Catholicism, and shamanism. The percentage of people believing in Protestantism is the greatest among religions, but many Koreans also believe in Buddhism and Catholicism.

New Year’s Day (Jan. 1) Lunar New Year’s Day (Feb.15 – Feb.17) Samiljeol (Independence Movement Day) (Mar. 1) Children’s Day (May. 5) Substitute Holiday (May. 7) Buddha’s Birthday (May. 22) Memorial Day (Jun. 6)Local Election Day (Jun. 13) National Liberation Day (Aug. 15) Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day) (Sep. 23 – Sep. 26) National Foundation Day (Oct. 3) Hangul Proclamation Day (Oct. 9) Christmas (Dec. 25)