Cities of South Korea. Gwangju. Korea through the eyes of a Kazakh woman: expensive electricity, compulsory insurance and small apartments Gwangju city amazing facts
Gwangju is the sixth largest city in South Korea, with approximately 1,500,000 people living there. Located in the south of the Korean Peninsula. The city is not touristy at all - in 10 days I met very few foreigners.
Where do you usually start a travel review? Probably from arrival/arrival/sailing :) and from check-in to the hotel/hostel/tent. So I'll start in order. I had to travel from Seoul to Gwangju by train. This suited me, I wanted to meet Korean railways. But, at the very last moment, plans changed and I had to go by car (I will talk about my trips around the country in the next post). We entered the city somehow unexpectedly - we turned off the highway and after 10 minutes we arrived at the hotel.
Our hotel (Mudeung Park Hotel) turned out to be a rather massive building of strange architecture, standing between green mountains on the outskirts of the city.
In Gwangju city, South Korea
The huge parking lot was almost empty, and on weekends it was packed with cars - the hotel is popular with Koreans.
At the side entrance you are greeted by these jazzman and jazzwoman.
// igor-salnikov.livejournal.com
The hotel is named after Mount Mudeung, which is located in relative proximity (more about it in the next part).
In my opinion, the location for the hotel is very good. Quiet, close to the mountain with a large number of marked walking routes and a chairlift to one of the peaks. A stone's throw away is a golf court covered with a green net (the second most popular game in the country, after baseball) - there are a great many of them in Korean cities. And you can get to the center either on foot (40 minutes) or by bus/taxi.
The hotel has 110 rooms in total, 35 of them are in Korean style, i.e. with a mattress on the floor, and 75 is of the European type. My “standard room with a double bed” satisfied me in everything: all the amenities (with a bathroom), air conditioning, TV (which I didn’t need), wired Internet. Through the window you can see the forest on the mountainside. The hotel has a restaurant and several banquet rooms, where, if necessary, they arrange an excellent buffet with a Korean twist.
And from the corridor window there was such a view of the city.
// igor-salnikov.livejournal.com
In the morning we decided that after lunch we would go for a leisurely run and walk along the surrounding peaks.
And before that we still had to have breakfast and go into the city. Breakfast turned out a little differently than expected. Even in the evening, during the festive gluttony of dinner on the occasion of our arrival, it was agreed to meet at 9 am at one of the Korean catering establishments, of which there are a great many around the hotel. But when we arrived at the meeting place, we found the doors tightly closed. Attempts to get into other establishments were also unsuccessful - everywhere we were greeted by a castle and overfed cats basking in the sun. Either it was still very early, or it was already out of season, but everything was closed! I had to have breakfast at the hotel restaurant, but I really wanted to eat cheap, real Korean food. We couldn't save money this time :(
By the way, Koreans love to eat all kinds of seafood dishes and try to feed them to every foreign guest. I, who have a completely neutral attitude towards all kinds of shell shrimp, most of all, oddly enough, liked the soup made from all kinds of shell shrimp. All these shells clicked funny on the spoon, claws and crab shells floated around. But the taste of the dish was wonderful!
There was little time left for my first foray into the city and, taking my camera, I went to look for the nearest supermarket and at the same time get to know the surroundings of the hotel.
First we had to pass by numerous restaurants.
// igor-salnikov.livejournal.com
// igor-salnikov.livejournal.com
And dive under the highway, the one along which we arrived from Seoul.
Along the way we came across this little church, “comfortably” nestled under the bridge. It's a funny tautology :)
// igor-salnikov.livejournal.com
By the way, back in Seoul I was struck by the large number of churches with crosses. These same crosses were displayed either on sharp spiers or on strangely designed iron towers. There are two main religions in Korea - Buddhism and Christianity. Christianity is gradually replacing traditional Buddhism, hence the huge number of Christian churches. But Buddhism and Christianity also received a fair share of Confucianism and even shamanism. This is how the cocktail turned out. And those who do not belong to any religious denomination in Korea make up 50 percent.
There were also such statues.
// igor-salnikov.livejournal.com
And this Christian church, apparently, was captured by followers of another faith. Alien, probably :)
// igor-salnikov.livejournal.com
These are different buildings. The church spire peeks out from behind one of the coffee shops. worldwide network"Angel in-us Coffee" Funny neighborhood.
// igor-salnikov.livejournal.com
By the way, Koreans love coffee very much. Coffee shops are found everywhere, from international Starbucks and Angel in-us Coffee to local roadside eateries. After lunch, a Korean will almost always drink coffee. And they cook it very well everywhere!
Typical Korean street. Immediately noteworthy is the almost complete absence of signs on English language.
// igor-salnikov.livejournal.com
The streets are quite clean, but it is difficult to find a trash can. In addition, I did not notice as many wipers as, for example, in China. And in the morning the garbage is placed directly on the sidewalk and taken away by special vehicles.
Along the way I pass through what we call the private sector.
// igor-salnikov.livejournal.com
// igor-salnikov.livejournal.com
There are dogs in Korea. Contrary to popular belief, they were not all eaten. In fact, most Koreans have never tried dog meat. It is fashionable to keep small dogs here. The owners paint them in colorful colors and dress them up in funny clothes.
This cute dog guards a hardware store.
// igor-salnikov.livejournal.com
I cross the wide avenue and immediately find myself on a multi-colored walking path. On the left is a bicycle road, and on the right is a pedestrian road. I walk along it for a few meters, am surprised at the new sensations, crouch down and touch the surface - the pedestrian path turns out to be a soft surface! I immediately remembered the old party slogan of Soviet times: “Everything for man, everything in the name of man!” This is caring for people!
// igor-salnikov.livejournal.com
On the other side I notice a stairway to heaven. That's where she is!
// igor-salnikov.livejournal.com
I turn right off the path and immediately find myself in a one-story block. It somehow reminded me of the Beijing hutongs.
// igor-salnikov.livejournal.com
I love removing tile roofs. They are different in Korea: both green and brown. But now more and more often we come across blue and metallic ones.
// igor-salnikov.livejournal.com
// igor-salnikov.livejournal.com
// igor-salnikov.livejournal.com
Later I photographed the area from above. Almost all of it is already built up with modern cottages.
// igor-salnikov.livejournal.com
On the way back I stopped at several small supermarkets. There is also a 7-Eleven and a Family mart, and a couple of local Korean ones.
In the following days there were several more hikes and trips to the city center, to the river embankment and to new neighborhoods.
// igor-salnikov.livejournal.com
Backstage.
An ancient city founded back in 57 BC, and now a major industrial center, is Gwangju in the Republic. It is located in the most densely populated region of the country. This is where the Jeollanamado provincial government building is located.
general information
The city is considered a satellite - it is the sixth largest in the country in terms of area. Industry in Gwangju is very developed. These are the automotive industry, the production of ceramics and textiles, agriculture, and rice cultivation. The main type of industrial production is considered to be the production of photons for radioactive emitters, nanotechnology is being developed, cars and various electronics are being produced.
Despite the fact that this big city has many offices, skyscrapers and industrial zones, there are quiet public gardens and streets with green spaces where you can take a good break from the bustle of the central part of the city.
Where is Gwangju located?
The historically famous city of Gwangju is located in South Korea and is located in the southwest of the country and occupies 501.4 square meters. km, and population density per 1 km. sq. – 500 people with a total number of 150,000 people. The map shows that Gwangju is located in a picturesque bamboo valley, between the inaccessible mountains of Geumdang, Byongpung, Mudeung, Samkak, Udeung. Once upon a time, at the dawn of its heyday, Gwangju became famous for the birth of Korean classical medieval poetry, gasa, based on the celebration of the beauty of the local flora.
Climate conditions of Gwangju
Those planning to visit Gwangju will be interested to know that the temperature in this area is almost always moderate without sudden changes. July is considered the rainiest month, and December is the driest month. In August, the thermometer shows the highest annual mark - +27°C, the lowest in January - +0.7°C. It is best to go here in spring and early summer, when the temperature is optimal – +20°C.
Attractions and entertainment in Gwangju (South Korea)
The rich history of the city of Gwangju did not give it such fame as the series of anti-government uprisings that took place in 1980. Many people died during them, and this tragic date is forever etched in the memory of Koreans. If you are choosing where to go in Gwangju, we recommend paying attention to the following cultural and tourist sites:
- Museum of Art. It contains a variety of unusual exhibits that represent contemporary art in South Korea.
- Entrance gate. Traditionally, a Korean city begins with a gate. They once protected residents from enemy invasion, and are now a historical monument.
- Just 300 meters long, the street in the eastern part of the city attracts not only tourists, but also famous collectors from all over South Korea. Here you can purchase or view various pieces of art that cannot be found anywhere else. The good thing about this place is that you can come here 24 hours a day.
- Boseong tea plantations. More than 40% of all tea in Korea is produced here. A beautiful panorama opens from different levels of tea plantings.
- National Cemetery May 18th. Those who died in the struggle for democracy in the bloody 1980 are buried in this memorial complex, built in 1997. The bodies of the dead revolutionaries were transferred here from the Manvoldon cemetery.
- Mudeungsan Park. Looking at photos of Gwangju in Korea, one cannot help but pay attention to the photographs taken in this city. It bears the name on which it is located, which is quite unusual for natural objects. The mountain has a height of just over a kilometer with three peaks and a fairly gentle slope, which makes it a favorite vacation spot among locals and tourists.
- Its walls, about 12 km long and over 3 m high, once protected the city from enemy invasion.
- Gwangyang. The football stadium of the local team "Dungeon Dragon" can accommodate more than 13 thousand fans, and if necessary, the seats increase to 20 thousand. The team's home matches and training games are held here.
- “Chunwe Konwon.” In the west of Gwangju there is a park offering its visitors all kinds of entertainment:
- natural green area for picnics and walks;
- playgrounds;
- ethnographic museum complex;
- attractions;
- Exhibition Center;
- amazing bridge in the shape of a rainbow.
- This Chinese-style building houses more than 40,000 artifacts of the region's cultural heritage. They are located on two floors and include:
- pottery;
- iron products;
- stone tools;
- works of art;
- artistic works of masters from the Joseon Dynasty.
Hotels and restaurants
To appreciate all the delights of Gwangju, this amazing city of South Korea, you need to live here for at least some time. Travelers leave positive reviews about the service in local hotels, from which you can choose both budget and high-class:
- Hotel Icon;
- Hotel Atrium;
- Pacific Hotel;
- Hill House Hotel;
- Hotel President;
- Holiday Inn;
- Lotte Hotel Seoul;
- Hyatt Regency Jeju;
- Hotel Skypark Central Myeongdong;
- Ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong.
Korean cuisine simultaneously attracts and repels Europeans. To understand whether her original dishes will suit your taste, you need to try them. On the streets of the city there are numerous snack bars and expensive restaurants where you can taste local, Thai, Vietnamese and traditional European cuisine:
- Pho Hanoi;
- Damijeong;
- Dongmakgol Chueotang;
- Dangsan Namujip;
- Nolboo Bosam;
- Arirang House;
- Hyanggyewon;
- Gangmaeul Daramjwi;
- Daegwang Shikdang;
- Domino's Pizza Opo.
Shopping in the city
For shopping in Gwangju, tourists go to markets and shopping centers. Here you can buy art objects, Korean cosmetics and the miraculous ginseng root, fans, and wooden masks.
Gwangju Transportation System
For tourists who do not know the city, the best means of transportation is a taxi, especially since its prices are quite low. Anyone who wants to spend as little money as possible can travel around the city by bus. Not long ago, a metro line opened, but only in the southeastern part of the city.
How to get to the city?
To get here from the capital, you need to cover the distance from Seoul to Gwangju, and the best way to do this is by plane. Travel time will take no more than 50 minutes. By train, travel time will take from 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on the chosen route.
31.07.2017
Korea through the eyes of a Kazakh woman: expensive electricity, compulsory insurance and small apartments
Diana Sagieva, 41 years old, hometown - Karaganda
About life
I was born in Karaganda, then moved to Almaty, where I met my future husband. We lived in Almaty for some time, and in 2014 we decided that it was time for my husband to return to his historical homeland. The first time I came to Korea was in 2003. Since October 2014 we have been living in South Korea, in the city of Gwangju.
Almaty has a mild climate compared to Korea, so my husband warned me in advance that when going to Korea, I need to take thin and light underwear and clothes. When we arrived, everything was fine at the airport, but as soon as we got out, it felt like I was in a sauna or steam room. It’s stuffy, hot, it’s hard to breathe, and the skin instantly becomes covered in sweat, which stays on the skin like a sticky film all day and doesn’t dry out. The humidity is so high that sweat does not have time to evaporate. You can survive at such times only in rooms with air conditioning.
About the city
We live in Gwangju City, Jeollanam-do Province - 광주광역시, he is located four hours from Seoul. Six cities are directly subordinate to Seoul, including Gwangju, one of the largest cities. According to official data, one and a half million people live here, and about 30,000 of them are foreigners.
Korea was a mono-national country in composition until the early 2000s, when 99% of the population was the titular nation.
In Seoul in the early 2000s, people were accustomed to tourists and foreigners, but in Gwangju they were not. When in 2003 I spoke to my husband in Russian on the streets, passers-by looked at us with deep surprise, turning around after us.
The place I like - shinae (시내) - shopping mall cities with many boutiques and cafes, entertainment centers. Concerts are organized there in the evenings, and it is a popular meeting place for lovers.
Mudeungsan National Park has many hiking trails and great walking opportunities. South Korea is a densely populated country, so there are no places where you can retire. That's why in the parks you feel like you're in complete safety, and there are CCTV cameras everywhere, so Korea is really safe. In addition, all the parks and public places are very convenient, with many nice benches and free restrooms.
When you arrive in Korea, you don’t need to know the Korean language, because all the signs and signs are duplicated in English.
It's convenient to live in Korea
It's convenient to live in Korea. At each stop there is a board that shows the arrival time of buses, and the buses themselves are equipped with modems, which allows you to distribute Wi-Fi to passengers and control the time of arrival of the route at a specific stop.
About taxes
In Korea, like us, there is income tax and pension contributions. When a person receives a visa and arrives in the country of Morning Freshness, all his data is entered into a single database. Therefore, no matter what city you are in, you can always easily get any certificate.
About medicine
National insurance in Korea is compulsory for all citizens. Also, our citizens who come to work on a legal visa can take out an insurance policy. There is also voluntary insurance in private companies, in addition to the state one. The conditions of private companies are better, but the deductions are also higher. There are five people in our family and about $400 a month is spent on insurance premiums alone. Insurance is necessary because if you don't have it, your medical bills can be very high.
There are five people in our family and about $400 a month is spent on insurance premiums alone.
An ambulance is paid, a call costs about $100, so Koreans prefer to get to the hospital on their own. But the quality of medicine in South Korea is high, and diagnostic services are especially famous.
About housing
Until the 70s of the 20th century, Korea was an agricultural country; high-rise apartment buildings were rare and not everyone could buy apartments there. Nowadays, it is considered more prestigious to live in your own home, because the land issue is acute, and the population density in Korea is one of the highest in the world. Accordingly, living spaces in Korea, in comparison with those in Kazakhstan, are very small.
In Gwangju, you can rent a one-room apartment for $300-500. And the smaller the city, the cheaper the rent. There is a type of rental where you can rent a home for a long time. In this case, the deposit is returned.
The Highvill residential complex is somewhat reminiscent of houses in Korea
Each apartment building has security, cleaning of the territory and entrances. We live in just such a house. Each housing complex has a store and a hairdresser, everything is nearby. The Highvill residential complex is somewhat reminiscent of houses in Korea.
About housing and communal services and telephone communications
Electricity, gas and water are expensive in Korea. If we save money, we spend about $100 a month in the summer. In the winter we turn on the boiler, so it comes out to about $300.
About food
Korean carrots are eaten only in Kazakhstan. There is no such dish in South Korea.
The food here is spicy, pork is the predominant meat, and beef is expensive. In the first days, I unknowingly bought meat in nearby stores and it cost $20 for 600 grams of beef. Then I found cheaper stores.
In South Korea, dog meat eating is gradually disappearing - it began in the 80s, when, on the eve of the Olympics, animal rights societies practically expelled dog meat dealers from the main streets ic. Currently, only a few specialty restaurants offer dog food, but these restaurants are predicted to disappear soon. During the three years of living in Korea, no one offered me to eat dog meat, which I am very happy about.
Korea has a wide selection of seafood. Food in Korea is lighter because they have a humid climate. I learned how to cook seaweed soup. Such soups strengthen the immune system and help maintain your figure.
You can save a lot on food in Korea, because there is simply an abundance of street food here! Not only during lunch, but throughout the day, everywhere on the streets you can try something interesting, seafood or traditional Korean rice dishes, soups, and free snacks will be included with the soup. For three to five dollars you can eat to your heart's content.
In Korea, the indicator of a cafe’s coolness is not its interior, but the taste and quality of the dishes served. The pretentious decoration of the establishments rather indicates the high cost of the dishes, because the owner needs to recoup the funds invested in the decoration of the restaurant. Koreans are simple people; food should not only be tasty, but also not break the bank. However, expensive restaurants are in demand among the upper classes.
I would advise tourists to definitely visit the Lotteria chain of eateries, owned by the huge Lotte corporation. Try the 불고기 부거 [bulgogi burger] beef burger, it tastes better than any McDonald's burger in my opinion. However, there is no arguing about tastes, and you may like something unusual, for example, silkworm larvae, which are sold at every turn.
About shopping
Korea is Asia's leader in cosmetics production. The two cosmetic giants that lead the market - Amorepacific and LG - are known far beyond the country's borders. The products of these brands are aimed at Asian skin types.
Korea has excellent quality clothing
Korea has great quality clothes, ohdoes not lose color and does not wear out for many years. Excellent value for money and quality. If you buy things not in supermarkets, but in small boutiques, then you can ask for discounts.
About the education system
We were worried about our eldest daughter, because she did not know the language upon arrival and, in addition, she graduated from three classes of school in Kazakhstan. But instead of the expected stress about the language barrier and changing the curriculum, we simply got a culture shock. The first surprise was the beginning of the school year, because in Korea children study not from September, but from March, and we lost time. The second, but already pleasant shock was the love of Koreans for beautiful children. Thanks to the mixture of different bloods, our daughter turned out to be a beauty that fits Korean standards, so she received only good treatment from her classmates. We were also worried about her adaptation to a completely different curriculum, and then we got another shock - because in Korean schools the system is built on encouragement. Teachers do not look for errors in work, but pay attention to the positives, that is, they do not scold for mistakes, but point out what still needs to be worked on, and in the end they will still be praised for their desire and effort. My daughter started going to school with great pleasure.
In Korea, elementary, middle and high schools are separated and located in separate buildings, each on its own territory. In total, the training takes 12 years.
About people
I was amazed by the politeness of Koreans. When I first arrived in Korea, I spent four hours at customs: border guards called my future mother-in-law and asked if she was really expecting a bride from Kazakhstan. When in Kazakhstan they check your documents or have a conversation with government officials, you always feel insecure because they look at you with a frown. And in Korea, representatives of various services are friendly and smiling, so these four hours at customs did not leave me with any psychological stress. In general, many Koreans often smile, do not interrupt, and are not rude. Judging by the quality of communication, you understand that this is a completely different world, and Korea is a country that you really want to come to.
In Korea, people are practically not called by name, an exception is made only for friends who are the same age.
In Korea, elders are respected. Even if you are only a year older than the person you are talking to, you will be treated with great respect. Therefore, when meeting people, Koreans begin to find out the person’s age and position. In Korea, people are practically never called by their first name; an exception is made only for friends who are the same age. If you are a girl and meet a Korean woman older than you, then you will only call her 언니 “big sister” and nothing else. The spouses respectfully call each other by the name of their youngest child. In general, a lot is reminiscent of ancient Kazakh customs.
For Koreans and Southeast Asia in general, Kazakhstan is Europe, a European state, because our girls can show their feelings more openly, and in general, young people communicate with the older generation more freely than Koreans. In my opinion, Korea is a country where you have to constantly bow and agree when talking to elders. Here you are supposed to assent and agree with everything that your elders say.
The realities of Kazakh villages in terms of relationships between daughters-in-law and mother-in-law with father-in-law are in many ways similar to the realities of Korean life. But among those Kazakh women who, like me, married South Koreans, there are those who found mutual understanding and respect from their new parents.
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