It's no secret that many postpone shopping for the last day of vacation. This will allow you to decide what souvenirs you are planning to buy, what to buy for your relatives and yourself for the memory of your trip. Our article will allow you to plan such purchases in advance. Let's find out what is most often acquired by tourists who are vacationing in South Korea .
What souvenirs to bring from South Korea?
The most popular purchases can be formed into the following list:
- Products of artisans. These are all kinds of goods made of ceramics, wood, paper fans puche, lace umbrellas from the sun, trays, boxes and card holders trimmed with mother of pearl, embroidered paintings or scarves. Separately, it is worth mentioning the seals of Tojang, which have been used in Korea since time immemorial as a personal signature.
- Masks - no less than running goods. Painted in bright colors, unusual and sometimes even frightening, they are very popular with tourists. Koreans themselves used to be used to protect themselves from evil spirits, and nowadays they are part of the culture of South Korea.
- Edible souvenirs. Among them, the main one is kimchi (sauerkraut with spicy spices), a real pride of Korean national cuisine . As a gift to children or colleagues you can bring sweets, of which the most exotic are chocolate with pepper, ginseng, cactus, etc. An excellent presentation from the trip can be a set of metal chopsticks.
- Beverages. Experienced tourists know that you can bring from South Korea as a gift: these are tea blends (in particular, green tea), and the root of ginseng. The alcohol represented by the drinks of makkoli (rice wine), сочжу (rice vodka), мунбэжжа (a drink from wheat and millet), as well as all sorts of tinctures - fruit and even floral ones, is popular.
- Cosmetics. Means for caring for face and body here at a premium, especially since Korean cosmetics today is considered one of the best in the world. It is mostly based on natural products (medicinal herbs, ginseng), hypoallergenic and relatively inexpensive. That's why the question of what to bring them from South Korea, many girls and women uniquely answer: only cosmetics!
- Clothing. First of all, these are national costumes called hanbok. Also, tourists purchase textile interior items, curtains, bedspreads, bed linens.
- Ornaments. From what can be bought in South Korea, this version of souvenirs is more expensive, however, and memorable. Here you can find unusual gold with yellow tint, many silverware and a variety of costume jewelry.
Where is the best shopping in South Korea?
The best city for purchases is, of course, the capital of South Korea - the magnificent Seoul . Here you can find anything, anything and even more. For shopping, tourists go to the famous areas of Gangnam or Mendon , to the streets of Itavon and Insadon, entirely built up with shops, boutiques and shopping centers. No less popular is the Namdaemun market , where the lowest prices are in Seoul. It is best to come here in the evening, when many shops are just opening.
Discounts and sales
You will be very lucky if the date of the trip coincides with the time of the big summer sale, taking place in July or August, or the Korean shopping festival. During this period, foreigners are given huge discounts on goods. At the same time, you can save a little on purchases by going to one of the tax-free shopping shops. By submitting a return ticket, you will be able to receive a tax refund of 10%.
As for cash payments, they are easiest to make with a plastic card, almost everywhere in South Korea there is such an opportunity. But in the market you can easily pay with out.