Seoul Getaway

Preparing for Your Trip to Korea Even though you have a 30-day transit visa exemption, it's still another country, so you need to be well-prepared. 1. Passport and Transit Visa Exemption Documents (1) Make sure your passport is valid and prepare a photocopy of your passport just in case. (2) Download the transit visa exemption documents from the official website of the South Korean embassy and print them out in both English and Chinese, just in case. 2. Currency and Payment Prepare an appropriate amount of Korean won in cash based on your travel plans and budget. The current exchange rate is approximately CNY 1 = KRW 191.13 (the exchange rate may fluctuate, please refer to the real-time exchange rate). Many places in South Korea accept credit cards, especially those with Visa or MasterCard logos. In addition, some merchants and ATMs also support UnionPay cards. 3. Daily Necessities Adapter and Charger: The voltage in South Korea is 220v, and the plug shape is round, which is different from China, so you need to prepare an adapter. Also, make sure to bring enough chargers and power banks to keep your phone and other electronic devices charged. Toiletries: Some hotels in South Korea may charge for toiletries such as toothbrushes and razors, and not all hotels provide shampoo and shower gel. Therefore, it is recommended to bring your own travel toiletries. 4. Clothing and Footwear Prepare appropriate clothing and footwear based on the local climate and weather conditions in South Korea. South Korea has many slopes, so comfortable shoes are very important. 5. Travel Tools and Apps (1) Maps and Navigation: Download a South Korean map app or use offline maps to easily find your destination during your trip. In addition, South Korea has a very developed public transportation system, and using navigation software can make it easier to plan your itinerary. (2) Translation Software: Although many places in South Korea have Chinese signs and staff, preparing a mobile translation app can help you communicate better with locals. 6. Other Important Notes (1) Medicine: Prepare some common medicines according to your needs, such as cold medicine, painkillers, and band-aids. (2) Passport Photos: Prepare a few passport photos in case your passport is lost. (3) Thermos: Koreans are used to drinking ice water. If you need hot water, you can bring your own thermos.