Lunar New Year

📣 Traveler notes

South Korea is an affluent modern nation in East Asia that preserves strong cultural traditions alongside global pop culture (K-pop). Visitors can experience both modern urban life and well-preserved historical sites.

• Expect widespread closures of government offices and banks during major holidays (like Lunar New Year and Chuseok) due to family travel.
• Plan for significant congestion and reduced services, as shops and restaurants may be closed for several days.
• Understand that major holidays follow the lunar calendar, causing the specific date to change annually.
• Lunar New Year (Seollal) is a three-day public holiday focused on family gatherings and traditional foods like tteokguk.
• Be aware that the celebratory atmosphere and services may be disrupted by public holiday observances.
• Other national holidays also occur, leading to temporary closures of public services.
• When dining, use provided metal utensils (spoon and chopsticks). Observe that individual servings of rice and soup are provided, while communal dishes are centralized. Wait for the eldest person to begin eating; never leave chopsticks or spoons upright in a dish, as this symbolizes the deceased; and maintain a calm, focused environment during meals.