Seoul

Incheon Int'l airport ➜ Seoul Pick you up at the airport and transfer to hotel Duration: 90 Minutes Accommodation: Not included Meals: Not Included

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung palace is the first palace built in 1395 out of five palaces in Seoul in Joseon dynasty. This palace was built by fenhshui which is a traditional geological theory, The name of Gyeongbokgung palace means new dynasty would have big blessing and prospered forever. Geunjeongjeon Hall and Gyeonghoeru Pavilionare are national treasures in the palace, Geunjeongjeon Hall is the main building of the palace, most of major event like king’s inauguration ceremony and reception of ambassadors from foreign countries were held at this building. Gyeonghoeru Pavilion was used for the purpose of banquet and entertainment. There is an artificial pond besides of Gyeonghoeru Pavilion. Gyeongbokgung palace usually open to public in daytime, but especially the palace open to public in the night in spring and fall, and you can enjoy a beautiful night tour then. While tour of Gyeongbokgung palace, we will watch the Changing ceremony of Royal guards.

National Folk Museum of Korea

You will see how the Korean lived from the birth to grave at this museum.The National Folk Museum of Korea is a museum that represents daily life and culture of Korea and is visited by more than two million people every year, and provide educational and cultural opportunities to better understand and experience the traditional Korean lifestyle.

Bukchon Hanok Village

Bukchon(buk means north, chon means village) is a traditional residential village forming with Korea’s traditional house, Hanok(Tiled roof house). As you see, because of rapid industrialization of Korea, most Korean live in apartment and modified western style house, so it is very hard to see the traditional Korean Hanok village nowadays. This Bukchon Hanok village is one of traditional villages maintaining traditional Hanok style. Because this Bukchon was near the palace, and located at a good place according to fengshui, a theory of divination based on topography, this was a good residential area for royal family and high officials for 500 years of Joseon dynasty. Nowadays, Bukchon is one of famous tourist attraction in Seoul. Tourist can enjoy and feel the history of Bukchon , various cultural experience like tea ceremony, calligraphy, handcrafts and etc. at Bukchon.

Jogyesa Temple

Jogyesa Temple is located in central Seoul and it is one of Korea's major Buddhist temples, also serves as headquarters for the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, the largest sect of Korea Buddhism. The temple's main hall is called Daeungjeon Hall and the famous statue of the seated Buddha is enshrined here (the statue is Tangible Cultural Heritage of Seoul No. 126). Baeksong, a white pine tree that is more than 500 years old stands next to Daeungjeon. Located in the heart of Seoul, huge numbers of tourists visit the temple to experience Buddhist culture.

Insadong

Insadong is a traditional cultural place where you can see old Seoul. Originally, the government office in charge of paintings on king and royal family in Joseon Dynasty was located at Insadong. The streets of Insadong are lined with craft workshops, antique shops, galleries, and restaurants, traditional hanok style’s teahouse. Seoul city designated Insadong as street of traditional culture in 1988, and the first cultural place in 2002, This area is car free zone every weekend, so you can enjoy walking with shopping, cultural experience like making some handcrafts. And you can enjoy various events like musical performance. Samjigil is one of the place which you can feel Korea’s traditional handcrafts. During the tour at Insadong, we can taste refreshment.

Kyung-In Museum of Fine Art

You will visit Dawon Traditional Tea Garden in Kyung-In Museum of Fine Art in a hanok (traditional Korean house) and enjoy traditional Korean Tea, this place offers the visitors a moment to relax and find peace in the city. When seated, greenery and flowers in the private garden make for a nice view while sipping tea. There are more than 15 homemade teas available, all of which originate from Korea. Dawon's peaceful atmosphere and authentic experience make it a must visit for anyone in Seoul. The unique charm of the tea house is made up of antique furniture.

Baek In-je House is a museum and cultural heritage site located in Bukchon Hanok Village. The house is a well-preserved as hanok(Hanok means traditional Korean house). The hanok was built on an elevated plot of land and there are incredible views of Bukchon Hanok Village from the house. There is also a spacious garden. The hanok is one of the few largest remaining hanok in the city, and because of its unique history and beauty, the hanok was designated a Citizens' Cultural Heritage site and converted into a museum. Closed on every Monday.

Cheonggyecheon Stream

Cheonggyecheon is a 11 km-long waterway flowing center of downtown Seoul. This waterway was natural stream until Joseon dynasty. After Korean war, many refugees made their houses and lived there, so this area was a typical slum and very dirty with bad smells there. Later 1950, Cheonggyecheon was covered with cement structures and automobile overpass was built over there, and many modern buildings were built at surrounding area, so this place became a successful symbol of Korea industrialization. But, after 40 years passed, the structures and overpass became obsolete and dangerous, and so city government decided to restore the place as Eco-stream. This was changed to Eco-waterway through 2 year's restoration project. Total length of restoration is 5.8km, there are 22 bridges, and 50,000 visitors a day. Cheonggyecheon became a symbol of the rapid development of Korea and major tour attraction place nowadays.

Kwangjang Market

Kwangjang market is Korea’s first commercial market. This market opened in 1905. Originally, Namdaemun market was the biggest traditional market until early 1900s, but Japanese occupied Namdaemun market by Japanese’s invasion to Korea, so Korean merchants opened Kwangjang market for Koreans in 1905 to compete Japanese Namdaemun market. In the early of this market, major products were agricultural products, but nowadays, there are many kinds of products including fashion items, especially Gwangjang market has become famous as eating place to taste various street foods at cheap price. From about 10 years ago, many foreigners began to visit this market and became famous. This market is one of the famous tourist attractions in Seoul. The typical street foods are Kimbap, Soondae, Nokduejeon(Korean pancake made with mung beans), Yukwhe(beef sashimi)and etc.. we will taste various kinds of street foods for dinner here.

DMZ

DMZ(Demilitarized Zone), established in 1953 after the Korean War, is the most unique attraction in the world. DMZ includes key sites such as the Freedom Bridge, 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, Imjingak Park, and Dora Observatory which you can see North Korea at.

N Seoul Tower

N Seoul Tower is located at Namsan park in the center of Seoul and offerings a unique and beautiful panoramic view of Seoul, and chosen as one of Lonely Planet’s 500 best places to visit.

Nami Island

Nami Island is a beautiful island that is the most popular attraction in Korea for all seasons. Featuring beautiful tree lanes, woodlands, riverside walks and many more, Nami Island offers picture-perfect scenery all year round. Thanks to its incredible scenery, Nami Island has been used as the location for many Korean dramas. Most particularly, the hit Korean drama, “Winter Sonata,” has led to the island’s huge popularity among overseas guests.

Petite France

Petite France is a small French culture village in Korea. Where you can enjoy a variety of cultural experience programs and performances from Europe including France, and where you can see, enjoy, and experience all about France just as if you were walking on the street of that country, the only French theme park in Korea.

The Garden of Morning Calm

The Garden of Morning Calm, a 82-acre garden on the foot of Chungnyeongsan Mountain, is comprised of more than 20 smaller gardens with different themes, such as the Bonsai Garden, Herb Garden, Chinese Plum Garden, and Korean Theme Garden. It is the only garden in Korea that was included in the CNN's "50 Beautiful Places to Visit in South Korea" list in 2012.

Seoraksan National Park

Transfer to Sokcho for a tour of Mount Seorak.

Seoraksan National Park

Korea’s most prominent mountain is Mt.Seoraksan with breathtaking pinnacles, deep granite beautiful valleys, scenic waterfalls and stunning long ridges, and located on the east-central Korean peninsula, and is the most popular with tourists and hikers.

Gwongeumseong Fortress

We visit Gwongeumseong Fortress by cable car, and you enjoy beautiful panoramic view of Mt.Seoraksan.

Sinheungsa Temple was founded on AD 652 during the reign of Queen Jindeok of the Silla dynasty. Sinheungsa Temple is home to many cultural heritages including the Geungnakbojeon Hall at Sinheungsa Temple (Treasure) and the Three-story Stone Pagoda at Hyangseongsa Temple Site (Treasure). The temple also offers the temple stay program in which participants can experience a temple life by doing activities such as communal Buddhist meal service (baru gongyang), ceremonial service involving chanting, 108 bows aimed at removing 108 earthly desires, as well as programs of making a lotus lantern and Buddhist rosary.

Andong

After Mt. Seoraksan tour, we move to Andong.

Buseoksa Temple

Buseoksa Temple built in 676 was well known for its beautiful scenary of the temple and the longest wooden building in Korea. This temple has many national treasures like wooden buildings, mural paintings, Buddhist pagoda, Seated clay statue of Buddha and stone lantern structure through its long history. This temple was listed on UNESCO World Heritage as a mountain temple, a mountaineering expedition in Korea.

Buyongdae

Buyongdae is a cliff about 64 meters high located across a river from Hahoe village. Summit of the cliff supplies the best panoramic view of whole Hahoe Village.

Andong Hahoe Folk Village

Hahoe village is a traditional Korean community maintaining original shape of housing and living conditions. This traditional village was established in early Joseon dynasty about 600 years ago, and have preserved their original living conditions including house and environments. This village were built in a site by geographical principle, fengshui, mountain behind and water in front. This village is famous for mask dancing praying village’s safety and prosperity and became more famous after visiting of queen Elizabeth of U.K. and USA President George Bush. The villages was designated as UNESCO World heritage in 2010.

Byeongsan Seowon

Seowon was a private school teaching Confucianism and shrine to house tablet of spirit and portrait of famous and highly knowledgeable Confucian scholar and lead a public opinion of the province. Seowon shows cultural tradition of Confucianism which influenced the education, social customs and philosophy of Joseon dynasty a lot. Nine Seowons were designated as UNESCO World Heritage. Nine Seowons including Byeongsan Seowon were designated as UNESCO World Heritage, and Byeongsan Seowon founded in 1613 is the most beautiful shape of building and has a stunning scenery around.

Andong Old Market

Jjimdak is a steamed chicken with noodle and various vegetables. In Andong local market, ther are numerous Jjimdak restaurants saying they’re the best of the original. We will have dinner with Jjimdak at this market.

Daereungwon Tomb Complex

Daereungwon Tomb Complex is large ancient 26 large tombs of kings and nobles of the Silla Kingdom. The most famous tombs are Cheonmachong and Hwangnamdaechong. Those two tombs were excavated in the 1970's, and many jewelries, royal gold crown, accessories and painting were found. The inside of Cheonmachong is open to public, so we can see the lifestyle of the king and ancient culture of Korea 1,500 years ago through a tour.

Cheomseongdae Observatory

Cheomseongdae is an astronomical observatory in Gyeongju. This was built in the era of Siilla kingdom around the 7th century, and has been designated as the 31st national treasure. This was built in a hollow cylinder shape and is made of 362 granite blocks, which represent the 362 days in a lunar year. There is one window in the middle of the tower, which divides 12 stone layers below it and 12 above. The height is about 9.5m.

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond was a secondary palace used by the crown prince of the Silla Kingdom. It also served as a banquet site for important national events and important visitors. The pond was created in 674, during the reign of King Munmu. The pond features three small islands, and a landscape of 12 small hills to the northeast. After the fall of Silla, the site was abandoned and forgotten. The pond was referred to as "Anapji" from the Goryeo and Joseon periods and onwards. In the 1980s, a pottery fragment with the letters “Wolji” (a pond that reflects the moon) carved onto it was found, revealing the true name of the pond. After the discovery, the site was renamed to the current Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond.

Gyeongju National Museum

Gyeongju National Museum houses numerous historical and cultural artifacts of the Silla kingdom(57BC - AD935).

It is one of the popular Buddhist temples in Korea which every tourist must visit. Bulguksa Temple built in 751 during Silla kingdom era is the representative relic of Gyeongju because of the beauty of the temple itself and the artistic touch of the stone relics like a series of wooden buildings, stone bridges and pagodas. There are seven national treasures. Bulguksa were listed on UNESCO world heritage in 1995.

Seokguram

Seokgulam is a typical Buddhist stone temple built in 751 during Silla kingdom era located on the slope of Mt. Tohamsan in Gyeongju. Inside the round-shaped main hall are a huge granite Bonjon Statue, Bodhi-sattva and his disciples. The Bonjon figure wearing a generous smile is seated on the stage engraved with a lotus flower design. The rounded ceiling looks like a half-moon or a bow and has a lotus flower decorated cover on it. Designated as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995,

Haedong Yonggungsa

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is situated on the coast of the north-eastern portion of Busan. This superb attraction offers visitors the rare find of a temple along the shore line; most temples in Korea are located in the mountains. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple was first built in 1376 by the great Buddhist teacher known as Naong during the Goryeo dynasty. Haesu Gwaneum Daebul (Seawater Great Goddess Buddha), Daeungjeon Main Sanctuary, Yongwangdang Shrine, Gulbeop Buddhist Sanctum (enclosed in a cave), and a three-story pagoda with four lions can all be seen looking out over the ocean.

Jagalchi Market

This is the biggest fish market in Korea and represents Busan and is famous throughout the country, At this fish market, customers buy the raw fishes at fish shops in the first floor and bring them to restaurants on second floors in the fish market. The restaurant slice the fish and make them sashimi. And people enjoy sashimi and some fish stews with alcohol.

Busan Gamcheon Culture Village

Gamcheon Culture Villiage is formed by houses built in staircase-fashion on the foothills of a coastal mountain, earning this village the nickname "Santorini of Busan." Many alleys that cut through this community are vibrantly decorated with murals and sculptures created by the residents. This village was originally made by war refugees for their settlement during Korean war. In 2000's, the city government of Busan launched maintenance and revitalization project in the area, bringing vibrant murals and sculptures into the meandering alleys of this town.

UN Memorial Cemetery

The UN Memorial Cemetery in Korea honors UN soldiers from 16 countries and UN aids from five countries that were killed in battle during the Korean War from 1950-1953. It is the only memorial cemetery in the world dedicated to UN soldiers. While the cemetery originally held up to 11,000 graves, most of the fallen soldiers were repatriated at the request of their families, with only 2,300 graves remaining. The serene park spreads across a grassy plain area of 135,000 square meters. Some notable sites and memorials include: Memorial Service Hall, Memorabilia Hall, two Turkish Monuments, Greek Monument, Australian Monument, British Commonwealth Monument and two ponds.

Nurimaru APAC House

Nurimaru APEC House is a construction which was used as conference hall for 13th APEC summit on Nov. 2005. Nuri means world, and maru means peak, summit. So, nurimaru means the house which summits are using for conference. This APEC House is located in beautiful Dongbaek island surrounding with camellia and pine trees. After APEC summit on 2005, this building has been used for high level conference. This building is three story building, the overall shape and design of this building express and represent Korea’s traditional pavilion, JeungJa. At the terrace, we can enjoy the gorgeous scenic view of five islands, Kwangan bridge, Haeundae beach and etc..

Dongbaekseom

Dongbaekseom is an island located on the west end of the Haeundae Beach. A name of Dongbasek is originated from Korean word for camellias. As the name of Dongbaek, there are lots of camellias in the island. Thirty minutes’ walking and jogging path along the coast pf island supplies stunning view of coast line and sea. It was designated as the 46th monument of Busan on March 9, 1999.

Hyangiram Hermitage

Hyangiram Hermitage is one of most popular four Buddhist hermitages in Korea where the faithful come to pray, and is the one of the best scenic view point for sunrise.

Odongdo

The base point of Hallyeohaesang National Park, Odongdo Island is famous for colonies of camellia, and there are 70 species of wildflowers and 200 species of evergreen trees.

Yeosu

Yeosu Maritime Cable Car is the first cable car connecting Dolsan Island and the mainland over the ocean.

Suncheonman Bay National Garden was established on a plot of 1.12 million ㎢(280 acre) to protect Suncheonman Bay and is the first national garden in Korea. The garden is home to over 790,000 trees in 505 species and 3.15 million flowers in 113 species.

Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve

Suncheonman Bay is densely covered with reeds taller than an adult man. It is the largest reed colony in Korea and spreads out like an ocean. The entire reed field swaying in the wind is as dazzling as the waves of the sea. It has all the natural conditions for migratory birds and mudflats. Suncheonman wetland was listed as UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in 2018, and was the first coastal wetland in Korea to be registered as a Ramsar wetland in 2006.

Boseong Green Tea Field Daehan Dawon

Boseong Green Tea Field is a mecca of green tea in Korea. Daehan Dawon Tea Plantation in Boseong was opened in 1929 and is the largest tea plantation farm in Korea, with 5.8 million tea trees on 1.7 million square meters(420acre). It is the largest inland tea garden. It was selected as one of the 50 must-see tourist destinations in Korea by CNN in 2012.

Soswaewon Garden

Soswaewon Garden is a private Korea traditional garden, where Korea's traditional beauty is preserved, built in early 1500 in Joseon period. Soswaewon Garden presents itself as a clean and transparent garden where the righteous enjoy the life of anbinnakdo (being comfortable amid poverty and taking pleasure in an honest lifestyle) surrounded by a bamboo grove.

Damyang Juknokwon

Juknokwon is a bamboo forest garden composed with bamboos and pavilions at approximately 310,000㎡(80 acre), was formed in May 2003. The rock steps and winds blown between the bamboo trees provide relief from daily stress. Try bamboo leaf tea for a perfect end to the visit.

Tapsa Temple

Tapsa Temple is famous for the over 80 stone pagodas built by Lee Gapyong, a retired scholar. Those stone pagodas have different sizes and shapes from cone-shaped to straight-shaped. How those tower were built is still unclear. It is said that those stone pagodas were made in the late 1800's entirely by one person. Even though the pagodas have been around for more than 100 years, they have never collapsed nor even moved through strong winds, making them truly amazing.

Jeonju

Jeonju is known for its traditional hanok villages and is rich in traditional Korean culture and historical resources. It has religious and cultural values such as Gyeongjeonjeon and Jeondong Cathedral church, and you can enjoy various traditional cultures such as bibimbap, making of Korean traditional paper and etc.

Jeonju Hanok Village

jeonju hanok village is the traditional village maintaining its original shape of Korea traditional house and life style. This village began forming from 1930 during Japanese colonial period, and now 800 houses.

Jeondong Catholic Church

Jeondong Catholic Cathedral in Jeonju was built in honor of Roman Catholic martyrs of the Joseon dynasty. The first Romanesque building in the Honam region, Jeondong Catholic Cathedral is made of gray and red bricks and bears a striking resemblance to the Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul.

Gyeonggijeon Shrine

Gyeonggijeon Shrine was erected in 1410 and holds the portrait of King Tae-jo, the founder of the Joseon dynasty.

Hanji Museum

Jeonju Hanji Museum was founded to promote the excellence of hanji (traditional Korean paper) and present how it has impacted the lifestyle of Koreans in the past and the present. The museum has an extensive collection of 3,000 artifacts and a database documenting the long history and superiority of hanji. Hanji making experience is available.

Gongju

Gongju-si is located at the center ofSouth Korea, and was a capital city of Baekje kingdom once, and has many popular attractions, including Gyeryongsan National Park, Gongsanseong Fortress, Magoksa temple, Muryeongwangneung, Tomb of King Muryeong, and etc..

Gongju Gongsanseong Fortress

Gongsanseong Fortress is a mountain castle which was established during the Baekje Period (234-678). The fortress is more than 2.6 kilometers long at 110 meters above sea level. There are many structures and relics left from the Baekje, Goryeo, and Joseon dynasties within the fortress.

Songsan-ri Tombs and Royal Tomb of King Muryeong

UNESCO World Heritage, The Songsan-ri Tombs and Royal Tomb of King Muryeong (reign 462-523) contains representative relics of the Baekje period (234-678). The Songsan-ri Tombs contain the graves of kings from the period when Baekje's capital was Gongju, and it is believed to contain 17 such graves. Only seven graves have been discovered so far. First five tombs were made using the traditional Baekje-style design while tomb number six and the Royal Tomb of King Muryeong was made using the Chinese-influenced design. Even though many artifacts in the tombs were stolen by grave robbers, the Royal Tomb of King Muryeong wasn’t robbed until it was discovered during drainage work of other tombs in 1971. So, 4600 artifacts of Baekje kingdom era were founded.

Magoksa Temple

Magoksa Temple is the head temple of the sixth district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism located on Taehwasan Mountain in Gongju. According to the historical records on the temple, Magoksa Temple was built in the 9th century when Seon Buddhism began to spread throughout Korea. Magoksa Temple is characterized by a unique layout, with the northern and southern parts of the compounds divided by a stream.The northern compound contains Daegwangbojeon, which is the main hall, and there is a five-story stone pagoda with a Tibetan-style top story built in the 14th century. The southern compound features a small yard and contains Yeongsanjeon Hall and a place to practice Seon meditation. Magoksa Temple was called the Southern Art Center for having had many famous monk painters who produced Buddhist art. This temple was designated as UNESCO Cultureal Heritage "Sansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries in Korea".

Enjoy the remains of the day at leisure before your transfer to the airport. Included onward transfer to airport.