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Buam-dong, Seoul’s Hidden Charming North Park-neighborhood
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Joined 2022
This is a lovely neighborhood of “Gangbuk” Seoul behind famous Mt. Bugak, with a wide variety of offerings, scenic and fascinating, but only a few “insiders” know about its very charming character. We will visit the “Sword-Washing Pavilion”, then a beautiful waterfall with a colorful Buddhist temple right next to it! We will proceed into a hidden quiet peaceful area with late-Joseon-era ruins-relics amidst great trees. Then along a high ridge with great views, and some unique cafes & others.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Your hotel, or the Gyeongbok-gung Metro Subway Station
- Gyeongbok-gung Metro Subway Station, Orange Line #3 Easy to find.... Exit #3.
the evocative “Sword-Washing Pavilion”
Haeun-sa with Buam Falls
Walking up the stream and climbing into legendary Buam-dong [Rear-rocks Village], we will first encounter a beautiful waterfall with a colorful Buddhist temple right next to it! We will quickly review the artworks of that temple’s shrines...
Buam-dong Park
We will proceed into the forested parklands, a hidden quiet peaceful area with late-Joseon-era ruins-relics amidst great trees. One of the trails along a gushing stream will lead us out past the historic carved boulder, into a high-class elevated urban neighborhood.
Upper Neighborhood & Ridge
This is in a high-class elevated urban neighborhood, which features another very interesting urban Buddhist temple with an antique mountain-spirit painting. Our guide will be explaining everything along the way, as an expert. We will then walk along the top of an extensive ridgeline offering some great views of northern-most Seoul.
Past Cafes & Museums & Restaurants, etc.
As we walk along the top of an extensive ridgeline offering some great views of northern-most Seoul, we will pass several charming cafes, and visit the most evocative decorated one, famous from a couple of Korean TV dramas. Finally we will descend into the best known urban area of Buam-dong and be introduced to its unique cafes and art-museums. We will end at the historic North Gate of the Seoul City Wall.
Ending Point
We will end at the historic North Gate of the Seoul City Wall, now a popular trailhead; some of us may eat lunch together in a great restaurant, and from there we all can catch several forms of transportation.
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
guide fee, hotel meet-up
Local Transportation (if needed; subway, bus, taxi)
Food and drinks, as desired.
Tour Important Information
This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes, and have a hat, etc. It will be fascinating and well-worth-it!
In good weather only!
Important message from the supplier
I do this full-time now, any day -- but only in Spring & Autumn.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2022
About Tour Guide David a. M.
I have been a Professor of Korean Cultural Tourism in Seoul, and a Tour-guide, Lecturer and Author on Traditional Cultural Sites, especially religious ones, on the high-end, for 25 years. Wrote the 1996-7 edition of Lonely Planet's KOREA guidebook!
Reviews
Candace D.
“Touring with a Guide of Exceptional Knowledge ”
If you are interested in understanding Korea beyond the basics, I’d definitely recommend spending time with Prof. David Mason. Today I spent 8 hours with Prof. Mason, a tourist professor and scholar and contributor to Lonely Planet’s Korea content. I chose him through Gowithguide because his background matched my interest in Korean history - from early archeological findings to the formation of Korea today. In those 8 hours , he took me through Korea’s past in a way that was richly informative and easy to follow. I could listen to him for hours. At the national museum of Korea , he walked me through the early kingdoms, and around Seoul City Hall ( both old and new buildings ) and he connected that history to modern Korea. I appreciated that he adapted the day to my interests in a thoughtful in depth way and answered all of my questions without hesitation. I’m looking forward to continuing to learn from him by following him on FB and exploring his ebooks.
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David a. M.
I really enjoyed guiding you, so interested to learn, and am glad you got so much value out of that tour. I hope you return to Korea for more, someday! David
Richard F.
“Encyclopedic Knowledge”
David was by far the most seasoned guide we have worked with. His life experience and vast knowledge of the subject made the tour an unforgettable stop in Seoul.
David a. M.
I really enjoyed guiding your couple, and am glad you got so much value out of these tours. I hope you return to Korea for more, someday! David
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Steven W.
“Two full days exploring modern and ancient Seoul with a terrific guide.”
David knows ancient and modern Korea and Seoul. We learned about the political history of Korea, its relations with the US and neighboring Asia countries and North Korea. He told us about the economy, birth rates, social customs, religion, palaces, emperors and kings, geography and lots of practical aspects of modern Korean life. We have toured in many countries and David’s was probably the best. Strong recommendation for those interested in an incredibly well rounded and intelligent scholar, historian and raconteur.
David a. M.
I'm very glad that you enjoyed our days so much Steve; thanks for the high compliment! I hope that you will be inspired to return to Korea someday, and tell your friends to come... David
$335/ per group
More tours by David a. M.
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Full-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History
This is my standard and very popular Itinerary for this ~8 hour tour: it can be adjusted for individual preferences. Its intention is to be a fascinating orientation & overview of Seoul "old & new", with introduction to who the Koreans are, and the key points of their history and customs. We can move faster and see more, or take our time and see a bit fewer sites; it's all up to your personal style. I will be telling colorful stories all along the way. You will learn so much, and in context!!
Full-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History
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Half-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History
This is my most popular standard tour, perfect for any visiting Korea for a serious first look. It walks us through the best sights of Seoul's historic central downtown area, very close to each-other, while I tell the relevant colorful stories at each brief stop. It is completely flexible on the timing and number / nature of the sites visited; all depends on where I pick you up and drop you off, and just what you want to see and do. On this system I also offer a full-day version of this tour.
Half-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History
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Six-Hour Intro to Seoul and Korean History
This is my standard and very popular Itinerary for this ~6 hour tour: it can be adjusted for individual preferences. Its intention is to be a fascinating orientation & overview of Seoul "old & new", with introduction to who the Koreans are, and the key points of their history and customs. We can move faster and see more, or take our time and see a bit fewer sites; it's all up to your personal style. I will be telling colorful stories all along the way. You will learn so much, and in context!!
Six-Hour Intro to Seoul and Korean History
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