Bukak Skyway and Hidden Seoul Tour
The Skyway, which runs along the ridges of Mt. Bukak, is the best attraction to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding Mt. Bukak and downtown Seoul. Starting with Gilsangsa Temple located in Seongbuk-gu, you can look into the hidden aspects of Seoul and hear the hidden stories of Seoul by touring the Korean Stone Art Museum, Bukaksan Octagonal Pavilion, Seodaemun Prison History Hall, Donuimun Museum Village, and Gyeonghui Palace.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Hotel
- Hotel where you stay.
Gilsangsa Temple
Gilsangsa is a Buddhist temple located in Seongbuk-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, and belongs to the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Gilsangsa Temple is a clear and fragrant fundamental place, and the beautiful natural environment and traditional architecture are combined to provide a peaceful atmosphere to visitors.
Gilsangsa Temple was a restaurant and bar named Daewongak before it was a Buddhist temple. Kim Yeong-han, the former owner of Daewongak, became a Gisaeng (Korean Geisha) at the age of 16 when she learned court music and dance. She bought the current Gilsangsa land and ran a Korean restaurant called Cheongamjang, and during the military regime, Daewongak became a high-class restaurant and bar.
Daewongak entertained prominent political figures and earned huge money as a tourist attraction that earned Korean foreign currency. However, Kim Yeong-han, the owner of Daewongak, persuaded a Buddhist monk who usually preached non-possession for 10 years to donate Daewongak. Upon Kim Yeong-han's request, the monk Beopjeong accepted her donation and changed Daewongak into a Buddhist temple in 1997, and named it Gilsangsa Temple.
The secret room where fairy politics took place during the military regime in the past has now been opened as a space for anyone to visit.
Korean Stone Art Museum
The Korean Stone Art Museum is the only stone museum in the world built by gathering Korean stone artifacts scattered at home and abroad. This Museum opened in Seongbuk-dong, surrounded by Bukaksan Mountain and Seoul City Wall, in 2015 to promote the beauty and cultural value of old stone sculptures.
The Korean Stone Art Museum exhibits stone artifacts such as the stone stature of a civil office, stone stature of a military officer, and Beoksu, as well as introducing artwork by domestic and international artists.
The old stone sculptures contain the values of life and the aspirations of the people that exist beyond time and space.
Beyond the traditional perspective of considering old stone sculptures only as decorations or tombstones of Buddhist temples, the focus is on looking at the lives, philosophy, and wisdom of the ancestors contained in them from our present perspective. It shares the stories of stones and people that have been on Korean soil for a long time and makes them feel the value of its life that exists beyond time and space.
On the fourth floor of the building, there is Longevity Road and Rain Prayer’s Altar, and various types of stones are waiting for visitors with different names in the stone garden.
Bukak Skyway and Octogonal Pavilion (Observatory)
The Bukak Skyway is an 8 km two-lane road along the ridge of Mt. Bukak in Seoul that streches from Zahamun to Jeongneung Arirang Pass. The road was opened for increased security in the Seoul metropolitan area and trails following the infiltration of North Korean military soldiers into the Blue House on Jan. 21, 1968. The narrow steep road leading up the mountain, the high-rise buildings in between, and the cars driving there combine to create a wonderful scene.
In particular, octagonal pavilion is located at the top of the Bukak Skyway, making it popular as a tourist attraction and observatory. Reflectors and mercury lamps are installed throughout the winding spiral Bukak Skyway.
There is an old city wall on the side of the road and in the 1970s, it was in the spotlight as a drive course for newlyweds in line with Bukhansan Mountain. It is now also a favorite riding course for bicycle lovers.
Lunch
We have lunch at a restaurant in Buam-dong or Hongje-dong, Seodaemun-gu.
Seodaemun Prison History Hall
If there is a living place in modern and contemporary history of Korea and a representative place of dark tourism, it would be the Seodaemun Prison History Hall. Seodaemun Prison History Hall is a great lesson for all of us from the perspective of world peace and humanity. Independence Gate Park and the Korean Provisional Government Memorial are located right next to it.
Seodaemun Prison was a notorious prison in the past that imprisoned independence fighters during Japanese colonial era and democratization activists during the military dictatorship after liberation, and is a living site of modern and contemporary Korean history.
It was established by the Japanese under the name of Gyeongseong Prison in 1908, and was used as a prison until it was moved to Uiwang-eup, Siheung-gun, Gyeonggi-do in 1987. The size was about 200,000 square meters of land and 3,200 inmates, and the current history hall has only been restored and restored to some of the sites at that time.
The Seodaemun Prison History Hall consists of an exhibition hall immediately in front of the entrance door, Central Prison Building immediately behind it, and the 9th to 12th Prisons, Medical Unit, Memorial Monument, Exercise Building, and Cook house.
Donuimun Museum Village
Donuimun Museum Village contains the historical values and memories of modern and contemporary Seoul as the first neighborhood in the west gate of Seoul City Wall. It is a village-level historical and cultural space in the city center that was reborn through a Seoul-type urban regeneration method.
Buildings in the village were remodeled to make the most of them, and a large yard was built at the site where some houses were opened. The friendly village, such as modern and contemporary architecture, urban hanok, and 100-year-old alleyways, remained in the same place and has been reborn as a new cultural venue for many citizens to enjoy and experience.
Currently, Donuimun Museum Village has been renovated under the concept of "Time Travel Playground in the City, 100th Anniversary of Seoul" and is welcoming citizens. The main feature is that the contents have been completely reorganized into a "participatory" space where exhibitions, experiences, performances, and markets are held all year round to revive the original purpose of the construction while leaving the existing buildings of 40 buildings intact.
Gyeonghui-gung Palace
Gyeonghui-gung Palace is one of the five major palaces of the Joseon Dynasty. Gyeonghui-gung Palace was established during the reign of King Gwanghaegun and was an important palace in the late Joseon Dynasty until King Gojong’s regime. Originally, it was the residence of Jeongwongun, King Injo's father, but it was said that the king's energy was strong here, so
Gwanghaegun confiscated the site and built a new palace. Its original name was Gyeongdeok-gung Palace, but Yeongjo changed it to Gyeonghui-gung Palace. During the Imjin War in 1592, all palaces, including Gyeongbok-gung Palace, Changdeok-gung Palace were destroyed. During the Gwanghaegun‘s regime, the reconstruction of Changdeok-gung Palace and Changgyeong-gung Palace were completed, but King Gwanghaegun built an additional Gyeongdeok-gung Palace with the backdrop of Inwangsan Mountain and lived there from 1617 to 1623. During King Gojong, the Gyeonghui-gung palace's buildings were demolished and used to rebuild Gyeongbok-gung Palace in order to provide materials for the reconstruction of Gyeongbok-gung Palace. As a result, most of the Gyeonghui-gung palace’s buildings were demolished, and only a few palaces such as Sungjeongjeon Hall and Heunghwamun Gate were left. In addition, the Gyeonghui-gung palace's buildings that remained through Japanese colonial era were also damaged, and the Gyeonghui-gung palace restoration project was carried out after liberation, but the scale was drastically reduced.
Hotel
Hotel where you stay.
Ending Point
Hotel
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- Professional Guide Fee.
- Transportation(Fuel and Parking fee) by five Seater Sedan Car.
- Photo Service.
- Admission Fee
° Korean Stone Art Museum : KRW 3,000 Adult/ KRW 2,000 Student / KRW 1,000 Child)
° Seodaemun Prison History Hall : KRW 3,000 Adult /KWR 1,500 Student/ KRW1,000 Child)
- Food and Beberages
- Personal expenses
- Traveler's insurance
Tour Important Information
* This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
* This tour is not recommended for those with severe back/knee problems.
* Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
Important message from the supplier
Service is available even at dawn or late night including pick-up and sending at Incheon International Airport.
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
About Tour Guide Charlie C.
Hello, I am Charlie, a tour guide. It’s very nice to meet you!
I warmly welcome you to Korea.
Korea is a beautiful country with 5,000 years of history.
Drawing on my experience working for a Korean government agency and my expertise in Korean history and culture, I would like to introduce you to many tourist attractions, including Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi Province.
Join me on a journey, and let’s have a wonderful time together. Thank you very much!
Reviews
Johanna C.
“Highlight of my trip”
My granddaughter and I had a lovely day with Charlie. He was accommodating, answered any question we posed, and it was interesting to learn about the history of Korea from him. Our visit to the DMZ was a highlight of my stay in Seoul (where I was visiting my granddaughter who is studying there). Charlie went out of his way to show us a suspension bridge up in the mountains. He even shared his candy and other snacks with us. A wonderful tour.
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Charlie C.
Thank you, Johanna, November 1st was the peak of the autumn weather, when large crowds gathered at Imjingak to visit DMZ. It was a bit of a bummer, but the tour with you was so enjoyable and happy. We climbed 275 steep steps to see the Gamaksan Mountain ridge and suspension bridge. Thank you for your passion for staying with me without giving up until the end. And thank you so much for leaving a wonderful review.
Seema I.
“The best DMZ tour guide”
Charlie is an amazing tour guide and I had an absolutely fantastic time touring the DMZ with him. As a solo traveler, initially I was skeptical about going on a tour to the DMZ. I did some online research and was able to connect with Charlie from GoWithGuide. Right from the get-go, he made me feel very comfortable. He knew I had a lot of time constraints on account of prior commitments and he was able to work around these commitments and suggest me a tour that would meet my requirements. He picked me up from a pre-determined spot on the day of the tour and dropped me back at the hotel when we were done. Charlie is a walking, talking encyclopedia with a lot of information and history on South and North Korea. It was extremely fun and interesting to visit the DMZ with him. He knew all the cool spots to visit and to take pictures at. There are no pictures allowed inside of the DMZ area, we are however allowed to take pictures right outside and he knew exactly the best locations to take the pictures. We also toured the third tunnel which was built by North Korea to infiltrate the South. The entire DMZ tour was simply amazing and it was wonderful to learn all the history and the life of the people on both sides. The icing on the cake was that the day was bright and sunny and I was able to see the other side very clearly. Charlie then took me to some souvenir stores around the DMZ, so I could pick up some gifts. After we were done with the DMZ tour, we stopped by at a rest area to have some delicious Korean ramen. Charlie also bought us some Korean bread with a red bean paste ice cream filling, which is a specialty of the area. It was very tasty! We then made the drive to the Seoul area to visit the Gyeongbokgung Palace. We walked around the palace grounds and he explained to me the historical significance of the palace. In true Charlie style, he once again took some great pictures. Overall it was a fantastic day and I could not have asked for a better guide!
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Charlie C.
Thank you for giving me a good review of the DMZ tour. On the day of the DMZ tour, the weather was so nice that I could see the North Korean land clearly. I was so happy to be able to tour with you. I hope to see you again another opportunity. Thank you so much.
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Karen B.
“Amazing Western Seoul Tour: A Truly Amazing Day”
Charlie is a very knowledgeable guide who explains in great detail everything you see for each stop on this tour. He allows you ample time to view each site and can answer any question you may have about the culture. Each stop was beautiful. From the serene temple visit, to the stunning Hanock village, ending with the sunset river cruise, each site was Amazing. AND Charlie made everything so beautiful and interesting with his descriptions. On my next trip to Korea, I will definitely secure him as my guide.
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Charlie C.
Thank you so much for a good review about the tour. I will do my best to make my customers feel happy. It was great moments with you. I really hope to see you again.
$340/ per group
More tours by Charlie C.
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Amazing Western Seoul Tour
Eunpyeong Hanok Village boasts a beautiful natural environment. It is a famous place where you can feel the beauty and peace. Seoul Botanic Park is a space where nearly 8,000 species of plants live. It has a botanical culture center, a botanical library, and cafe, so you can spend a leisurely time. The Han River is the most important river for Seoul citizens. “Hangang Tour Cruise” starting from Yeouido Dock is the best gift to see the beautiful scenery of the Han River and Seoul.
Amazing Western Seoul Tour
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Central Seoul Walking Tour ; From Gwanghwamun Square to Ikseon-dong Hanok Alley.
Gwanghwamun Square connects the Joseon Dynasty and modern times. The view of Bukaksan Mountain and Gyeongbokgung Palace from Gwanghwamun Square is just like a landscape. Let's go on a journey back to the past at Gyeongbokgung Palace, the royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty. We can tour antique shops and galleries along the Insadong Cultural Street. Jogyesa Temple is worth visiting. Lastly, Ikseon-dong Hanok Alley has pretty cafes, restaurants, and stores while maintaing traditional Korea houses.
Central Seoul Walking Tour ; From Gwanghwamun Square to Ikseon-dong Hanok Alley.
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UNESCO Jongmyo and Changdeokgung Walking Tour ; World Cultural Heritage Sites.
Jongmyo Shrine and Changdeokgung Palace, registered as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites for their outstanding universal value, authenticity and integrity, are Koreans' pride. The world's most solemn and quietest Jongmyo Shrine is always a good place to visit. Beautiful cafes and shops along Seosulla-gil, attract passers-by. Changdeokgung Palace beloved by kings, is an eco-friendly space built while maintaining the maximum natural environment.
UNESCO Jongmyo and Changdeokgung Walking Tour ; World Cultural Heritage Sites.
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Dynamic Seoul and Foodi Tour
Once a rust belt, Seongsu-dong has been reborn. It is now full of various pretty cafes and pop-up stores. Seoul Forest, a former racetrack and golf course, has various botanical gardens and benches, making it perfect for a shelter. Dongdaemun Design Plaza is a place to breathe with a dynamic Dongdaemun Fashion Town. Its flexible and soft curves are similar to the shape of a spaceship. Gwangjang Market, which boasts a history of more than 100 years, is full of delicious foods.
Dynamic Seoul and Foodi Tour
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Dive into the vibrant world of K-dramas and Netflix hits that have taken the world by storm! Explore iconic filming locations throughout Seoul, where you can step into the scenes of your favorite shows. From charming cafes to breathtaking parks, experience the magic of Korean entertainment right where it was brought to life. Join us for a journey filled with cinematic charm and unforgettable memories!
K-Drama & Netflix Discoveries: Lights, Camera, Seoul! (Minivan 1-5 PAX)
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Premier DMZ Experience: Exclusive, Time-Saving Guided Tour (Minivan 1-5 PAX)
With VIP access that skips lines, this tour is perfect for travelers short on time yet eager for a rich experience. Our Exclusive DMZ Express Tour provides a time-efficient, in-depth look at Korea’s iconic border. In half a day, explore key DMZ sites such as panoramic North Korean viewpoints, the Third Infiltration Tunnel, Dora Observatory, and Unification Village. Guided by a local expert, gain valuable insights into Korea’s past and present, making this journey both memorable and meaningful.
Premier DMZ Experience: Exclusive, Time-Saving Guided Tour (Minivan 1-5 PAX)
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DMZ Private tour with a Guide + Van + Driver
Hotel pickup - DMZ (Imjingak Park) - ID check at Civilian Control Line - The 3rd Infiltration Tunnel - Dorasan Observatory - Unification Village - Lunch - Drop off at the hotel * To enter the DMZ, it is mandatory that we switch to a 45-seater DMZ shuttle bus. There will be other travelers on the shuttle bus as vehicles for tours are restricted in the military area. * We may have to start the tour early (ex: 6:00 am) during high season to secure the admission.
DMZ Private tour with a Guide + Van + Driver
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