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.
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
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
- 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
* 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.
Service is available even at dawn or late night including pick-up and sending at Incheon International Airport.
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!
Nigel L.
“An interesting and informative day with Charlie”
Bad weather must be a tour guides nightmare - and we had it all. Rain, sleet, snow and wind, yet Charlie kept us entertained, informed and as dry as possible (he even brought us plastic rain coats to use). He was kind, courteous and answered all questions. Charlie is an experienced tour guide and it showed, the day flew by and a great time was had by all.
Charlie C.
Thank you so much for participating in the tour until the end despite the bad weather. And thank you for giving me a good review of my tour. I sincerely look forward to seeing you again in Korea. Thank you.
$340/ per group