Changdeokgung, Bukchon, Gwangjang market, N Seoul Tower
Tour to Changdeokgung & Rear Garden, listed by UNESCO World Cutural Heritage, traditional Korean village, traditional food and whole view of Seoul. Tour feature highlight & essence of beautiful traditional culture and landscape at Changdeokgung, Bukchon Hanok Village, and traditional food at Gwangjang market, beautiful cityscape at Namsan Tower. Guide share information of Korean culture that help guest fully enjoy the beauty and value of traditional Korean culture as well as palace architecture.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
at your hotel
- Greetings and pick-up at your hotel. Moving to Changdeokgung
Changdeokgung and Rear Garden
Tour to Changdeokgung and Rear Garden
Bukchon Hanok Village
Bukchon Hanok Village
Gwangjang market
Traditional Korean street food at food stands.
Namsan & N-Seoul Tower
Panoramic view of whole Seoul at N-Seoul Tower and Fortress wall from N Seoul Tower to South Gate can be included as an option.
Namdaemun market
Tour to Namdaemun market
City hall
Tour ends.
Ending Point
Seoul City Hall
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
guide fee
meal, entrance for palace and N Seoul Tower, drinks, transportation.
* Entrance ticket for Rear Garden will be bought in advance by guide and later it need to be paid by guest to guide. Entrance fee for Rear Garden is 5,000Ko.Won/person.
* Entrance fee for palace is 3,000Kor.Won. It will be bought at palace.
Tour Important Information
Exploring of Korea’s unique cultural identity and beauty!
Architecture is the center of culture & tour. Architectural style represents spirit of times. Confucianism is spirit of Joseon Dynasty.
Confucianism culture of Joseon Dynasty is unique & differentiated characteristic of Korean culture, compared to Chinese and Japanese.
With knowledge of Confucianism, architectural feature & its historical significance, you can fully appreciate the beauty and value of not only Changdeokgung but entire Korea’s traditional culture. Without knowledge, we are just fascinated by their superficial beauty.
Changdeokgung and its Rear Garden is the only palace, registered as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. Changdeokgung is unique and attractive palace with huge beautiful garden and unusal arrangement of palace buildings. Rear Garden of Changdeokgung is a remarkable place, where a plain hillside is turned into a beautiful garden. Rear Garden was designed to embrace nature. The original topography of the area is preserved, and trees, hills, valleys and streams are preserved. Rear Garden of Changdeokgung is classic example of traditional Korean garden reflecting Confucian ideas.
Bukchon Hanok Village is a Korean traditional village in Seoul with a long history. Bukchon Hanok Village is unique and attractive destination that shows traditional landscape in the middle of highly urbanized metropolitan environment.
Gwangjang market is the oldest traditional Korean market, where we can experience traditional Korean food, and there we can experience marinated beef slice, live octopus, mung bean pancake and Ttokbokgi, glass noodles, etc.
Namsan mountain is situated in the center of Seoul, and N Seoul Tower, which seats on the top of Namsan mt., provides panoramic view of Seoul. Visitors can see the beautiful scenery of Seoul at the observation deck of N-Seoul Tower. N Seoul Tower was selected as one of the world's top 500 tourist destinations in Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel List.
Important message from the supplier
My primary tourist destination is Seoul and metropolitan area, consisting of 5 palaces, Royal Ancestral Shrine, Bukchon Hanok Village, National Museum of Korea, War Memorial of Korea and other museums & galleries and contemporary architectures, and Namsan Mt. with N-Seoul Tower, traditional & trendy market places such as Gwangjang market & Hondae street, and also Korean Folk Village & DMZ tour.
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 Paul K.
Hello, I am Paul. I’m Korea’s only traditional culture guide deeply rooted in authentic Confucian philosophy. I am tour guide with proven record track of over 300 tours for international tourists.
My goal of tour guide is to help tourists create archives in their minds for the records of memory and the space holding hidden historical and cultural stories and values.
My specialty is Korean traditional architecture, art and mountain hiking, deeply rooted in Confucian culture & history.
Architecture and art are center of tour. The tour is designed to offer authentic appreciation of Korean traditional architecture and culture, through basic, intellectual information of Confucianism, provided before tour starts. Confucianism is quintessence of Korea's traditional culture and current Korea’s cultural identity.
With basic understanding of Confucianism, you can fully enjoy not only the beauty of the palace architecture but also Korean traditional culture, and your trip to Seoul will be impressive and memorable in your life.
My major places of tour are following destinations:
1. Monumental architecture of Korea’s tradition: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace & Secret Garden, Jongmyo Shrine (Royal Ancestral shrine), Seonjeongneung - Royal Tombs of Joseon Dynasty
2. Museum: National Museum of Korea, National Folk Museum
3. Bukchon Hanok maeul(Korean traditional house neighborhood), Insadong Street & Jogyesa Buddhist temple
4. Namsan mountain & N Seoul Tower, which offer unique experience of panoramic view of Seoul and Seoul metropolitan area
5. Market and street for food and shopping: Gwangjang market, Namdaemun market, Myeongdong street, Hongdae street
6. River south of Seoul(Gangnam of Seoul)Star Field library at COEX, Gangnam style statue, Bongeusa Buddhist temple in Gangnam, river south area
7. Hiking: Bukhansan mountain, Inwang mountain
8. DMZ tour, Korea Folk Village
Thank you for your interest!
As your guide, I hope to see you soon in Seoul!
Reviews
Diane M.
“Tour DMZ with Paul”
We absolutely loved this guided tour! Paul was extremely attentive throughout the entire experience, and he knows the history of his country by heart. He shared it with so much passion and enthusiasm, which made the tour both fascinating and enjoyable. We learned a lot and had a wonderful time. I highly recommend this tour!
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Paul K.
Thanks for good review! According to the global travel magazine 'Time Out', Seoul is ranked among the top 10 most beautiful cities in the world. It is a city with a unique cultural tradition, perfectly blending the old and the new. The tour of Seoul is worth more than your time, money, and effort, and it is sure to be impressive and memorable in your life. Confucianism culture is Korea's unique cultural identity! I’m Korea’s only traditional culture guide deeply rooted in authentic Confucian philosophy.
Jose R.
“Great tour in Seoul!”
Paul was a great welcome to Seoul! We met him at the palace, he was prompt and very clear with the meeting point. He did an interesting intro before going through the beautiful palace and secret gardens, well timed and then through some other highlights to feel the culture and history of this amazing city (ie. a walk through a traditional village, visit to the folklore museum which was really enlightening and interesting, etc). Paul is a very knowledgeable guide and a super way to learn about the highlights, history and culture of the city, and country! Thank you!
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Paul K.
Great review create great guide! Grateful for great review!
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Kahoko K.
“First time Seoul”
My daughter and I had a great time with Paul. He is a gentle and kind person and has remarkable knowledge about Korean culture and history, especially confucianism. We have learned so much things throughout the tour. It helped us even after the tour. I highly recommend him as a future guide for you. Thank you, Paul !
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Paul K.
It was my monumental experience to host tour for Kahoko-san! She kept encouraging my work and fundamental spirit as tour guide. It was a great tour with Kahoko-san.
$250/ per group
More tours by Paul K.
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Gyeongbokgung,Bukchon,tradtional food,SeoulTower,museum
Exploring for Korea’s unique cultural identity! Tour features Gyeongbokgung palace - the most beautiful place and best architecture, Bukchon Hanok Village, traditional food, N Seoul Tower, Museum. Guide share information of Korean culture that helps guest fully appreciate beauty and value of Gyeongbokgung but entire Korean traditional culture. Gyeongbokgung is the most beautiful place and monumental architecuture that represent Korea's traditional culture.
Gyeongbokgung,Bukchon,tradtional food,SeoulTower,museum
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DMZ tour to 3rd tunnel, Imjingkak, Gamaksan Suspension Bridge
DMZ tour offers your exploring of the dark side of Seoul, featuring intense tensions, violent confrontations and the constant risk of war between North and South Korea. During DMZ tour, you will visit the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel to see the reality of North's threatening provocation and Imjingak to see the scars & sorrowful memories of the Korean War. On your way back to Seoul, you will visit Gamaksan to enjoy beautiful natural scenery.
DMZ tour to 3rd tunnel, Imjingkak, Gamaksan Suspension Bridge
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Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon Village, Museum, Korean traditional food,
Tour of 6 hours to explore essence and highlight of traditional Korean culture from best of best palace, traditional Korean house village, traditional Korean food. Tour features Gyeongbokgung - main palace of Joseon Dynasty & the most beautiful place and architecture in Korea, Bukchon Hanok Village, traditional food. Guide share information of Korean culture that help guest fully enjoy and appreciate the authentic beauty and value of traditional Korean culture as well as palace architecture.
Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon Village, Museum, Korean traditional food,
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Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon Village, Ikseondong, Jogyesa temple
Tour of 4 hours to explore essence and highlight of traditional Korean culture from best of best palace, traditional Korean house village, traditional Korean folk culture. Tour features Gyeongbokgung palace - main palace of Joseon Dynasty & the most beautiful place and best architecture of Korea, Bukchon Hanok Village. Guide share information of Korean culture that help guest fully enjoy and appreciate the authentic beauty and value of traditional Korean culture as well as palace architecture.
Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon Village, Ikseondong, Jogyesa temple
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Seoul
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Seoul: A Journey Through History
Seoul has been the capital city of Korea since 1392. You will explore cultural heritage sites, including a royal palace, a Buddhist temple, the old streets, and a traditional market in the northern part of the city, all in one full day.
Seoul: A Journey Through History
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![[Expert Historian] Seoul Deep Dive: The Soul of Old Seoul](https://images.gowithguide.com/filters:format(avif)/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/17457/c71154a7-079b-4f5d-9ceb-6b847340b938.jpg)
[Expert Historian] Seoul Deep Dive: The Soul of Old Seoul
Not a typical tour—understand Korea, not just see it. See how Korea’s history, culture, and daily life connect through the structure of old Seoul. Rather than simply visiting landmarks, this tour follows a clear narrative—from everyday life in Bukchon and local markets to the royal order of Gyeongbokgung—showing how different layers of society were organized. Whether traveling solo or as a couple, this experience offers a deeper and more meaningful way to understand the spirit of old Seoul.
[Expert Historian] Seoul Deep Dive: The Soul of Old Seoul
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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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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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