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Full-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History
Joined 2022
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!!
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Meeting Point Options: City Hall Metro-Subway Station, your Hotel, or other.
Old & New City Halls and nearby sights
Introduction to the scale, design, functions and feng-shui (geomancy) of old "Hanyang" (historic central downtown); Japanese Colonial period vs. 21st-cen hypermodern Seoul.
Restored Cheonggye-cheon Stream
Very scenic central waterway, with 600 years of dramatic stories.
Seoul Square Plaza historical monument sights
Statues of two of the greatest national heroes, with context stories about why they're there and what they still mean to Koreans; views of the nation's "Power Center" buildings all around; tales of the massive pro-democracy event that happened on this vast plaza.
Gyeongbok-gung Main Royal Palace
The most important and scenic of the remaining seven Royal compounds. Detailed explanations of the architecture, kings & queens, lifestyle & politics with be told in an academically insightful and amusing way. It could be possible to see the 'Changing of the Guard Ceremony' if our timing is right and you want to take the time.
Folklore & Shamanism artifacts at palace rear-exit
We exit via the grounds of the spectacular National Folklore Museum Building, viewing its outdoor displays -- a great contrast to the formal palace, to really understand common Korean's lives & beliefs.
Great Korean Lunch
Several great restaurants are near our exit-gate. Extra cost for you, depending on what you want to get... could be simple or fancy -- or just a snack with coffee/tea..?
Bukchon Hanok Village intro
A quick look at the historic traditional-houses alleyways, and visit inside one old mansion
Jogye-sa Buddhist Temple
Visiting the national headquarters temple, with fascinating tales -- and it has a museum and the TempleStay Center.
Insa-dong traditional-culture street
Very colorful historic neighborhood to walk through, check-out some alleyways -- perhaps a bit of souvenir-shopping or herbal/green-tea-drinking if desired.
Tap-gol Park
Korea's first "public park", a really interesting place with shrines for the early-20th-century Independence Movement, very important to Koreans until today, and a big medieval pagoda!
Old Jonggak Bell-Pavilion
Last stop, the Old City Bell in a traditional pavilion, with hyper-modern buildings all-around!
Jongno-2-ga Area
Finished! I'll get you a subway ride or taxi back to your hotel, or show you the colorful dinner / beer options around there....
Ending Point
As said above.
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
Guiding Fee and entrance ticket to the palace
Transport if-needed (it's all on-foot, as each site is next to the other), lunch cost, any drinks or snacks...
Tour Important Information
This is a walking-only tour in a big loop, though use of a short (&cheap) taxi-ride is possible at the end. Metro subway or taxi might be used if we start at your hotel.
Starting time can be any between 8:30am to 3:00pm... 09:30 is just recommended, to be after rush-hour.
Main Palace is closed on Mondays; in that case another palace will be used
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
“Amazing day of Korean Buddhism and Shamanism tour”
Went to another tour with David to explore Korean Buddhism and Shamanism. Being a researcher on both subjects for many years, David has a wealth of knowledge and he was able to explain them in layman terms so it is understandable for everyone. As a fellow history/religious buff myself, I was very happy by this and gained a better understanding/appreciation on both Korean Buddhism and Shamanism. We have since become good friends and I look forward to do more tours with him next time I'm in Korea.
David a. M.
(6 reviews)I was so glad to do this tour with you, and glad that you enjoyed it so much! Thanks for the positive review.... I also look forward to our next tours together!! David
“Wonderful exploration of Korean history with David”
I had a wonderful time exploring Korea's historical past with David. We visited several museums, parks, a Catholic Martyr shrine and Deoksugung Palace. I am impressed by his wealth of knowledge about Korean history and he has the ability to explain the subject in a way that it is understandable for everyone. I'll certainly learned a lot from his tour and will definitely use his service again in future.
David a. M.
(6 reviews)I was so glad to do this tour with you, and glad that you enjoyed it so much! Thanks for the positive review.... I also look forward to our next tours together!! David
“Great Tour, highly recommended”
David is knowledgeable about Seoul, Korea and korean culture. We had a private walking tour with our own itinerary and David created an enjoyful experience for all, especially as we were a group of mixed ages (28 to over 65 years).
David a. M.
(6 reviews)It was my pleasure, Daniel... you were a great group, it was fun! Return to visit us again someday.... David
$455/ per group
Reserve
