Listen to the hidden historical stories of Korea at Gyeongbokgung Palace, the most visited place in Seoul.
Cheong Wa Dae, which means ‘Blue Tile House,’ is also known as the Blue House.
It will be a meaningful trip to understand Korean history at Gyeongbokgung Palace, Blue House, Jogyesa Temple.
And it will be a fun time to experience Korean culture at Insadong Street and Gwangjang Market.
Foot bath experiences at the Oriental Medicine Promotion Center will relieve your fatigue.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At Hotel
- at Hotel Lobby
The main palace of Joseon Dynasty (Gyeongbokgung Palace)
Gyeongbokgung Palace is a representative tourist destination in Korea.
Gyeongbokgung Palace is one of the five grand palaces of the Joseon Dynasty and the main palace of Joseon.
It is the first palace built during the Joseon Dynasty.
The first king of Joseon Lee Seong-gye established the Joseon Dynasty in 1392 and he moved the capital city from Gaeseong to Seoul. And then Gyeongbokgung was built in 1395, three years after the Joseon dynasty was founded, and it serves as the main palace.
Shall we explore Gyeongbokgung Palace together, a place that is modest yet not shabby, beautiful yet not extravagant?
Blue House (Cheongwadae)
Cheongwadae is the heart of power and the command center of South Korea.
The dramatic rise and fall of past presidents who passed through this place reflect the turbulent modern history of Korea.
Despite enduring liberation, division, and the Korean War, South Korea achieved miraculous industrialization and democratization.
During the Joseon Dynasty, the area behind Sinmumun Gate, the north gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace, was considered the realm of the divine.
Today, it remains open to the public, but in the royal era, it was a closed gate, only accessible during special ceremonies.
As Gyeongbokgung Palace was gradually opened to citizens in modern times, Cheongwadae followed suit in 2002.
We invite you to this historic site, where the "Miracle on the Han River" was born.
Head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism
Jogyesa Temple is the head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism.
The temple was first established in 1395, during the Joseon Dynasty.
However, the current temple as it is now was built in 1910. So, in 2010 the temple celebrated it’s 100 year anniversary.
The history of Buddhism in Korea spans over 1,400 years.
During the Joseon Dynasty, due to the suppression of Buddhism, most historic temples were built in mountain areas.
However, Jogyesa Temple, located in the heart of Seoul, is one of the rare exceptions and has played a crucial role in preserving the spirit of Korean Buddhism.
Jogyesa is more than just a temple; it is a valuable space where visitors can understand Korean traditional culture and Buddhist philosophy.
Within the temple grounds, there is a white pine tree estimated to be around 500 years old (designated as a Natural Monument in 1962) and a 400-year-old pagoda tree. Visitors can witness the beautiful harmony between the temple and the white pine.
Korea's traditional culture(Insadong) street
And we will look around Insadong for 50 minutes.
Insadong is one of the representative streets of Seoul where you can experience Korea's traditional culture, and it is also a must-see for foreigners in Seoul.
The street of traditional culture is alive with modern buildings and traditions.
Insadong is the street where Korean characteristics are best displayed, and there are many antique shops, art galleries, traditional tea houses, and local restaurants.
Traditional Korean market
Gwangjang Market is a traditional Korean market that offers a wide variety of products.
In the past, it was a historic market known for selling traditional goods like clothing, hanbok, and textiles. However, in recent years, it has become a paradise for street food, offering treats like bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), mayak gimbap, tteokbokki, and sundae.
The term 'mayak(drug) gimbap' means 'so addictive that once you try it, you can’t stop eating it.‘
Gwangjang Market combines traditional market vibes with an array of delicious foods, making it a bustling place filled with shoppers and travelers.
Amid the crowd of travelers, how about capturing a photo with you in it?
Foot Bath Experience
Traditionally, Eastern medicine has developed around the use of medicinal herbs to treat people.
A foot bath involves soaking your feet in warm water infused with herbal ingredients used in traditional medicine.
In Eastern medicine, foot care is considered highly important.
The herbal foot bath experience offers a healing moment to relax both your body and mind.
Under a pavilion that reflects the beauty of traditional hanok, you can soak your feet in warm water infused with seasonal medicinal herbs like mugwort and chrysanthemum, providing a space to rejuvenate your tired body and mind.
Through this herbal foot bath experience, embrace the health philosophy of "Cold Head, Warm Feet" (두한족열) from the Donguibogam, and enjoy a healthier life in your daily routine.
Leave your fatigue behind and walk away feeling renewed.
Ending Point
At Hotel Lobby
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Guiding fee
Free transportation (5 seater Sedan, Hyundai)
Fuel, toll, parking
Hotel Pick-up and Drop-off
Entrance Fees
Lunch
Traveler's Insurance
Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed every Tuesday; therefore, an alternate palace will be visited on that day.
The provided schedule is designed around the most popular attractions and timing, but it can be adjusted flexibly to accommodate the preferences and needs of the customers.
Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed every Tuesday.
It will be replaced by Changdeokgung Palace on Tuesday.
I can drive my own car to make customers comfortable.
My house is close to Incheon Airport.
I can pick up at Incheon Airport and take you to the hotel in my car.
When needed, I can invite a professional photographer to take photos.
I love history and travel.
So, I will make my customers' trips valuable.
In our country with distinct four seasons, I can guide joyfully at any time.
I lived in Gyeongju for a long time when I was young. I know a lot about Gyeongju.
I've traveled to Jeju Island dozens of times. I have a lot of knowledge about Jeju Island.
Hello! I am Alice.
I live in Incheon, South Korea. It's very close to Seoul.
I want to guide my clients through the charming city of Seoul.
Especially when introducing the five grand palaces of Seoul, I would like to invite a professional photographer to capture beautiful moments.
I can help them dress in hanbok and create stunning life shots.
I also want to guide them through Kyeongju, a city that breathes with a long history. I lived in Kyeongju until my teenage years.
I want to introduce UNESCO-listed Kyeongju, a city of culture and history.
I have traveled to Jeju Island more than several ten times. I also want to introduce Jeju Island.
My clients can go anywhere they want in South Korea.
There are many well-preserved cultural heritage sites with a long history in Korea, and they can also experience the convenience of fast-developing Seoul.
Come and visit Korea. Let's explore Seoul and travel together anywhere.
Traveling in Korea will be a memorable and cherished experience.
Best regards. Alice.
Moira S.
Pick-up at Incheon Airport and Hongdae Street tour
Customized
“Alice K. is the best ever . . .”
Honestly, my experience using Alice as my guide could not have been better! She was so professional and communicated clearly. I was anxious arriving in a country that I did not know the language (and the words I tried sounded nothing like they should, so nobody had a prayer of understanding me). She communicated with me every step, letting me know she was at the airport and advising me from step 1. She helped me get set up with the internet, helped with luggage, got me checked into the hotel (great car service with water bottles, etc.), and then shared all her knowledge of Hongdae by giving me a wonderful tour. She was so professional. I highly recommend her especially for anyone who needs a kind person who enjoys helping you enjoy Korea. Seoul was amazing and she made sure I could relax and enjoy myself. She was wonderful. I fully intend on using her again the next time I come to South Korea. Thank you Alice for helping me make memories!!!
Alice K.
Hello Moira!! I'm glad to hear that you arrived home safely. I was very worried because the WhatsApp messages weren't connecting. I was so happy to spend a wonderful time with you, who came all the way to Korea in the cold winter to see your daughter. I hope our country feels even warmer to your daughter. You were truly a great traveler. I wanted to show you more of Korea as you tried to understand it and wanted to visit libraries here. If you ever come back to visit your daughter again, please let me know. I would love to show you more of how beautiful this country is, a place where your daughter can continue to enjoy living. Wishing you health and happiness always. Best Regards. From Alice.
“12 hour layover in Seoul”
I had a wonderful day with Alice on my layover. She met me right outside of customs and was excellent communicating where to meet. We had a fast and furious day seeing the sites, eating the food, and doing a little unexpected shopping for cold weather gear for me. I'm so grateful to have spent the day with Alice and to have seen a snapshot of Korea. It was fascinating!
Alice K.
Thank you, Val. I also had a really great time today. It felt like meeting a close friend after a long time. I especially enjoyed having so many fun conversations with you. I hope you get a good rest on the flight back and have a comfortable journey. Wishing you happiness always, and I hope your family stays healthy and does well.
“Visiting Seoul first time - Seoul's past and present!”
As first time tourists in Korea, my wife and I, we decided to have a local guide and it was a very rewarding decision because Alice, our guide, provided an excellent job. We'd like to say many thanks to her for introducing us to Korea and Korean people and we had great discussions about the past and present time of Korea and also about the future of Korean peninsula! Yeonk-ok, a.k.a. Alice, is very professional, with excellent knowledge and pleasant in conversation! She adjusted the tour to our requests and made us feeling great in this beautiful city! Ovi and Chris R. from Naples, Florida say a big THANK YOU VERY MUCH ALICE!
Alice K.
Hello, Ovi!! You and Cris must be tired from the long trip. Traveling always fills us with excitement and happiness. But it can be tiring too. For me, traveling has always been great because it gives me a chance to step away from my life and experience living a different one, even if just for a moment. I believe that you and Cris will enjoy your daily lives and then, someday, head off to another destination. I’m sure you’re happy because you have Cris, who is always kind and a true friend to you. I hope to meet you again someday. Have a wonderful daily life. Best regards. From Alice.
$320/ per group