Gangbuk Seoul (Northern district of Hangang River in Seoul) one day tour
Joined 2025
This is the highlight to cover the traditional district in Seoul(called "Gangbuk"). You will learn overall Korean history including Seoul, life passages of Koreans(from birth till after death) and Korean democracy evolvement. You will feel the beauty of traditional architecture harmonized with modern buildings in Seoul. This tour covers visiting old palace, folk museum, city stream, old city wall and etcetra. For more description, refer to the itinerary below.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Your Hotel
- At the lobby (where the front desk is located)
Cheonggyecheon Stream
Cheonggyecheon stream has become a resting place for Seoul citizens. You will learn about how this beautiful stream has changed throughout the history. Feel the beautiful scenery.
Gwanghwamun square
This used to be Government offices buildings located during Joseon Kingdom era. Now this square is a simbolic place for Korean democracy in modern era. You will also encounter with 2 statues of the most respected personnel throughout Korean history.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main & 1st palace of Joseon dynasty shows the dignity of the kingdom and the beauty of structures harmonized with surrounding natures such as mountains in its back since the 14th century. It still looks amazing with the comparison of highrise modernized buildings outside the palace at current time zone. If you want, you can rent Hanbok(Korean traditional costume) from Hanbok rental shop nearby.
Here we will watch the royal guards changing ceremony.
The national folk museum help you understand better traditional Korean life passages.
Insadong street
At Insadong handcraft street, you can look around various shops such as Calligraphy, Paintings, Traditional tea and Souvenirs and etc. We will have lunch time here.
Bukchon Hanok Village
There are large number of roof tile houses on the hill. you will see the good views. You can take photos and listen to the stories about the village.
Bukchon close on every Sunday (for giving a rest to the residents there)
Old city wall
Then, we will hike along the old city wall and pass through a mural village when down to the other side.
The hiking path is not so steep but you need to step up the hill for about 1 km. You will listen to the stories about the past and the present if the wall. Here you will have good views toward the city.
Hyehwa subway station
You will get to Hyehwa subway station down the hill of the other side. There gather many art theaters for music and plays. Considering time spent and your next destination, our tour can be finished either here or at your Hotel.
Ending Point
Hyehwa Subway station or Your Hotel
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
Guide fee
* meal & drinks for you
(approx. 10,000~30,000 Korean won for lunch)
* admission fee of Gyeongbokgung palace for you
(3,000 Korean won per person)
* transportation fare for you
(approx. 15,000 KW per one person in case of Bus and Subway)
* Hanbok (Korean traditional costume) rental fee for you
(if you want)
* Travelers Insurance (please subscribe it for you by yourself)
Tour Important Information
This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
In case the day you choose falls on closed day of Gyeongbokgung palace (e.g. every Tuesday), this will be substituted by Deoksugung palace or Changdeokgung palace.
Bukchon close on every Sunday.
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 2025
About Tour Guide Andy P.
Who you travel with is as important as where you go and what you see.
Here I am for you!
I have obtained official tour guide certificate in 2018.
I appreciate a lot of good reviews and kudos directly to me or indirectly through multi-national or Korean travel agencies.
Here are some extracts from the reviews.
Quote;
"Our tour guide Andy, in south Korea was exceptional, making the experience both educational and entertaining. His in-depth knowledge about the history and culture of the area was impressive, and he shared fascinating stories that brought the sites to life. His passion for the job was extremely good, leaving us with wonderful memories and a deeper appreciation for Korea." ; Unquote
On this ocassion, I would like to express gratitude from my warm heart to all the travelers whom I have met.
And, more about myself, I was born and raised in Seoul. Before becoming a tour guide, I had been working in Petrochemical Industry for major Korean conglomerates for quite a long timeframe. And, for developing overseas business projects of the enterprises. I resided in Indonesia and Vietnam as an expatriate for about 9 years.
Working in an international business environment and in a big organization gave me chances to broaden my views of the world and better understand diverse perspectives, cultures, religion, economics and politics as well. And, as I like reading books, my understanding about Korean history and human beings have been deepened with time.
You will see real Korea with the unviased vision through the eyes of real Korean.
Multiple days tour is also recommended. I can organise it reflectimg your tastes!
Come and enjoy with me!
Sincerly,
Andy
*Qualification/License :
Official English interpreting tourist guide (Korea Tourism Organization)
Korean History Evaluation Test 1st Grade certificate.
Driver's license(Sedan and Van)
*Academic background :
Master degree (Business & Administration)
Bachelor's degree (engineering chemical dept.)
Reviews
Howard P.
“Seoul Guided Tour”
Andy was incredibly knowledgeable & accommodated what we wanted to see & do perfectly, but more importantly his enthusiasm energy & care he took to make sure we had a great time was second to none. I can’t recommend him highly enough, he’s a great guide & great guy. Thanks Andy for a great day in Seoul & Incheon. Howard & Heather
Andy P.
Thank you for the time sharing with me. I really enjoyed the timw with you. I Hope that you will have wonderful and unforgetable memories from your cruise trip! And, cheers all the best including your good health and happiness. Andy
Sarai T.
“A very unexpectedly great and fun time with Andy! ”
I just landed in Korea and booked with Andy 1 day before the tour. I messaged 10 other tour guides & Andy was the 2nd to respond, but with the most warm message ever. When we landed, the language barrier was so hard that a taxi driver denied us because we couldn't communicate. It made me feel defeated, and I realized how much I may need a personal translator. I requested a customizable tour where Andy could show me how to use the metro system, eat, and shop around. Andy genuinely made me feel like I was going to be taken care of. He may not know this, but he comforted me a lot with his words. Andy was also VERY flexible when it came to changing things up last minute and going with the flow in the moment. The most unexpected thing that made this trip was that I thought after a while Andy would get tired like my mom, and want to move fast, but I was wrong! I'm a 20 yr old girl who LOVES to shop. Not only was he spending HOURS with me in the shops, he's giving me ideas, and it's GIRLY things like skincare, purses, jewelry, and clothes. He also has GREAT taste! It was like I went shopping with my friend who is genuinely happy to be there & wants to help me find the best thing for my taste. It truly changed my perspective on him. I just thought he may be a guide immersed in history and culture of Korea, which is true as well - but he is also well-rounded apparently! The tour I booked with Andy was only 8 hours, but he spent the WHOLE day with us and didn't charge us at all. I truly feel as though Andy is just having a good time as well. Not only did I have a guide with me, but a friend. Andy was cracking so much jokes, and genuinely made me laugh. Me & Andy were always together, but somehow my mom would wander off and walk VERY far away from us. We both would have to aggressively scream "MOMMM!" to get her attention, but even then she could not hear us. Every time it happened, it was we made a joke about it. It was so much fun...
Andy P.
THANK you, Sarai so much for your kind review. I really enjoyed the time I spent with you and your mom. The weather was a bit cold. However, It could not block our JOURNEY. I'm so glad that you had a really fun time. I will pray for you and your family. Feel the NEW life and ENJOY the life! I will be any assistance for you anytime. Cheers for YOU and MOM. Thanks with LOVE. :)
$400/ per group
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