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.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Gwanghwamun Square
- In front of admiral Lee Sun Sin statue
Context about culture and history of Joseon Dynasty
Sharing of cultural context about history, culture and Confucianism, that Gyeongbokgung reflects.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Tour to Gyeongbokgung Palace.
National Folk Museum
Tour to National Folk Museum.
Bukchon Hanok Village
Tour to Bukchong Hanok Village.
Arrival at Gwangjang market by bus
Transportation is one of best tour to experience local culture and people.
Gwangjang market
Guest experience marinated beef slice, live octopus, mung bean pancake and Ttokbokgi, glass noodles, etc
End of tour
Moving to Insadong and visit Jogyesa Buddhist temple
Tour ends at Insadong street
Ending Point
Insadong street
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
drink
transportation cost
* Entrance fee for palace is 3,000Kor.Won. Ticket can be bought at palace.
Tour Important Information
Exploring Korea’s unique cultural identity and beauty!
Center of tour is architecture. Architectural style represents spirit of times. Just as Romanesque and Gothic architecture represents Christianity,
Gyeongbokgung Palace embodies Confucianism.
Confucianism is the spirit of Joseon Dynasty, Korea's cultural identity.
I am the only Korean traditional cultural guide, deeply rooted in Confucianism. With basic understanding of Confucianism, you can fully enjoy Korean traditional culture.
Gyeongbokgung is the most beautiful place and masterpiece of tradtional architecture in Korea. Gyeongbokgung was built in 1395 as the grandest main palace and monumental architecture of the Joseon Dynasty that embodies Confucianism.
The National Folk Museum of Korea illustrates traditional Korean life, using reconstructed environments to reproduce authentic cultural scenes. Folk Museum offers a beautiful and fascinating glimpse into the core of Korean traditional culture, featuring seasonal activities and the four major life cycles, all deeply rooted in the Confucian principles of the Joseon Dynasty.
Bukchon Hanok Maeul is hanok, traditional Korean house with long history. It shows beautiful scenery that blends the traditional landscape with metropolitan scenery.
Lunch at a restaurant in Insadong street: Korean traditional Bibimbab(mixed rice in iron pot) or set-menu with over 10 side dishes. Or as alternative, Gwangjang market is the oldest traditional Korean market, where we can experience traditional Korean food at food stands.
After quick lunch in Insadong street, we can go to National Museum of Korea, which is the world 3rd largest museum in Korea, showing best art relics of Korean culture. National Museum of Korea shows best part of Korean traditional art, such as golden crowns & ornaments of Silla Dynasty, jade green color Goryeo Cheongja or Goryeo Celadon embodying aristocratic Buddhism culture and Joseon Baekja-pure white porcelain.
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.
$210/ 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 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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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.
Changdeokgung, Bukchon, Gwangjang market, N Seoul Tower
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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
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Full-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History
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