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, Gwangjang market. 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.
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
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
guide fee
meal
drink
transportation cost
* Entrance fee for palace is 3,000Kor.Won. Ticket can be bought at palace.
tour to explore Korea’s unique cultural identity and beauty!
Center of tour is architecture. Architectural style represents spirit of times. We can see as much as we know. For example, without knowledge about Christianity, the spirit of medieval Europe, we cannot fully appreciate beauty and value of Romanesque and Gothic architecture.
Confucianism is the spirit of Joseon Dynasty. Confucianism is Korea's cultural identity, that is reflected on palaces and traditional architecture.
I am the only Confucian culture tour docent guide in Korea who introduces Korean traditional Confucian culture. Tour and information based on Korea's unique Confucian culture will help you discover joy and wonder of unique Korean culture.
Gyeongbokgung is the most beautiful place and 1st must-see architecture in Korea. Gyeongbokgung represents Korea's cultural identity. Gyeongbokgung was built in 1395 as main palace and monumental architecture that represents Confucianism, and it is largest palace and the only palace built on flat land and according to traditional palace structure.
National Folk Museum of Gyeongbokgung shows the inside life of people, living customs & activities and major ceremonies & conventions for general people of Joseon Dynasty. Bukchon and Folk Museum is one pair to appreciate folk culture of Joseon Dynasty.
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 at food stands, such as marinated beef slice, live octopus, mung bean pancake and Ttokbokgi, glass noodles, etc.
Insadong is attractive touristy with the mixture of traditional and modern atmosphere, traditional tea house & restaurant, etc.
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.
Hello everyone, I am Paul, a state-licensed English tour guide in Seoul. I am professional tour docent with proven record track of over 200 tours for international tourists.
Seoul is a fascinating destination that seamlessly blends the traditional with the modern.
My tour is to explore Korea’s unique cultural identity and beauty!
Center of tour is architecture. Architectural style represents spirit of times. We can see as much as we know. For example, without knowledge about Christianity, the spirit of medieval Europe, we cannot fully appreciate beauty and value of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, but are just fascinated by its superficial beauty.
Confucianism is the spirit of Joseon Dynasty. Confucianism is Korea's cultural identity, that is basis for Korean traditional architecture.
Based on understanding of Confucianism, your appreciation will create intense impression and long-lasting memory of your tour in Korea. I am the only tour docent-guide in Korea who introduces Korean traditional culture based on Confucianism.
My primary tourist destinations are focusing on Seoul and metropolitan area, consisting of 5 palaces, Royal Ancestral Shrine, Bukchon Hanok Village, National museum of Korea, War Memorial of Korea, other museums & galleries and contemporary architectures, and Namsan Mt. with N-Seoul Tower, traditional & trendy market places such as Gwangjang market & Hongdae street, and COEX-Starfield library & Bongeunsa Buddhist temple & Sunjeongneung Royal Tomb in Gangnam area, and also Korean Folk Village & DMZ tour in neighboring cities.
Alongside, I am specialist for hiking to Bukhansan Mt. and Inwangsan Mt. that are located in downtown Seoul, where you can enjoy beautiful natural sceneries and stunning view of Seoul.
With my hands-on experiences and deep knowledge of Korea's culture & history, you can discover true discoveries in Korea.
Thank you for your interest!
As your guide, I hope to see you soon in Seoul!
Albertus S.
“Full day tour with Paul”
Paul is very knowledgeable and passionate about the history and culture of his country and he gave us a profound introduction of Confucianism.
Paul K.
Appreciation of traditional architecture, works of art and crafts require background knowledge. Based on the background knowledge of Korean traditional culture, your appreciation can create an intense impression and long-lasting memory of tour. I introduced core ideas of Confucianism and the Confucian principles that are the basis of Gyeongbokgung architecture. I am only tour docent in Korea who introduce Korean history and culture based on Confucianism.
Josh W.
“Paul was an outstanding guide!”
When Paul started put with a lesson in Confucianism and the history of Korea, my wife and I didn't quite know what to think. When we got to the first palace, everything came together and made great sense. Our day with Paul was educational (a tenant of Confucianism), fun, and delicious. It was a great way to start our journey.
Paul K.
The center of culture and center of tour is architecture. Architectural style represents spirit of times. Confucianism was the spirit of Joseon Dynasty. Confucianism culture of Joseon Dynasty is unique characteristic of Korean culture, compared to Chinese, Japanese and European culture. Tourist information is based on Confucianism for your full appreciating of entire Korean architecture and cultural places.
Sandra M.
“2 day Tour of Korean culture Highlights”
My husband and i had a short visit to Korea at the end of a cruise and booked Paul to show us the highlights of the city in 2 days. Paul was very knowledgeable about the Korean culture and history with regard to confucius culture. This information gave us a better understanding of the sights that we visited. Paul was very punctual and got us around the city with confidence. We visited two places, the secret gardens, two museums, Seoul Tower and experienced tradition Korean street food as well as a restaurant. Our tour was busy and we did a lot of walking as well as using the train system, which is amazing, and we also used the bus. Overall we got a great taste of Seoul in a short time. There is so much more to see and do, perhaps on our next visit. Thank you Paul
Paul K.
Guest's good review is great rewarding to my dedication to tour and my study. Appreciation of architecture, art and craft requires background knowledge. We can see as much as we know about background knowledget. Confucianism is Korea's culturual identity. Korean traditional culture as well as Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces represent Confucianism. I appreciate Sandra's full appreciation of Korean traditional culture. Paul
$210/ per group