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.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Gwanghwamun Square
- Meetings and greetings at Gwanghwamun
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
Bukchon Hanok Village
Tour to Bukchong Hanok Village
Ikseondong hanok street
Tour to Ikseondong hanok street
Jogyesa Temple
Tour ends.
Ending Point
Jogyesa temple
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
guide fee
meal, drinks, entrance fee, transportation cost.
Entrance ticket will be bought at site. It is 3000Kor.Won/person.
Our 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.
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. Bukchon is one of the most beautiful places in Seoul that well blend traditional landscape with modern landscape.
Ikseondong Hanok Village, unlike Bukchon Hanok Village, which is very touristy, Ikseondong is very quaint area, with traditional houses(hanoks) that have been converted into boutique shops, trendy cafes and restaurants.
Jogyesa temple is the headquarter of entire Korean Buddhism, and the only temple in downtown of Seoul.
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, I am Paul, a professional tour guide-docent with proven record track of over 200 tours for international tourists.
I am the only tour guide in Seoul, who introduce Korean traditional culture, based on Confucianism. Confucianism is spirit of Joseon Dynasty that was last dynasty just before current Korea, and Confucianism is Korea's cultural identity.
Based on basic knowledge of Confucianism, you can fully appreciate the beauty of Korean traditional architecture and culture, and so your travel to Seoul will be unforgettable and memorable in your life.
My tour is to explore Korea’s unique cultural identity and beauty, based on simple-but-elegant beauty of Confucianism!
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.
My primary tourist destinations are focusing on Seoul and metropolitan area, consisting of Gyeongbokgung palace & Changdeokgung Rear Garden, Jongmyo Shrine, Bongeunsa Buddhist temple & Sunjeongneung Royal Tomb, 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 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 insight and delight in Korea.
Thank you for your interest!
As your guide, I hope to see you soon in Seoul!
Warren L.
“Changdeokgung and the Rear Garden, Bukchon Hanok Village and N Seoul Tower.”
We had a wonderful time on this tour, visiting all three locations. The Changdeokgung Palace and the Secret Garden were peaceful and relaxing, offering a more informal setting compared to the formality of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Seeing the well-preserved houses in Bukchon Hanok Village was a delightful experience. N Seoul Tower was also interesting, providing great views of Seoul and the surrounding mountains and rivers.
Paul K.
Seoul is a fascinating destination that seamlessly blends the traditional with the modern. Our 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 architecture and Korean traditional culture. Based on basic knowledge of Confucianisms, your tour will be unforgettable and memorable in life.
Warren L.
“Gyeongbokgung-Folk Museum, National Museum of Korea”
We were very impressed with Paul's knowledge and explanations of Gyeongbokgung, the former royal palace in Seoul. The palace's placement considered both practicality and various philosophical traditions. The main features are placed symmetrically and along a north-south axis, in accordance with Feng Shui and Confucian principles. We highly recommend Paul to anyone wishing to truly understand and enjoy Gyeongbokgung and the National Museum of Korea.
Paul K.
Seoul is a fascinating destination that seamlessly blends the traditional with the modern. Our 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 architecture and Korean traditional culture. Based on basic knowledge of Confucianisms, your tour will be unforgettable and memorable in life.
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.
$180/ per group