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Seoul Private Tour - Gwanghwamun guard change
Gwanghwamun guard change
Seoul Private Tour - Geunjeongjeon throune hall
Geunjeongjeon throune hall
Seoul Private Tour - Gyeonghoeru
Gyeonghoeru
Seoul Private Tour - photo spot
photo spot
Seoul Private Tour - Heungryemun gate
Heungryemun gate
Seoul Private Tour - corridor photo spot
corridor photo spot
Seoul Private Tour - Hyangwon pond
Hyangwon pond
Seoul Private Tour - Main Hall of Royal Shrine
Main Hall of Royal Shrine
Seoul Private Tour - 2nd Hall of Royal Shrine
2nd Hall of Royal Shrine
Seoul Private Tour - 2nd Hall of Shrine
2nd Hall of Shrine
Seoul Private Tour - Spike gate of Royal Tomb
Spike gate of Royal Tomb
Seoul Private Tour - Ritual Hall of Royal Tomb
Ritual Hall of Royal Tomb
Seoul Private Tour - Royal Tomb
Royal Tomb
Seoul Private Tour - Stone statue of Royal Tomb
Stone statue of Royal Tomb
Seoul Private Tour - Royal Tomb
Royal Tomb
Seoul Private Tour - COEX
COEX
Seoul Private Tour - Star Field Library - COEX
Star Field Library - COEX
Seoul Private Tour - Bongeunsa Temple - 1st gate
Bongeunsa Temple - 1st gate
Seoul Private Tour - Buddha statue
Buddha statue
Seoul Private Tour - Main Hall of Bongeunsa Temple
Main Hall of Bongeunsa Temple
Seoul Private Tour - Temple in modern city landscape
Temple in modern city landscape

Gyeongbokgung–Jongmyo Shrine-Seonjeongneung Royal Tombs-COEX-Bongeunsa Temple

Art, Culture, & Historical
Seoul Tour Guide - Paul K.

Joined 2023

Paul K.
5.00 / 5
(27 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks
Seoul
English, Japanese, Korean (Native)
8 hours
Private tour (only you and Paul K.)
Up to 10 people

Enjoy Korea's authentic Confucian architecture & landscape at Gyeongbokgung Palace, Jongmyo Shrine, Seonjeongneung Royal Tomb & Bongeunsa Temple, and Seoul's modern city landscape in Gangnam-COEX.


Gyeongbokgung was built as main palace of Joseon Dynasty and a monumental architecture that represents Korea's Confucian culture.


Royal Tombs & Jongmyo Shrine are monumental heritage that represents Confucian ideology & royal dignity in Joseon Dynasty.


COEX & Bongeunsa Temple in Gangnam.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

09:30 AM

Meeting Point

Gwanghwamun square - Statue of King Sejong statue

- Center of downtown Seoul, Front of Gyeongbokgung palace subway station of line# 3 & 5

09:30 AM

Gyeongbokgung palace

Tour to Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Gyeongbokgung is 1st must-see architectures in Korea, and Gyeongbokgung is the most beautiful place in Korea.

11:30 AM

Jongmyo Royal Ancestral Shrine

11:30~11:50: Moving to Jongmyo Shrine by subway

12:00~13:00: Tour to Jongmyo Shrine


Jongmyo is Royal Ancestral Shrine where spirit tablets of kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) are enshrined and descendants perform ancestor memorial services.

01:00 PM

Lunch

13:00~13:30: Lunch at Jongno street

01:30 PM

Seonjeongneung Royal Tombs

13:30~14:30: Moving to Seonjeongneung Royal Tombs by subway

14:30~15:30: Tour to Seonjeongneung Royal Tombs

Royal Ancestral Tombs are called God’s Garden!

There are total of 42 royal tombs of Joseon Dynasty, registered on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site, since 2009.


Royal Tombs show unique architectural & landscaping styles and sculptures with supreme aesthetics & artistic value created by the best craftsmanship of the time.

Seonjeongneung are Royal Tombs for King Seongjong and Jeongneung.

03:30 PM

COEX

15:30~16:30: Moving and tour to COEX

Tour to COEX mall, Star Filed Library, Gangnam style staute

04:30 PM

Bongeunsa Buddhist Temple

16:30~17:30: Moving and tour to Bongeunsa Buddhist Temple

In the Joseon Dynasty, Bongeunsa temple was Neungchim Temple to protect Seolleung, the tomb of King Seonjong. For this reason, the temple was renamed Bongeun, which means "to recieve the benevolence.

Ending Point

Samsung station of subway line#9

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

What‘s included

Guide fee

What‘s not included

1. admission ticket for Gyeongbokgung palace, Shrine

ticket price for palace: $2/person

ticket price for shrine: $0.8/person


2. Expense for transportation: Moving by subway and bus


3. Expense for water, drink and food

Tour Important Information

Tour exploring of Korea's monumental architectures & essence of traditional culture along with fascinating modern metropolitan landscape of Seoul Gangnam area.

"Gyeongbokgung palace - Jongmyo Shrine - Seonjeongneung Royal Tombs - COEX - Bongeunsa Temple"


Confucianism is Korea’s cultural identity!

Joseon Dynasty was the only Confucianism fundamental country in world.


In accordance with Confucian national ideologies, Joseon Dynasty created three distinct, sacred spaces for its kings.

1st one is Jongmyo Shrine, where the spirits tablets of deceased kings reside;

2nd one are the Royal Tombs, where the bodies of the deceased kings are buried,

3rd one is Gyeongbokgung Palace, where the living kings resided and managed state affairs.


1. Gyeongbokgung is the most beautiful place and must-see architecture in Korea. Gyeongbokgung was built in 1395 as main palace and monumental architecture of Joseon Dynasty that embodies Confucianism.


2. Royal Ancestral Shrine and Tombs of Joseon

The Royal Tomb of Joseon and Jongmyo Shrine are Korea's UNESCO World Heritage sites, and are monumental heritages, where philosophical ideologies of Confucianism are combined with architecture and art.


Based on Yin Yang theory, human life consists of body, spirit and soul. Human lives while they have soul & spirit in their body. When a person dies, spirit & soul go out of body.


Tomb for body & shrine for spirit were built together for ancestor worship.


1). Jongmyo Shrine:

Jongmyo is a supreme monumental architecture of Korea, characterized by highly refined simplicity minimizing color & decoration, to create piety and solemnity.


2). Seonjeongneung - Royal Tombs of Joseon Dynasty

40 Royal tombs of Joseon are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Royal Tombs show unique - remarkable architectural and landscaping styles and best sculptures with supreme aesthetics and artistic value of the times.


3. COEX – Star Filed Library and Bongeunsa Buddhist Temple

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
Seoul Tour Guide - Paul K.

Joined 2023

Paul K.
5.00 / 5
(27 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Paul K.

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!

Reviews

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 !

Kahoko K.

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.

Want to Personalize?

$250/ per group

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