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 is main palace of Joseon for national governance and living of king, representing unique palace architecture of Korea's Confucian culture.
Royal Shrine & Tombs are palaces of deceased kings & queens of Joseon Dynasty, representing Confucian ontology.
COEX & Bongeunsa Temple in Gangnam.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Gwanghwamun square - Statue of King Sejong statue
- Center of downtown Seoul, Front of Gyeongbokgung palace subway station of line# 3 & 5
Gyeongbokgung palace
Tour to Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Gyeongbokgung is 1st must-see architectures in Korea, and Gyeongbokgung is the most beautiful place in Korea.
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.
Lunch
13:00~13:30: Lunch at Jongno street
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.
COEX
15:30~16:30: Moving and tour to COEX
Tour to COEX mall, Star Filed Library, Gangnam style staute
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
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Guide fee
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 to the most beautiful architectures and gardens of Korea along with fascinating modern metropolitan landscape of Seoul Gangnam area.
"Gyeongbokgung palace - Jongmyo Shrine - Seonjeongneung Royal Tombs - COEX - Bongeunsa Temple"
1. Gyeongbokgung is the most beautiful place and 1st must-see architecture in Korea. Gyeongbokgung was built in 1395 as main palace and monumental architecture that represent Confucianism, Korea's cultural identity. It is largest and the only palace built on flat land and according to traditional palace structure.
2. Jongmyo Royal Shrine and Tombs of Joseon Dynasty
In Confucianism, there are two types of soul; baek controls one’s body and hon controls one’s mind. When people die, two souls go out of body and are divided. Hon returns to heaven, and Baek returns to earth.
Ancestral ritual was practice of Confucian propriety to thank ancestor for grace and connect people to tradition, history, family to feel identity, stability & belonging and build unity and cooperation.
To commemorate ancestors, Asian people built the grave for body of the dead, and made spirit tablet where Hon lingers around.
1). Jongmyo – Royal Ancestral Shrine:
Jongmyo is one of the most beautiful and must-see architecture of Korea with Gyeongbokgung.
Jongmyo is Royal Shrine where spirit tablets of kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty are enshrined and descendants perform ancestor memorial services.
Jongmyo Shrine was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.
2). Seonjeongneung - Royal Tombs of Joseon Dynasty
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.
3. COEX-Star Field library - Bongeunsa Buddhist Temple
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.
$250/ per group