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GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
Seoul Private Tour -
Seoul Private Tour -
Seoul Private Tour -
Seoul Private Tour -
Seoul Private Tour -
Seoul Private Tour -
Seoul Private Tour -
Seoul Private Tour -
Seoul Private Tour -
Seoul Private Tour -

Gyeongju, Spectacular Ancient Capital Relics, 1-day

Art, Culture, & Historical
Seoul Tour Guide - David a. M.

Joined 2022

David a. M.
5.00 / 5
(18 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks
Seoul
English (Native), Korean
10 hrs 30 mins
Private tour (only you and David a. M.)
Up to 15 people

You will see the best of the amazing relics of the ancient Shilla Kingdom in Gyeongju, the primary tourist destination in Korea. Some of the world's best Buddhist art is on display, including many National and UNESCO Treasures, and we will experience them directly! I lived there for 3 years and have visited frequently; an expert on all of its attractions and I know the old folktales of each by-heart. Great Korean meals can be included. Tours can be custom-designed and priced to suit you.

Itinerary

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

06:00 AM

Meeting Point

Seoul Train Station Lobby

- We will meet here, or in your hotel lobby if you wish; we will board the KTX bullet-train on tickets bought in-advance, and get to Gyeongju in just over two hours, very comfortable. Eating breakfast on the train with food brought-along is recommended. The cost of my RT tickets are included in this tour-price, yours will be bought at extra cost, depending on how many of you there are, and 1st-class vs. ordinary class seats.

08:50 AM

Bulguk-sa and Seokgul-am Temples, to start

The usual way to start a Gyeongju tour-day is at the very famous Bulguk-sa the Buddha-Nation Temple, the two "superstar" attractions next to each-other out on the SE end of the city; they are a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in themselves, the first such site Korea ever proposed and registered. They take about 4 hours to see properly. I am the expert guide for them, can explain all the fascinating details, the history and the colorful legend of their construction.

12:40 PM

Optional Lunch

A great Korean lunch is very possible, at extra cost, nearby Bulguk-sa. Or, some people just like to get coffee/tea and a snack, and keep-going. We will get around by public bus or taxi (extra charge), as you wish.

01:40 PM

Old Downtown Sites, for the Afternoon

We can spend the afternoon touring the old downtown sites of the Shilla Kingdom -- the Royal Tombs Park, Cheomseongdae Astronomy Tower, Gyo-dong Confucian Neighborhood, Gyerim Sacred Forest, the Half-Moon Palace site, Bunhwang-sa amazing temple and Anapji Pavilion-Pond (Donggung). Other options are possible...

05:30 PM

Finishing the Tour, starting back to Seoul

We will finish as the sun gets low, and go back to the Gyeongju KTX Station by public bus or taxi (extra charge). We will have a comfortable ride of just over two hours, back to where we started.

Ending Point

Seoul Train Station, or your Hotel

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 and Guide's RT KTX tickets; site entrance fees.

What‘s not included

Public bus & taxi fees; meals, snacks & drinks, Guest's KTX train tickets.

Tour Important Information

The total costs depend on how many of you there are, what you want to eat and drink, and the local transportation costs; the basic tour cost covers my guiding fee and my own KTX tickets. If you are already in Gyeongju I can meet you there; basic cost is the same.

* This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.

* This tour is not recommended for those with mobility disability problems; it is wheelchair accessible only for basic downtown sites and the museum.

* Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.

Important message from the supplier

I do this full-time now, any day -- but only in Spring & Autumn.

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 - David a. M.

Joined 2022

David a. M.
5.00 / 5
(18 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide David a. M.

I have been a Professor of Korean Cultural Tourism in Seoul, and a Tour-guide, Lecturer and Author on Traditional Cultural Sites, especially religious ones, on the high-end, for 25 years. Wrote the 1996-7 edition of Lonely Planet's KOREA guidebook!

Reviews

The only way to visit the National Museum of Korea!

We recently arranged for a private tour of the spectacular National Museum of Korea in Seoul. Having visited the museum a yea I knew that there was so much to see and take in. Our guide David arrived and we discussed our areas of interest to narrow down where we would go in the Museum. The next 3 or so hours were spent with the engaging and incredibly knowledgeable David, an accomplished Professor of Korean Cultural Tourism, who has lived in Korea for decades. We were completely engaged and fascinated by the history and stories he shared with us. There’s no better way to understand such an enormous Museum collection. We loved touring the museum with David. We spent days after referring to him and his narrative. Couldn’t recommend him more highly!

Packed with information

What a wonderful time we had with David. The tour was packed with information about the foundations of South Korea and what has lead it to being what it is today. We saw the normal tourist stuff but it was with a personal twist. Thanks so much David see you next time

Kerry B.

David a. M.

Thanks, Kerry! I really enjoyed showing your group around; such interested learners. I do hope you come back someday soon, for more & deeper! David

An American professor with enormous experience

David has been an incredible guide for our three days we stay in Seoul, where he took us through deep experiences and teachings about this incredible nation and resilience. His vast knowledge and decades residing in Korea, has given him such acknowledge that made him become a professor and writer of several books about Korean people. Don't tho k twice to hire him as your guide in Korea.

Alfonso S.

David a. M.

Thanks for the kind words, Alfonso -- I really enjoyed showing your family around! I hope that you all return to Korea someday.... :-) David

Want to Personalize?

$595/ per group

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