Half-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History
Joined 2022
This is my most popular standard tour, perfect for any visiting Korea for a serious first look. It walks us through the best sights of Seoul's historic central downtown area, very close to each-other, while I tell the relevant colorful stories at each brief stop. It is completely flexible on the timing and number / nature of the sites visited; all depends on where I pick you up and drop you off, and just what you want to see and do. On this system I also offer a full-day version of this tour.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Meeting Point Options: City Hall Metro-Subway Station, your Hotel, or other.
Seoul's old & new City Halls and nearby sights
Introduction to the scale, design, functions and feng-shui (geomancy) of old "Hanyang" (historic central downtown); Japanese Colonial period vs. 21st-cen hypermodern Seoul.
Restored Cheonggye-cheon Stream
very scenic central waterway, with 600 years of dramatic stories.
Seoul Plaza historical monument sights
Statues of two of the greatest national heroes, with context stories about why they're there and what they still mean to Koreans; views of the nation's "Power Center" buildings all around; tales of the massive pro-democracy event that happened on this Plaza.
Gyeongbok-gung Main Royal Palace
The most important and scenic of the remaining seven Royal compounds. Detailed explanations of the architecture, kings & queens, lifestyle & politics with be told in an academically insightful and amusing way. It could be possible to see the 'Changing of the Guard Ceremony' if our timing is right and you want to take the time.
Folklore & Shamanism artifacts at palace rear-exit
We exit via the grounds of the spectacular National Folklore Museum Building, viewing its outdoor displays -- -- a great contrast to the formal palace, to really understand common Korean's lives & beliefs.
Rear East Gate
We finish the half-day tour here; could be faster or later, depending on how your group moves. You could easily proceed to the Blue House, Samcheong-dong, Bukchon Hanok Village traditional-houses area, or Insa-dong, on-foot; including great lunch-restaurant options. Otherwise, taxi will be called to get you where you want to be next.
Ending Point
As said above.
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
Just the guiding, and palace entrance-fee
transportation if-needed, snacks or drinks
Tour Important Information
We can move faster and see more, or take our time (for photos & viewing) and see a bit fewer sites; it's all up to your personal style. I will be telling colorful stories from academic sources all along the way, about pre-modern kings & heroes, and recent presidents and activists, and socio-cultural issues. You will learn so much, and in context!!
This is a walking-only tour, though use of a short (&cheap) taxi-ride is possible at the end. Metro subway or taxi might be used if we start at your hotel.
Starting time can be any between 8:30am to 3:00pm... 09:30 is just recommended, to be after rush-hour.
Main Palace is closed on Mondays; in that case another palace will be used
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
Joined 2022
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
Jeanine B.
“A Full Day and Then Some...”
Dave is a wealth of knowledge about Korea and its history. Also about modern day Seoul. This introduction was well worth the time and money. The day was well organized and even during a difficult weather day, David got us through the city and provided good links between current day and historical.
David a. M.
Thanks Jeanine; I really enjoyed doing this with you! We had a fascinating day, despite the weather... I hope you return someday! David
Jeanine B.
“Wealth of Knowledge”
David has a wealth of knowledge about the events leading up to the Korean War, and the war itself. I learned a great deal about something that's affected my family my entire life.
David a. M.
Thanks Jeanine; I really enjoyed doing this specialized tour with you! It's really important that we understand the Korean War in-detail, including the five key controversial turning-point decisions made by the most powerful actors... We had a fascinating morning, despite the bizarre weather... I hope you return someday! David
Carlos S.
“David is your best option at Seul”
What an extraordinary guy David is You will have an amazing time with him. He is friendly, flexible and know Korea better than the locals he is an encyclopedia David is always attentive to solve, explain and surprise you. it was our highlight in Seul.
David a. M.
Thanks Carlos; I really enjoyed doing this with you! We had a fascinating day... I hope you return! David
$395/ per group
More tours by David a. M.
Full-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History
This is my standard and very popular Itinerary for this ~8 hour tour: it can be adjusted for individual preferences. Its intention is to be a fascinating orientation & overview of Seoul "old & new", with introduction to who the Koreans are, and the key points of their history and customs. We can move faster and see more, or take our time and see a bit fewer sites; it's all up to your personal style. I will be telling colorful stories all along the way. You will learn so much, and in context!!
Korean War Museum and Memorial in Central Seoul -- a good alternative to the DMZ
I don't recommend day-trips to the DMZ -- the JSA remains off-limits due to North Korean policy, and anyway most of what you see is just barbed-wire fences and various monuments; a trip there does not give insight into North Korea nor about the 1950-53 war. The long trip driving up there & back is not worth your precious time. There is a very good alternative, which is this gigantic compound in the middle of Seoul -- a large museum of the Korean war & outdoor display of weaponry from that era.
Tao Abundance Temple, Seoul's most-important Buddhist Site
Doseon-sa was founded around 1100 years ago just beneath the three main peaks of the Triple-Horns Mtn, Seoul's sacred & prominent guardian (a National Park), by one of Korea's greatest Buddhist masters. It has remained the most religiously important monastery of the Seoul area ever since always crowded with sincere Buddhists. It has several unusual features that will be pointed out and explained to your group. There is a large ancient standing Buddha statue designated as a National Treasure.
Royal & Shamanic Shrines of Benevolent King Mountain
Would you like to see some scenic sites that are "truly Korean" and yet quite unusual? This tour is really "off the beaten path" but is also right above downtown Seoul, on Mt. Inwang-san, Seoul's center of Shamanic practices, and a park with relics of the Joseon Dynasty's royal & spiritual-nationalist heritage. These are rarely-seen yet fascinating sites overlooking the busy modern power-centers. This unique walking-tour climbs a few steep slopes on paved paths, but it's worth it!
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Seoul
Full-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History
This is my standard and very popular Itinerary for this ~8 hour tour: it can be adjusted for individual preferences. Its intention is to be a fascinating orientation & overview of Seoul "old & new", with introduction to who the Koreans are, and the key points of their history and customs. We can move faster and see more, or take our time and see a bit fewer sites; it's all up to your personal style. I will be telling colorful stories all along the way. You will learn so much, and in context!!
Gangbuk Seoul (Northern district of Hangang River in Seoul) one day tour
This is the highlight to cover the traditional district in Seoul(called "Gangbuk"). You will learn overall Korean history including Seoul, life passages of Koreans(from birth till after death) and Korean democracy evolvement. You will feel the beauty of traditional architecture harmonized with modern buildings in Seoul. This tour covers visiting old palace, folk museum, city stream, old city wall and etcetra. For more description, refer to the itinerary below.
Central Seoul Walking Tour ; From Gwanghwamun Square to Ikseon-dong Hanok Alley.
Gwanghwamun Square connects the Joseon Dynasty and modern times. The view of Bukaksan Mountain and Gyeongbokgung Palace from Gwanghwamun Square is just like a landscape. Let's go on a journey back to the past at Gyeongbokgung Palace, the royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty. We can tour antique shops and galleries along the Insadong Cultural Street. Jogyesa Temple is worth visiting. Lastly, Ikseon-dong Hanok Alley has pretty cafes, restaurants, and stores while maintaing traditional Korea houses.
Seoul Downtown Walking Tour - the past and the present
From the serene atmosphere of palaces and old traditional villages to the bustling traditional markets and streets, you will see and experience real life in Seoul. I will help you explore the hidden gems and stories!
