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Half-day Traditional Seoul Walking-Tour
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Joined 2022
This tour is a fascinating orientation & overview of the older, more traditional parts of central downtown Seoul, with further/deeper introduction to who the Koreans are, and the key points of their history and religions/customs. There is a standard itinerary for this tour, but it is completely flexible on the number and nature of the sites visited. It is essentially the 2nd-half of my Full-day Intro Tour. We can move faster or slower, as you wish. I will be telling colorful stories!
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Anguk Metro-Subway Station, your Hotel lobby, or other. "your hotel" may involve extra cost for transport.
Bukchon Hanok Village
A quick look through the traditional-houses alleyways, with many quirk cafes, artisanal workshops, teahouses and small museums, and visit inside one old mansion from 1900. I will explain all the function of this aristocratic neighborhood and the hanok architecture.
Jogye-sa Buddhist Temple
Visiting the national headquarters temple of all Korean Buddhism, with fascinating artworks & tales, and a historic 630-year old unique tree. Jogye-sa also features a Arts Museum and the TempleStay Center, optional for us to visit.
Insa-dong traditional-culture street
Very colorful historic neighborhood to walk through, check-out some twisting alleyways with great offerings -- perhaps a bit of souvenir-shopping or herbal/green-tea-drinking if desired. OPTIONAL visits to Unhyeong-gung Grand Prince's Palace and Cheondo-gyo Cathedral (native religion, very important 1880-1930), if there is time and you are interested.
Tap-gol Park
Korea's first "public park", a really interesting place with shrines for the early-20th-century Independence Movement, very important to Koreans until today, and a big medieval stone pagoda!
Old Jonggak Bell-Pavilion
Last stop, the Old City Bell in a traditional pavilion, with hyper-modern buildings all-around! We're finished here, at the busy Jongno-2-ga "Main Street" area -- I will get you transport to where you want to go next, or show you the many restaurant options there.
Ending Point
Your hotel, or any place downtown, as you wish. "your hotel" may involve extra cost for transport.
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
guiding only. this tour has no expenses, except the transportation if we start at your hotel.
transport (taxi, subway), meal, snack, drinks
Tour Important Information
All by walking. 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!!
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
Candace D.
“Touring with a Guide of Exceptional Knowledge ”
If you are interested in understanding Korea beyond the basics, I’d definitely recommend spending time with Prof. David Mason. Today I spent 8 hours with Prof. Mason, a tourist professor and scholar and contributor to Lonely Planet’s Korea content. I chose him through Gowithguide because his background matched my interest in Korean history - from early archeological findings to the formation of Korea today. In those 8 hours , he took me through Korea’s past in a way that was richly informative and easy to follow. I could listen to him for hours. At the national museum of Korea , he walked me through the early kingdoms, and around Seoul City Hall ( both old and new buildings ) and he connected that history to modern Korea. I appreciated that he adapted the day to my interests in a thoughtful in depth way and answered all of my questions without hesitation. I’m looking forward to continuing to learn from him by following him on FB and exploring his ebooks.
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David a. M.
I really enjoyed guiding you, so interested to learn, and am glad you got so much value out of that tour. I hope you return to Korea for more, someday! David
Richard F.
“Encyclopedic Knowledge”
David was by far the most seasoned guide we have worked with. His life experience and vast knowledge of the subject made the tour an unforgettable stop in Seoul.
David a. M.
I really enjoyed guiding your couple, and am glad you got so much value out of these tours. I hope you return to Korea for more, someday! David
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Steven W.
“Two full days exploring modern and ancient Seoul with a terrific guide.”
David knows ancient and modern Korea and Seoul. We learned about the political history of Korea, its relations with the US and neighboring Asia countries and North Korea. He told us about the economy, birth rates, social customs, religion, palaces, emperors and kings, geography and lots of practical aspects of modern Korean life. We have toured in many countries and David’s was probably the best. Strong recommendation for those interested in an incredibly well rounded and intelligent scholar, historian and raconteur.
David a. M.
I'm very glad that you enjoyed our days so much Steve; thanks for the high compliment! I hope that you will be inspired to return to Korea someday, and tell your friends to come... David
$395/ per group
More tours by David a. M.
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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!!
Full-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History
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Half-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History
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.
Half-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History
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Six-Hour Intro to Seoul and Korean History
This is my standard and very popular Itinerary for this ~6 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!!
Six-Hour Intro to Seoul and Korean History
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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.
Korean War Museum and Memorial in Central Seoul -- a good alternative to the DMZ
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Seoul
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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!
Seoul Downtown Walking Tour - the past and the present
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Seoul: A Journey Through History
Seoul has been the capital city of Korea since 1392. You will explore cultural heritage sites, including a royal palace, a Buddhist temple, the old streets, and a traditional market in the northern part of the city, all in one full day.
Seoul: A Journey Through History
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![[Expert Historian] Seoul Deep Dive: The Soul of Old Seoul](https://images.gowithguide.com/filters:format(avif)/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/17457/c71154a7-079b-4f5d-9ceb-6b847340b938.jpg)
[Expert Historian] Seoul Deep Dive: The Soul of Old Seoul
Not a typical tour—understand Korea, not just see it. See how Korea’s history, culture, and daily life connect through the structure of old Seoul. Rather than simply visiting landmarks, this tour follows a clear narrative—from everyday life in Bukchon and local markets to the royal order of Gyeongbokgung—showing how different layers of society were organized. Whether traveling solo or as a couple, this experience offers a deeper and more meaningful way to understand the spirit of old Seoul.
[Expert Historian] Seoul Deep Dive: The Soul of Old Seoul
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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.
Central Seoul Walking Tour ; From Gwanghwamun Square to Ikseon-dong Hanok Alley.
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