Hiking, Shamanism & Korean lives in early 1900s
Joined 2025
Make an experience of hiking in Seoul! The peak is 338m.
You can also stop by a sort of Shaman Village on the way down. I'll tell you about Confucianism, Buddhism, and folk beliefs.
Before starting the hiking the mountain, stop by a western style expatriate house, built in early 1920s.
I felt moved and much sympathised by the challengeous life of the couple.
After descending, we'll visit the nearby Japanese colonial prison, Independence Gate Park and a traditional market.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At the lobby of your hotel
- where the front desk is located
Dilkusha house
Before hiking Inwangsan mountain, we will stop by a western style expatriate house, named Dilkusha built in early 1920s. This is located at the bottom of the mountain.
You will feel how the Korea (at that time, Joseon during Japanese colonial era) looked like through the eyes of early western expatriates. I felt moved and much sympathised by the callengeous life of the couple. This gave me a chance to think about the meaning of human life again.
Inwangsan mountain
The mountain is in the north west side of Seoul. From the view point of Gyeongbokgung palace, it is located in the westbound.
The top is about 338m from sea level.
On the way to the top of the mountain (338m), you will have good views of Seoul city. There are paving path region, soil path and wooden stairs (seems mote than 500 steps) on the way up to the top. If you feel difficulty in stepping up more, we can go down from that certain point cause we would have already seen good views in the middle of hiking.
A sort of Shaman village
You can also pass through a village I name a Shaman Village, on the way down. I think the natural soil path down to the village seems a little bit tough.
There are a tall vertical rock, a shaman house and several small (not large) buddhist temples. The atmosphere there could be a bit thrilling or weird. It looks not popular spot for foreign travellers. If you want to challenge new rather advanturous, you can try this path.
I'll tell you about Confucianism, Buddhism, and folk beliefs.
Dongnipmun Gate Park, Seodaemun Prison historical hall
At the Seodaemun prison historical hall, you will see how the prison looks like during the Japanese colonial era.
Near to the prison, there is Dongnipmun gate (Independence Gate) built for wishing Joseon kingdom keeping sovereign right amid the threatening from imperialism countries in the late 19th century.
The Gate was modeled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
Yeongcheon Traditional market
As the last spot, within walking distance Yeongcheon traditional market located.
Considering time spent and your next destination, our tour can be finished either at your hotel or here at Yeongcheon market.
Ending Point
Your hotel or Yeongcheon traditional market
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
Guide fee
* Meal & drinks for you
(approx. 10,000~30,000 won for lunch)
* Transportation fare for you
(approx. 6,000 won per person in case of bus and subway)
* Admission fee of Seodaemun prison history hall for you and Guide
(approx. 3,000 won per person)
* Travelers Insurance (please subscribe it for you by yourself)
Tour Important Information
We will use public transportation such as bus and subway (About 2 times, the cost would be 6,000 Korean won per person).
And, we will walk about 5 km (incl. up & down paths in the mountain, which is a little bit tough) more or less during the tour.
You need to wear proper shose for hiking.
Seodaemun prison history hall closes on January 1, Lunar New year day, Chuseok day (Korean thanks giving day, October 6 in case of year 2025) and every Monday.
In the above case, we can visit other area nearby such as museum or etc...
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 2025
About Tour Guide Andy P.
Who you travel with is as important as where you go and what you see.
Here I am for you!
I have obtained official tour guide certificate in 2018.
I appreciate a lot of good reviews and kudos directly to me or indirectly through multi-national or Korean travel agencies.
Here are some extracts from the reviews.
Quote;
"Our tour guide Andy, in south Korea was exceptional, making the experience both educational and entertaining. His in-depth knowledge about the history and culture of the area was impressive, and he shared fascinating stories that brought the sites to life. His passion for the job was extremely good, leaving us with wonderful memories and a deeper appreciation for Korea." ; Unquote
On this ocassion, I would like to express gratitude from my warm heart to all the travelers whom I have met.
And, more about myself, I was born and raised in Seoul. Before becoming a tour guide, I had been working in Petrochemical Industry for major Korean conglomerates for quite a long timeframe. And, for developing overseas business projects of the enterprises. I resided in Indonesia and Vietnam as an expatriate for about 9 years.
Working in an international business environment and in a big organization gave me chances to broaden my views of the world and better understand diverse perspectives, cultures, religion, economics and politics as well. And, as I like reading books, my understanding about Korean history and human beings have been deepened with time.
You will see real Korea with the unviased vision through the eyes of real Korean.
Multiple days tour is also recommended. I can organise it reflectimg your tastes!
Come and enjoy with me!
Sincerly,
Andy
*Qualification/License :
Official English interpreting tourist guide (Korea Tourism Organization)
Korean History Evaluation Test 1st Grade certificate.
Driver's license(Sedan and Van)
*Academic background :
Master degree (Business & Administration)
Bachelor's degree (engineering chemical dept.)
Reviews
Howard P.
“Seoul Guided Tour”
Andy was incredibly knowledgeable & accommodated what we wanted to see & do perfectly, but more importantly his enthusiasm energy & care he took to make sure we had a great time was second to none. I can’t recommend him highly enough, he’s a great guide & great guy. Thanks Andy for a great day in Seoul & Incheon. Howard & Heather
Andy P.
Thank you for the time sharing with me. I really enjoyed the timw with you. I Hope that you will have wonderful and unforgetable memories from your cruise trip! And, cheers all the best including your good health and happiness. Andy
Sarai T.
“A very unexpectedly great and fun time with Andy! ”
I just landed in Korea and booked with Andy 1 day before the tour. I messaged 10 other tour guides & Andy was the 2nd to respond, but with the most warm message ever. When we landed, the language barrier was so hard that a taxi driver denied us because we couldn't communicate. It made me feel defeated, and I realized how much I may need a personal translator. I requested a customizable tour where Andy could show me how to use the metro system, eat, and shop around. Andy genuinely made me feel like I was going to be taken care of. He may not know this, but he comforted me a lot with his words. Andy was also VERY flexible when it came to changing things up last minute and going with the flow in the moment. The most unexpected thing that made this trip was that I thought after a while Andy would get tired like my mom, and want to move fast, but I was wrong! I'm a 20 yr old girl who LOVES to shop. Not only was he spending HOURS with me in the shops, he's giving me ideas, and it's GIRLY things like skincare, purses, jewelry, and clothes. He also has GREAT taste! It was like I went shopping with my friend who is genuinely happy to be there & wants to help me find the best thing for my taste. It truly changed my perspective on him. I just thought he may be a guide immersed in history and culture of Korea, which is true as well - but he is also well-rounded apparently! The tour I booked with Andy was only 8 hours, but he spent the WHOLE day with us and didn't charge us at all. I truly feel as though Andy is just having a good time as well. Not only did I have a guide with me, but a friend. Andy was cracking so much jokes, and genuinely made me laugh. Me & Andy were always together, but somehow my mom would wander off and walk VERY far away from us. We both would have to aggressively scream "MOMMM!" to get her attention, but even then she could not hear us. Every time it happened, it was we made a joke about it. It was so much fun...
Andy P.
THANK you, Sarai so much for your kind review. I really enjoyed the time I spent with you and your mom. The weather was a bit cold. However, It could not block our JOURNEY. I'm so glad that you had a really fun time. I will pray for you and your family. Feel the NEW life and ENJOY the life! I will be any assistance for you anytime. Cheers for YOU and MOM. Thanks with LOVE. :)
$400/ per group
More tours by Andy P.
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.
Shore Excursion from Incheon
This is a highlight tour program in Seoul for one day when your cruise ship stay at Incheon Port. I will pick you up at your ship. And take you to the ship after the tour. A total of 10 hours are expected. You can choose either A) or B) course below. A) 'Seoul Highlight Course' exploring palaces, temples, shopping streets, and traditional markets, or B) 'DMZ(De-Militarized Zone) Course' visiting the DMZ in the world's only divided country, and North Korea's infiltration underground tunnel.
Pilgrimage of K-Pop entertainment companies
If you are K-pop fans, why don't you visit the major 4 K-pop entertainment enterprises buildings! It will remain a good memory for you when you are back home later. The journey to the buildings will give you pleasant times. The major 4 are YG, HYBE, SM and JYP. You can take photos in front of the building and enjoy drinks at cafes in front of the buildings. For BTS's fan, ex-HYBE building, a BTS restaurant so called, and their ex-dormitory house currently being used as a bakery & cafe.
Gangnam Seoul (South of Hangang River in Seoul) one day tour
This is the highlight to cover the business district called "Gangnam" in Seoul. Maybe you could recall the mega hit song Gangnam Style by Psy. You will understand how Gangnam became the prestigious area in terms of education, real estate (and politics as well if you want) and economic growth. You will visit fascinating hip areas where luxuriously prestigious shops, plastic surgery clinics and observatory of 555m tower are located. For more description, refer to the itinerary below.
Other Popular Unique Experience Tours in Seoul
Pilgrimage of K-Pop entertainment companies
If you are K-pop fans, why don't you visit the major 4 K-pop entertainment enterprises buildings! It will remain a good memory for you when you are back home later. The journey to the buildings will give you pleasant times. The major 4 are YG, HYBE, SM and JYP. You can take photos in front of the building and enjoy drinks at cafes in front of the buildings. For BTS's fan, ex-HYBE building, a BTS restaurant so called, and their ex-dormitory house currently being used as a bakery & cafe.
Religion (Buddhism) experience with local guide
This tour will give you a chance to experience Buddhist religious activities together with native Korean. You will understand the history of Buddhism, basic theory of Buddhism, different kinds of Buddha & Bodhisattva, the structure of Buddhist temple and each simbol & meaning.
Religion (Catholic) experience with local guide
This tour will give you a chance to experience Catholic religious activities together with native Korean and understand the history of Catholic in Korean society. If you want, even you can attend Catholic mass together with me. You will feel how the Korean catholic believers were struggling to keep the religion and what lead them to sacrifice of their lives. You will also get some general understanding of Korean religion activities such as Catholic, Buddhism and Protestant.
Experience Korean culture in person
Would you like to experience Korean culture? Try Wearing a hanbok, a traditional Korean costume, and walk in the palace and take pictures. Try enjoying traditional Korean tea at Insadong, a handicraft cultural street. You can also learn Taekkyeon, a traditional Korean martial art, UNESCO intangible heritage of humanity Korea's economic growth is also called the Miracle of Hangang River. Take a cruise boat on the Hangang River.