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Seoul Private Tour - Gyeonghaeru Pavillion in Gyeongbokgung Palce
Gyeonghaeru Pavillion in Gyeongbokgung Palce
Seoul Private Tour - null
Seoul Private Tour - Private Car
Private Car

Seoul City Tour-Korea

Art, Culture, & Historical
Car Tour (driving guide)
Seoul Tour Guide - Kevin L.

Joined 2022

Kevin L.
5.00 / 5
(28 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks
Seoul
English, Korean (Native)
9 hrs 30 mins
Private tour (only you and Kevin L.)
Up to 7 people

Seoul has been the capital for more than 600 years from the establishment of the Joseon Dynasty in the late 14th century to the present. Divided by the Han River, Seoul is adorned with many historical treasures such as royal palaces, fortress walls, traditional village, traditional markets, and modern architectural marvels like Lotte World Tower, Trade Tower. Seoul truly embodies the charm of coexisting past and present. It also serves as the birthplace of K-POP and Korean wave(Hallyu).

Itinerary

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

09:00 AM

Meeting Point

At your hotel

09:30 AM

Gyeongbokgung Royal Palace+Gate Guard Changing Ceremony

Gyeongbokgung Palace was the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty. The Joseon Dynasty was the last dynasty in Korean history, founded in 1392 and lasted until 1910. Gyeongbokgung Palace was established in 1395, following the foundation of the Joseon Dynasty in 1392. It is also known as the 'Northern Palace' because it is located further north compared to Changdeokgung Palace (the Eastern Palace) and Gyeonghuigung Palace (the Western Palace). There were five royal palaces during the Joseon Dynasty. Among them, Gyeongbokgung Palace takes pride in being the largest in scale and the most beautiful. 'Gyeongbok' means 'The new dynasty will be greatly blessed and prosperous' In addition, you can also have the opportunity to observe the gate guard changing ceremony taking place twice a day, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

11:00 AM

Buckchon Hanok Village(Northern Traditional House Village)

Bukchon Hanok Village is situated between Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace (the secondary palace), and its streets are lined with traditional houses. Here, hundreds of houses sit shoulder to shoulder. The name "Bukchon," which literally translates to "northern village," originated because the neighborhood is located to the north of two significant Seoul landmarks, Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jongno. During the Joseon Dynasty, it served as an exclusive residential area for high-ranking court officials and nobility due to its strategic position between the two royal palaces.

However, these houses are not the ones that were inhabited by dignitaries during the Joseon Dynasty. They were remodeled during the period from 1920 to 1930 due to a significant influx of people to Seoul, many of whom were Japanese individuals seeking new opportunities during the Japanese Occupation period.

One noteworthy aspect of this village is that it was not created as a tourist attraction. Instead, Bukchon Hanok Village is a residential neighborhood where people actually live. Therefore, visitors are kindly requested to explore the area quietly, preserving the tranquility of the residents.

12:00 PM

Insadong + Lunch at traditioal restaurant

Insa-dong, the name of the location, has occupied the very center of Seoul for the past 600 years, since the Joseon dynasty. Many historically famous officials and scholars lived here due to its proximity to Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace. Additionally, there was a government office called ‘Dowhaseo’ responsible for artistic activities. This historical background naturally paved the way for today’s artistic district. During the Japanese colonial period, many dignitaries faced collapse, leading them to sell their furniture and antiques, which made this area famous for its antique products. Insa-dong is a place where the old and new seamlessly coexist. The main road in Insa-dong is flanked by alleys on each side. Within these alleys, you can find numerous galleries, traditional restaurants, teahouses, and cafes.

03:00 PM

N Seoul Tower

The N Seoul Tower was established atop Namsan in 1971. It is one of the most famous tourist attractions, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking panoramic view of Seoul's cityscape. The tower's name was changed from Namsan Tower to N Seoul Tower in 2005, with the "N" representing 'new,' 'Namsan,' and 'nature.'

N Seoul Tower has also gained a reputation as an auspicious place for love, making it a popular spot for couples. One of the most cherished activities at N Seoul Tower is the 'Love locks' event. In a gesture symbolizing eternal love, couples inscribe their names and wishes on a padlock and then hang it on the designated lock tree.

04:30 PM

Gwangjang Traditional Market

Gwangang Market used to be one of the three major markets in the late Joseon dynasty, alongside Namdaemun Market and Jongno Market. Originally named Dongdaemun Market, it thrived during the 1960s-1970s, but experienced a slowdown in the 1980s due to the rise of large-scale discount stores. From the late 2000s, it has experienced a revival, thanks to the popularity of Eatery Alley, which has attracted foreign tourists. Famous foods in Gwangang Market include Yukhae (Korean-style raw beef), Sannakji (raw/live small octopus with wriggling tentacles), Mung Bean pancake, Mayak(drug)gimbap (small gimbap with mustard sauce), Makgeoli (Korean rice wine), and more. The market's second floor is filled with silk, satin, and linen products.

05:30 PM

Taking a short walk in Cheonggyecheon Stream

Cheonggyecheon, which was a natural stream during the Joseon dynasty, has been transformed into an 11 km long modern artificial stream that runs through downtown Seoul. It was restored in 2003, reclaiming the space from traffic roads. It serves as an excellent destination for Seoul citizens to find relaxation by leisurely strolling along the stream, contributing to a harmonious balance between the bustling downtown environment and nature. Additionally, the stream offers the added benefit of providing a cooling effect, particularly appreciated during the summer season.

06:30 PM

End of Tour

Ending Point

At 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

Guiding fee

Free transportation (11 seater KIA Carnival )

Fuel, toll, parking

Hotel Pick-up and Drop-off

What‘s not included

Entrance Fees

Lunch

Traveler's Insurance

Tour Important Information

> Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed every Tuesday; therefore, an alternate palace will be visited on that day.

> The provided schedule is designed around the most popular attractions and timing, but it can be adjusted flexibly to accommodate the preferences and needs of the customers.

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 - Kevin L.

Joined 2022

Kevin L.
5.00 / 5
(28 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Kevin L.

I received a license in 2016 from the Korea Tourism Organization as a qualified professional tour guide. I have guided a variety of tours for people and tourists from all over the world and have been doing so for over 9 years.

Before being a tour guide I spent most of my career working in the banking industry for almost 30 years, starting with Korea First Bank which later became a US based Newbridge Capital and UK based Standard Chartered Bank until I retired in 2016.

My experience in the banking industry was very much customer-first and dealing with the public which laid the cornerstone and passion to becoming a tour guide.

After retiring from the bank, I worked as a lecturer for a volunteering organization run by the local public office and taught students about the environment and disabilities.

With various experiences and personal management skills, these challenges have provided a real life, hands on cultural nuances which will promote friendship and expand life experiences between different cultures.

I'm based in Seoul but will be happily arrange the tours to Busan, Gyeongju, Sokcho, Jeonju etc. as a customized tour. Feel free to drop me a request message.

Reviews

“Seoul with Kevin”

My family of 5 adults and 2 kids had a wonderful day with Kevin in Korea. He was very knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating, and he made it easy for us to make changes to our plans along the way. He did a great job making sure everyone in our group had an enjoyable experience. I would definitely use Kevin’s services again and highly recommend him to anyone looking for a great tour guide in Korea!

Jbasra S.

Kevin L.

Thank you so much for your wonderful review and kind words! It was truly a pleasure spending the day with your family. I'm glad everyone enjoyed the tour, and I really appreciate your flexibility and enthusiasm throughout the day. Thank you again for your trust and recommendation. I hope to have the pleasure of showing you more of Korea on your next visit! Many thanks, Kevin Lee

“Great experience with knowlegde Kevin”

Today we went on a private tour with our kind guide Kevin to the DMZ. He showed us all the highlights with a lot of background about the general history of Korea and especially the korean war. He is very open and passionate about his country. We would certainly recommend a tour with him!

Mireille D.

Kevin L.

Thank you so much for your kind review! It was a pleasure showing you around the DMZ and sharing Korea’s history with you. I truly appreciate your kind words and recommendation! Many thanks, Kevin Lee

“Nice afternoon in Yeouido”

Kevin has very in-depth knowledge of the history of South Korea and how each historical event shaped the development of the country. I had the opportunity to visit Yeouido, which I hadn't yet, and Kevin walked me through the National Assembly, the financial district and the Han River through the Yeouido side, and shared his experiences of how he saw the radical transformations that part of time went through it while he worked around there. Super interesting time!

Rafael M.

Kevin L.

Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful review. It was a real pleasure spending time with you and showing you around some of Seoul’s major historical sites as well as Yeouido. I’m especially glad that you enjoyed hearing not only about Korea’s history and how historical events shaped the country, but also about how Seoul has changed over the years. Having witnessed some of those changes firsthand, it was meaningful for me to share those stories and experiences with you. I’m very glad you enjoyed the tour, and I truly appreciate your kind words. Many thanks, Kevin Lee

Want to Personalize?

$300/ per group

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