Silent City Walk: Hidden Alleys & Traditional Tea Included
This 4-hour walking tour is about experiencing the real Seoul by walking through quiet, timeworn alleyways largely undeveloped. You'll explore Gilsangsa Temple, pass by old hanoks and stone walls, and end the tour at Sungkyunkwan, Korea’s oldest Confucian academy. Along the way, you'll take a relaxing break at a traditional teahouse to enjoy Korean tea and rice cakes , included in the tour price. It’s a slow walk with real Seoul stories and scenery.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Hansung Univ. Station (Exit 6)
Gilsangsa Temple
Once a luxurious restaurant, this serene space was later donated to become a Zen temple. Surrounded by trees and stillness, it offers a rare moment of peace in the heart of the city.
Suyeonsanbang
Once home to a beloved Korean writer, this teahouse now serves traditional drinks and calm moments in a garden setting. You’ll enjoy Korean tea and rice cakes here, both are included in the tour price.
Please note: Suyeonsanbang is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and may occasionally close without notice. In that case, we’ll visit a charming nearby café instead.
Silent Alleys & Stone Walls
Stroll through quiet, timeworn alleys where the past lingers in every brick, then follow a hidden trail along the old fortress wall.
Confucian Campus
Visit Korea’s oldest university and its historic lecture hall.
Ending Point
Hyehwa Station, Exit 4
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
A licensed tour guide
Traditional tea and snacks at a traditional tea house
Any food not included in the tour
Insurance are not included
Tour Important Information
* This tour involves a lot of walking including hills
* This tour is not recommended for those with severe back/knee problems.
* This tour is not wheelchair accessible.
* Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
*Note about consultation and communication
I’m happy to answer any questions related to this tour after your booking is confirmed.
For more general travel-related questions (outside of the tour content), I kindly ask that you reach out after your booking becomes non-refundable (when the cancellation penalty period begins).
This helps me provide the best service to my confirmed guests while managing time and resources fairly.
If Suyeonsanbang Traditional Tea House is closed, we may visit a different café instead.
Important message from the supplier
Trip Consultation Policy
Trip consultation is included in the tour.
However, it will only be provided after the free cancellation period ends (7 days before the tour).
No consultation is available during the free cancellation period.
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
About Tour Guide Jeeseon C.
Hi! I’m Jeeseon.
Over the past several years, I’ve been working as a licensed guide, leading travelers from around the world through palaces, temples, hanok villages, traditional markets, and Seoul’s hidden local neighborhoods. I especially enjoy introducing guests to off-the-beaten-path gems and sharing the city’s authentic local atmosphere. Many of my guests say it feels like exploring the city with a thoughtful local friend.
I design every tour with care, balancing history, culture, and everyday life, so each guest can experience Seoul in a personal and memorable way. Guiding is more than a job to me, it’s a way to connect people with the heart of Korea.
My tours are ideal for curious travelers who want more than just sightseeing. I specialize in:
Korean history and culture storytelling
Practical Hangul learning experiences
Hidden gem exploration for repeat travelers
An orientation tour for first-time travelers to Korea with a Hangul learning session
Reviews
Dino A.
“Amazing city tour!!”
Jeeseon was really accommodating in creating a customized tour for my first visit to Seoul and she showed me some nice areas away from the usual tourist spots. I highly recommend booking her.
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Jeeseon C.
Thank you for starting your business trip in Korea with my tour. It was a bit chilly, but I hope you enjoyed it. I’m glad you liked the route I chose with fewer tourists. I also really enjoyed our tea and conversation at the scenic teahouse. Thank you again, and if you come back to Korea in the future, please feel free to contact me!
Brian W.
“Jeeseon transformed the streets and buildings of Seoul into places people live”
At a Glance: If you’re looking to experience Seoul the way a local actually lives it—not through a pre-packaged checklist of tourist stops—Jeeseon is an excellent guide. She listened carefully to the experience I was hoping for and created a day that felt personal, natural, and grounded in everyday Korean life. More than anything, she made Seoul feel like a lived-in city rather than a series of attractions. Why I Recommend Her: What stood out most was that Jeeseon did not simply guide me from place to place—she engaged in a way that made the day feel more like exploring with a local friend than being led through a formal tour. She understood that I was looking for neighborhoods, food, customs, and everyday culture rather than a standard sightseeing experience and adapted naturally. She is personable, easy to talk to, and especially good at turning ordinary details into meaningful cultural insight—something much harder than simply leading people between destinations. Context (if helpful): • She tailored the day to the type of experience I had asked for rather than delivering a generic “Seoul highlights” tour. • She shared local context that brought places to life, including personal stories that made the city feel human and real. • Conversations moved beyond sightseeing into everyday Korean culture—customs, language, education, and social norms—which made the experience much richer. • She is also certified in Korean history and clearly knowledgeable in that area; she adds historical context naturally without turning the experience into a lecture. • Overall, she helped me understand Seoul not just as a visitor, but through the perspective of someone who actually lives there. Final Takeaway: If you are looking for an authentic local experience rather than a scripted tour, I would absolutely recommend Jeeseon. She balances knowledge, personality, and real conversation in a way that makes the experience both meaningful and genuinely enjoyable.
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Jeeseon C.
Thank you so much for writing this and for going into so much detail. It really means a lot. I loved that you came in knowing what kind of day you wanted. Once I knew you were interested in neighborhoods, everyday food, and real local life rather than the standard highlights, it was just easy. The conversation went where it went, and that's always the best kind of day. And the Han River ramyeon and fried chicken. I won't forget that either. Something about sitting by the water, good food, good conversation. It just works. Thank you again for spending the day with me and for trusting me with your time in Seoul. That's not something I take for granted.
Janet Y.
“Great time with Jeeseon!”
Jeeseon is friendly, super helpful, kind, and just a great person. We told her that we wanted to rent hanboks and visit Gyeongbokgung Palace followed by a walking tour of Bukchon and the neighboring areas. It was nice to not be a part of a huge group. She made sure that we got to the hanbok shop early and could take our time selecting our costumes without getting mobbed. She gave us practical advice, making sure that the sale people did not upsell things. Communication with Jeeseon before the trip was very easy. She got back to me on my questions and requests for changes very quickly. She is very accomodating. I even asked her if it was possible to schedule a tour on her day off. Luckily she was free that day and was able to give us the tour. For the ladies, you might want to ask her about K-beauty. Jeeseon is very fair and her skin is excellent, so I asked her about sunscreens and K-beauty brands and she gave me lot of tips!
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Jeeseon C.
Thank you so much for such a thoughtful and heartwarming review! Reading your words truly made my day. To be honest, you and your group were exactly the kind of guests I always hope to meet, so curious, engaged, and full of great questions! It was like a dream come true for a guide. I enjoyed every single question you guys asked, and the time went by so fast that I genuinely felt sad when the tour had to end. It felt more like hanging out with friends than 'working.' I’m so glad the Hanbok experience and the Bukchon walk were special for you, and I'm happy my K-beauty tips were helpful too! It was a pleasure to spend my day off with such wonderful people. Wishing you all a very Happy New Year, and I truly hope our paths cross again in Seoul!
$286/ per group
More tours by Jeeseon C.
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Seoul Private Custom Tour: Highlights or Hidden Gems Your Pace-tea included
Experience Seoul exactly the way you want it—fully private, flexible, and customized just for you. The pace is entirely up to you: walk more or less, pause for tea, or spend extra time at places you love. Whether you know nothing about Seoul or already have specific interests, just tell me, I’ll design the schedule for you.
Seoul Private Custom Tour: Highlights or Hidden Gems Your Pace-tea included
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Evening Walk: Street Food, Hidden Alleys & a Glowing Palace(Food Included)
Discover the flavors and charm of Seoul on this 3-hour evening walking tour. We'll start by sampling local street food at a bustling traditional market — food tastings are included. As the sun sets, we’ll walk along the old stone wall of Jongmyo Shrine, lined with small cafés, ending our tour with a night visit to a beautifully lit royal palace. Perfect for travelers who want to experience real Korean life, hidden corners, and unforgettable night views, all guided by a local expert.
Evening Walk: Street Food, Hidden Alleys & a Glowing Palace(Food Included)
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Learn Korean and Practice It Live-Confident in Korea
If you’ve ever felt nervous about traveling in Korea because of the language barrier, this experience is for you. In just 3 hours, you’ll learn the basics of Hangul and practice essential Korean expressions with my custom workbook. We’ll start with a fun indoor session, reading Hangul, writing your name, and saying useful phrases. Then we’ll head out to practice in real life. Once you can read Hangul and say a few key phrases, Korea opens up to you and it gets a lot more fun.
Learn Korean and Practice It Live-Confident in Korea
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