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
Charlotte H.
“Jeeson: your local friend”
Jeeson awaits you and treats you as if you had already been a good friend for years. Jeeson took me to a huge food and herbs market , then we had a lot of fun ina traditional Korean medicine center and we even took a refreshing footbath there. She navigated me through some of the trendy neighborhoods but she quickly understood that it was not my thing. At my request she took me to a cosmetic store, translated a bit since the place was very busy and patiently waited until I finished my purchases and took me back to my hotel. All in all: a very enjoyable day!
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Jeeseon C.
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful review. It truly means a lot to me. I was so happy spending that day with you, and seeing you enjoy each moment made it even more meaningful for me. I really hope the time we spent together becomes one of your happy memories from Korea. Thank you again, and I hope you stay well until we meet again.
Karina D.
“Unfortunately tour didn’t match our expectations ”
We booked a private tour because we wanted to discover some hidden gems in Seoul and know about non-touristy spots. During the tour, we walked through DDP, along the fortress wall, and visited a small temple with a romantic story behind it, but overall there were not many memorable highlights. Our guide was a pleasant lady, but throughout the four hours it often felt like we had to come up with questions ourselves in order to learn more about Korean culture and daily life. There was not enough information provided, and a third of the tour was spent walking in silence in rain. Since rain was expected that day, we hoped the route would be adjusted in advance, but it seemed like the guide was improvising most of the itinerary on the spot. Because of this, the tour did not feel well planned, and we spent a lot of time without a clear structure. We were really hoping to see more unique and interesting places, but unfortunately the tour did not meet our expectations, how ever tour guide was very nice as a person and it’s a pity that tour went in the wrong direction.
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Jeeseon C.
Thank you for sharing this, Karina. I'm sorry the experience did not feel like what you were hoping for, and I hope you had a wonderful rest of your time in Seoul. I do want to gently clarify a few things for context. Before the tour, you specifically asked to avoid palaces and well-known tourist sites, and to experience Seoul as locals do. Every stop was chosen with that in mind and agreed upon in advance. I should also note that this is a walking tour, as clearly stated in the listing, so exploring neighborhoods and streets on foot is the nature of the experience itself. At the DDP, I walked you through the history and architecture of the building. Along the Seoul City Wall, we covered the Joseon dynasty, the North Korean refugee settlement in the area, and the evolution of housing in Seoul. At Gilsangsa Temple, I shared the story of the temple along with context on Buddhism in Korean society. You had many questions throughout the day and I was glad to answer every one. At the hanok tea house in Seongbuk-dong, I was happy to add a little extra given the weather, and we talked about daily life in Seoul and I gave you recommendations for the rest of your trip. Regarding the final stop, the water had pooled enough on the streets that crossing them meant soaked shoes, and the route to Sungkyunkwan did not align with your next plans in Seongsu. On the way to the subway I suggested stopping at a local bookshop as an alternative, though that did not work out either. I understand that was disappointing, but I would make the same decisions again under the same conditions. I always do my best to create a meaningful experience for each guest, and I appreciate you taking the time to write.
Karen E.
“Fabulous Day in Seoul with Jeeseon”
Jeeseon was exactly what we were hoping for in a tour guide. She tailored our sightseeing and experiences to our family. Jeeseon was knowledgeable about everything from history of Korea to K-Beauty products!
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Jeeseon C.
Thank you so much for your kind review. I truly enjoyed spending time with your family. It was such a pleasure guiding the 1K 3J team. I sincerely hope this trip created many great memories for the young ones in Korea. Next time you visit, we can go to a baseball game, have a picnic, and explore more local experiences together. Until we meet again, take care, and thank you again for your lovely review.
$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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