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Six-Hour Intro to Seoul and Korean History

Bukchon Hanok Village

Seoul City Halls

Jogye-sa Buddhist Temple

Gyeongbok-gung Palace from above

Restored Cheonggye-cheon Stream

Seoul Square Plaza

National Folklore Museum

Insa-dong

Six-Hour Intro to Seoul and Korean History

Art, Culture, & Historical

Joined 2022

David a. M.

5.00 / 5

(18 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Seoul

English (Native), Korean

6 hours

Private tour (only you and David a. M.)

Up to 12 people

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!!

Itinerary

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

10:00 AM

Meeting Point

"City Hall" Metro-Subway Station

- Meeting at your hotel is also an option.

10:10 AM

Old & New City Halls and nearby sights

Introduction to the scale, design, functions and feng-shui (geomancy) of old "Hanyang" (historic central downtown); Japanese Colonial period vs. 21st-cen hypermodern Seoul.

10:30 AM

Restored Cheonggye-cheon Stream

Very scenic central waterway, with waterfall and 600 years of dramatic stories.

11:10 AM

Seoul Square Plaza historical monument sights

Statues of two of the greatest national heroes, with context stories about why they're there and what they still mean to Koreans; views of the nation's "Power Center" buildings all around; tales of the massive pro-democracy event that happened on this vast plaza.

12:30 PM

Gyeongbok-gung Main Royal Palace

The most important and scenic of the remaining seven Royal compounds. Detailed explanations of the architecture, kings & queens, lifestyle & politics with be told in an academically insightful and amusing way. It could be possible to see the 'Changing of the Guard Ceremony' if our timing is right and you want to take the time.

02:00 PM

Folklore & Shamanism artifacts at palace rear-exit

We exit via the grounds of the spectacular National Folklore Museum Building, viewing its outdoor displays -- a great contrast to the formal palace, to really understand common Korean's lives & beliefs

02:30 PM

Optional: Great Korean Lunch

Several great restaurants are near our exit-gate; or before we enter the Palace. Extra cost for you, depending on what you want to get... could be simple or fancy -- or just a snack with coffee/tea..?

02:40 PM

Bukchon Hanok Village intro

A quick look at the historic traditional-houses alleyways, and visit inside one old mansion.

03:00 PM

Jogye-sa Buddhist Temple

Visiting the national headquarters temple, with grand statues and fascinating tales -- and it has an art museum and the TempleStay Center.

03:30 PM

Insa-dong traditional-culture street

Very colorful historic neighborhood to walk through, check-out some alleyways -- perhaps a bit of souvenir-shopping or herbal/green-tea-drinking if desired.

Ending Point

Your Hotel, Insa-dong traditional-culture street or others.

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

Entrance ticket to the palace

What‘s not included

Transportation fee, if-needed

(It's all on-foot, as each site is next to the other)

Any meal or food cost

Any drinks or snacks...

Tour Important Information

This is a walking-only tour in a big loop, though use of a short (&cheap) taxi-ride is possible at the end. Metro subway or taxi might be used if we start at your hotel.

Starting time can be any between 8:00am to 4:00pm... 10:00 is just recommended, to be after rush-hour.

Main Palace is closed on Tuesdays; in that case another palace will be used.

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

David a. M.

5.00 / 5

(18 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

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

Susan N.

5 / 5

Oct 12, 2025

Central National Museum of Korea -- with an expert professor

Oct 12, 2025

Seoul

3 hours

“The only way to visit the National Museum of Korea!”

We recently arranged for a private tour of the spectacular National Museum of Korea in Seoul. Having visited the museum a yea I knew that there was so much to see and take in. Our guide David arrived and we discussed our areas of interest to narrow down where we would go in the Museum. The next 3 or so hours were spent with the engaging and incredibly knowledgeable David, an accomplished Professor of Korean Cultural Tourism, who has lived in Korea for decades. We were completely engaged and fascinated by the history and stories he shared with us. There’s no better way to understand such an enormous Museum collection. We loved touring the museum with David. We spent days after referring to him and his narrative. Couldn’t recommend him more highly!

Kerry B.

5 / 5

Sep 2, 2025

Half-day Traditional Seoul Walking-Tour

Sep 2, 2025

Seoul

4 hours

“Packed with information ”

What a wonderful time we had with David. The tour was packed with information about the foundations of South Korea and what has lead it to being what it is today. We saw the normal tourist stuff but it was with a personal twist. Thanks so much David see you next time

David a. M.

Thanks, Kerry! I really enjoyed showing your group around; such interested learners. I do hope you come back someday soon, for more & deeper! David

Alfonso S.

5 / 5

Jun 19, 2025

Full-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History

Jun 19, 2025

Seoul

8 hours

“An American professor with enormous experience ”

David has been an incredible guide for our three days we stay in Seoul, where he took us through deep experiences and teachings about this incredible nation and resilience. His vast knowledge and decades residing in Korea, has given him such acknowledge that made him become a professor and writer of several books about Korean people. Don't tho k twice to hire him as your guide in Korea.

David a. M.

Thanks for the kind words, Alfonso -- I really enjoyed showing your family around! I hope that you all return to Korea someday.... :-) David