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UNESCO Jongmyo and Changdeokgung Walking Tour ; World Cultural Heritage Sites.
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Joined 2024
Jongmyo Shrine and Changdeokgung Palace, registered as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites for their outstanding universal value, authenticity and integrity, are Koreans' pride. The world's most solemn and quietest Jongmyo Shrine is always a good place to visit. Beautiful cafes and shops along Seosulla-gil, attract passers-by. Changdeokgung Palace beloved by kings, is an eco-friendly space built while maintaining the maximum natural environment.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
In front of exit #11, Jongno-3(sam) ga Station
- Jongno 3-ga Station is where subway lines 1 and 3 intersect. Regardless of which line you use, we will meet you at exit 11 of Jongno 3-ga Station.
Jongmyo Shrine
With a history of about 5,000 years, Korea went through 518 years of the Joseon Dynasty. Established in 1392, the Joseon Dynasty was a country ruled by 27 kings. As it was founded on the foundation of Confucianism, the culture of "hyo(Filial piety)"was most important, holding ritual ceremonies to deceased ancestors and respecting their living elders. Thus, the Joseon Dynasty set up Jongmyo Shrine, the facility for the deceased ancestors, before constructing the king's palace. Jongmyo Shrine, the place for the deceased king and queen, consists of largey wooden buildings, "Jeongjeon Hall" and "Yeongnyeongjeon Hall." It houses spiritual tablets of deceased kings and queens, and rituals are held in every spring and fall. The world's solemn and quietest Jongmyo Shrine is a good place to visit anytime. In 1995, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, adding value as the best cultural asset.
Seosulla-gil
The road to Changdeokgung Palace along the stone wall of Jongmyo Shrine is called "Seosunra-gil." During the Joseon Dynasty, the patrol team who left Changdeokgung Palace in a procession passed the main gate of Donhawmun, passed Ikseon-dong, and then to Jongmyo Shrine. They detected and reported any suspicious movements that might arise or responded directly to situations occurring on the spot. Based on Jongmyo Shrine, there is "Dongsulla-gil" to the east, and Seosulla-gil approaches Donhawmun along the west walkway of Jongmyo Shrine. Beautiful cafes and shops attract passers-by on Seosulla-gil in Jongmyo Shrine. Compared to the nearby Ikseon-dong Hanok Alley, we can feel quiet and relaxed.
Changdeokgung Palace
Among the five palaces of the Joseon Dynasty, the most beautiful one is Changdeokgung Palace. Changdeokgung Palace, which is the best preserved of Korea's five palaces, was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site back in 1995. Changdeokgung is an eco-friendly space built while maintaining the maximum natural environment. Although it was built as a detached palace of Gyeongbokgung Palace, it was the most beloved palace by most of kings. If Gyeongbokgung Palace was the symbolic main palace, Changdeokgung Palace was the actual prime palace.
In particular, many traces of King Jeongjo, who is most loved by Koreans, along with King Sejong the Great, remain in Changdeokgung Palace. In addition, Nakseonjae, the frugal and most peaceful place in the palace, contains the heart of King Heonjong, who sincerely loved a woman. Entering Donhawmun, the main gate of Changdeokgung Palace, scholar trees welcome people. The scholar tree, called the Jeongseung tree, is named because three Jeongseung (3 high ranking officials including prime minister) discussed state affairs under the tree. Seonwonjeon Hall, which was specifically used as the council hall, is famous for its blue color tiled roof. Let's hear the hidden story of Changdeokgung Palace, the last palace of the Korean Empire, before the birth of today's Republic of Korea.
Near Geumho Gate of Changdeokgung Palace
Kumho Gate is a gate to the west of Changdeokgung Palace. It is the gate that comes out after a tour of Changdeokgung Palace. Therefore, the tour ends near Kumho Gate.
Ending Point
Near Geumho Gate of Changdeokgung Palace
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
* Profession tour guide fee
* Free photo service
* Subway tickets
* Admission fees
- Jongmyo Shirine : KRW 1,000 for those aged 7 to 64 (the rest are free)
- Changdeokgung Palace : KRW 3,000 for those aged 19 to 64 (the rest are free)
* Food and Beverages
* Personal expenses
* Traveler's Insurance
Tour Important Information
* This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
* This tour is not recommended for those with severe back/knee problems.
* Prepare a bottle of water when the weather is hot, and wear sunglasses or hat when the sun is strong.
Important message from the supplier
Service is available even at dawn or late night including pick-up and sending at Incheon International Airport.
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 2024
About Tour Guide Charlie C.
Hello, I am Charlie, a tour guide. It’s very nice to meet you!
I warmly welcome you to Korea.
Korea is a beautiful country with 5,000 years of history.
Drawing on my experience working for a Korean government agency and my expertise in Korean history and culture, I would like to introduce you to many tourist attractions, including Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi Province.
Join me on a journey, and let’s have a wonderful time together. Thank you very much!
Reviews
Johanna C.
“Highlight of my trip”
My granddaughter and I had a lovely day with Charlie. He was accommodating, answered any question we posed, and it was interesting to learn about the history of Korea from him. Our visit to the DMZ was a highlight of my stay in Seoul (where I was visiting my granddaughter who is studying there). Charlie went out of his way to show us a suspension bridge up in the mountains. He even shared his candy and other snacks with us. A wonderful tour.
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Charlie C.
Thank you, Johanna, November 1st was the peak of the autumn weather, when large crowds gathered at Imjingak to visit DMZ. It was a bit of a bummer, but the tour with you was so enjoyable and happy. We climbed 275 steep steps to see the Gamaksan Mountain ridge and suspension bridge. Thank you for your passion for staying with me without giving up until the end. And thank you so much for leaving a wonderful review.
Seema I.
“The best DMZ tour guide”
Charlie is an amazing tour guide and I had an absolutely fantastic time touring the DMZ with him. As a solo traveler, initially I was skeptical about going on a tour to the DMZ. I did some online research and was able to connect with Charlie from GoWithGuide. Right from the get-go, he made me feel very comfortable. He knew I had a lot of time constraints on account of prior commitments and he was able to work around these commitments and suggest me a tour that would meet my requirements. He picked me up from a pre-determined spot on the day of the tour and dropped me back at the hotel when we were done. Charlie is a walking, talking encyclopedia with a lot of information and history on South and North Korea. It was extremely fun and interesting to visit the DMZ with him. He knew all the cool spots to visit and to take pictures at. There are no pictures allowed inside of the DMZ area, we are however allowed to take pictures right outside and he knew exactly the best locations to take the pictures. We also toured the third tunnel which was built by North Korea to infiltrate the South. The entire DMZ tour was simply amazing and it was wonderful to learn all the history and the life of the people on both sides. The icing on the cake was that the day was bright and sunny and I was able to see the other side very clearly. Charlie then took me to some souvenir stores around the DMZ, so I could pick up some gifts. After we were done with the DMZ tour, we stopped by at a rest area to have some delicious Korean ramen. Charlie also bought us some Korean bread with a red bean paste ice cream filling, which is a specialty of the area. It was very tasty! We then made the drive to the Seoul area to visit the Gyeongbokgung Palace. We walked around the palace grounds and he explained to me the historical significance of the palace. In true Charlie style, he once again took some great pictures. Overall it was a fantastic day and I could not have asked for a better guide!
Charlie C.
Thank you for giving me a good review of the DMZ tour. On the day of the DMZ tour, the weather was so nice that I could see the North Korean land clearly. I was so happy to be able to tour with you. I hope to see you again another opportunity. Thank you so much.
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Karen B.
“Amazing Western Seoul Tour: A Truly Amazing Day”
Charlie is a very knowledgeable guide who explains in great detail everything you see for each stop on this tour. He allows you ample time to view each site and can answer any question you may have about the culture. Each stop was beautiful. From the serene temple visit, to the stunning Hanock village, ending with the sunset river cruise, each site was Amazing. AND Charlie made everything so beautiful and interesting with his descriptions. On my next trip to Korea, I will definitely secure him as my guide.
Charlie C.
Thank you so much for a good review about the tour. I will do my best to make my customers feel happy. It was great moments with you. I really hope to see you again.
$220/ per group
More tours by Charlie C.
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Amazing Western Seoul Tour
Eunpyeong Hanok Village boasts a beautiful natural environment. It is a famous place where you can feel the beauty and peace. Seoul Botanic Park is a space where nearly 8,000 species of plants live. It has a botanical culture center, a botanical library, and cafe, so you can spend a leisurely time. The Han River is the most important river for Seoul citizens. “Hangang Tour Cruise” starting from Yeouido Dock is the best gift to see the beautiful scenery of the Han River and Seoul.
Amazing Western Seoul Tour
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Central Seoul Walking Tour ; From Gwanghwamun Square to Ikseon-dong Hanok Alley.
Gwanghwamun Square connects the Joseon Dynasty and modern times. The view of Bukaksan Mountain and Gyeongbokgung Palace from Gwanghwamun Square is just like a landscape. Let's go on a journey back to the past at Gyeongbokgung Palace, the royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty. We can tour antique shops and galleries along the Insadong Cultural Street. Jogyesa Temple is worth visiting. Lastly, Ikseon-dong Hanok Alley has pretty cafes, restaurants, and stores while maintaing traditional Korea houses.
Central Seoul Walking Tour ; From Gwanghwamun Square to Ikseon-dong Hanok Alley.
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Dynamic Seoul and Foodi Tour
Once a rust belt, Seongsu-dong has been reborn. It is now full of various pretty cafes and pop-up stores. Seoul Forest, a former racetrack and golf course, has various botanical gardens and benches, making it perfect for a shelter. Dongdaemun Design Plaza is a place to breathe with a dynamic Dongdaemun Fashion Town. Its flexible and soft curves are similar to the shape of a spaceship. Gwangjang Market, which boasts a history of more than 100 years, is full of delicious foods.
Dynamic Seoul and Foodi Tour
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Seoul landmark and Gangnam K-pop tour
Seoul Olympic Park, the cradle of Korean sports, is full of various sculptures and trees. Let's walk slowly and feel relaxed and at peace. Lotte World Tower, the fifth tallest tower in the world, is a landmark of Seoul. The Han River and Seoul Namsan Tower from the observatory are truly beautiful. The Starfield Library and K-pop Square in Gangnam are the pride of the Korean Wave. And, Bongeunsa Temple offers the beauty and peace of traditional Korean temples.
Seoul landmark and Gangnam K-pop tour
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Seoul
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Seoul Downtown Walking Tour - the past and the present
From the serene atmosphere of palaces and old traditional villages to the bustling traditional markets and streets, you will see and experience real life in Seoul. I will help you explore the hidden gems and stories!
Seoul Downtown Walking Tour - the past and the present
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Central Seoul Walking Tour ; From Gwanghwamun Square to Ikseon-dong Hanok Alley.
Gwanghwamun Square connects the Joseon Dynasty and modern times. The view of Bukaksan Mountain and Gyeongbokgung Palace from Gwanghwamun Square is just like a landscape. Let's go on a journey back to the past at Gyeongbokgung Palace, the royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty. We can tour antique shops and galleries along the Insadong Cultural Street. Jogyesa Temple is worth visiting. Lastly, Ikseon-dong Hanok Alley has pretty cafes, restaurants, and stores while maintaing traditional Korea houses.
Central Seoul Walking Tour ; From Gwanghwamun Square to Ikseon-dong Hanok Alley.
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Full-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History
This is my standard and very popular Itinerary for this ~8 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!!
Full-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History
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Seoul Fortress Walk: From Hidden Walls to Street Food Wonders
From the peaceful views at Naksan Park to the lively tastes of Gwangjang Market, this route blends history, culture, and local flavor. Walk along the ancient Seoul City Wall and explore hidden gems most travelers miss, including a scenic spot seen in "K-Pop Demon Hunters." Visit iconic sites like Dongdaemun Gate, DDP, and Cheonggyecheon Stream. Perfect for first-time visitors or anyone wanting to experience Seoul from a fresh perspective. Want to join me and explore the best of Seoul together?
Seoul Fortress Walk: From Hidden Walls to Street Food Wonders
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