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David a. M.

Profile Photo

In my office, enjoying Korean Green Tea in replica-mediaeval ceramics

Speaking at a remote traditional ceremony, two decades ago.

With two of my most famous books

Pausing thoughtfully during a tour

Guiding a recent tour in Seoul's Insa-dong

with the greatest international hikers of Korea's mountains, as we wrote a landmark book together.

making a donation at a restoring temple, during an exclusive tour.

with Abbot of a high remote hermitage in ancient-capital Gyeongju, while first exploring in 1982!

Thanked by Korean President Kim Dae-jung for upgrading K-Tourism in 2001-5, esp the 2002 World Cup.

Joined 2022

David a. M.

5.00 / 5

(22 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Date

People

Available Areas

Seoul (Living)

Languages

English (Native), Korean

Response Time

3 hours on average

Availability Updated

5 days ago

About Tour Guide David a. M.

Name: David a. M. - Local Tour Guide in Seoul..
Brand: GoWithGuide
Rating: 5.0 (22 reviews)

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!

Important

I do this full-time now, any day -- but only in Spring & Autumn.

Tours

All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!

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

FROM$485/ per group

Seoul

3 hrs 30 mins

Half-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History

This is my most popular standard tour, perfect for any visiting Korea for a serious first look. It walks us through the best sights of Seoul's historic central downtown area, very close to each-other, while I tell the relevant colorful stories at each brief stop. It is completely flexible on the timing and number / nature of the sites visited; all depends on where I pick you up and drop you off, and just what you want to see and do. On this system I also offer a full-day version of this tour.

Half-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History

FROM$395/ per group

Seoul

6 hours

Six-Hour Intro to Seoul and Korean History

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!!

Six-Hour Intro to Seoul and Korean History

FROM$445/ per group

Seoul

3 hrs 40 mins

Korean War Museum and Memorial in Central Seoul -- a good alternative to the DMZ

I don't recommend day-trips to the DMZ -- the JSA remains off-limits due to North Korean policy, and anyway most of what you see is just barbed-wire fences and various monuments; a trip there does not give insight into North Korea nor about the 1950-53 war. The long trip driving up there & back is not worth your precious time. There is a very good alternative, which is this gigantic compound in the middle of Seoul -- a large museum of the Korean war & outdoor display of weaponry from that era.

Korean War Museum and Memorial in Central Seoul -- a good alternative to the DMZ

FROM$345/ per group

Seoul

4 hours

Tao Abundance Temple, Seoul's most-important Buddhist Site

Doseon-sa was founded around 1100 years ago just beneath the three main peaks of the Triple-Horns Mtn, Seoul's sacred & prominent guardian (a National Park), by one of Korea's greatest Buddhist masters. It has remained the most religiously important monastery of the Seoul area ever since always crowded with sincere Buddhists. It has several unusual features that will be pointed out and explained to your group. There is a large ancient standing Buddha statue designated as a National Treasure.

Tao Abundance Temple, Seoul's most-important Buddhist Site

FROM$395/ per group

Seoul

4 hours

Half-day Traditional Seoul Walking-Tour

This tour is a fascinating orientation & overview of the older, more traditional parts of central downtown Seoul, with further/deeper introduction to who the Koreans are, and the key points of their history and religions/customs. There is a standard itinerary for this tour, but it is completely flexible on the number and nature of the sites visited. It is essentially the 2nd-half of my Full-day Intro Tour. We can move faster or slower, as you wish. I will be telling colorful stories!

Half-day Traditional Seoul Walking-Tour

FROM$395/ per group

Seoul

8 hrs 30 mins

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

FROM$485/ per group

Seoul

3 hrs 30 mins

Half-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History

This is my most popular standard tour, perfect for any visiting Korea for a serious first look. It walks us through the best sights of Seoul's historic central downtown area, very close to each-other, while I tell the relevant colorful stories at each brief stop. It is completely flexible on the timing and number / nature of the sites visited; all depends on where I pick you up and drop you off, and just what you want to see and do. On this system I also offer a full-day version of this tour.

Half-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History

FROM$395/ per group

Seoul

6 hours

Six-Hour Intro to Seoul and Korean History

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!!

Six-Hour Intro to Seoul and Korean History

FROM$445/ per group

Seoul

3 hrs 40 mins

Korean War Museum and Memorial in Central Seoul -- a good alternative to the DMZ

I don't recommend day-trips to the DMZ -- the JSA remains off-limits due to North Korean policy, and anyway most of what you see is just barbed-wire fences and various monuments; a trip there does not give insight into North Korea nor about the 1950-53 war. The long trip driving up there & back is not worth your precious time. There is a very good alternative, which is this gigantic compound in the middle of Seoul -- a large museum of the Korean war & outdoor display of weaponry from that era.

Korean War Museum and Memorial in Central Seoul -- a good alternative to the DMZ

FROM$345/ per group

Seoul

4 hours

Tao Abundance Temple, Seoul's most-important Buddhist Site

Doseon-sa was founded around 1100 years ago just beneath the three main peaks of the Triple-Horns Mtn, Seoul's sacred & prominent guardian (a National Park), by one of Korea's greatest Buddhist masters. It has remained the most religiously important monastery of the Seoul area ever since always crowded with sincere Buddhists. It has several unusual features that will be pointed out and explained to your group. There is a large ancient standing Buddha statue designated as a National Treasure.

Tao Abundance Temple, Seoul's most-important Buddhist Site

FROM$395/ per group

Seoul

4 hours

Half-day Traditional Seoul Walking-Tour

This tour is a fascinating orientation & overview of the older, more traditional parts of central downtown Seoul, with further/deeper introduction to who the Koreans are, and the key points of their history and religions/customs. There is a standard itinerary for this tour, but it is completely flexible on the number and nature of the sites visited. It is essentially the 2nd-half of my Full-day Intro Tour. We can move faster or slower, as you wish. I will be telling colorful stories!

Half-day Traditional Seoul Walking-Tour

FROM$395/ per group

Reviews

Candace D.

5 / 5

May 6, 2026

Full-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History

May 6, 2026

Seoul

8 hours 30 mins

“Touring with a Guide of Exceptional Knowledge ”

If you are interested in understanding Korea beyond the basics, I’d definitely recommend spending time with Prof. David Mason. Today I spent 8 hours with Prof. Mason, a tourist professor and scholar and contributor to Lonely Planet’s Korea content. I chose him through Gowithguide because his background matched my interest in Korean history - from early archeological findings to the formation of Korea today. In those 8 hours , he took me through Korea’s past in a way that was richly informative and easy to follow. I could listen to him for hours. At the national museum of Korea , he walked me through the early kingdoms, and around Seoul City Hall ( both old and new buildings ) and he connected that history to modern Korea. I appreciated that he adapted the day to my interests in a thoughtful in depth way and answered all of my questions without hesitation. I’m looking forward to continuing to learn from him by following him on FB and exploring his ebooks.

David a. M.

I really enjoyed guiding you, so interested to learn, and am glad you got so much value out of that tour. I hope you return to Korea for more, someday! David

Richard F.

5 / 5

May 3, 2026

Tao Abundance Temple, Seoul's most-important Buddhist Site

May 3, 2026

Seoul

4 hours

“Encyclopedic Knowledge”

David was by far the most seasoned guide we have worked with. His life experience and vast knowledge of the subject made the tour an unforgettable stop in Seoul.

David a. M.

I really enjoyed guiding your couple, and am glad you got so much value out of these tours. I hope you return to Korea for more, someday! David

Steven W.

5 / 5

Apr 27, 2026

Six-Hour Intro to Seoul and Korean History

Apr 27, 2026

Seoul

6 hours

“Two full days exploring modern and ancient Seoul with a terrific guide.”

David knows ancient and modern Korea and Seoul. We learned about the political history of Korea, its relations with the US and neighboring Asia countries and North Korea. He told us about the economy, birth rates, social customs, religion, palaces, emperors and kings, geography and lots of practical aspects of modern Korean life. We have toured in many countries and David’s was probably the best. Strong recommendation for those interested in an incredibly well rounded and intelligent scholar, historian and raconteur.

David a. M.

I'm very glad that you enjoyed our days so much Steve; thanks for the high compliment! I hope that you will be inspired to return to Korea someday, and tell your friends to come... David