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Joined 2022
David a. M.
Available Areas
Seoul (Living)
Languages
English (Native), Korean
Response Time
2 hours on average
Availability Updated
5 days ago
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!
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!!
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.
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.
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!
Royal & Shamanic Shrines of Benevolent King Mountain
Would you like to see some scenic sites that are "truly Korean" and yet quite unusual? This tour is really "off the beaten path" but is also right above downtown Seoul, on Mt. Inwang-san, Seoul's center of Shamanic practices, and a park with relics of the Joseon Dynasty's royal & spiritual-nationalist heritage. These are rarely-seen yet fascinating sites overlooking the busy modern power-centers. This unique walking-tour climbs a few steep slopes on paved paths, but it's worth it!
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.
Reviews
Vasilios K.
Half-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History
“knowledgeable and flexible”
David is a fountain of information and was very accomodating in meeting our needs. Book with confidence.
David a. M.
(3 reviews)Thanks VK, it was great to host you guys!! D
“Grab Your Walking Shoes & Spend The Day With David!”
David is absolutely splendid! A human, walking encyclopedia of anything you could hope to know. If you enjoy learning and desire to truly grasp the history and culture of South Korea- he is your guy! There wasnt a question we asked that he didnt have a full, in-depth explanation for. He offers a variety of tours to cover most anything you'd be interested in- he truly knows it all and is an excellent storyteller and teacher. He went out of his way to accommodate our wishes. We even had a medical situation arise and he took the time to go with us to the hospital and ensure we got checked in since we only speak English. Highly, highly recommend!
David a. M.
(3 reviews)I was so glad to guide you two for two days; you were great company and very attentive, curious listeners! DM
“A delightful walking tour listening to fascinating stories about Korea’s history ”
David took us to the Jogye-sa where we learnt in details about the country’s history of religions that helped shape the Korean culture. Then we walked to the Seoul Plaza to see the historical monuments, listening to fascinating stories about the national heroes. I was in particular inspired by the stories of Yi Sun S
David a. M.
(3 reviews)It was my pleasure to serve your first visit to Korea!
