Korea Discover In Depth 12days 11nights
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Itinerary
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Incheon International airport โ Hotel
Stop At: Incheon International Airport, 272 Gonghang-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon, South Korea
Meet Local guide and transfer to Hotel
Duration: 30 minutes
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Seoul (Incheon), 4star hotel
Day 2: Seoul โ โ Jejudo Island, Koreaโs Gem
Stop At: Incheon Jayu Park, 80, Sinpo-ro 27beon-gil, Jung-gu Songhakdong-1-ga, Incheon 22315 South Korea
named on October 3, 1957 when a statue of General McArthur, who led the Incheon Amphibious Landing Operation during the Korean War was erected here. The park offers spectacular views of downtown Incheon and its surrounding mountains, port, and sea.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Dalvit Donghwa Village, 10-6, Ganghwanam-ro 921beon-gil, Yangdo-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon 23056 South Korea
The opening of Incheon Port in 1883 led to the start of many foreigners coming into the area for settlement. Soon, it became a rich village and many young people gradually moved out, leaving the village in a state of stagnation. As such, a renovation project was brought about to improve the development of the village by painting and decorating classic fairy tales all around.
Duration: 1 day 6 hours
Stop At: ์ธ์ฒ ์ฐจ์ด๋ํ์ด, Gaho-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon, South Korea
Incheon's Chinatown came into being with the opening of Incheon Port in 1883 and Incheon's designation as an extraterritoriality of the Ching Dynasty in the following year. In the past, the area held many stores trading goods imported from China, but currently most Chinese businesses in the area are restaurants. Today, the residents of Chinatown are mostly 2nd or 3rd generation Chinese, descendents of the early Chinese settlers. The area harbors many of the flavors of China, while the traditional culture of the first generation are preserved.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Yongduam Rock, 15, Yongduam-gil, Jeju, Jeju Island 63152 South Korea
Situated to the north of Jeju City, Yongduam was created by strong winds and waves over thousands of years. However, there are plenty of other stories of how it came to be. One legend has it that a dragon stealing precious jade from Mt. Halla was shot down by an arrow from the mountain deity. When he fell down on Yongduam, his body immediately sank into the ocean and his head rapidly froze looking at the sky. Another legend has it that a white horse, who dreamed of being a dragon and ascending to the sky, came to be caught by a soldier and froze into the rock.
From Yongduam, visitors can see Haeneo women divers working on catching seafood. Near the rock are various cafes, bars, and restaurants. The coastal road between Aewol-eup and Yongduam is a popular spot for couples. Cafes and seafood restaurants began to appear there five years ago and now form a pleasant cafรฉ village.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Jejudo island, 4star hotel
Day 3: Jejudo Island
Stop At: Sangumburi, 768 Bijarim-ro, Jochon-eup, Cheju, Jeju-do, South Korea
Sangumburi (์ฐ๊ตผ๋ถ๋ฆฌ) is a crater with a circumference of over 2 km, and has been designated as a Natural Monument. It is located on the southeast side of Jeju-si, and is a flat crater, about 650 meters wide, 100 meters deep, and 2,070 meters in circumference. If you look at the crater from above up, it looks like a man-made circular stadium. There is a variety of plant-life in the crater. On the north side, Nandaeseong vegetation such as red-thorn trees, and magnolia trees grow, along with the rare winter strawberries. On the south side of the crater, Ondaerim vegetation such as evergreens, maples, and mountain strawberry trees cover the area. Because so many different kinds of trees and plants grow in such a limited space, it attracts the attention of researchers as well.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Ilchul Land, Samdal-ri, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo, Jeju Island 699-905 South Korea
beautiful theme park with flower garden including Bonsai Garden, Micheon Lava Cave.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Seongsan Ilchulbong, 104 Seongsan-ri, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo, Jeju Island South Korea
Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak rose from under the sea in a volcanic eruption over 100,000 years ago. Located on the eastern end of Jejudo Island, there is a huge crater at the top of Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak. The crater is about 600m in diameter and 90m high. With the 99 sharp rocks surrounding the crater, it looks like a gigantic crown. While the southeast and north sides are cliffs, the northwest side is a verdant grassy hill that is connected to the Seongsan Village. The ridge provides an ideal spot for walks and for horse riding as well.
The sunrise from the crater is magnificent. Also the Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak surrounded by bright yellow colored canola flowers in the spring is truly a sight to behold.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Haenyeo Museum, 3204-1 Hado-ri, Gujwa-eup, Jeju, Jeju Island 695-976 South Korea
Haenyeo refers to female divers who dive into the ocean water to gather various shellfish, seaweed, etc, without using any underwater diving equipment. When diving underwater, a haenyeo carries only a pair of goggles, a round ball-like tube to keep her balance, and a basket to put her collections in. Such women involved in the fishing industry are known to be scattered all around Jeju-do, Korea, Japan, and Russia.
Jeju-do has established the Jeju Haenyeo Museum to introduce to the world the unique activities and culture of Jejudoโs haenyeo female divers. Exhibition Hall 1 is entitled โHaenyeo Diverโs Lifeโ and has a restoration of a traditional haenyeoโs home, and her meals. Also on display, to show a more realistic view into their daily lives, are the various utensils used by female divers.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Jeju Folklore & Natural Museum, 40, Samseong-ro, Jeju, Jeju Island 63270 South Korea
The museum is divided into four exhibition halls: the Natural History Hall, the Folklore Exhibition Hallโ , the Folklore Exhibition Hallโ ก, and the Outdoor Exhibition.
The Natural History Exhibition Hall displays mainly natural historical items such as marine life, soil and rocks, and fauna and flora of Jeju in a three-dimensional way. It gives visitors a better understanding of Jejuโs unique nature and culture. It is divided into an Ecology Hall of Marine Life, a Soil and Rock Exhibition Hall, and a Land Ecosystem Hall.
In Folklore Exhibition Hall I, you will see a transformation in the lifestyle of Jeju-do Island as well as Jeju people, when you look at 2,381 displayed items. It also plays a very important role to visitors in helping them to understand the ancient lifestyle on Jeju Island by recapturing Jejuโs traditional housing architecture, rites of passage, and regional food specialties.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Mysterious Road (Dokkaebi Road), 2894-63, 1100-ro, Jeju, Jeju Island 63079 South Korea
Nothing is more baffling than the strange movement of things on the Mysterious Road of Jeju Island. Objects on the road roll up the hill instead of moving downwards. How could this be possible? On the surface, this upward movement appears to defy the laws of gravity but in reality, the phenomenon is just a mere optical illusion.
The Mysterious Road or the Dokkaebi Road in Jeju Island is one of the numerous magnetic hills scattered around the world. A slight downhill slope appears to be an uphill slope due to the seemingly high surroundings, creating an optical illusion that objects roll uphill.
Unbelievable? See how this natural illusion tricks your eyes.
Duration: 30 minutes
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Jejudo, 4star hotel
Day 4: Jejudo Island โ โ Seoul โ Suwon โ Jeonju, Land Mark of Korea Culture
Stop At: Hwaseong Fortress, 910, Jeongjo-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do 16253 South Korea
it is the best of Korean traditional architecture designated as World cultural heritage by UNESCO. In other word, Haenggung, meaning detached palace, is a palace built within the walls of Hwaseong to house King Jeongjo when he was away from his palace in Seoul worshipping at his father's tomb. When he was not in residence it was used by his delegated official as a base of government. The palace was built in 1789, but was expanded between 1794 and 1796 to house 600 compartments and in doing so became the largest haenggung in Korea. If mini train is available on the visiting day, we take it to look around Fortress.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Hanji Museum, 59, Palbok-ro, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do 561-723 South Korea
Originally christened the Hansol Paper Museum in 1997, it was changed to the Pan-Asia Paper Museum in 2001. Again, in 2005, it was changed once more and is today called the Jeonju Hanji Museum. Itโs located in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do. As Koreaโs first museum specializing in paper it has an extensive collection of 3,000 artifacts and a data-base documenting the long history and superiority of Hanji (Korean paper). The museum also hosts two special exhibitions every year with diverse paper-related themes.
Program Information
Themes: Paper crafts, archives, old books, 100 types of paper and paper-manufacturing tools
Hanji experience: Visitors can make Hanji themselves with the help of a jijang (paper-making expert).
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Jeonju Hanok Village, Eunhaeng-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do South Korea
Jeonju Hanok Village is located in the city of Jeonju and overlaps Pungnam-dong and Gyo-dong. There are 735 traditional Korean hanok houses. While the rest of city has been industrialized, Hanok Village retains its historical charms and traditions.
Jeonju Hanok Village is especially beautiful for its unique roof edges, which are slightly raised to the sky. Hanok houses are generally divided into two sections, Anchae and Sarangchae. Sarangchae is where the men dwell, and is referred to as the Seonbi room. Because men and women had to remain separate, Anchae is situated deep inside the house so that it is secretive and quiet.
Another trait of Hanok is that all the houses are heated with ondol, a unique sub-floor heating system. Since Koreans enjoy sitting, eating, and sleeping on the floor, it needs to remain heated. A part of Hanok has been set aside so that tourists can experience traditional Korean life, called Hanok Life Experience Hall. You can enter the rooms to experience the warm floor first-hand. An advantage of this system is that it is warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
The food provided is very traditional, which adds to the traditional ambience. At Jeonju Hanok Village, visitors can enjoy traditional Korean life and traditional foods like bibimbap, the most well known dish from the Jeonju region.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Jeonju, 4star hotel
Day 5: Jeonju โ Suncheon, which lies off the beaten track in both aspects of nature and culture.
Stop At: Gyeonggijeon Shrine, 26, Gyo-dong 1-ga, Wansan-gu, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do 560-070 South Korea
Historic Site No. 339, Gyeonggijeon Shrine was erected in 1410 and holds the portrait of King Tae-jo, the founder of the Joseon Dynasty. The King and his wifeโs mortuary tablets are enshrined here at Jogyeong Shrine. The structure was partially destroyed during the Imjin War (1592-1598), and the existing structure was remodeled in 1614. Inside Gyeonggijeon, the portraits of King Tae-jo and other successive kings such as Sun-jong, Cheol-jong, Yeong-jo and many others can be found on display. The carriage used to move the mortuary tablets as well as carriages used to transport dignitaries and individual chair-like carriages are also on display.
Duration: 1 hour
Pass By: Family House๏ผJeonju Bibimbap๏ผ, South Korea, Jeollabuk-do, Jeonju, Wansan-gu, Jungangdong 3(sam)-ga, 80
Bibimbap (๋น๋น๋ฐฅ) is a large bowl of rice topped with an array of individually prepared vegetables and meat and served with a gochujang (๊ณ ์ถ์ฅ) sauce. Bibim means mixing, and bap means rice. The mixing usually happens at the table by the diner. Itโs one of my favorite Korean dishes! Hope you enjoy bibimbap at home with this easy to follow recipe.
Stop At: Suncheon Bay Garden, Suncheonmangukjeseupjisenteo 47 Gukgajeongwon1ho-Gil, Suncheon, Jeollanam-do 58026 South Korea
Naganeupseong Folk Village is located in Jeollanam-do Province, and contains a town castle that is over 18,000 Pyeong (1 pyeong = 3.3 sq m) in size. Within the east, south and west of the castle, about 100 families still reside, and the castle area has been very well preserved. You can observe the daily dwellings indigenous to the south provincial area such as the kitchen area, the clay rooms, and Korean-style verandas. There are also 9 houses designated as important cultural resources, and numerous straw-roof houses as well. The folk villageโs other source of pride is the monument of General Im Kyeong-Eop (1594~1646). At every first full moon of the new year, they hold a ritual ceremony and celebration at the generalโs monument, with games such as seesaw jumping, swings, and other folk activities.
When you enter the front gate of Naganeupseong Folk Village, on the east side of the castle (called โNakpung-ruโ), you see a straight road leading to town. Follow along this road and you will come across the General Im Kyeong-Eop Monument, resource center, and other interesting sites. You may also walk to the end of this road, climb up to the castle itself, and walk along the castle wall to the south. The entire castle is exceptionally well-preserved, and you can view the whole town from the top level.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in suncheon, 4star hotel
Day 6: Suncheon โ Haeinsa Temple โ Busan โ Gyeongju, Known as โthe museum without walls, World Heritages designated by UNESCO
Stop At: Boseong Green Tea Field Daehan Dawon, Bongsan-ri, Boseong-eup, Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do South Korea
Daehan Dawon Tea Plantation produces high-quality green tea and is a popular tourist attraction year-round thanks to the vast rows of tea trees that line the hillside like a deep green carpet. Despite being a small peak at just 350 meters above sea level, the observation deck offers views of the sea on clear days. Daehan Dawon Tea Plantation has been featured as a filming site in dramas such as โSummer Scent (2002),โ โLegend of the Blue Sea (2017),โ and โThe Rebel (2017).โ
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Haeinsa Temple, 122, Haeinsa-gil, Gaya-myeon, Hapcheon-Gun, Gyeongsangnam-do 50200 South Korea
Haeinsa Temple was founded during the third year of King Ae-Jang's reign (802), by two monks Suneung and Ijung. The name "Haein" originates from the expression Haeinsammae of Hwaeomgyeong (Buddhist scripture), which means truly enlightened world of Buddha and our naturally undefiled mind.
Along with the Tripitaka Koreana (National Treasure No.32) and Janggyeongpanjeon (National Treasure No. 52), 15 more public treasures and some 200 private treasures are enshrined at Haeinsa Temple, which has been appointed as a universal cultural heritage since December, 1995 for its many cultural properties and historical remains. Iljumun, Daejeokgwangjeon and the Tripitaka Koreana are recognized as famous treasures. Iljumun Gate was the first gate that every sattva must pass to become a Buddha and considered as a representative work of ancient architecture. Daejeokgwangjeon, the grand sanctuary, and the three-story stone pagoda in the yard possess the majestic appearance of the one thousand-year-old temple. Since the 23rd year of Goryeo Dynasty (year 1236), it took 16 years to finish the Tripitaka Koreana, the most famous national treasure of Haeinsa Temple, which was made as a wish to overcome the national crisis caused by Mongolia Invasion. The printing blocks are 68cm wide, 24.5cm long, 3 cm thick with wood fixed at each end to maintain balance and lacquer was applied to prevent corrosion. Silver magnolias growing near the South Sea and Geojae area were cut down, soaked in sea water for several years and then dried to make these printing blocks. The blocks are a result of the king and his people's effort to repulse the Mongolian army with support from Buddha. The 81,340 blocks include 6,791 volumes.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Jagalchi Market, Nampo-dong, Jung-gu, Busan South Korea
Jagalchi Market, located on the shoreside road in Busan's Jung-gu, is Korea's largest seafood market, selling both live and dried fish. After the Korean War, the market solidified itself as a fish market. Most of the people who sell fish are women, so the vendors here are called Jagalchi Ajumma, "ajumma" meaning middle-aged or married woman in Korean.
This market represents Busan and is famous throughout the country. Visitors can eat fresh raw fish right at the market. Even nowadays visitors can see women selling mackerel, sea squirts (ascidians) and whale meat on wooden boxes along the road outside of the market and along the shore.
Every year in October, the Jagalchi Cultural Tourism Festival is held, and it is easy to visit because of the convenient transportation provided by subway. Jagalchi Market is where you can see the lifestyle of the Busan locals.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Taejongdae, Dongsam-dong, Yeongdo-gu, Busan South Korea
Designated as a Busan monument, along with Oryukdo Island, Taejongdae represents Busan, and is especially famous for its rock beach. Featuring its highest peak at 250 meters, there are forests of pine trees and 200 other varieties of trees. Taejongdae was named after the 29th king of the Silla Kingdom (57 BC-AD 935), King Taejong Mu-Yeol (604-661). King Taejong traveled to many places but this was the place he enjoyed shooting arrows the most.
Under the lighthouse of this resort is a rock called Sinseon Rock, named after the myth that gods and goddesses came down here to relax. At this rock is a figure called Mangbuseok, named after the story of a woman who waited for her husband who had been taken to Japan. Taejongdae is also famous for the ritual of praying for rain, performed when there are droughts, and rain on the 10th day of the fifth lunar month is called the "Taejong Rain." On days with clear skies you can see Japanโs Tsushima Island from the observatory.
Duration: 1 hour
Pass By: Gyeongju Historic Area, 162-27, Noseo-dong, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 780-932 South Korea
the century old historical Gyeongju City, the 1,000 year old Capital of the Shilla Dynasty. The Gyeongju Historic Areas were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. The protected areas encompass the ruins of temples and palaces, outdoor pagodas and statuary, and other cultural artifacts left by the Silla Kingdom. The historic areas are also known as one of the largest outdoor museums in the world.
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Gyeongju, 4star hotel
Day 7: Gyeongju โ Andong โ Yeoju, Koreaโs Pottery Village
Stop At: Bulguksa Temple, Bulguksa 385 Bulguk-ro, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 38127 South Korea
Bulguksa Temple is the representative relic of Gyeongju and was designated as a World Cultural Asset by UNESCO in 1995. The beauty of the temple itself and the artistic touch of the stone relics are known throughout the world.
Bulguksa Temple was built in 528 during the Silla Kingdom, in the 15th year of King Beop-Heung's reign (514-540). The temple was originally called โHwaeom Bulguksa Templeโ or โBeopryusa Templeโ and was rebuilt by Kim Dae-Seong (700-774), who started rebuilding the temple in 751 during the reign of King Gyeong-Deok (r. 742-765) and completed it in 774 during the reign of King Hye-Gong (r. 765-780). Upon completion, the templeโs name was changed to Bulguksa.
Bulguksa Temple underwent numerous renovations from the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) to the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), but was burned down during the Imjin War (Japanese Invasions, 1592-1598).
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Seokguram, 999 Jinhyeon-dong, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 780-400 South Korea
Seokguram, located on Tohamsan Mountain, is the representative stone temple of Korea. The official name of Seokguram, National Treasure No. 24, is Seokguram Seokgul. Designated as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995, it is an artificial stone temple made of granite. The construction was started by Kim Dae-Seong (700-774) in 751 during the reign of King Gyeong-Deok (742-765) of the Silla Kingdom (57 BC - AD 935) and it was finished twenty-four years later in 774, during the reign of King Hye-Gong (765-780).
Seokguram is known to have been built at the same time as Bulguksa Temple. According to the history book Samgukyusa of the Goryeo Dynasty (the country that unified the Korean peninsula at the end of the Silla Kingdom, 918-1392), Kim Dae-Seong had Bulguksa Temple built for his parents in his current life, and Seokguram Grotto for the parents of his former life.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Daereungwon Tomb Complex, 9 Gaerim-ro, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 38165 South Korea
Within Daereungwon Tomb Complex is Cheonmachong Tomb (Ancient Tomb No. 155), which was excavated in 1973. Cheonmachong Tomb consists of a wooden coffin placed inside an underground chamber mounded with boulders and earth, characterized as a typical upper class tomb of the Silla period. The mound has a height of 12.7 m with a diameter of 50 m, and consists of a layer of rocks collected from streams. Below the rock layer is a wooden chamber with a length of 6.5 m and a width of 2.1, reaching 2.1 m in height, with the wooden coffin at its center. A total of 11,526 artifacts were discovered within the tomb, including Cheonmado, an artwork considered to be highly valuable as it is Korea's first artwork to be excavated from an ancient tomb.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Andong Hahoe Folk Village, Hahoe-ri, Pungcheon-myeon, Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do South Korea
Hahoe Village is home to descendants of the Ryu clan of Pungsan and is well-known for its traditional houses. Birthplace of renowned scholars of the Joseon Period such as Gyeomam Ryu Un-ryong and Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong, the village became even more famous after Queen Elizabeth of England visited on April 21, 1999.
Hahoe Village (translating to โVillage Enveloped by Waterโ) gets its name from Nakdong River, which flows around the townโs perimeter. The village is located at the foothills of Hwasan Mountain, an offshoot of Taebaek Mountain that rises up to the east. The center of the village is populated by large tile-roofed houses belonging to the Ryu clan, adding their own unique charm to the surrounding thatched roofs.
Hahoe Village boasts exquisite scenic sights: the elegant Nakdong River flowing around the village, the magnificent Buyongdae Cliff, endlessly unfolding sandy beaches, and lush, ancient pine trees. Visitors can take the boat to Buyongdae Cliff for a panoramic view of the village.
In addition to breathtaking scenery, Hahoe Village offers delectable local delicacies. Try the Andong Soju (distilled alcoholic beverage), Heotjesabap (a type of Bibimbap eaten by the nobles), Andong Gangodeungeo (salted mackerel), and Andong Guksu (a kind of noodle dish).
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Wonju, 4star hotel
Day 8: Wonju โ Sokcho (Mt. Seoraksan), spellbinding landscape vistas of Mt. Seoraksan national parks.
Stop At: Sokcho Central Market, 12, Jungang-ro 147beon-gil, Sokcho, Gangwon-do 24832 South Korea
Opened in the 1950s as a five-day market, Wonju Jungang Market is now a permanently operated market. With the construction of the Yeongdong Expressway, the market transitioned from a wholesale focus to individual purchasers. The market naturally developed a food street with many restaurants opening up in the vicinity of each other.
The market was losing business with the increase in supermarkets in the area and the ease of internet shopping. To combat this, the market opened an art market in 2013 and was designated as a cultural market in 2015. The second floor of the market houses the Maze Art Market, with twisting pathways lined with small design shops and restaurants. The flea market, held during the second weekend of every month, is not to be missed.
Duration: 1 hour
Pass By: Seoraksan National Park, Sokcho, Gangwon-do South Korea
With its highest point, Daecheongbong Peak, located 1,708 m above ground, Seoraksan Mountain is one of the most beautiful mountains in Korea, boasting a variety of colorful flowers in spring, refreshing clear water streams in summer, vibrant autumn foliages in fall, and a scenic snow-covered landscape in winter. With the mountain changing in color according to each season, a visit to Seoraksan Mountain guarantees a picturesque landscape any time of the year.
Hangyeryeong and Misiryryeong serve as a boundary line dividing Oeseorak (Outer Seorak), located towards the East Sea, and Naeseorak (Inner Seorak). The Oeseorak is a home to gigantic waterfalls such as Biryong Falls, Oryeon Falls, and Towangseong Falls as well as notable rock formations such as Ulsanbawi Rock and Geumgang Cave. Convenient facilities are gathered around Seorak-dong, making the area one of the busiest region within Seoraksan National Park. Noteworthy hiking courses include Biseondae-Madeungryeong course and Biseondae-Cheonbuldong-Daecheonbong Peak course.
Stop At: Abai Village, 122, Cheongho-Ro, Sokcho, Gangwon-do 24884 South Korea
The village of Cheongho-dong is now the hometown to many people of North Korean ancestry and is commonly referred to as โAbai village.โ The word โAbaiโ comes from the Hamgyeong-do dialect meaning โan aged person.โ Many elderly people fled to Cheongho-dong from North Korea during the Korean War; the large number of older residents resulted in the townโs current nickname.
The streets of Cheongho-dong are lined with small Korean houses reminding many of Seoul in the 1970s. The simple nature of the town and quietness of the sea make for a unique atmosphere in Cheongho-dong. This area became extremely popular after the Korean drama "Autumn in My Heart" was filmed here. In the drama, the lead actressโs mother had a supermarket in Cheongho-dong. Nearby the supermarket the lead actress often took a boat, which has now become a popular attraction for tourists. Holding up to 35 people, this โGaetbaeโ boat operates on manpower (people pulling on ropes moving the boat across a waterway) and can be taken from downtown Sokcho to Cheongho-dong. When looking for a bite to eat, Abai sundae and hamheung naengmyeon are two of the most popular dishes.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Daepohang Fish Market, South Korea, Gangwon-do, Sokcho-si, Daepo-dong, ๋ํฌํญํฌ๋ง๊ธธ 59
Located on the southern most point of Sokcho are the many raw fish restaurants and dried fish shops of Daepohang Port. This bustling port has become one of the most popular tourist spots for those in search of the freshest raw fish restaurants.
At Daepohang Port it is said that the Seorak Mountains and the East Sea are gifts from nature. The port is filled with raw fish restaurants and a live fish market containing eel, flatfish, flounder, yellowtail, and plethora of other high-end seafood. Furthermore, the abundance of local dishes that can be found lining the streets includes ojingeo sundae (Korean sausage in a squid) and gamja songpyeon (steamed rice cake with potato filling). For raw fish lovers that are in the Sokcho area, Daepohang Port is the place to be.
Nearby tourist attractions include Seorak Sunrise Park and Tourism Submarine. These are all great places to stop by while visiting the Seoraksan Mountains.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Sokcho, 4star hotel
Day 9: Mt. Seoraksan โ Seoul, Fashion and technology forward but also deeply traditional.
Stop At: Gwongeumseong Fortress, Seorak-dong, Sokcho, Gangwon-do 217-120 South Korea
Gwongeumseong Fortress is the site of a castle ruins located on Seoraksan Mountain, and it is also known as Mt. Onggeumsan Castle, or Toto Castle. It is located on the steep Dolsan Mountain of Seoraksan Sogongwon area. It is believed to have been built by the 23rd King of the Goryeo Period (918-1392), Gojong (r. 1213-1259). It is also called Gwon-Kim Castle, as there is a legend that two generals named Gwon and Kim, built the castle to avoid war.
At the left side of Sogongwon, past the Biryonggyo Bridge over the ravine, there is a path which leads to Gwongeumseong Castle, but it takes over an hour of travel through a steep, rocky path (2.5km), so cable car is used. The cable car was installed by Dr. Gi-Sup Lee in 1971 and is still used by many tourists. It runs from 7 a.m. to 6 or 6:30 p.m., departing every 7 minutes, and you can only purchase round-trip tickets at the ticket counter for that day.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Sinheungsa, 1137 Seoraksan-ro, Seorak-dong, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea
Sinheungsa (์ ํฅ์ฌ) is a short 10min walk away from the entrance to Sogongwon. In fact, many visit because of its close proximity to Sogongwon. Sinheungsa is a temple which used to be called Hyangseongsa, built by Jajangyulsa (590~658), who traveled to famous mountains all over the nation, in Queen Jindeokโs (?~654) 6th year of reign. It was destroyed and rebuilt many times since.
On the path to Sinheungsa, there is a great bronze statue called Bronze Jwabul Statue, which is well over 10 meters high. Just beyond the statue, which is on a granite terrace, there is a bridge to the right called Hyeonsugyo, which was newly built for crossing the ravine. Past the bridge there is a long stone wall with a Cheongwang door, and you can enter the temple. At the entrance there are four Cheonwang (king) statues (Jiguk Cheonwang with a sword, Damun Cheonwang with a lute, Gwangmok Cheonwang with a tower, and Jeungjang Cheonwang with a dragon), placed on either side. The Buddhist statues at Sinheungsa were placed here during the founding days of Seongjeongsa, and include the statues Mireukbosal, Gwaneumbosal and Seji which were sculpted by Uisang Daesa. The buildings which were built during that time are still standing, like the sanctuary, main temple, Myeongbujeon, Bojaeru, and Chilseonggak, etc. There is also an important cultural property, Treasure No. 443, called Hyangseongsaji, a three-story stone tower.
You can reach the Ulsan boulder by following the wall outside Sinheungsa. Sinheungsa is an ancient temple with deep historical significance, and many tourists come because of its beautiful scenery.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Tongil Park (Unification Park), Aninjin-ri, Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung, Gangwon-do South Korea
The Great Unification Buddha in Seoraksan National Park, South Korea. The Buddha is the largest seated bronze Buddha statue in the world, at 14.6m high, excluding the halo, lightning rod and pedestal.
The statue's name, Tongil Daebul, means 'Unification Buddha', and it was built to symbolise the Korean people's hope for the reunification of North and South Korea. The statue cost โฉ3.8 billion won (US $4.1 million) to erect, which was raised over a decade, with the construction being completed in 1997.
The Great Unification Buddha sits on a lotus pedestal, which is flanked with 16 inscribed panels that tell of the entire path of Buddha's enlightenment through the words of the Bodhisattva, messengers of Buddha's teaching. Including the pedestal, the total statue height is 18.9m, and has a total weight of 108 tons.
Below the sitting Buddha statue is a temple dedicated to the bodhisattva thousand-armed and eyed Avalokiteลvara. Avalokiteลvara means "Lord who looks down", and is a bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas.
In front and to the right of the Unification Buddha are two small shops that sell candles people can buy. After lighting the candle, it would then be placed in one of the two cabinets in front of the Buddha statue.
In the nearby area can be seen many walkers - Seoraksan is a popular area for hiking, with many mountain trails and beautiful views from the mountains. Korea is a mountainous country, with around two thirds of the country being mountains or uplands, and hiking is a popular pass-time among South Koreans.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Myeongdong Shopping Street, Jung-gu, Seoul South Korea
Myeong-dong is one of the primary shopping districts in Seoul. The two main streets meet in the center of the block with one beginning from Myeong-dong Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line No. 4) and the other from Lotte Department Store at Euljiro. Many brand name shops and department stores line the streets and alleys. Common products for sale include clothes, shoes, and accessories. Unlike Namdaemun or Dongdaemun, many designer brands are sold in Myeong-dong. In addition, several major department stores have branches here, including Lotte Department Store, Shinsegae Department Store, Myeong-dong Migliore, Noon Square and M Plaza. The department stores carry many premium labels and other fashionable goods at reasonable prices.
Myeong-dong also has family restaurants, fast food, plus Korean, Western and Japanese dining options. Many restaurants in Myeong-dong specialize in dongaseu (pork cutlet) and kalguksu (noodle soup). Other businesses in the area include hair salons, banks and theaters.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Namdaemun Market, 21, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 04529 South Korea
Opened in 1964, Namdaemun Market is the largest traditional market in Korea with shops selling various goods. All products are sold at affordable prices and the stores in this area also function as wholesale markets.
Most of the goods are made directly by the storeowners. Namdaemun Market is even open overnight, from 11:00pm to 4:00am, and is crowded with retailers from all over the country. When day breaks, the site of busy shoppers bustling around the market creates a unique scene that attracts tourists worldwide. Namdaemun Market sells a variety of clothes, glasses, kitchenware, toys, mountain gear, fishing equipment, stationery, fine arts, accessories, hats, carpets, flowers, ginseng, and imported goods.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Seoul, 4star hotel
Day 10: Seoul โ DMZ, where you can observe one country being divided into two
Stop At: DMZ, Munsan-eup, Majeong-ri Imjingak Tourist information center, Paju, Gyeonggi-do South Korea
The Demilitarized Zone is a unique area where you can observe one country being divided into two. Experience the tension but hope for peace in Korea and learn about their history and future.
The highlight of todayโs tour is the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone).
*Note: Must bring passport for ID check.
Located on each side of 38th parallel, this infamous border was established at the end of the war in 1953 at the signing Panmunjomโs armistice in order to separate North and South Korea.
Upon arrival, proceed to passport security control followed by a short introduction at the United Nationsโ camp. Visit Dora observatory and Dorasan railway station. Discover Imjingak Park with the Memorial, the Liberty Bridge and the bell of unification. Late morning, visit the 3rd tunnel dug into the rock at a depth of 73m and able of moving a full division per hour with their weapons.
Duration: 5 hours
Stop At: Museum Kimchikan, 35-4, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu 4~6F, Insadong Maru Building, Seoul 03149 South Korea
I probably donโt need to tell you that kimchi is the best-known Korean dish, and Koreans eat it literally everyday with every meal. Kimchi is basically a catch-all Korean term for fermented vegetables. There are hundreds of kimchi varieties in Korea, but this napa cabbage kimchi is the most common variety. In this Korean kimchi recipe, I will show you how to make traditional napa cabbage kimchi, aka. pogi kimchi.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Hanbok Museum, 74, Sagan-dong, Jongno-gu Next to Kumho Museum of Art, Seoul 110-190 South Korea
A Hanbok (South Korean) or Joseon-ot (North Korean) is a traditional Korean dress for semi-formal or formal attire during traditional occasions such as festivals, celebrations, and ceremonies. It is characterized by vibrant colors and simple lines without pockets. Although the term literally means "Korean clothing", hanbok usually refers specifically to clothing of the Joseon period. Korea had a dual clothing tradition in which rulers and aristocrats adopted different kinds of mixed foreign-influenced indigenous styles while commoners preserved a distinct style of indigenous clothing, today known as hanbok.[1][2]
In 1996, the South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism established "Hanbok Day" to encourage South Korean citizens to wear hanbok.[3]
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Insadong, Insa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul South Korea
Insa-dong, located in the heart of the city, is an important place where old but precious and traditional goods are on display. There is one main road in Insa-dong with alleys on each side. Within these alleys are galleries and traditional restaurants, teahouses, and cafes.
The galleries are the heartbeat of Insa-dong. There are about 100 galleries in the area and you can see every example of traditional Korean fine art from paintings to sculptures. The most famous galleries are Hakgojae Gallery, which functions as the center of folk art, Gana Art Gallery, which promotes many promising artists, and Gana Art Center.
The teahouses and restaurants are the perfect complement to the galleries. At first they might be hard to find, but if you take the time to stroll around the twisting alleyways, the window shopping in itself can be very entertaining. The shops in Insa-dong are very popular among all age groups, because each one is unique.
Every Saturday from 14:00 to 22:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 22:00, the main street is blocked off from traffic and it becomes a cultural space. Stores set up booths outside and Korean candy merchants and fortune teller stalls can easily be found; there are traditional performances and exhibits as well. Insa-dong is especially popular among international tourists. This is where they can experience and see traditional Korean culture firsthand, and also purchase pieces of fine art. On the street you can eat Korean taffy and traditional pajeon (green onion pancake), and lose yourself in all the joyous festivities of the street.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Seoul, 4star hotel
Day 11: Seoul City Tour, what the world calls New Seoul, will be the highlights of today.
Stop At: Gyeongbokgung Palace, 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul South Korea
Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace is also commonly referred to as the Northern Palace because its location is furthest north when compared to the neighboring palaces of Changdeokgung (Eastern Palace) and Gyeonghuigung (Western Palace) Palace. Gyeongbokgung Palace is arguably the most beautiful, and remains the largest of all five palaces.
The premises were once destroyed by fire during the Imjin War (Japanese Invasions, 1592-1598). However, all of the palace buildings were later restored under the leadership of Heungseondaewongun during the reign of King Gojong (1852-1919).
Remarkably, the most representative edifices of the Joseon Dynasty, Gyeonghoeru Pavilion and Hyangwonjeong Pond have remained relatively intact. Woldae and the sculptures of Geunjeongjeon (The Royal Audience Chamber) represent past sculptures of contemporary art.
The National Palace Museum of Korea is located south of Heungnyemun Gate, and the National Folk Museum is located on the eastern side within Hyangwonjeong.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Deoksugung, 99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul 04519 South Korea
In ancient times, the royal guards of Joseon Dynasty performed the given task by guarding the Gwanghwamun Gate, the entrance of Gyeongbokgung Palace where the king ruled the country. Since 1469, the ceremony has taken place, with the present reenactment ceremony being based on historical records for authenticity.
The reenactment of the original ceremony began from 1996. The gate guardsmen serve their sentry, perform the changing of the guards, and hold a parade. The guards' uniforms, weapons, and accessories as well as their strict ceremonial procedures catch the eyes of passersby, especially foreign tourists. Since it is hard to experience traditional events in such a big city like Seoul, the change of the guards ceremony is a great opportunity. It takes place every day except Tuesday.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Bukchon Hanok Village, 37, Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03059 South Korea
Surrounded by Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine, Bukchon Hanok Village is home to hundreds of traditional houses, called hanok, that date back to the Joseon Dynasty. The name Bukchon, which literally translates to "northern village," came about as the neighborhood lies north of two significant Seoul landmarks, Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jongno. Today, many of these hanoks operate as cultural centers, guesthouses, restaurants and tea houses, providing visitors with an opportunity to experience, learn and immerse themselves in traditional Korean culture.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Trickeye Museum Seoul, 20, Hongik-ro 3-gil, Mapo-gu Seogyo Plaza B2, Seoul 04039 South Korea
The Trickeye Museum is "one of a kind" painting gallery which combines art with high-end technology featuring AR (Augmented Reality) effect and 2D/3D illusions. Instead of merely viewing paintings as one would in a typical art gallery, visitors can interact with paintings using the newly developed Trickeye Camera app to make paintings come alive and become part of the artworks while recording it on video or taking pictures. In addition, the Ice Museum, located inside the Trickeye Museum, is filled with objects that are fully made out of ice, such as iced TV, ice kitchen, ice slope etc. With just one admission ticket, visitors can enjoy both the Trickeye Museum and the Ice Museum. To ensure that even the busiest customers donโt miss out on the fun, the museum stays open each day all year round from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. (last admission by 8 p.m.), making it a popular dating spot or a hang-out place. Outside of the main exhibition hall is a museum cafรฉ, which exclusively serves coffee decorated with a latte art using photos taken from your phone.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Jeongdong Theater, 43 Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 04518 South Korea
Representative Production of Korean Traditional Performing Arts, Jeongdong Theater.
Jeongdong Theater was established in 1995, as a restoration of Wongaksa, the first
Korean modern theater, succeeding historical meaning and sprit of it.
The theater has turned as a government-affiliated organization and representative
production of Korean traditional performing arts.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Seoul K-Medi Center, 26, Yangnyeongjungang-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02570 South Korea
Seoul K-Medi Center, Experience K-medi-related health services including a thermomassage bed, K-medi natural facial pack with foot massage, herbal warmth foot bath and aroma therapy.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Seoul, 4star hotel
Day 12: Seoul โ ICN airport for deparutre โ
Stop At: Incheon International Airport, 272 Gonghang-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon, South Korea
Depart Seoul for Incheon airport
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 1: Arrive at Incheon International airport โ Hotel
Stop At: Incheon International Airport, 272 Gonghang-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon, South Korea
Meet Local guide and transfer to Hotel
Duration: 30 minutes
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Seoul (Incheon), 4star hotel
Day 2: Seoul โ โ Jejudo Island, Koreaโs Gem
Stop At: Incheon Jayu Park, 80, Sinpo-ro 27beon-gil, Jung-gu Songhakdong-1-ga, Incheon 22315 South Korea
named on October 3, 1957 when a statue of General McArthur, who led the Incheon Amphibious Landing Operation during the Korean War was erected here. The park offers spectacular views of downtown Incheon and its surrounding mountains, port, and sea.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Dalvit Donghwa Village, 10-6, Ganghwanam-ro 921beon-gil, Yangdo-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon 23056 South Korea
The opening of Incheon Port in 1883 led to the start of many foreigners coming into the area for settlement. Soon, it became a rich village and many young people gradually moved out, leaving the village in a state of stagnation. As such, a renovation project was brought about to improve the development of the village by painting and decorating classic fairy tales all around.
Duration: 1 day 6 hours
Stop At: ์ธ์ฒ ์ฐจ์ด๋ํ์ด, Gaho-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon, South Korea
Incheon's Chinatown came into being with the opening of Incheon Port in 1883 and Incheon's designation as an extraterritoriality of the Ching Dynasty in the following year. In the past, the area held many stores trading goods imported from China, but currently most Chinese businesses in the area are restaurants. Today, the residents of Chinatown are mostly 2nd or 3rd generation Chinese, descendents of the early Chinese settlers. The area harbors many of the flavors of China, while the traditional culture of the first generation are preserved.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Yongduam Rock, 15, Yongduam-gil, Jeju, Jeju Island 63152 South Korea
Situated to the north of Jeju City, Yongduam was created by strong winds and waves over thousands of years. However, there are plenty of other stories of how it came to be. One legend has it that a dragon stealing precious jade from Mt. Halla was shot down by an arrow from the mountain deity. When he fell down on Yongduam, his body immediately sank into the ocean and his head rapidly froze looking at the sky. Another legend has it that a white horse, who dreamed of being a dragon and ascending to the sky, came to be caught by a soldier and froze into the rock.
From Yongduam, visitors can see Haeneo women divers working on catching seafood. Near the rock are various cafes, bars, and restaurants. The coastal road between Aewol-eup and Yongduam is a popular spot for couples. Cafes and seafood restaurants began to appear there five years ago and now form a pleasant cafรฉ village.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Jejudo island, 4star hotel
Day 3: Jejudo Island
Stop At: Sangumburi, 768 Bijarim-ro, Jochon-eup, Cheju, Jeju-do, South Korea
Sangumburi (์ฐ๊ตผ๋ถ๋ฆฌ) is a crater with a circumference of over 2 km, and has been designated as a Natural Monument. It is located on the southeast side of Jeju-si, and is a flat crater, about 650 meters wide, 100 meters deep, and 2,070 meters in circumference. If you look at the crater from above up, it looks like a man-made circular stadium. There is a variety of plant-life in the crater. On the north side, Nandaeseong vegetation such as red-thorn trees, and magnolia trees grow, along with the rare winter strawberries. On the south side of the crater, Ondaerim vegetation such as evergreens, maples, and mountain strawberry trees cover the area. Because so many different kinds of trees and plants grow in such a limited space, it attracts the attention of researchers as well.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Ilchul Land, Samdal-ri, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo, Jeju Island 699-905 South Korea
beautiful theme park with flower garden including Bonsai Garden, Micheon Lava Cave.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Seongsan Ilchulbong, 104 Seongsan-ri, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo, Jeju Island South Korea
Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak rose from under the sea in a volcanic eruption over 100,000 years ago. Located on the eastern end of Jejudo Island, there is a huge crater at the top of Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak. The crater is about 600m in diameter and 90m high. With the 99 sharp rocks surrounding the crater, it looks like a gigantic crown. While the southeast and north sides are cliffs, the northwest side is a verdant grassy hill that is connected to the Seongsan Village. The ridge provides an ideal spot for walks and for horse riding as well.
The sunrise from the crater is magnificent. Also the Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak surrounded by bright yellow colored canola flowers in the spring is truly a sight to behold.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Haenyeo Museum, 3204-1 Hado-ri, Gujwa-eup, Jeju, Jeju Island 695-976 South Korea
Haenyeo refers to female divers who dive into the ocean water to gather various shellfish, seaweed, etc, without using any underwater diving equipment. When diving underwater, a haenyeo carries only a pair of goggles, a round ball-like tube to keep her balance, and a basket to put her collections in. Such women involved in the fishing industry are known to be scattered all around Jeju-do, Korea, Japan, and Russia.
Jeju-do has established the Jeju Haenyeo Museum to introduce to the world the unique activities and culture of Jejudoโs haenyeo female divers. Exhibition Hall 1 is entitled โHaenyeo Diverโs Lifeโ and has a restoration of a traditional haenyeoโs home, and her meals. Also on display, to show a more realistic view into their daily lives, are the various utensils used by female divers.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Jeju Folklore & Natural Museum, 40, Samseong-ro, Jeju, Jeju Island 63270 South Korea
The museum is divided into four exhibition halls: the Natural History Hall, the Folklore Exhibition Hallโ , the Folklore Exhibition Hallโ ก, and the Outdoor Exhibition.
The Natural History Exhibition Hall displays mainly natural historical items such as marine life, soil and rocks, and fauna and flora of Jeju in a three-dimensional way. It gives visitors a better understanding of Jejuโs unique nature and culture. It is divided into an Ecology Hall of Marine Life, a Soil and Rock Exhibition Hall, and a Land Ecosystem Hall.
In Folklore Exhibition Hall I, you will see a transformation in the lifestyle of Jeju-do Island as well as Jeju people, when you look at 2,381 displayed items. It also plays a very important role to visitors in helping them to understand the ancient lifestyle on Jeju Island by recapturing Jejuโs traditional housing architecture, rites of passage, and regional food specialties.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Mysterious Road (Dokkaebi Road), 2894-63, 1100-ro, Jeju, Jeju Island 63079 South Korea
Nothing is more baffling than the strange movement of things on the Mysterious Road of Jeju Island. Objects on the road roll up the hill instead of moving downwards. How could this be possible? On the surface, this upward movement appears to defy the laws of gravity but in reality, the phenomenon is just a mere optical illusion.
The Mysterious Road or the Dokkaebi Road in Jeju Island is one of the numerous magnetic hills scattered around the world. A slight downhill slope appears to be an uphill slope due to the seemingly high surroundings, creating an optical illusion that objects roll uphill.
Unbelievable? See how this natural illusion tricks your eyes.
Duration: 30 minutes
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Jejudo, 4star hotel
Day 4: Jejudo Island โ โ Seoul โ Suwon โ Jeonju, Land Mark of Korea Culture
Stop At: Hwaseong Fortress, 910, Jeongjo-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do 16253 South Korea
it is the best of Korean traditional architecture designated as World cultural heritage by UNESCO. In other word, Haenggung, meaning detached palace, is a palace built within the walls of Hwaseong to house King Jeongjo when he was away from his palace in Seoul worshipping at his father's tomb. When he was not in residence it was used by his delegated official as a base of government. The palace was built in 1789, but was expanded between 1794 and 1796 to house 600 compartments and in doing so became the largest haenggung in Korea. If mini train is available on the visiting day, we take it to look around Fortress.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Hanji Museum, 59, Palbok-ro, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do 561-723 South Korea
Originally christened the Hansol Paper Museum in 1997, it was changed to the Pan-Asia Paper Museum in 2001. Again, in 2005, it was changed once more and is today called the Jeonju Hanji Museum. Itโs located in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do. As Koreaโs first museum specializing in paper it has an extensive collection of 3,000 artifacts and a data-base documenting the long history and superiority of Hanji (Korean paper). The museum also hosts two special exhibitions every year with diverse paper-related themes.
Program Information
Themes: Paper crafts, archives, old books, 100 types of paper and paper-manufacturing tools
Hanji experience: Visitors can make Hanji themselves with the help of a jijang (paper-making expert).
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Jeonju Hanok Village, Eunhaeng-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do South Korea
Jeonju Hanok Village is located in the city of Jeonju and overlaps Pungnam-dong and Gyo-dong. There are 735 traditional Korean hanok houses. While the rest of city has been industrialized, Hanok Village retains its historical charms and traditions.
Jeonju Hanok Village is especially beautiful for its unique roof edges, which are slightly raised to the sky. Hanok houses are generally divided into two sections, Anchae and Sarangchae. Sarangchae is where the men dwell, and is referred to as the Seonbi room. Because men and women had to remain separate, Anchae is situated deep inside the house so that it is secretive and quiet.
Another trait of Hanok is that all the houses are heated with ondol, a unique sub-floor heating system. Since Koreans enjoy sitting, eating, and sleeping on the floor, it needs to remain heated. A part of Hanok has been set aside so that tourists can experience traditional Korean life, called Hanok Life Experience Hall. You can enter the rooms to experience the warm floor first-hand. An advantage of this system is that it is warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
The food provided is very traditional, which adds to the traditional ambience. At Jeonju Hanok Village, visitors can enjoy traditional Korean life and traditional foods like bibimbap, the most well known dish from the Jeonju region.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Jeonju, 4star hotel
Day 5: Jeonju โ Suncheon, which lies off the beaten track in both aspects of nature and culture.
Stop At: Gyeonggijeon Shrine, 26, Gyo-dong 1-ga, Wansan-gu, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do 560-070 South Korea
Historic Site No. 339, Gyeonggijeon Shrine was erected in 1410 and holds the portrait of King Tae-jo, the founder of the Joseon Dynasty. The King and his wifeโs mortuary tablets are enshrined here at Jogyeong Shrine. The structure was partially destroyed during the Imjin War (1592-1598), and the existing structure was remodeled in 1614. Inside Gyeonggijeon, the portraits of King Tae-jo and other successive kings such as Sun-jong, Cheol-jong, Yeong-jo and many others can be found on display. The carriage used to move the mortuary tablets as well as carriages used to transport dignitaries and individual chair-like carriages are also on display.
Duration: 1 hour
Pass By: Family House๏ผJeonju Bibimbap๏ผ, South Korea, Jeollabuk-do, Jeonju, Wansan-gu, Jungangdong 3(sam)-ga, 80
Bibimbap (๋น๋น๋ฐฅ) is a large bowl of rice topped with an array of individually prepared vegetables and meat and served with a gochujang (๊ณ ์ถ์ฅ) sauce. Bibim means mixing, and bap means rice. The mixing usually happens at the table by the diner. Itโs one of my favorite Korean dishes! Hope you enjoy bibimbap at home with this easy to follow recipe.
Stop At: Suncheon Bay Garden, Suncheonmangukjeseupjisenteo 47 Gukgajeongwon1ho-Gil, Suncheon, Jeollanam-do 58026 South Korea
Naganeupseong Folk Village is located in Jeollanam-do Province, and contains a town castle that is over 18,000 Pyeong (1 pyeong = 3.3 sq m) in size. Within the east, south and west of the castle, about 100 families still reside, and the castle area has been very well preserved. You can observe the daily dwellings indigenous to the south provincial area such as the kitchen area, the clay rooms, and Korean-style verandas. There are also 9 houses designated as important cultural resources, and numerous straw-roof houses as well. The folk villageโs other source of pride is the monument of General Im Kyeong-Eop (1594~1646). At every first full moon of the new year, they hold a ritual ceremony and celebration at the generalโs monument, with games such as seesaw jumping, swings, and other folk activities.
When you enter the front gate of Naganeupseong Folk Village, on the east side of the castle (called โNakpung-ruโ), you see a straight road leading to town. Follow along this road and you will come across the General Im Kyeong-Eop Monument, resource center, and other interesting sites. You may also walk to the end of this road, climb up to the castle itself, and walk along the castle wall to the south. The entire castle is exceptionally well-preserved, and you can view the whole town from the top level.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in suncheon, 4star hotel
Day 6: Suncheon โ Haeinsa Temple โ Busan โ Gyeongju, Known as โthe museum without walls, World Heritages designated by UNESCO
Stop At: Boseong Green Tea Field Daehan Dawon, Bongsan-ri, Boseong-eup, Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do South Korea
Daehan Dawon Tea Plantation produces high-quality green tea and is a popular tourist attraction year-round thanks to the vast rows of tea trees that line the hillside like a deep green carpet. Despite being a small peak at just 350 meters above sea level, the observation deck offers views of the sea on clear days. Daehan Dawon Tea Plantation has been featured as a filming site in dramas such as โSummer Scent (2002),โ โLegend of the Blue Sea (2017),โ and โThe Rebel (2017).โ
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Haeinsa Temple, 122, Haeinsa-gil, Gaya-myeon, Hapcheon-Gun, Gyeongsangnam-do 50200 South Korea
Haeinsa Temple was founded during the third year of King Ae-Jang's reign (802), by two monks Suneung and Ijung. The name "Haein" originates from the expression Haeinsammae of Hwaeomgyeong (Buddhist scripture), which means truly enlightened world of Buddha and our naturally undefiled mind.
Along with the Tripitaka Koreana (National Treasure No.32) and Janggyeongpanjeon (National Treasure No. 52), 15 more public treasures and some 200 private treasures are enshrined at Haeinsa Temple, which has been appointed as a universal cultural heritage since December, 1995 for its many cultural properties and historical remains. Iljumun, Daejeokgwangjeon and the Tripitaka Koreana are recognized as famous treasures. Iljumun Gate was the first gate that every sattva must pass to become a Buddha and considered as a representative work of ancient architecture. Daejeokgwangjeon, the grand sanctuary, and the three-story stone pagoda in the yard possess the majestic appearance of the one thousand-year-old temple. Since the 23rd year of Goryeo Dynasty (year 1236), it took 16 years to finish the Tripitaka Koreana, the most famous national treasure of Haeinsa Temple, which was made as a wish to overcome the national crisis caused by Mongolia Invasion. The printing blocks are 68cm wide, 24.5cm long, 3 cm thick with wood fixed at each end to maintain balance and lacquer was applied to prevent corrosion. Silver magnolias growing near the South Sea and Geojae area were cut down, soaked in sea water for several years and then dried to make these printing blocks. The blocks are a result of the king and his people's effort to repulse the Mongolian army with support from Buddha. The 81,340 blocks include 6,791 volumes.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Jagalchi Market, Nampo-dong, Jung-gu, Busan South Korea
Jagalchi Market, located on the shoreside road in Busan's Jung-gu, is Korea's largest seafood market, selling both live and dried fish. After the Korean War, the market solidified itself as a fish market. Most of the people who sell fish are women, so the vendors here are called Jagalchi Ajumma, "ajumma" meaning middle-aged or married woman in Korean.
This market represents Busan and is famous throughout the country. Visitors can eat fresh raw fish right at the market. Even nowadays visitors can see women selling mackerel, sea squirts (ascidians) and whale meat on wooden boxes along the road outside of the market and along the shore.
Every year in October, the Jagalchi Cultural Tourism Festival is held, and it is easy to visit because of the convenient transportation provided by subway. Jagalchi Market is where you can see the lifestyle of the Busan locals.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Taejongdae, Dongsam-dong, Yeongdo-gu, Busan South Korea
Designated as a Busan monument, along with Oryukdo Island, Taejongdae represents Busan, and is especially famous for its rock beach. Featuring its highest peak at 250 meters, there are forests of pine trees and 200 other varieties of trees. Taejongdae was named after the 29th king of the Silla Kingdom (57 BC-AD 935), King Taejong Mu-Yeol (604-661). King Taejong traveled to many places but this was the place he enjoyed shooting arrows the most.
Under the lighthouse of this resort is a rock called Sinseon Rock, named after the myth that gods and goddesses came down here to relax. At this rock is a figure called Mangbuseok, named after the story of a woman who waited for her husband who had been taken to Japan. Taejongdae is also famous for the ritual of praying for rain, performed when there are droughts, and rain on the 10th day of the fifth lunar month is called the "Taejong Rain." On days with clear skies you can see Japanโs Tsushima Island from the observatory.
Duration: 1 hour
Pass By: Gyeongju Historic Area, 162-27, Noseo-dong, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 780-932 South Korea
the century old historical Gyeongju City, the 1,000 year old Capital of the Shilla Dynasty. The Gyeongju Historic Areas were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. The protected areas encompass the ruins of temples and palaces, outdoor pagodas and statuary, and other cultural artifacts left by the Silla Kingdom. The historic areas are also known as one of the largest outdoor museums in the world.
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Gyeongju, 4star hotel
Day 7: Gyeongju โ Andong โ Yeoju, Koreaโs Pottery Village
Stop At: Bulguksa Temple, Bulguksa 385 Bulguk-ro, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 38127 South Korea
Bulguksa Temple is the representative relic of Gyeongju and was designated as a World Cultural Asset by UNESCO in 1995. The beauty of the temple itself and the artistic touch of the stone relics are known throughout the world.
Bulguksa Temple was built in 528 during the Silla Kingdom, in the 15th year of King Beop-Heung's reign (514-540). The temple was originally called โHwaeom Bulguksa Templeโ or โBeopryusa Templeโ and was rebuilt by Kim Dae-Seong (700-774), who started rebuilding the temple in 751 during the reign of King Gyeong-Deok (r. 742-765) and completed it in 774 during the reign of King Hye-Gong (r. 765-780). Upon completion, the templeโs name was changed to Bulguksa.
Bulguksa Temple underwent numerous renovations from the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) to the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), but was burned down during the Imjin War (Japanese Invasions, 1592-1598).
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Seokguram, 999 Jinhyeon-dong, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 780-400 South Korea
Seokguram, located on Tohamsan Mountain, is the representative stone temple of Korea. The official name of Seokguram, National Treasure No. 24, is Seokguram Seokgul. Designated as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995, it is an artificial stone temple made of granite. The construction was started by Kim Dae-Seong (700-774) in 751 during the reign of King Gyeong-Deok (742-765) of the Silla Kingdom (57 BC - AD 935) and it was finished twenty-four years later in 774, during the reign of King Hye-Gong (765-780).
Seokguram is known to have been built at the same time as Bulguksa Temple. According to the history book Samgukyusa of the Goryeo Dynasty (the country that unified the Korean peninsula at the end of the Silla Kingdom, 918-1392), Kim Dae-Seong had Bulguksa Temple built for his parents in his current life, and Seokguram Grotto for the parents of his former life.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Daereungwon Tomb Complex, 9 Gaerim-ro, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 38165 South Korea
Within Daereungwon Tomb Complex is Cheonmachong Tomb (Ancient Tomb No. 155), which was excavated in 1973. Cheonmachong Tomb consists of a wooden coffin placed inside an underground chamber mounded with boulders and earth, characterized as a typical upper class tomb of the Silla period. The mound has a height of 12.7 m with a diameter of 50 m, and consists of a layer of rocks collected from streams. Below the rock layer is a wooden chamber with a length of 6.5 m and a width of 2.1, reaching 2.1 m in height, with the wooden coffin at its center. A total of 11,526 artifacts were discovered within the tomb, including Cheonmado, an artwork considered to be highly valuable as it is Korea's first artwork to be excavated from an ancient tomb.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Andong Hahoe Folk Village, Hahoe-ri, Pungcheon-myeon, Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do South Korea
Hahoe Village is home to descendants of the Ryu clan of Pungsan and is well-known for its traditional houses. Birthplace of renowned scholars of the Joseon Period such as Gyeomam Ryu Un-ryong and Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong, the village became even more famous after Queen Elizabeth of England visited on April 21, 1999.
Hahoe Village (translating to โVillage Enveloped by Waterโ) gets its name from Nakdong River, which flows around the townโs perimeter. The village is located at the foothills of Hwasan Mountain, an offshoot of Taebaek Mountain that rises up to the east. The center of the village is populated by large tile-roofed houses belonging to the Ryu clan, adding their own unique charm to the surrounding thatched roofs.
Hahoe Village boasts exquisite scenic sights: the elegant Nakdong River flowing around the village, the magnificent Buyongdae Cliff, endlessly unfolding sandy beaches, and lush, ancient pine trees. Visitors can take the boat to Buyongdae Cliff for a panoramic view of the village.
In addition to breathtaking scenery, Hahoe Village offers delectable local delicacies. Try the Andong Soju (distilled alcoholic beverage), Heotjesabap (a type of Bibimbap eaten by the nobles), Andong Gangodeungeo (salted mackerel), and Andong Guksu (a kind of noodle dish).
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Wonju, 4star hotel
Day 8: Wonju โ Sokcho (Mt. Seoraksan), spellbinding landscape vistas of Mt. Seoraksan national parks.
Stop At: Sokcho Central Market, 12, Jungang-ro 147beon-gil, Sokcho, Gangwon-do 24832 South Korea
Opened in the 1950s as a five-day market, Wonju Jungang Market is now a permanently operated market. With the construction of the Yeongdong Expressway, the market transitioned from a wholesale focus to individual purchasers. The market naturally developed a food street with many restaurants opening up in the vicinity of each other.
The market was losing business with the increase in supermarkets in the area and the ease of internet shopping. To combat this, the market opened an art market in 2013 and was designated as a cultural market in 2015. The second floor of the market houses the Maze Art Market, with twisting pathways lined with small design shops and restaurants. The flea market, held during the second weekend of every month, is not to be missed.
Duration: 1 hour
Pass By: Seoraksan National Park, Sokcho, Gangwon-do South Korea
With its highest point, Daecheongbong Peak, located 1,708 m above ground, Seoraksan Mountain is one of the most beautiful mountains in Korea, boasting a variety of colorful flowers in spring, refreshing clear water streams in summer, vibrant autumn foliages in fall, and a scenic snow-covered landscape in winter. With the mountain changing in color according to each season, a visit to Seoraksan Mountain guarantees a picturesque landscape any time of the year.
Hangyeryeong and Misiryryeong serve as a boundary line dividing Oeseorak (Outer Seorak), located towards the East Sea, and Naeseorak (Inner Seorak). The Oeseorak is a home to gigantic waterfalls such as Biryong Falls, Oryeon Falls, and Towangseong Falls as well as notable rock formations such as Ulsanbawi Rock and Geumgang Cave. Convenient facilities are gathered around Seorak-dong, making the area one of the busiest region within Seoraksan National Park. Noteworthy hiking courses include Biseondae-Madeungryeong course and Biseondae-Cheonbuldong-Daecheonbong Peak course.
Stop At: Abai Village, 122, Cheongho-Ro, Sokcho, Gangwon-do 24884 South Korea
The village of Cheongho-dong is now the hometown to many people of North Korean ancestry and is commonly referred to as โAbai village.โ The word โAbaiโ comes from the Hamgyeong-do dialect meaning โan aged person.โ Many elderly people fled to Cheongho-dong from North Korea during the Korean War; the large number of older residents resulted in the townโs current nickname.
The streets of Cheongho-dong are lined with small Korean houses reminding many of Seoul in the 1970s. The simple nature of the town and quietness of the sea make for a unique atmosphere in Cheongho-dong. This area became extremely popular after the Korean drama "Autumn in My Heart" was filmed here. In the drama, the lead actressโs mother had a supermarket in Cheongho-dong. Nearby the supermarket the lead actress often took a boat, which has now become a popular attraction for tourists. Holding up to 35 people, this โGaetbaeโ boat operates on manpower (people pulling on ropes moving the boat across a waterway) and can be taken from downtown Sokcho to Cheongho-dong. When looking for a bite to eat, Abai sundae and hamheung naengmyeon are two of the most popular dishes.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Daepohang Fish Market, South Korea, Gangwon-do, Sokcho-si, Daepo-dong, ๋ํฌํญํฌ๋ง๊ธธ 59
Located on the southern most point of Sokcho are the many raw fish restaurants and dried fish shops of Daepohang Port. This bustling port has become one of the most popular tourist spots for those in search of the freshest raw fish restaurants.
At Daepohang Port it is said that the Seorak Mountains and the East Sea are gifts from nature. The port is filled with raw fish restaurants and a live fish market containing eel, flatfish, flounder, yellowtail, and plethora of other high-end seafood. Furthermore, the abundance of local dishes that can be found lining the streets includes ojingeo sundae (Korean sausage in a squid) and gamja songpyeon (steamed rice cake with potato filling). For raw fish lovers that are in the Sokcho area, Daepohang Port is the place to be.
Nearby tourist attractions include Seorak Sunrise Park and Tourism Submarine. These are all great places to stop by while visiting the Seoraksan Mountains.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Sokcho, 4star hotel
Day 9: Mt. Seoraksan โ Seoul, Fashion and technology forward but also deeply traditional.
Stop At: Gwongeumseong Fortress, Seorak-dong, Sokcho, Gangwon-do 217-120 South Korea
Gwongeumseong Fortress is the site of a castle ruins located on Seoraksan Mountain, and it is also known as Mt. Onggeumsan Castle, or Toto Castle. It is located on the steep Dolsan Mountain of Seoraksan Sogongwon area. It is believed to have been built by the 23rd King of the Goryeo Period (918-1392), Gojong (r. 1213-1259). It is also called Gwon-Kim Castle, as there is a legend that two generals named Gwon and Kim, built the castle to avoid war.
At the left side of Sogongwon, past the Biryonggyo Bridge over the ravine, there is a path which leads to Gwongeumseong Castle, but it takes over an hour of travel through a steep, rocky path (2.5km), so cable car is used. The cable car was installed by Dr. Gi-Sup Lee in 1971 and is still used by many tourists. It runs from 7 a.m. to 6 or 6:30 p.m., departing every 7 minutes, and you can only purchase round-trip tickets at the ticket counter for that day.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Sinheungsa, 1137 Seoraksan-ro, Seorak-dong, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea
Sinheungsa (์ ํฅ์ฌ) is a short 10min walk away from the entrance to Sogongwon. In fact, many visit because of its close proximity to Sogongwon. Sinheungsa is a temple which used to be called Hyangseongsa, built by Jajangyulsa (590~658), who traveled to famous mountains all over the nation, in Queen Jindeokโs (?~654) 6th year of reign. It was destroyed and rebuilt many times since.
On the path to Sinheungsa, there is a great bronze statue called Bronze Jwabul Statue, which is well over 10 meters high. Just beyond the statue, which is on a granite terrace, there is a bridge to the right called Hyeonsugyo, which was newly built for crossing the ravine. Past the bridge there is a long stone wall with a Cheongwang door, and you can enter the temple. At the entrance there are four Cheonwang (king) statues (Jiguk Cheonwang with a sword, Damun Cheonwang with a lute, Gwangmok Cheonwang with a tower, and Jeungjang Cheonwang with a dragon), placed on either side. The Buddhist statues at Sinheungsa were placed here during the founding days of Seongjeongsa, and include the statues Mireukbosal, Gwaneumbosal and Seji which were sculpted by Uisang Daesa. The buildings which were built during that time are still standing, like the sanctuary, main temple, Myeongbujeon, Bojaeru, and Chilseonggak, etc. There is also an important cultural property, Treasure No. 443, called Hyangseongsaji, a three-story stone tower.
You can reach the Ulsan boulder by following the wall outside Sinheungsa. Sinheungsa is an ancient temple with deep historical significance, and many tourists come because of its beautiful scenery.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Tongil Park (Unification Park), Aninjin-ri, Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung, Gangwon-do South Korea
The Great Unification Buddha in Seoraksan National Park, South Korea. The Buddha is the largest seated bronze Buddha statue in the world, at 14.6m high, excluding the halo, lightning rod and pedestal.
The statue's name, Tongil Daebul, means 'Unification Buddha', and it was built to symbolise the Korean people's hope for the reunification of North and South Korea. The statue cost โฉ3.8 billion won (US $4.1 million) to erect, which was raised over a decade, with the construction being completed in 1997.
The Great Unification Buddha sits on a lotus pedestal, which is flanked with 16 inscribed panels that tell of the entire path of Buddha's enlightenment through the words of the Bodhisattva, messengers of Buddha's teaching. Including the pedestal, the total statue height is 18.9m, and has a total weight of 108 tons.
Below the sitting Buddha statue is a temple dedicated to the bodhisattva thousand-armed and eyed Avalokiteลvara. Avalokiteลvara means "Lord who looks down", and is a bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas.
In front and to the right of the Unification Buddha are two small shops that sell candles people can buy. After lighting the candle, it would then be placed in one of the two cabinets in front of the Buddha statue.
In the nearby area can be seen many walkers - Seoraksan is a popular area for hiking, with many mountain trails and beautiful views from the mountains. Korea is a mountainous country, with around two thirds of the country being mountains or uplands, and hiking is a popular pass-time among South Koreans.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Myeongdong Shopping Street, Jung-gu, Seoul South Korea
Myeong-dong is one of the primary shopping districts in Seoul. The two main streets meet in the center of the block with one beginning from Myeong-dong Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line No. 4) and the other from Lotte Department Store at Euljiro. Many brand name shops and department stores line the streets and alleys. Common products for sale include clothes, shoes, and accessories. Unlike Namdaemun or Dongdaemun, many designer brands are sold in Myeong-dong. In addition, several major department stores have branches here, including Lotte Department Store, Shinsegae Department Store, Myeong-dong Migliore, Noon Square and M Plaza. The department stores carry many premium labels and other fashionable goods at reasonable prices.
Myeong-dong also has family restaurants, fast food, plus Korean, Western and Japanese dining options. Many restaurants in Myeong-dong specialize in dongaseu (pork cutlet) and kalguksu (noodle soup). Other businesses in the area include hair salons, banks and theaters.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Namdaemun Market, 21, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 04529 South Korea
Opened in 1964, Namdaemun Market is the largest traditional market in Korea with shops selling various goods. All products are sold at affordable prices and the stores in this area also function as wholesale markets.
Most of the goods are made directly by the storeowners. Namdaemun Market is even open overnight, from 11:00pm to 4:00am, and is crowded with retailers from all over the country. When day breaks, the site of busy shoppers bustling around the market creates a unique scene that attracts tourists worldwide. Namdaemun Market sells a variety of clothes, glasses, kitchenware, toys, mountain gear, fishing equipment, stationery, fine arts, accessories, hats, carpets, flowers, ginseng, and imported goods.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Seoul, 4star hotel
Day 10: Seoul โ DMZ, where you can observe one country being divided into two
Stop At: DMZ, Munsan-eup, Majeong-ri Imjingak Tourist information center, Paju, Gyeonggi-do South Korea
The Demilitarized Zone is a unique area where you can observe one country being divided into two. Experience the tension but hope for peace in Korea and learn about their history and future.
The highlight of todayโs tour is the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone).
*Note: Must bring passport for ID check.
Located on each side of 38th parallel, this infamous border was established at the end of the war in 1953 at the signing Panmunjomโs armistice in order to separate North and South Korea.
Upon arrival, proceed to passport security control followed by a short introduction at the United Nationsโ camp. Visit Dora observatory and Dorasan railway station. Discover Imjingak Park with the Memorial, the Liberty Bridge and the bell of unification. Late morning, visit the 3rd tunnel dug into the rock at a depth of 73m and able of moving a full division per hour with their weapons.
Duration: 5 hours
Stop At: Museum Kimchikan, 35-4, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu 4~6F, Insadong Maru Building, Seoul 03149 South Korea
I probably donโt need to tell you that kimchi is the best-known Korean dish, and Koreans eat it literally everyday with every meal. Kimchi is basically a catch-all Korean term for fermented vegetables. There are hundreds of kimchi varieties in Korea, but this napa cabbage kimchi is the most common variety. In this Korean kimchi recipe, I will show you how to make traditional napa cabbage kimchi, aka. pogi kimchi.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Hanbok Museum, 74, Sagan-dong, Jongno-gu Next to Kumho Museum of Art, Seoul 110-190 South Korea
A Hanbok (South Korean) or Joseon-ot (North Korean) is a traditional Korean dress for semi-formal or formal attire during traditional occasions such as festivals, celebrations, and ceremonies. It is characterized by vibrant colors and simple lines without pockets. Although the term literally means "Korean clothing", hanbok usually refers specifically to clothing of the Joseon period. Korea had a dual clothing tradition in which rulers and aristocrats adopted different kinds of mixed foreign-influenced indigenous styles while commoners preserved a distinct style of indigenous clothing, today known as hanbok.[1][2]
In 1996, the South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism established "Hanbok Day" to encourage South Korean citizens to wear hanbok.[3]
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Insadong, Insa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul South Korea
Insa-dong, located in the heart of the city, is an important place where old but precious and traditional goods are on display. There is one main road in Insa-dong with alleys on each side. Within these alleys are galleries and traditional restaurants, teahouses, and cafes.
The galleries are the heartbeat of Insa-dong. There are about 100 galleries in the area and you can see every example of traditional Korean fine art from paintings to sculptures. The most famous galleries are Hakgojae Gallery, which functions as the center of folk art, Gana Art Gallery, which promotes many promising artists, and Gana Art Center.
The teahouses and restaurants are the perfect complement to the galleries. At first they might be hard to find, but if you take the time to stroll around the twisting alleyways, the window shopping in itself can be very entertaining. The shops in Insa-dong are very popular among all age groups, because each one is unique.
Every Saturday from 14:00 to 22:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 22:00, the main street is blocked off from traffic and it becomes a cultural space. Stores set up booths outside and Korean candy merchants and fortune teller stalls can easily be found; there are traditional performances and exhibits as well. Insa-dong is especially popular among international tourists. This is where they can experience and see traditional Korean culture firsthand, and also purchase pieces of fine art. On the street you can eat Korean taffy and traditional pajeon (green onion pancake), and lose yourself in all the joyous festivities of the street.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Seoul, 4star hotel
Day 11: Seoul City Tour, what the world calls New Seoul, will be the highlights of today.
Stop At: Gyeongbokgung Palace, 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul South Korea
Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace is also commonly referred to as the Northern Palace because its location is furthest north when compared to the neighboring palaces of Changdeokgung (Eastern Palace) and Gyeonghuigung (Western Palace) Palace. Gyeongbokgung Palace is arguably the most beautiful, and remains the largest of all five palaces.
The premises were once destroyed by fire during the Imjin War (Japanese Invasions, 1592-1598). However, all of the palace buildings were later restored under the leadership of Heungseondaewongun during the reign of King Gojong (1852-1919).
Remarkably, the most representative edifices of the Joseon Dynasty, Gyeonghoeru Pavilion and Hyangwonjeong Pond have remained relatively intact. Woldae and the sculptures of Geunjeongjeon (The Royal Audience Chamber) represent past sculptures of contemporary art.
The National Palace Museum of Korea is located south of Heungnyemun Gate, and the National Folk Museum is located on the eastern side within Hyangwonjeong.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Deoksugung, 99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul 04519 South Korea
In ancient times, the royal guards of Joseon Dynasty performed the given task by guarding the Gwanghwamun Gate, the entrance of Gyeongbokgung Palace where the king ruled the country. Since 1469, the ceremony has taken place, with the present reenactment ceremony being based on historical records for authenticity.
The reenactment of the original ceremony began from 1996. The gate guardsmen serve their sentry, perform the changing of the guards, and hold a parade. The guards' uniforms, weapons, and accessories as well as their strict ceremonial procedures catch the eyes of passersby, especially foreign tourists. Since it is hard to experience traditional events in such a big city like Seoul, the change of the guards ceremony is a great opportunity. It takes place every day except Tuesday.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Bukchon Hanok Village, 37, Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03059 South Korea
Surrounded by Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine, Bukchon Hanok Village is home to hundreds of traditional houses, called hanok, that date back to the Joseon Dynasty. The name Bukchon, which literally translates to "northern village," came about as the neighborhood lies north of two significant Seoul landmarks, Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jongno. Today, many of these hanoks operate as cultural centers, guesthouses, restaurants and tea houses, providing visitors with an opportunity to experience, learn and immerse themselves in traditional Korean culture.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Trickeye Museum Seoul, 20, Hongik-ro 3-gil, Mapo-gu Seogyo Plaza B2, Seoul 04039 South Korea
The Trickeye Museum is "one of a kind" painting gallery which combines art with high-end technology featuring AR (Augmented Reality) effect and 2D/3D illusions. Instead of merely viewing paintings as one would in a typical art gallery, visitors can interact with paintings using the newly developed Trickeye Camera app to make paintings come alive and become part of the artworks while recording it on video or taking pictures. In addition, the Ice Museum, located inside the Trickeye Museum, is filled with objects that are fully made out of ice, such as iced TV, ice kitchen, ice slope etc. With just one admission ticket, visitors can enjoy both the Trickeye Museum and the Ice Museum. To ensure that even the busiest customers donโt miss out on the fun, the museum stays open each day all year round from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. (last admission by 8 p.m.), making it a popular dating spot or a hang-out place. Outside of the main exhibition hall is a museum cafรฉ, which exclusively serves coffee decorated with a latte art using photos taken from your phone.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Jeongdong Theater, 43 Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 04518 South Korea
Representative Production of Korean Traditional Performing Arts, Jeongdong Theater.
Jeongdong Theater was established in 1995, as a restoration of Wongaksa, the first
Korean modern theater, succeeding historical meaning and sprit of it.
The theater has turned as a government-affiliated organization and representative
production of Korean traditional performing arts.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Seoul K-Medi Center, 26, Yangnyeongjungang-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02570 South Korea
Seoul K-Medi Center, Experience K-medi-related health services including a thermomassage bed, K-medi natural facial pack with foot massage, herbal warmth foot bath and aroma therapy.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Seoul, 4star hotel
Day 12: Seoul โ ICN airport for deparutre โ
Stop At: Incheon International Airport, 272 Gonghang-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon, South Korea
Depart Seoul for Incheon airport
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
Tour leaving from Seoul
Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is a vibrant and modern city that combines rich history and traditional culture with technology and innovation. With stunning palaces, bustling markets, delicious street food, and a lively nightlife, Seoul offers a unique experience for travelers.
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