About this experience
Want to see all the very best in the old part of Seoul in one day, learn about the peculiarities of Korean life, and visit the favorite spots of the locals? Then this experience is for you! We will visit the key landmarks of the Korean capital from the ancient Namdaemun Gate to the Gyeongbok Palace. We will stroll through the narrow streets of the village on the mountainside, examine traditional hanok houses, and try local tea. We will visit the street of artists and taste Korean cuisine dishes at an atmospheric restaurant with a Michelin Guide status. You will see Seoul from different angles and feel the character of the city that not every traveler gets to experience.
What to Expect
The Spirit of Ancient Seoul
First, you will get acquainted with the historical center of Seoul and try to imagine what the city was like hundreds of years ago: archival photographs will help with this. You will see the South Big Gate - the oldest wooden building in Seoul, where you will learn about events from ancient Korean history. You will examine the old and new buildings of the City Hall, drive past the Small Palace of Deoksugung, and, if you're lucky, witness the colorful changing of the guard at the Gyeongbok Palace - the main Korean palace. We will talk about two outstanding historical figures, Admiral Yi Sun-sin and King Sejong, whose monuments are installed here. We will also observe from the car the famous Phoenix Fountain and the residence of the current President of the Republic of Korea.
Tea in a Traditional Korean Village
Next, you will visit a northern village at the foot of the mountain, where you can fully experience the Korean atmosphere by strolling through the old alleys with traditional hanok houses from the 13-14th centuries. I will tell you who inhabited the village before, who lives here now, and how Korean life is arranged, and then we will visit an authentic cafe-museum where you will taste unusual local tea.
Off-the-Beaten-Path City Highlights
You will visit the colorful street of artists, which tourists rarely find on their own: here, small shops abound, and against the backdrop of skyscrapers hides a traditional 13th-century house where people still live. For lunch, we will stop at a cozy scenic restaurant recognized by the Michelin Guide: you will try Korean dumplings, soups, and salads. After refreshing ourselves, we will head to an observation park with an incredible view of Seoul: it's not easy to get here, so you definitely won't see crowds of tourists, but Koreans themselves love this beautiful place.
After the tour, I can take you for an independent stroll to the souvenir street, the funicular to the radio-television tower, the street food and shopping avenue, the shopping center, or back to your hotel.
Organizational Details
- I will meet you in the lobby of your hotel in Seoul. If you are staying outside the city center, please inquire about the possibility and cost of transfer before booking.
- The tour includes: transportation - a Kia Carnival Prestige car, lunch at a Michelin restaurant, and fine green tea at the cafe-museum.
- The visit to the Gyeongbokgung Palace is not included in the tour.
- Depending on the situation, time, and traffic, the order of locations on the route may change.
- Coffee and pastries at the studio cafe where a famous romantic drama was filmed are paid separately (if desired).
- Upon entering the restaurant, you will need to take off your shoes. At the table, we will sit on chairs.
Other Tour Options
Upon request, I can also provide tours following more unconventional routes (cost and details can be clarified in the correspondence):
- DMZ - a trip to the border of North and South Korea
- Soraksan Reserve
- Two Shores of Seoul. Main attractions in 1 day.
