historical, cultural, and panoramic places in the Korean capital. The day will begin with pick-up at your hotel in the morning and continue in a comfortable vehicle toward Jogyesa Temple, Korea’s main Buddhist temple and a space of calm amid the city’s urban movement.
Afterwards, you will pass by the Blue House, Cheongwadae, the former presidential complex located at the foot of Mount Bugaksan and recognized for its traditional Korean-style architecture. Next, you will visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main residence of the royal family during the Joseon dynasty and the largest of Seoul’s Five Grand Palaces. There, you will tour the grounds with the guide and observe outstanding examples of Joseon architecture. Please note that on Tuesdays Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed, so Deoksugung Palace will be visited instead.
Inside the palace grounds, you will visit the National Folk Museum, where you will learn how Koreans lived from ancient times to the present day. Through its exhibitions, you will be able to get closer to the daily life of the aristocracy and the common people, including traditional activities such as agriculture, hunting, weaving, and cooking. If the visit takes place on an operating day, you will also be able to witness the changing of the guard ceremony at Gwanghwamun Gate, keeping in mind that this activity is not available on Tuesdays.
Later, you will make a stop at a Korean Ginseng Center, where you will learn more about this highly valued plant in Korea and its traditional uses. Afterwards, you will enjoy lunch in Insadong, a neighborhood known for its traditional tea houses, antique galleries, and small Korean souvenir shops. During this break, you will be able to taste dishes such as bibimbap or bulgogi and have time to shop for typical products.
After lunch, you will continue toward N Seoul Tower, located on Mount Namsan, where you will go up by included cable car to enjoy the surroundings and the views of the city. Please note that admission to the observatory will not be included. To finish, you will visit Namsangol Hanok Village, a cultural space with five restored traditional Korean houses from the Joseon dynasty, showing different lifestyles and social classes. At the end, you will take away a complete view of Seoul, combining temples, palaces, history, gastronomy, panoramas, and traditional architecture in one same day.