Private Tour Highlights
- Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, arguably one of the most impressive and grandest palaces within the city of Seoul
- Stroll through the traditional Namsan Hanok Village with its restored Korean houses and brilliant landscaping just before walking Namdaemun Market, Korea’s largest traditional shopping center.
- Test your knowledge of the Korean conflict while touring the Demilitarized Zone between the two disputing powers, taking a rare glimpse at the northern neighbor
- Gain a broad understanding of traditional Korean food, clothing and more while visiting the unique folk villages
- Explore modern Seoul to see the lovely contrasts of new and old
Tour Overview
Say Annyeong-haseyo to Historical Seoul! The capital of South Korea, today, is a city of lights, technology, and impressive contemporary architecture all synchronizing together creating a metropolis of the future filled with excitement and glamor. While this extensive settlement has achieved many modern day advancements, Seoul continues to take great pride in its rich history and culture, tending to the preservation of several extensive ancient palaces such as Gyeongbokgung as well as the Korean Folk Village. Walk amongst over 260 traditional houses reminiscent of the late Joseon Dynasty while gathering a broad understanding of Korean food, clothing, and housing style of the past. Take a peek over to the neighboring country of North Korea while touring the Demilitarized zone, dividing the two oppositions since 1953, creating a type of buffer zone in agreement between the two sides. Historical Seoul is the perfect trip for those who wish to learn more about this city’s great development and gather an understanding of the unique culture that it takes pride in.
Inclusions
Exclusions
International airfare (unless specifically included), airport departure taxes that must be paid on-site, gratuities, meals not mentioned, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages with meals, early / late check-out, room service, visa fees/services and other personal items or services not mentioned.
Package Price: From £$ 3115
Prices shown above are per person. Hotel categories do not adhere strictly to international ratings; Yampu has evaluated the hotels according to destination and availability. Prices include local airfare (where applicable), hotel accommodation including daily breakfast; all transfers with baggage handling, all guided tours in English and all entrance fees.
Please note that prices are subject to change based on availability and seasonality, especially during the holiday season from December 20th through January 5th each year. Please contact a Yampu Travel Specialist for more information on best times to travel.
Trip Type:
All our trips are operated on a private basis unless specified otherwise. This is only a sample itinerary; your Yampu Tour Consultant will personalize this trip for you according to your available dates, interests and type of hotels. This is your trip and we will work on making it perfect!
Tour Itinerary
Arrive in Seoul
Reception at airport and private transfer to the selected hotel. Note: Check in to the hotel is at 3 pm. Early check in may be available directly at the hotel subject to availability. One may store their luggage at the hotel until they are able to check in.
Free day in Seoul after arrival from airport.
Reception at airport and private transfer to the selected hotel. Note: Check in to the hotel is at 3 pm. Early check in may be available directly at the hotel subject to availability. One may store their luggage at the hotel until they are able to check in.
Free day in Seoul after arrival from airport.
Full Day City Tour
Spend read more...
Spend the day touring Seoul and all it has to offer. Start at Gyeongbokgung Palace, also referred to as "Northern Palace". Built in 1395, it is arguably the most beautiful and the largest of the five palaces found in Seoul. Next, visit the Korean Folklore Museum before heading to Jogyesa Temple. Following the visit to Jogyesa Temple, head to the Presidential Offices where Yampu Travelers get the chance to explore around the many unique buildings found there. Next, lunch will be enjoyed before moving on to the next destination.
Following lunch, head to the Ginseng Shopping Center and N Seoul Tower before reaching Namsan Hanok Village. This traditional Korean village consists of five restored traditional Korean houses, a pavilion and a pond, making it the perfect place to go for a stroll. The final stop is Namdaemun Market, where one can enjoy Korea’s largest traditional market. From Namdaemun Market, transfer to city hall.
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Half Day Tour of Korean Demilitarized Zone
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Start off the day visiting Imjingak, located 7 km from the Military Demarcation Line, which is now a very popular tourist destination related to the Korean Conflict. It was built in 1972 with the hope that someday unification would be possible. Imjingak is surrounded by several Monuments, Unification Park, and the North Korea Center. Outside Imjingak, there are 12 kinds of tanks and crafts on display that were used during the Korean Conflict. Next, visit Freedom Bridge, a focal point of worldwide attention during the Korean War, which became a major link between the truce site of Panmunjom and Seoul, Republic of Korea. Thousands of words have been written about the village of Panmunjom, but Freedom Bridge was not so widely publicized. To the United Nations Command soldiers returning from captivity in North Korea, it was truly a bridge of freedom. Travelers will also visit the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, which was discovered in 1978 by Korean forces. It spans over 1635m in length, 2m in width, and 2m in height and is located 52km from Seoul. It is estimated that approximately 30,000 soldiers could move through the tunnel per hour. The tunnel offers various sightseeing points such as the DMZ Video room, symbolic sculptures, the souvenir shops, and more. Next, visit the Dora Observatory situated in Paju (Gyeonggi-do) which is at the northernmost point of the DMZ Line of the Western Front. From the observatory, visitors can overlook North Korea and its various locations including Gaeseong, Songaksan, Kim Il-Sung Statue, and Cooperation Farm (Geumamgol). The observatory offers 500 seats, VIP rooms, and abundant parking space. It was first opened to the public in January 1987. From there, head over to Dorasan Station. A railway station on the Gyeongui Line, it is the northernmost stop on South Korea's railway line. Another historical site that Yampu Travelers will see is Unification Village. Unification Village is in the northern area of the Civilian Control Line and has 133 families and a total of 493 residents. There is an agricultural marketing center there that sells local farm produce. The market sells some interesting products and is a very popular stop on the tours, especially because one can purchase Ginseng at much more reasonable prices. Some of the local products sold in the market are uncurdled Jangdan bean curd (sundubu), seasoned mountain herbs, traditional liquors, and maeuntang (hot soup). DMZ tours are not available on Mondays. Passport is required to participate in DMZ tours. ...read less
Full Day Tour in and around Seoul
Located read more...
Located on approximately 243 acres, visitors can experience the natural ambiance of the Korean Folk Village. With over 260 traditional houses reminiscent of the late Joseon Dynasty, the Folk Village has on display various household goods from different regions. All these elements have been relocated and restored to provide visitors with a broad understanding of Korean food, clothing, and housing style of the past. There are about twenty workshops at the village which has various hand-crafted items on display such as pottery, baskets, bamboo wares, wooden wares, paper, brass wares, knots, fans, musical instruments, iron wares and embroidery. Hwaseong Fortress is an impressive structure from the latter part of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) and the official fortress of Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do. The fortress (constructed from 1794 to 1796) was built as a show of the King's filial piety towards his father Jangheonseja and to build a new pioneer city with its own economic power. The fortress wall stretches 5.52km and has a great variety of military facilities that is hard to find anywhere else. ...read less
Flight Home
Day of Leisure before Departure to Airport to fly home. Private transfer from the hotel to Incheon Airport.
Day of Leisure before Departure to Airport to fly home. Private transfer from the hotel to Incheon Airport.
Seoul, South Korea
Imjingak, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Places You'll See
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Seoul
A modern neon filled metropolis, the capital of South Korea is one of the most populous urban agglomerations in the world. Housing a population of nearly 12 million people, Seoul is an area filled with exciting entertainment, exquisite shopping, and intriguing history. After meandering through the streets of Bukchon Hanok Village and its traditional Korean homes, make a stop at Gyeongbokgung Palace, one of 5 prestigious palaces in Seoul. Afterwards, catch up with the times in Seoul’s hippest neighborhood, Gangnam, where one can find the greatest restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. Also, for the Kpop lovers, take a side step to K-Live for an amazing hologram experience with the likes of superstars PSY and G-Dragon!