Seoul in Depth

Upon arrival at Incheon International Airport, you will be welcomed by your local driver, please look out for your name on their welcome board. Transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay. Remainder of the day is at your leisure.

This morning, you'll be met by your guide in the lobby of your hotel to begin your full-day exploration of South Korea's vibrant capital city. Begin with a visit to Gyeongbokbung Palace, where you'll witness the Palace Royal Guard changing ceremony and the palace. Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace was the first and largest of the royal palaces built during Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Next visit to "Bukchon Hanok Village." This Village is home to hundreds of traditional houses, called hanok, that date back to the Joseon dynasty. Bukchon, which was the central residence of nobles and bureaucrats during the Joseon Dynasty, is a place called a city street museum because of its many historic sites, cultural assets, and folklore materials.

After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, visit "The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History" to see the history of South Korea from the late 19th century to the present. Tour will continue on to visit Insadong Arts and Crafts Street. Insadong Street is one of the most popular areas in Seoul and represents the focal point of Korean traditional culture and crafts. Stores in Insadong specialize in a wide variety of goods that can only be purchased or appreciated in Korea: hanbok (traditional clothing), hanji (traditional paper), traditional teas, pottery, and folk crafts. Today's tour will end at "Gwangjang Market". This historic market opened in the early 20th century and is home to a number of clothing and food stalls, offering tourists a taste of traditional Korean cuisine. Starting with 'Mayak gimbap', one of Koreans' all-time favorite snacks, and Nokdu-jeon (Mung Bean Pancake), visitors can sample a range of Korean delicacies. Other traditional treats such as Tteok-bokki (Stir-fried Rice Cake) and eomuk (Fish Cake) are also available.

Following your tour, you'll be transferred back to your hotel for the remainder of the day and evening at your leisure.

Please meet your tour guide at your hotel in the early morning. Remember to bring along your passport for today's visit. Your first stop is Imjingak Park which was built to console those from both sides who are unable to return to their hometowns, because of the division of Korea and here is where the "Freedom Bridge" is located.

The Bridge of Freedom does actually cross the Imjin River and connects with the North-South railway and it used to be a railroad bridge which was used by repatriated POWs/soldiers returning from the north. But now, no one crosses this bridge. Your next stop is the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel which was discovered by South Korea in 1978. It spans over 1,635m 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 scale is similar to the 2nd Tunnel, but it was thought to be more threatening as an invasion tool than the 1st and 2nd Tunnels. Next, you will visit the DMZ Theater/ Exhibition Hall, to view a video which explains about the 3rd tunnel and other tunnels as well as the history of the division of Korea.

After the video, you will visit the Dorasan Observatory, where visitors can overlook North Korea and various locations including Gaeseong, Songaksan, Kim Il-Sung Statue. It was first opened to the public in January 1987. And then a visit to Dorasan Station, a railway station on the Gyeongui Line, which is the northernmost stop on South Korea's railway line. Located 56 kilometers from Seoul and 205 kilometers from Pyeongyang, the station was opened as a tourist attraction on April 4, 2002 right before the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup. At the end of your day, you will pass by Unification Village. Return to Seoul and drop off at City Hall or Itaewon Street (not at your hotel). Your guide can provide directions to return to your hotel.

Pick up at your hotel and visit Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, 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 display of King Jeongjo's filial piety towards his father and to build a new pioneer city with its own economic power. While at Suwon Hwaseong Fortress try your hand at traditional Korean archery.

After lunch, visit a Korean Folk Village which introduces traditional culture from the late Joseon period to both local and international visitors through cultural classes experience, shaman faith, seasonal customs, and others. Also, the village shows various places with unique features such as a farming village, private house, official districts, Confucian academy, seodang (village school), and a village street in realistic descriptions, as well as, a nobleman's house and traditional workshop. You will be dropped back at your hotel after today's tour.

Pick up at your hotel in the early morning. Today you will visit Nami Island which was formed as a result of the construction of Cheongpyeong Dam. Namiseom Island is 63 kilometers away from Seoul in the direction of Chuncheon, and is famous for its beautiful tree-lined roads. The island is 30 minutes away from Chuncheon and an hour away from the suburbs of Seoul.

After lunch, visit Pettite France. When traveling 10 km along the lakeside road from Cheongpyeong Dam, in the direction of Namiseom Island, you will come across a cluster of white, exotic buildings on the left-hand hillside. From its outward appearance, it would appear to be a village that belongs on the Mediterranean coast or in a pastoral area of the Piedmont Alps. At the end of your day tour, you will be dropped off at your hotel.

After breakfast, spend some time at leisure until met and transferred to Incheon International Airport by a local driver for your flight to your next destination.