4 h

Morning

About this activity

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Changdeokgung Palace, 99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03072 South Korea

Changdeokgung Palace was the second royal villa built following the construction of Gyeongbukgung Palace in 1405. It was the principal palace for many kings of the Joseon Dynasty, and is the most well-preserved of the five remaining royal Joseon palaces. The palace grounds are comprised of a public palace area, a royal family residence building, and the rear garden. Known as a place of rest for the kings, the rear garden boasts a gigantic tree that is over 300 years old, a small pond and a pavilion.
**As Changdeokgung Palace is closed on Monday, you will visit Gyeongbokgung Palace on Monday.

Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: Jongmyo Shrine, 157, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03135 South Korea

Jongmyo Shrine is where the ancestral tablets of the kings and queens of the joseon Dynasty are enshrined. The Jongmyo Memorial Service has been held since the establishment of the Dynasty 600years ago commemorating the monarchs of the Dynasty.
**As Jongmyo Royal Shrine is closed on Tuesday, you will visit Insadong Antique shop alley instead.

Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: Bukchon Cultural Center, 37, Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03059 South Korea

Bukchon as known as "the street museum in the urban core," this Hanok Village dates back to the 14th Century. Enjoy traditional house of Korea.

Duration: 40 minutes

Pass By: Myeongdong Shopping Street, Jung-gu, Seoul South Korea

This tour concludes in Myeongdong. At Myeongdong, you can enjoy shopping as well as delicious food.

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Included

Local guide
Hotel pickup in downtown Seoul only
Hotel pickup available outside downtown for an additional charge
Transport by air-conditioned minivan
Entry/Admission - Changdeokgung Palace
Entry/Admission - Jongmyo Shrine
Entry/Admission - Bukchon Cultural Center

Not included

Hotel Drop off (Dismissed at Myeong-dong area)
Meals or drinks

Additional

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Hotel pickup is only available for centrally-located Seoul hotels. If your hotel/guesthouse is behind alleys, our English guide will meet you in front of the nearest central hotel or nearest subway station.
This tour does not stop at any shopping centers
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers

Features

Tourism

95%

Cultural

90%

Reviews

5.0

2

R

Robert G

5 | 2017-03-31

This was a wonderful tour with Jung, our great guide. Jung arrived ahead of time for our hotel pickup with the driver and a minivan. My wife and I were pleasantly surprised that we would be the only ones going on the tour. The first stop was in Bukchon Hanok Village in downtown Seoul. This area is located between several old Palaces and is where nobles and wealthy have lived for over 600 years. The exteriors of the houses and now shops are maintained historically intact. The weather was perfect for a stroll around to view these old houses. Be forewarned that there is a bit of walking up and down some elevation involved with this part of the tour. Next stop was the Jongmyo Confucian shrine dedicated to the memorial services for deceased royalty of the Korean Joseon Dynasty 13921897. The original Jongmyo shrine was destroyed by fire in the Japanese invasions of Korea 1590's, then rebuilt in 1608. Unlike many other buildings damaged or destroyed during WWII these are not recent reconstructions. The Shrine is located in a very tranquil park like setting, again there is a fair bit of walking involved on mostly flat ground or stone paths. The onsite guide was very informative during the English tour. The last stop was at the Changdeokgung Palace. The palace was originally built in very early 1400's, but has been destroyed and rebuilt several times since then. This is one of five grand palaces in Seoul. Korea's last Emperor lived here until his death in 1926. The buildings were very ornate and it is possible to peak inside some of the residence buildings. Jung was a great guide and most helpful throughout the tour. This tour is a unique opportunity to visit two UNESCO sites in a morning.

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