The Soul of South Korea

Welcome to Busan, South Korea. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for a two night stay. Today is yours at leisure before meeting your Korean Tour Director and fellow travellers at tonight’s welcome briefing and dinner.

Begin the day with a visit to the Jagalchi Fish Market, the largest seafood market in Korea.  Then visit BIFF Square, the district where the Busan International Film Festival is held before wandering through the maze of nearby Gukje Market, where you can try some street snacks from local venders. Afterwards partake in a Korean cooking class and create your lunch for the day. This afternoon and evening is your choice. Freechoice: Visit the Gamcheon Culture Village and Songdo Skywalk, or visit UN War cemetery and Busan Museum. Alternatively, visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple and Haeundae Beach. Freechoice Dining: Enjoy fine Italian cuisine or sample high quality Korean sirloin BBQ.

Admire the views from Busan x the Sky, an observatory located on the 98th to 100th floors of Haeundae LCT The Sharp - Landmark Tower, the tallest building in Busan.  From the sky observatory you can enjoy views of the Busans famous landmarks and the surrounding mountains and sea.  Then drive north to Tongdosa Temple, the head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. In 2018 Tongdosa Temple was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch continue to Ulsan to visit the world’s single largest automobile plant, the Hyundai Car Factory, which is in itself made up 5 different factories. Later arrive in Gyeongju, the ‘museum without walls’ and check into your hotel for a two night stay.

Begin with a visit to the National Museum which houses numerous historical and cultural artifacts of the Silla dynasty (57 BC-AD 935). Later visit Tumuli Park - Daereungwon Tomb Complex, a collection of royal Silla tombs. After lunch, visit World Heritage-listed Bulguksa Temple, built in 774. Enrich At Bulguksa Temple, enjoy a private teatime and interaction with a monk followed by a performance of the traditional monk dance ‘Seungmu’. After dinner visit Anapji (Wolji) Pond, a harmonious royal garden, best seen illuminated at night.

Drive to Gayatgo Village, home to the traditional Korean musical instrument Gayageum. Enrich Enjoy a musical performance followed by a hands-on experience crafting your own mini Gayageum, a zither-like 12 string Korean musical instrument.  Afterwards drive to Mt.  Gayasan National Park and Haeinsa Temple, famous for being the home of the Tripitaka Koreana, a Korean collection of the Tripi?aka, carved onto 81,258 wooden printing blocks in the 13th century. It is the oldest intact version of Buddhist canon in Hanja script. Continue on to Gwangju and check into your hotel for a night.

Drive to Samjinae village, the first Korean place designated as a ‘slow city’ in 2007. Compared with fast moving city life, the village seeks a slow life, highlighting regional cultures and food in natural surroundings. Later visit the historical Jeonju Hanok Village, an old capital with a history spanning 1.300 years. This afternoon relax in your Deluxe Class seats on the KTX high-speed train to Seoul. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel for a four night Special Stay, located in the very heart of Seoul and walking distance to local attractions. Afterwards enjoy a traditional, local style Korean BBQ Chicken feast for dinner.

Step back in time throughout the day with visits to many historical sites within Seoul. Visit Changdeokgung Palace, a Joseon dynasty palace, including a stroll through the incredible Secret Garden before witnessing the changing of the Royal Guard at the smaller Deoksugung Palace.  Later visit the Korean Furniture Museum, marvelling at the more than 2,000 pieces of traditional Korean wooden furniture placed within a Korean traditional house and garden. Later move to Myeongdong Night Market, one of the oldest and largest traditional markets where dinner will be local street food in the market.

Drive to the De-militarised Zone (DMZ).  Visit the Dora Observatory, offering views across the DMZ towards North Korea, Dorasan Station and Freedom Bridge, where prisoners were exchanged after the war, and go underground into the third infiltration tunnel. As one of four tunnels dug by North Korea as means to invade, this was one was discovered by accident in 1978. Return to Seoul for your choice of touring this afternoon. Freechoice: Visit the Gwangjang Market, a traditional street market for some shopping, or visit the Korean War Memorial Museum which houses exhibits and memorializes the military history of Korea on the former site of the army headquarters. Alternatively for the more active, walk along the Naksan Park section of Seoul’s ancient city wall, admiring the views over the modern city. Dinner tonight is a Korean Beef Bulgogi feast.

Drive to the UNESCO listed World Heritage Site and largely intact Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon. The fortress was built from 1794 to 1796 by King Jeongjo to honour and house the remains of his father. Upon returning to Seoul enjoy a rickshaw ride around Bukchon Hanok Village, one of the oldest areas of Seoul dating back 600 years to the Joseon Dynasty.  Enrich Tonight, enjoy your farewell dinner in a Hanok, a traditional Korean house. 

Say farewell and transfer to Incheon airport. The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the journey will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.