Excursion Discovering seoul tour at Seoul

Depart from Incheon Port for approximately 75-minute drive to Seoul, the capital city.  

Gyeongbokgung Palace & Folklore Museum

Start your day by visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace which was built in 1395, and  is also commonly referred to as the Northern Palace because its location is furthest north when compared to the neighboring palaces of Changdeokgung (Eastern Palace) and Gyeonghuigung (Western Palace) Palace. Gyeongbokgung Palace is arguably the most beautiful, and remains the largest of all five palaces. The premises were once destroyed by fire during the Imjin War (Japanese Invasions, 1592-1598). However, all of the palace buildings were later restored under the leadership of Heungseondaewongun during the reign of King Gojong (1852-1919). Remarkably, the most representative edifices of the Joseon Dynasty, Gyeonghoeru Pavilion and Hyangwonjeong Pond have remained relatively intact.

Then visit the folklore museum which is ocated inside Gyeongbokgung Palace. The museum presents historical artifacts that were used in the daily lives of Korean people in the past. Through the displays, visitors can learn about the domestic and agricultural lifestyles, as well as Korea's cultural beliefs.

Bukchon Hanok Village & Korean Style Lunch

Go on and visit Bukchon Hanok Village which is home to hundreds of traditional houses, called hanok, that date back to the Joseon Dynasty. The name Bukchon, which literally translates to "northern village," came about as the neighborhood lies north of two significant Seoul landmarks, Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jongno. Today, many of these hanoks operate as cultural centers, guesthouses, restaurants and tea houses, providing visitors with an opportunity to experience, learn and immerse themselves in traditional Korean culture. As Bukchon Hanok Village is an actual neighborhood with people's homes, visitors are advised to be respectful at all times while looking around. Top off your visit at the village with a delicious Korean Style lunch at a local restaurant.

Insadong Street

End the tour with the visit of Insadong, located in the heart of the city, is an important place where old but precious and traditional goods are on display. There is one main road in Insa-dong with alleys on each side. Within these alleys are galleries and traditional restaurants, teahouses, and cafes. The galleries are the heartbeat of Insa-dong. There are about 100 galleries in the area and you can see every example of traditional Korean fine art from paintings to sculptures. The most famous galleries are Hakgojae Gallery, which functions as the center of folk art, Gana Art Gallery, which promotes many promising artists, and Gana Art Center.

The teahouses and restaurants are the perfect complement to the galleries. At first they might be hard to find, but if you take the time to stroll around the twisting alleyways, the window shopping in itself can be very entertaining. The shops in Insa-dong are very popular among all age groups, because each one is unique. Your tour concludes with approximately 75-minute drive back to the port of Incheon.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion may include: Seoul, Gyeongbokgung Palace & Folklore Museum, Bukchon Hanok Village, Insadong Street, Korean Style Lunch

Note

Please Note: This tour involves an extensive amount of walking of approximately 5.5 miles (9 km) in total, at times over unpaved and uneven surfaces and a few steps to negotiate at visited sites and to get on/off the coach. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses from the ship. The tour sequence may vary. Gyeongbokgung Palace & Folklore Museum are closed on Tuesday. It will be replaced with a visit to Deoksugung Palace. Due to new toursim regulations, Bukchon Village will remain closed for visitors on Sunday. On Sunday calls the visit of Bukchon Village will be replaced with the alternative Namsan Hanok Village, showcasing traditional Korean architecture and culture.