Seoul Royal Palace,Bukchon Hanok Village & Gwangjang Market Feast
Description
Discover Seoul’s rich history, culture, and flavors on this guided tour. Start at Bukchon Hanok Village, a traditional Korean neighborhood known for its scenic alleys and hanok house. Watch the iconic Guard Changing Ceremony at Gyeongbokgung Palace and explore the palace’s stunning grounds, filled with centuries of royal heritage. Pass by the Blue House, Korea’s former Presidential residence, for scenic views and photos. Then visit Cheongha Korean Ginseng Center to learn about Korea’s famous ginseng and its health benefits. End the tour at Gwangjang Market, Seoul’s oldest market, where you can taste local street food like bindaetteok and mayak gimbap. On Tuesdays, the tour visits Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Insadong, known for traditional crafts, art galleries, and street food, instead of Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Royal Guard Ceremony. This well-paced tour offers a perfect mix of heritage, cuisine, and local culture—ideal for first-time visitors.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Meeting Point 1: Meet your bus and tour guide at Myeongdong Subway Station Exit 8.
Meeting Point 2: Jump on our tour bus at Seoul City Hall Subway Station Exit 6
Immerse yourself in the allure of winding alleys and timeless Korean heritage in Bukchon Hanok Village! Discover vibrant local arts and crafts, savor tantalizing street food delights at an old market in central Seoul, explore majestic palaces, and immerse in the rich cultural tapestry of Korea.
Step back in time and feel Korea's beating heart at Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul. It's a 600-year-old wonderland packed with hundreds of charming Hanok houses from the Joseon Dynasty! Once the exclusive playground for top officials and nobles, this Northern Village now buzzes with real locals living in these traditional houses today. Wander and get lost in its secret alleys, but please be respectful of people's homes. Your adventure awaits!
(Every day except Tuesday) Pass by Gwanghwa Square in the heart of Seoul, a revitalized area featuring beautiful and relaxing spaces perfect for taking photos or resting. It is also often used for festivals or other outdoor organized events with pop-up stalls, displays, and performances. Whilst we head past, you can also see the large statues of Kim Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin, who are both monumental figures in Korean history.
(Every day except Tuesday) Stand in awe at Gwanghwamun Gate, the majestic main entrance to Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. Catch the electric Changing of the Guard ceremony, a vibrant reenactment from the Joseon Dynasty with guards in colorful traditional outfits marching to drum beats and salutes! Traditionally, the palace guards (Wanggung Sumunjang) served as a safety precaution during the Joseon Dynasty, being responsible for opening and closing the palace gates and inspecting visitors to the king. It's a thrill that brings ancient Korea roaring back to life. Get ready for goosebumps!
(Every day except Tuesday) Enter the majestic world of kings and queens at Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul, the grandest jewel of the Joseon Dynasty! Built over 600 years ago, this sprawling palace boasts stunning throne halls, secret gardens, and colorful pavilions that whisper tales of ancient royalty. Stroll through its vast courtyards and imagine the royal court's lively days. It's a must-see burst of history and beauty—pure magic! Note: On Tuesdays, Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony are replaced with visits to Changdeokgung Palace and Insadong.
(Every day except Tuesday) Catch a thrilling glimpse of presidential power as we pass by the iconic Blue House in Seoul. Once the heart of Korea's leadership, it sits dramatically perched against Bugaksan Mountain. This striking blue-tiled complex, which housed presidents from 1948 to 2022, now stands as a symbol of modern history. Its majestic exterior will leave you wide-eyed with wonder!
(Tuesdays Only) Unlock the serene secrets of Changdeok Palace in Seoul, a UNESCO World Heritage site from the Joseon Dynasty, built in 1405! Wander its elegant halls and pavilions that blend seamlessly with nature, where it served as the main royal home for over 200 years and 13 kings. It's a tranquil escape where emperors once dreamed, pure harmony and wonder!
(Tuesdays Only) Dive into the vibrant soul of old Seoul at Insadong, the ultimate hub for Korean traditions! Stroll this lively street lined with antique shops, handmade crafts, charming tea houses, and art galleries bursting with color. Pick up one-of-a-kind souvenirs and sip historic teas amid street performers. It's a fun, cultural playground you won't want to leave!
Stop by the Cheongha Korean Ginseng Center to uncover the magic of Korea's legendary ginseng and its time-tested health wonders. Called "insam," this prized root has energized generations with its natural boosts to vitality, immune strength, and fatigue relief. Dive into its story from careful growing and refining to blending into everyday wellness essentials. Plus, taste-test and snag top-quality goodies like potent extracts, soothing teas, and glowing skincare treats!
Ignite your taste buds at Gwangjang Market, Seoul's oldest and most buzzing food paradise since 1905! Dive into a whirlwind of sizzling street eats, including crispy bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), spicy tteokbokki (stir-fried rice cakes), and fresh kimbap (seaweed rice rolls), from over 400 vendors. Browse nearby stalls for vibrant hanbok fabrics, handmade crafts, and quirky souvenirs, too. It's a feast for the senses where locals and flavors collide in pure, joyful chaos!
Drop-off 1: Spend some extra time here and make the most of Gwangjang Market by finishing your tour here. Try some additional street flavors, take some extra time to purchase souvenirs, or browse local wear.
Drop-off 2: Hop off in Myeongdong, a lively shopping paradise famous for trendy beauty buys, stylish clothes, and mouthwatering Korean street eats. Swing by the stunning Myeongdong Cathedral, enjoy a lively traditional show, or dive into real-deal snacks like tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and hotteok (sweet stuffed pancakes).
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(219)
Very good experience. We had a really good time with Coco! She took a lot a pictures of us, it was very nice from her. good views and comment during the tour
Dear Valued Customer, Greetings from VIP Travel. This is Denisa. Thank you for sharing such a lovely review! We’re delighted to hear that you had a wonderful time exploring Seoul with Coco. We’re especially glad that she helped make your day special by taking photos and sharing her knowledge along the way. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to Coco. Thank you again for choosing VIP Travel, and we hope to see you again on your next visit to Korea. With warm regards, Denisa Experience Korea with VIP Travel
Coco was a great tour guide. Highly recommend. Thank you!!
Dear Valued Customer, Greetings from VIP Travel. This is Denisa. It’s great to hear that you enjoyed your morning tour and had such a positive experience with Coco! Thank you for taking the time to recommend her. We’ll make sure your lovely feedback reaches her. We truly appreciate your support and hope your time in Seoul was filled with many wonderful memories. We would be delighted to welcome you back in the future! With warm regards, Denisa Experience Korea with VIP Travel
Coco is really profesionnal !
Dear Valued Customer, Greetings from VIP Travel. This is Denisa. Thank you very much for your feedback. We’re pleased to know that Coco’s professionalism contributed to an enjoyable tour for you. Our guides always strive to provide attentive service while helping guests discover the history and culture of Seoul, so your recognition means a great deal to us. We hope to welcome you again someday! With warm regards, Denisa Experience Korea with VIP Travel
Lina was an excellent guide and very informative. Tour is easy paced and you get to see lots. Would recommend 👌 p.s the driver was great too 👍
Dear Valued Customer, Greetings from VIP Travel. This is Denisa. Thank you so much for your lovely review and recommendation! We’re delighted to hear that Lina’s informative and friendly guidance made the tour enjoyable, and that the relaxed pace allowed you to take in the many sights comfortably. We’re also glad to hear that you appreciated our driver’s service. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with both Lina and our driver! Thank you again for choosing VIP Travel and for sharing your experience with us. We hope to welcome you again in Korea. With warm regards, Denisa Experience the DMZ from Seoul with VIP Travel
Max was perfect. My second time to the palace so it was a history lesson this time. The ginseng and the neighborhood was ‘picture perfect!’
Dear Valued Customer, Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re delighted to hear that Max made your experience so enjoyable and that your second visit to the palace gave you a chance to discover its history from a new perspective. It’s wonderful to know that you enjoyed learning about the palace, as well as the ginseng experience and the beautiful neighborhood. We’re especially happy that you found the surroundings so “picture perfect”! We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Max. Thank you again for choosing VIP Travel, and we hope to welcome you back to Korea for another memorable experience! With warm regards, Denisa Experience the DMZ from Seoul with VIP Travel
It was a very nice tour, even though it was raining we still appreciated it a lot. The van is super-comfortable. Max is such a great tour guide!
Dear Valued Customer, Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour even with the rainy weather. We’re also glad that you found the van comfortable and that Max made the experience even more enjoyable with his excellent guidance. We truly appreciate your positive feedback and will be happy to share your compliments with Max. Thank you again for choosing VIP Travel, and we hope to welcome you back to Korea for another wonderful experience! With warm regards, Denisa Experience the DMZ from Seoul with VIP Travel
Thanks to our guide Sunny for a great tour
Dear Valued Customer, Greetings from VIP Travel. This is Denisa. Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you had a great tour with Sunny. We’ll be sure to pass your appreciation along to her. Thank you again for choosing VIP Travel and for taking the time to share your experience with us. We hope to welcome you again in Korea! With warm regards, Denisa Experience the DMZ from Seoul with VIP Travel
Eva is a great guide, energetic and thoughtful. Very good driving by the driver. Interesting tour for a discovery of Seoul. However, the visit to the ginseng foundation is nothing more than a sales pitch. Eva is a fantastic guide, energetic and attentive. The driver was also excellent. An interesting tour for discovering Seoul. However, the visit to the ginseng foundation is nothing more than a sales pitch.
Dear Valued Customer, Greetings from VIP Travel. This is Denisa. Thank you very much for sharing your detailed feedback! We’re pleased to hear that Eva’s energetic and attentive guidance, together with the excellent driving, made your Seoul sightseeing experience enjoyable. We’re sorry to hear that the visit to the ginseng foundation felt more like a sales presentation than you expected. We understand your concern and appreciate you bringing this to our attention. Your feedback is valuable and will be shared with our team as we continue working to improve the overall experience. Thank you again for choosing VIP Travel and for taking the time to share both the highlights and your honest thoughts. With warm regards, Denisa Experience the DMZ from Seoul with VIP Travel
Very nice and clear guide, precise directions and very attentive explanations. Thank you!
Dear Valued Customer, Greetings from VIP Travel. This is Denisa. Thank you so much for your lovely feedback! We’re happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found the guide friendly, clear, and attentive. It’s wonderful to know that the detailed explanations and precise guidance helped make your Seoul sightseeing experience smooth and enjoyable. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with us! Thank you again for choosing VIP Travel. We hope to welcome you again in Korea! With warm regards, Denisa Experience the DMZ from Seoul with VIP Travel
Knowledgeable, friendly, and essential guide
Dear Valued Customer, Greetings from VIP Travel. This is Denisa. Thank you for your kind feedback! We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed exploring Seoul with us and found your guide knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful throughout the tour. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. We hope to welcome you again for another memorable day in Korea! With warm regards, Denisa Experience the DMZ from Seoul with VIP Travel
