Jongno & Namsangol Hanok Village Tour + Namsan Cable Car

Tour Details

At the scheduled time, we'll pick you up at your preferred location in Seoul to begin a tour of Jongno, the city's most traditional and cultural district. This is packed with temples, palaces, and charming alleyways that showcase the essence of authentic Korea.

Our first stop will be Jogyesa Temple, one of the main centers of Korean Buddhism. For about 20 to 30 minutes, we'll soak up its serene atmosphere while admiring the golden statues and colorful lanterns that decorate the entrance.

Next, we'll watch the famous changing of the guard in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace, a traditional ceremony that recreates the splendor of the Joseon dynasty. Afterwards, we'll enter the complex, built in 1395, for a 1-hour guided tour of its pavilions and royal halls, including highlights such as Geunjeongjeon and Gyeonghoeru. Did you know that this palace has more than 7,000 rooms?

After the visit, we'll spend 20 to 30 minutes exploring the National Folk Museum of Korea, which is home to over a thousand artifacts depicting daily life during the Joseon period. Nearby, we'll stop in front of the Blue House, the official residence of the South Korean president, where you'll have time to take photos of the exterior.

We'll then proceed to the Ginseng Museum, where you'll learn about the properties of this highly prized root in traditional oriental medicine. Afterwards, we'll head to Insadong, a neighborhood full of craft shops, food stalls, and tea houses. Here you'll have approximately 1 hour of free time to explore the area and have lunch on your own.

Recharged and ready, we'll walk through the vibrant Gwangjang Market for about 30 minutes, famous for its street-food stalls serving mung bean pancakes and kimbap, the classic Korean rice roll. We'll then continue to Namsangol Hanok village, a traditional settlement that will transport you back in time. We'll stroll through its charming alleyways, part of this restored Korean village dating back nearly 600 years.

To top off the experience, we'll take the Namsam cable car up to the Seoul Tower and enjoy the panoramic views from the outdoor deck. You’ll have 40 minutes of free time, which you can use to enter the observatory on your own and admire Seoul’s 360° skyline.

Finally, after roughly 8 hours of touring, we’ll end the day in the lively Myeongdong district or near City Hall, depending on your preference.

Meeting Point

During the booking process, you can choose from the following meeting points:

• Myeongdong Station, Exit 9: at 8:50 am
• City Hall Station, Exit 6: at 9 am

Partial Closures

On Tuesdays, Gyeongbokgung Palace and the National Folk Museum are closed. Instead, we’ll visit Bukchon Hanok Village, a traditional Korean neighborhood filled with beautifully preserved hanok houses.