Korea at a Glance 6days 5nights

Day 1 · Arrival at Incheon airport ➜ Seoul (Incheon)

1. 1

   Stop 1

   30 min

   Local guide meet you at the airport and transfer to hotel check in

Overnight in Seoul (Incheon), 4star hotel

Day 2 · Seoul ➜ Mt. Seoraksan, spellbinding landscape vistas of Mt. Seoraksan national parks.

1. 1

   Seoraksan National Park

   Passing by

   With its highest point, Daecheongbong Peak, located 1,708 m above ground, Seoraksan Mountain is one of the most beautiful mountains in Korea, boasting a variety of colorful flowers in spring, refreshing clear water streams in summer, vibrant autumn foliages in fall, and a scenic snow-covered landscape in winter. With the mountain changing in color according to each season, a visit to Seoraksan Mountain guarantees a picturesque landscape any time of the year.

   Hangyeryeong and Misiryryeong serve as a boundary line dividing Oeseorak (Outer Seorak), located towards the East Sea, and Naeseorak (Inner Seorak). The Oeseorak is a home to gigantic waterfalls such as Biryong Falls, Oryeon Falls, and Towangseong Falls as well as notable rock formations such as Ulsanbawi Rock and Geumgang Cave. Convenient facilities are gathered around Seorak-dong, making the area one of the busiest region within Seoraksan National Park. Noteworthy hiking courses include Biseondae-Madeungryeong course and Biseondae-Cheonbuldong-Daecheonbong Peak course.

2. 2

   Gwongeumseong Fortress

   2 hours Admission included

   We will take a cable car to go up to Gwongeumseong Castle, Gwongeumseong Fortress is the site of a castle ruins located on Seoraksan Mountain, and it is also known as Mt. Onggeumsan Castle, or Toto Castle. It is located on the steep Dolsan Mountain of Seoraksan Sogongwon area. It is believed to have been built by the 23rd King of the Goryeo Period (918-1392), Gojong (r. 1213-1259). It is also called Gwon-Kim Castle, as there is a legend that two generals named Gwon and Kim, built the castle to avoid war.

   At the left side of Sogongwon, past the Biryonggyo Bridge over the ravine, there is a path which leads to Gwongeumseong Castle, but it takes over an hour of travel through a steep, rocky path (2.5km), so cable car is used. The cable car was installed by Dr. Gi-Sup Lee in 1971 and is still used by many tourists. It runs from 7 a.m. to 6 or 6:30 p.m., departing every 7 minutes, and you can only purchase round-trip tickets at the ticket counter for that day.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   one hour Admission included

   Sinheungsa (신흥사) is a short 10min walk away from the entrance to Sogongwon. In fact, many visit because of its close proximity to Sogongwon. Sinheungsa is a temple which used to be called Hyangseongsa, built by Jajangyulsa (590~658), who traveled to famous mountains all over the nation, in Queen Jindeok’s (?~654) 6th year of reign. It was destroyed and rebuilt many times since.

   On the path to Sinheungsa, there is a great bronze statue called Bronze Jwabul Statue, which is well over 10 meters high. Just beyond the statue, which is on a granite terrace, there is a bridge to the right called Hyeonsugyo, which was newly built for crossing the ravine. Past the bridge there is a long stone wall with a Cheongwang door, and you can enter the temple. At the entrance there are four Cheonwang (king) statues (Jiguk Cheonwang with a sword, Damun Cheonwang with a lute, Gwangmok Cheonwang with a tower, and Jeungjang Cheonwang with a dragon), placed on either side. The Buddhist statues at Sinheungsa were placed here during the founding days of Seongjeongsa, and include the statues Mireukbosal, Gwaneumbosal and Seji which were sculpted by Uisang Daesa. The buildings which were built during that time are still standing, like the sanctuary, main temple, Myeongbujeon, Bojaeru, and Chilseonggak, etc. There is also an important cultural property, Treasure No. 443, called Hyangseongsaji, a three-story stone tower.

   You can reach the Ulsan boulder by following the wall outside Sinheungsa. Sinheungsa is an ancient temple with deep historical significance, and many tourists come because of its beautiful scenery.

4. 4

   Central Buddhist Museum

   30 min Admission included

   which is well over 10 meters high. Just beyond the statue, which is on a granite terrace, there is a bridge to the right called Hyeonsugyo, which was newly built for crossing the ravine.

5. 5

   Stop 5

   one hour

   Daepohang Port it is said that the Seorak Mountains and the East Sea are gifts from nature. The port is filled with raw fish restaurants and a live fish market containing eel, flatfish, flounder, yellowtail, and plethora of other high-end seafood.

Overnight in Seoraksan, 4star hotel

Day 3 · Seoraksan ➜ Suwon - Seoul, Fashion and technology forward but also deeply traditional.

1. 1

   Stop 1

   2 hours Admission included

   We visit fruit farm and you can pick up the fruit - strawberry, apple, ...

   Then you enjoy the fruits you picked up and bring back to hotel

2. 2

   Korean Folk Village

   2 hours Admission included

   located in Yongin city. Visitors can see how people lived in the Joseon era. Thanks to the reproduced farmhouse, commoner’s house, government office, school, marketplace, and noble’s house (Yangban), the village is a good place to start and see the history of Korea.

3. 3

   Dongdaemun Market

   2 hours

   Dongdaemun Market is a large commercial district comprised of traditional markets and shopping centers that covers the entire area around Dongdaemun Gate, a prominent landmark in Korea. It is Korea’s largest wholesale and retail shopping district featuring 26 shopping malls, 30,000 speciality shops, and 50,000 manufacturers. All kinds of goods can be found here including silks and fabric, clothes, shoes and accessories, electronics, leather goods, sporting goods, office supplies, pet products and toys.

   Although Dongdaemun Market is traditionally famous for its night market, this popular shopping district attracts hordes of shoppers and tourists at all times of day. Like Namdaemun Market, Dongdaemun Market sells a variety of products, but unlike Namdaemun Market, it is open 24-hours a day. The powerful appeal of Dongdaemun Market stems from the fact that you can buy everything you need at a reasonable price, in one convenient location and at anytime. Most major wholesalers and retailers are here along with specialist outlets focusing on the youth market, making Dongdaemun Market the best place to find the latest fashions at bargain prices. Dongdaemun’s famous food alley, Mukja Golmok, is also essential for anyone wanting to check out the latest trends in Korean cuisine.

Overnight in Seoul, 4star hotel, located in the heart of downtown

Day 4 · Seoul City Tour

1. 1

   Gyeongbokgung Palace

   one hour Admission included

   to experience the most representative edifices of the Joseon Dynasty (more than 500 years old)

2. 2

   National Folk Museum of Korea

   one hour Admission included

   to see Korean Unique culture as well as people’s lifestyle in the olden days.

3. 3

   Cheongwadae Sarangchae

   one hour

   Cheong Wa Dae is comprised of the Main Office, Yeongbingwan (State Guest House), Chunchugwan (Spring and Autumn) Hall, Nokjiwon Garden, Mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon) Hill, and Chilgung Palace. It is interesting to see that all the buildings are unique and beautifully designed, built in the traditional Korean style. Just outside the premises is Cheongwadae Sarangchae, an exhibition hall showing the history of Cheong Wa Dae and the Korean presidency, as well as gifts received by heads of State over the years. The hall is open free to all visitors.

4. 4

   Maruzon Kimchi Market

   one hour Admission included

   We join the DIY Kimchi-making class and take photos in the Korean Traditional outfit Hanbok.

Overnight in Seoul, 4star hotel in the heart of downtown

Day 5 · Free day - free at leisure

1. 1

   Myeongdong Shopping Street

   2 hours

   One of the most popular cultural and fashion street near by hotel

2. 2

   Insadong

   2 hours

   One of the most popular antique cultural street in Korea

Overnight in Seoul, 4star hotel in the heart of downtown

Day 6 · Seoul ➜ Incheon airport, with many wonderful memories to share with family and friends.

1. 1

   Incheon Airport Cultureport

   one hour

   Incheon airport for departure