7-Day Journey: From Ancient Petroglyphs to Modern Seoul

Insadong is famous for the abundance of souvenir shops, traditional restaurants and tea houses, boutiques.

Insadong-kil Pedestrian Street is the central street of the area.

Often you can see street performances - traditional Korean samul-nori percussion quartet or martial arts tekkyon, taekwon-do or performances of youth groups in the fusion style, etc.

In the heart of Seoul stands Jogyesa — the head temple of Korea’s largest Buddhist order.
Small in scale but rich in atmosphere, it changes with the seasons: lotus lanterns in spring, bright chrysanthemums in fall, and peaceful stillness in winter.
No matter the time of year, it’s a place of quiet reflection.

The main palace of the Joseon dynasty. Over the centuries, it has endured destruction and reconstruction, yet it has retained its grandeur.

Its magnificent symmetry, the changing-of-the-guard ceremony, and the opportunity to try on a *hanbok* (for an additional fee) turn a visit to the palace into a true journey back in time.

Winding lanes, wooden hanoks, hidden cafés — this is where time slows down.
Samcheong-dong charms with its hills and galleries, while Bukchon preserves the everyday beauty of Joseon-era homes.
Together, they offer a quiet, romantic escape — a walk through history lined with soft light and gentle stories.

The complex of the central Gwanghwamun Square in front of the Gyeongbokgung Royal Palace, which is the compositional center of the capital of Korea, offers amazing views of Seoul: on one side is the main residence of the kings of the Joseon state (now a museum). But along the  Sejong-daero Avenue, departing from the square, there are high-rise modern buildings: government, embassies, Kyobo - the largest bookstore in Korea. Further down the avenue we can see the Seoul City Hall and still further - the Great South Gate of Namdaemun (National Treasure No. 1).

Temple of Bongeunsa is located in close proximity to the COEX Convention and Exhibition Center.

Originally named Gyeongseongsa, it was built by King Wonseong of the Silla Kingdom in the 10th year of his reign (794 AD).

In 1498, thanks to Queen Jeonghyeon, it was renovated and expanded to the east of King Seongjong's tomb, and at that time it was given its new name - Bongeunsa.

The iconic view of COEX is visible from the Maitreya Buddha statue on the temple grounds.

Welcome to K-Star Road, the amazing star road in the heart of Seoul!

K-Star Road, or "Road of the Stars", is a beautiful and popular place where Korean stars seem to have made their mark. As you begin your journey along this road, you will feel the excitement and hype as it passes through the heart of the Gangnam area, known for its trendy atmosphere and emphasis on (K)-pop culture.

Here you will find many GangnamDol figurines representing various Korean stars. Find your heroes - and take a photo with them as a keepsake.

Along K-Star Road you will find many boutiques of world brands. Perhaps those same stars sometimes look into these boutiques too?..

This breathtaking library in COEX Mall features towering bookshelves and a stunning architectural design. It's an ideal spot for book lovers and those looking for a unique photo backdrop. The natural lighting and open space make it perfect for both wide shots and close-ups.

This statue is a must-visit for fans of PSY's global hit "Gangnam Style." It's a playful spot to capture fun and memorable photos, especially if you strike the famous horse dance pose!

Though made anew, it is a nice and quite picturesque place, especially at night.

Just a few years ago, Hwangnam-dong began to come alive — as it grew popular among young people, cozy cafés, boutiques, bookstores, and souvenir shops began to appear. This is how Hwangridan-gil was born — a street that today feels inseparable from Gyeongju itself.

In the evening, it’s especially magical: from a rooftop café, you can watch the sunset over a sea of traditional Korean hanok rooftops. Narrow alleyways, the warm glow of shop windows, and the absence of high-rises create an atmosphere of charm and nostalgia.

Hwangridan-gil is located next to the ancient Daereungwon tombs and is protected as part of Korea’s cultural heritage.

Cheomseongdae is one of the oldest observatories in the world (7th century). The tower of the observatory is full of symbolism: the total number of hewn stones from which it is built; the number of rows of these stones before and above the small window, the shape of the stones... The thoughtful builders of Silla paid attention to everything.

Cheomseongdae was built under the reigning Queen Seondok - one of three in the history of Silla. The queen ended up in a drama that, of course, was filmed in Gyeongju.

The Buddha statue in this small temple in an artificial grotto is considered the most elegant in All of Korea! The grotto is located on the slope of Mount Tohamsan, where the winding serpentine of the mountain road leads.

The walk to the temple through the mountain forest from the parking lot takes about 15-20 minutes; depending on the weather, either a mysterious foggy landscape awaits us (fogs are not uncommon on this mountain), or breathtaking bird's-eye views of the thousand-year-old Gyeongju.

In the grotto, which is formally the hermitage of the Bulguksa temple, located below the slope, the dominant position is occupied by the above-mentioned statue of Buddha, sitting in a lotus position on a pedestal in the shape of a lotus. Around it at different heights are bas-reliefs and statues of bodhisattvas, arhats, Indra and Brahma, the Four Heavenly Kings.

If the group agrees, we can go down the mountainside to the temple of Bulguksa.

The main Buddhist temple of United Silla, it is now a place of pilgrimage for many guests of Korea.

The temple was built in 774 under the leadership of the premier of the state of Silla, Kim Taesong. Legend has it that Bulguksa was dedicated to the parents of the current, so to speak, Kim Taesong. While Seokguram, the temple-hermitage under Bulguksa, was intended for Kim Taesung's parents from his previous incarnations.

In 1995, Bulguksa and Seokguram were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

It is a unique museum in Korea specializing in petrogliphs. The museum is situated a short walk (about 1 km) from both the Bangudae and Cheonjeon-ri petrogliphs.

Not only the interior of the museum boasting a sophisticated media systems, but the modern and inspiring exterior make an inpression on the visitors.

The Pangude petroglyphs are the oldest depictions of whaling in the world. The rock paintings are so realistic that zoologists can even identify the type of animal from them! Whales, leopards, tigers, wild boars - only about 20 species of animals in 300 pictures carved on a rock about 8 by 5 meters in size.

Dinosaurs also left a legacy here, but directly, with their legs, so to speak: along the picturesque banks of the river, you can find real footprints of real dinosaurs!

The rock is located on the banks of the picturesque Daegokchon River, a tributary of the river. Taehwa, captivated with its rocky primitive landscapes of artists, poets and famous public figures not only of the Neolithic, but also of less distant eras - Silla, Goryeo and Joseon.

The Cheongjeon-ri petroglyphs are located very close (about 2 km) from the Pangudae petroglyphs. Chronologically, they were the first to be discovered by a group of researchers in 1973.

In addition to the petroglyphs themselves, dating back to the Neolithic era, the rock has preserved a curious record of the Silla era on a hanmun.

A picturesque 2-storey bridge over the sea in Busan is one of its most exquisite landmarks.

A very picturesque district in Busan, which was originally founded by some refugees during the Korean War.

Exciting journey above the sea with eye-catching views of the coastal Busan.

The largest seafood market in Korea, where you can see all kinds of marine creatures, both from the plant and animal worlds (and from the border worlds too!).

You can also eat deliciously at the market: fried or raw fish, as well as seafood, is served at the table in numerous restaurants in the market.

If you prefer something less exotic, we recommend the food court at the Lotte department store next door. The observation deck at the department store offers a magnificent view of Busan from a bird's eye view.

Breathtaking views of downtown Busan from the seaside Lotte Department Store.

Most popular beach in Busan and a vivid resort district.

The Korean Folk Village in Yongin is a large open-air museum devoted to everyday life during the Joseon era. Its grounds contain more than 260 buildings, including homes of different social classes, government offices, a traditional pharmacy, mills and craft workshops.

The buildings were relocated from different regions of Korea, allowing visitors to compare architectural traditions from across the country: stone houses from Jeju, thatched homes from the southern provinces, a governor’s residence and a Confucian village school.

As you walk through narrow lanes lined with hanok houses, you can observe traditional artisans at work and gain a clearer understanding of domestic life, labour and social structure in pre-modern Korea. Korean dishes are available at the village market.

Traditional music, dance and folk performances may also take place during the day, depending on the season and schedule.

Hwaseong is more than just a fortress — it’s a royal dream set in stone. In the late 18th century, King Jeongjo envisioned building a new capital of the Joseon Dynasty here: modern, fortified, and meticulously planned.

The project was designed by the brilliant reformer Jeong Yakyong, one of the leading figures of the “Practical Learning” movement. For the first time in Korean history, both Korean and European engineering techniques were used in construction.

👉 By the way, why did the king never move to his new capital?

During such serious campaigns of the ruling king, as, say, visiting the graves of his ancestors, the king had to stop somewhere on the way. In the Hwaseong fortress, such a travel palace has been preserved. Charming and small by the standards of Seoul, however, it is a real intricate maze, which we will dive into to get to know the history of King Jeongjo, his parents and grandfather, as well as the famous banquet he hosted in honor of the anniversary of his mother , Queen Hongyeong.

Starfield Library in Suwon is known for its multi-tiered bookshelves and unique interior.