Classic Korea by KTX trains: Seoul, Andong, Gyeongju, Busan

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 — rebuilt more than once, but never lost its grandeur.

Its perfect symmetry, royal guard ceremony, and the chance to wear a hanbok turn your visit into a journey through 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).

South Korean President Yoon Sogyeol decided to return to the people (although, strictly speaking, he never belonged to the people) the official residence of the presidents of the Republic of Korea. And, true to his word, he did so. in 2022, on May 10, he took office in the building of the Ministry of Defense, never once using Cheong Wa Dae.

We, ordinary people, citizens and non-citizens of the Republic of Korea, can now freely enjoy the presidential views. Inside some buildings, in particular, the main building of the residence, built in 1991, we can go and get acquainted with the interiors and history of Cheong Wa Dae.

The garden and park ensemble of the Former Presidential Palace deserves a separate ode and recommendations.

On the way to the village of Hahoe, there is a small factory that produces traditional Korean hanji paper. The plant is open to the general public: you can walk through the workshops and get acquainted with the process of making paper, raw materials.

Hahoe - a village surrounded on three sides by the Naktong River, as if located in a loop of this river; from this geographical feature comes the name of the village - literally "fifth of the river".

Hahoe is famous for its old houses that have been preserved and are still used by the owners - both peasant and aristocratic houses; the famous dance with masks "Thalchhum", as well as the oldest surviving set of these same wooden masks for dancing. In 1999, Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain celebrated her birthday in the village.

A regular masked dance performance will be a nice live addition to the tour (the performance may not take place on a given day, depending on the season and day of the week).

A typical private educational institution (now a museum), in which representatives of the ruling elite of Joseon - the yangban - received a decent Confucian education in order to pass state exams in the future and enter the service.

The name, which includes the word "sowon", was given to this place in memory of the famous Prime Minister of Joseon, Ryu Seongnyeon, who moved to Andong in the 16th century. The official name "Pyeongsang Sowon" was established in 1614, the 6th year of the reign of King Gwanghaegun.

Ah, what a view of the romantic mountains and river from Byeonsan Seowon!

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... Reasonable Silakians 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 Tkhohamsan, 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.

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

A very piquturesque 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. The department store, by the way, was included in the Guinness Book of Records: it houses the world's tallest indoor fountain.

Most popular beach in Busan and a vivid resort district.

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?

Thanks to detailed blueprints from 1800, the fortress has been faithfully restored — and today, it’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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!