11-Day Seoul, Jeju & Busan Grand Journey

A futuristic glass wave rises above the old City Hall, blending past and future in one bold design.
Powered by nature and home to the world’s largest indoor vertical garden, it’s one of Seoul’s greenest landmarks.
Open to visitors — step inside and see the living wall for yourself.

In the heart of Seoul stands a hidden architectural gem — a cathedral first envisioned in the 1920s.
A British design, built with Korean devotion, but left unfinished during colonial rule. Then came the miracle: in 1993, the original blueprints were found in an English library.
Finally completed in 1996, the cathedral now stands in its full, intended glory — a story of faith, time, and perseverance.

A blend of nature and urban design, this stream winds through downtown Seoul — though entirely man-made today.
Once a natural river, it was buried after the Korean War and revived in 2005 as a tranquil walkway.
Fountains, illuminated bridges, and the Palgakdam weir make it one of the city’s most beloved evening spots.

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).

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.

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.

One of the central streets of Seoul, Jongno (literally "Bell Avenue") is named after the pavilion of the same name, which houses the main bell of the country. It is this bell that the best people of the country beat on New Year's Eve.

However, even mere mortals can hit it for good luck: at 12:00 noon, the pavilion is usually opened for visitors. However, a limited number of guests are allowed.

A bustling hub of shopping, street food, and K-beauty.
Amid the trendsetting stores stands Korea’s main Catholic cathedral — a striking symbol of faith and history.
Style meets soul in this lively part of Seoul.

A legendary skyscraper with a golden façade, offering panoramic views of Seoul.

One of the most modern shopping centers, blending nature and architecture.

A museum specializing in traditional Korean art, including ceramics and calligraphy.

A contemporary building that harmoniously integrates traditional Korean aesthetics with modern architectural elements, creating a serene space to showcase Korean art forms.

A unique space dedicated to collectible figures and toys, housed in an architecturally refined building.

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.

The tallest building in Korea is Lotte World Tower. 123 floors and 555 meters high. And on the highest floors is Seoul Sky - an observation deck.

Floor with transparent floor; the floor where you can go outside, the floor with cafes and souvenirs. Even the elevator that takes you to Seoul Sky is a separate attraction with Guinness records to boot.

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.

Maze Land is Jeju’s unique theme park of three mazes built from volcanic stone, inspired by nature, wind, and the island’s haenyeo divers.

Visitors can explore basalt labyrinths shaped like typhoons or stone walls, visit the Puzzle Museum, and enjoy peaceful forest trails surrounded by camellias and ancient trees.

Seongsan Ilchulbong (Korean: 성산일출봉), also known as Sunrise Peak, is a stunning volcanic formation located on the eastern side of Jeju Island. Rising to a height of 182 meters, this natural wonder features a volcanic crater at its summit, offering breathtaking views of the island's landscapes.

Seongsan Ilchulbong is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site listing under Jeju Island and its lava tubes, recognized for its geological and scenic significance. A visit to this magnificent peak promises an unforgettable encounter with Jeju's natural beauty.

Umutgae Coast (우뭇개 해안) offers dramatic ocean views and a glimpse into Jeju’s living tradition. Here, the Haenyeo divers perform their afternoon free-diving show, emerging from the sea with baskets of fresh shellfish — a rare encounter with the island’s true spirit.

Since ancient times, this place was known as Tweksaemi — in standard Korean, Doyaksaem (道藥泉), meaning a spring of exceptionally pure and healing water. The name of Yakchunsa Temple originates from this ancient designation, and today the temple stands on a hillside offering magnificent views of the vast Pacific Ocean.

Hallim Park is one of the largest parks and botanical gardens on Jeju Island, known for its rich collection of subtropical plants and diverse natural zones. It’s a place where you can explore unique lava caves, relax amid lush greenery, and experience the island’s nature all in one setting.

The Spirited Garden is one of the largest bonsai (punjae) gardens in the world, designed as a space of tranquility, contemplation, and harmony. It features hundreds of crafted living artworks surrounded by ponds, stone arrangements, and a carefully designed landscape.

OSULLOC Tea Museum on Jeju Island showcases the history and culture of Korean tea amid the island’s vast organic tea fields. Once barren volcanic land, the area was transformed into Korea’s largest organic tea farm. Today, the museum is one of Jeju’s most popular attractions, offering tea exhibitions, tastings, and unique tea products.

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 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.

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 only mound which inner parts are open to the public (though filled with replicas, it shows the inner construction of a Shilla mound)

The main state Gyeongju temple from the Silla period, the "Temple of the Yellow Dragon", Hwangnyongsa, has not survived; however, we still have a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the pagoda of a hermitage temple of Hwangnyongsa. The hermitage temple is called Bunhwangsa.

The peculiarity of the pagoda of Bunhwangsa is that it is built of stones, hewn in such a way that they resemble bricks in shape. What can you not do if you are not familiar with the technology (brick production, in this case)!

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