Seoul-Chungcheong-Jeonju
During an entertaining and informative tour, which combines short walks and moving on an ordered vehicle, we will get acquainted with the history and modernity of the capital of South Korea - Seoul. (On Tuesdays, the palace we visit is Changdeokgung, Gyungbokkung on other week days.)
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 — 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.
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.
Welcome to an ethnographic village steeped in history and culture, located in the picturesque city of Yongin, 30 km from Seoul. If you are looking for adventure and surprise then this is the place to be!
Entering the village, you find yourself in an area full of authentic buildings and romantic landscapes. Here you can immerse yourself in the world of ancient Korean traditions and customs.
The first and largest Korean folk village in terms of area and exposition.
There are more than 260 buildings in the village, including houses of representatives of different classes, government agencies, pharmacies and mills, and craftsmen's workshops.
The village recreates in detail the atmosphere of rural life of the Joseon era. Buildings were brought from all regions of Korea: here you will also find houses made of volcanic tuff from about. Jeju (and the famous black pigs from there, by the way!), And thatched houses from the southern provinces of Korea, and the house of the provincial governor, and the Confucian village school. You can taste traditional Korean dishes at the village market.
The journey begins with a fascinating walk through the narrow streets surrounded by traditional Korean houses - hanoks. Each house is a living museum that reflects the unique style and architecture of ancient times.
Travelers hungry for knowledge can discover the craftsmanship of folk artisans.
But that's not all! This wonderful complex offers unique shows and concerts featuring traditional Korean dances, music and rituals.
Each show and concert is organized with love for details and leaves a unique impression. You will be delighted with beautiful costumes, incendiary rhythms and incredible talents of artists. The atmosphere will be filled with energy and delight, and you will find yourself a real witness to the beauty and splendor of Korean culture.
Buddhism, Catholicism and a unique city fortress, where the famous Korean admiral Lee Sunsin began his career.
The famous "Baekje smile" is the characteristic friendly and warm facial expression of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, reproduced in the statues of the state of Baekje (18 BC - 660 AD).
Of course, reproductions and photographs are one thing; but getting to know the smile in the original is different! It used to be quite difficult to get to the "smile" - after all, the Buddhist trinity is located in the Korean outback - Sosan County, South Chungcheong Province, but now an asphalt road has been laid here; we have to walk only a short section of the path ... Nearby are the ruins of the temple, in which there was a hermitage (satellite temple / hermit's dwelling) with the Buddha and 2 bodhisattvas with our smile.
The unique technique and artistry of the unknown master will allow us to see the open, unburdened, friendly expression on the face of the Baekje people who lived here more than 1400 years ago.
Keshinsa is a satellite temple (subordinate) to the famous Sudoksa, which has one of the few wooden structures from the Goryeo period; but, if Sudoksa, with the exception of the main hall, looks quite "modern" on the whole, then the spirit of antiquity has been preserved in Keynes ...
It was founded in 654 (the 14th year of the reign of King Uizha-wang of the state of Baekje) by the monk Hegam (혜감/慧鑑) under the name Kewonsa (ke - discovery; won - beginning). In 1350 (the 2nd year of the reign of King Chungsuk-wang of Goryeo), it was renamed Kasimsa (sim - soul; kesim - spreading wisdom). Burnt down in 1475 but rebuilt in 1484. In 1740, it underwent another reconstruction and has not undergone significant changes since then. Thus, before us is a temple with a history dating back centuries, and with several buildings from the Early Joseon era!
Taeuncheon - 1484. Buddha and bodhisattvas in the main hall - Taeucheon - non-standard: Amitabha, Ksitigarbha and Avalokiteshvara. "Hall of the found knife [wisdom]", located to the left of Daeungjeong - apparently, was erected simultaneously with it; on the right is the Eternal Life Pavilion (무량수각); The composition of the central part of the temple is completed by the open pavilion Anyallu - "Tranquility and Rest".
Myeongbujeong ("Hall of 10 Lords of the Underworld") was built in 1646. Thus, the temple consists of really old buildings. If you want to plunge into the atmosphere of tranquility and antiquity - welcome to Kesimsa.
The site of the martyrdom of over 1,000 Korean Catholics between 1797 and 1872. Pope Francis made a pilgrimage here in 2014.
Stone fortress built between 1417 and 1421. Here was the command post of the army of Chungcheong Province. The main purpose of the fortress is to resist the raids of pirates from Japan. For 10 months, Admiral Li Sunxing served here in 1578.
The oldest temple in Korea is Sudoksa. This temple is unique; he, one of the few Korean temples, was lucky enough to survive the war with Japan in 1592-1598. The oldest building of the temple - its main pavilion Taeungjeong - dates back to the Goryeo period (1308). On the beams supporting the roof of the building, you can still see the unique surviving image of the "Golden Dragon" from the Goryeo period. However, the temple was founded much earlier - in the Baekche era, information about its foundation dates back to the 6th century (Sabi period). Sudoksa is the only surviving Baekje temple!
At the end of the 19th - the first half of the 20th century, the temple became the center of the revival in Korea of "proper Korean" Buddhism, which was persecuted both under the kings of Joseon and under the Japanese colonial authorities. In particular, such famous monks as Gyeongho and Mangon lived and conducted their activities in the temple.
Initially, the capital of the state of Baekje was located in the fortified city of Wire in the territory, presumably, of modern Seoul. However, with the fall of the Vire fortress at the Battle of the Hangang River in 475, the capital was first transferred to the city of Unjin (modern Gongju), then to the city of Sabi (modern Buyeo).
It is these two cities that we will visit during our tour.
According to legend, during the fall of the last capital of Paekche - Sabi (now - the city of Buyeo) - 3,000 Paek women rushed from the Nakhwa-am cliff into the waters of the Kymgang River. Currently, a pleasure boat runs along the rock, from the deck of which a beautiful view of Nakva-am opens. On the boat, we will make a short trip to the Pusosan-son fortress, which is included in the UNESCO list and was the last stronghold of the Baekje state.
In Buyeo, we recommend trying the local dish, yeongnimbap, rice baked in lotus leaves, served with soy paste soup, dowenjang, and a variety of appetizers and salads, panchang.
The only burial of Pek rulers that has survived to this day.
The majestic fortress, perched high above the Geumgang River, has witnessed both times of great prosperity—when it was the heart of the Baekje capital—and more modest days. We’ll walk along its mighty walls and talk about kings, fortresses, and the city of Gongju.
In Buyeo we will get acquainted with the treasures of Baekje, including those included in the register of the State Treasures of the Republic of Korea (Buyo National Museum), we will visit the place where the Buddhist temple of Jeongnimsa was located, with a unique 5-step pagoda.
Walking tour in the 1930s (and a little further...)
A unique temple in Korea in Japanses style.
A small town located on the shores of the Western (Yellow) Sea, experienced ups and downs: once the majority of the population in it were not Koreans, but rich Japanese!
In the city, you can feel the atmosphere of the first half of the 20th century, the rapid, uneven growth of the country, the development of colonial capitalism, and the elusive charm of a provincial Korean town, with a touch of Japanese style in architecture.
The unique Buddhist temple Donggunsa has been preserved in the city: it is the only Japanese-style Buddhist temple in Korea. Founded in 1913 by the Japanese monk Uchida under the name "Diamond Temple", it was renamed after liberation (August 15, 1945) as Tonguksa ("Temple of the East Country"; "East Country" is one of the names of Korea).
During the time of the state of Goryeo (910 - 1392), not far from Kunsan in the battle of Jinpo, the first victory of the Koreans over Japan with the use of firearms was won, which is dedicated to the theme park with a collection of tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, aircraft, etc., the joy of the boys.
Itinerary (subject to slight changes): Gunsan Museum of Modern History - former customs building, with a small customs museum - Chinpo Naval Theme Park - Donggungsa Temple - Walk through the old quarters of Gunsan.
Literally, the city's name, Jeonju, translates to "complete, perfect, untouched area." The fertile lands around Jeonju have long been the breadbasket of Korea and the subject of encroachment by the inhabitants of neighboring Japan, and the cuisine of Jeonju is considered one of the most delicious in the country (Jeonju-style bibimbap - rice mixed with minced meat and vegetables - is one of the most recognizable dishes in Korea).
Let's go down to the historical center of Jeonju; many institutions associated with the Joseon era have been preserved here, such as the Gyeonggijeong Shrine, dedicated to .... a portrait! A portrait of Lee Song, the founder of the Lee/Joseon Dynasty we already know.
Itinerary (content and sequence may vary slightly): Omoktae - Imoktae - Chaman Graffiti Village - Pungnammun Castle Gate - Jeonju Catholic Cathedral - Gyeonggijeong Shrine - Self-guided walk through the village of traditional hanok houses.
Omokdae-Imokdae
Imokte is in a small area called Chaman Graffiti Village; the walls of the houses here are painted by professionals and amateurs: the world of Japanese manga and Korean manhwa; korean alphabet, fantastic, disney cartoon characters, traditional korean stories.
Unfortunately, the Confucians were not very tolerant of Catholicism. We are reminded of this by the Jeonju Catholic Cathedral (built in 1908-1931), located on the site of the executions of Catholics.
A shrine that houses a portrait of the founder of the Joseon Dynasty, King Taejo (Lee Songye). An extensive complex of buildings, including the sanctuary itself, the state sago archive, a museum, the burial place of the placenta of King Yechzhon, and a complex of auxiliary buildings.
Why and who made portraits of kings, what is a historical archive, why bury the royal placenta - we will try to find answers to these questions in Gyeonggijeong.
In the very historical center of Jeonju, you will find yourself in a fabulous atmosphere. Traditional Korean hanok houses with tiled roofs line the romantic narrow streets. Here, each house is a unique masterpiece of architecture, reflecting the richness and depth of Korean history.
Walking along these streets, you will notice how each house merges with the surrounding nature and creates a harmonious image. You will see small gardens with flowers, well-kept courtyards, as well as traditional decor elements that recreate the atmosphere of antiquity, and sometimes, on the contrary, remind us of modern design trends.
Recently, it has become fashionable for Koreans and guests of the Land of the Morning Calm to rent stylized costumes - traditional hanbok, or European costumes of the era of the first half of the 20th century, which is closer to us. In Jeonju, you will see many such couples or families looking exotic against the backdrop of historical buildings and traditional hanok houses...
Changdeokgung Palace, located in the heart of Seoul, is one of the most significant historical sites in Korea. Founded in 1405 during the reign of King Taejong, it is known for its architectural beauty and harmony with the surrounding landscape. A witness to many historical dramas, this palace was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997.
Changdeokgung - "Palace of Flourishing Virtue", built between 1405 and 1412, was the home for the kings of Joseon throughout most of the kingdom's 500-year history (1392-1897). It was also the residence of the last ruler of the Korean Empire.
The palace was destroyed during the Imjin War (1592-1598) and was restored in 1609. From 1623 to 1868, it served as the official residence of Korean kings. Since 1997, the Palace of Flourishing Virtue has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Korean temple (Buddhist) cuisine.
The true value of temple food is revealed in the understanding of the Buddhist food culture and the philosophical foundations of the teaching. Historically, temple food is food for the following monks' paths; However, in the modern world, it is becoming available for laymen and foreign guests of Korea. Understanding the purpose of cooking and eating from the perspective of a Buddhist believer, we, nevertheless, can relate to this peculiar cuisine in terms of proper and harmonious nutrition, diet and, not surprisingly, very tasty food.
We will get acquainted with the recipe and create, under the watchful guidance of a monk teacher or a nun, one of the traditional Buddhist dishes, which will become our lunch today!