Your morning starts with pickup from your hotel in Seoul. Enjoy a comfortable ride aboard an air-conditioned coach that first takes you to Jogyesa Temple, the leading Buddhist temple in Korea and an oasis of calm in the bustle of central Seoul.
Your guide leads you into the temple’s tree-lined entryway and shows you a seven-story pagoda. Then walk into the main temple structure to view an important Buddha statue. After strolling through the temple, return to your coach and head to Cheongwadae Sarangchae, an exhibition hall that features displays about Korea’s presidents, Korean cultural traditions and UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Korea. You'll have plenty of time there to peruse the exhibits and learn more about Seoul’s history.
Continue by coach to the Blue House (Cheongwadae), which serves as the Korean presidential home, akin to the White House in Washington DC. Then go to the majestic Gyeongbokgung Palace, which was the primary royal residence for during the Joseon Dynasty. Built in 1394, Gyeongbokgung is the largest of the Five Grand Palaces and considered the most beautiful palace in Seoul. Your guide shows you the palace compound and stops at Gwanghwamun Gate for the changing of the guard ceremony.
(Please note: On Tuesdays when Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed, instead visit Deoksugung Palace, a traditional palace situated in a walled compound. The Seoul Museum of Art is also located on the grounds and can be visited).
Wrap up the morning with a stop at a ginseng center or amethyst factory before saying farewell to your guide. You will be dropped off at City Hall or Itaewon to end your tour, leaving the afternoon free to explore further on your own.
