Korean Cultural Odyssey Temples to Towers - 9 Days

Welcome to Korea – and to Busan. On arrival, we arrange your transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free – you can settle in, rest after your journey or take a gentle stroll nearby. In the afternoon, we will share information about the start of your tour so you know what to expect next. Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.

In the morning, we leave Busan to visit Haedong Yonggungsa, a 14th–century Buddhist temple set by the sea. We then return to the city to visit the United Nations Memorial Cemetery – entrance included – the resting place of people from many nations. Next, we head to the country’s largest fish market by Nampo Port, followed by an included lunch. From here, we walk to Yongdusan Park to see its impressive 120–metre tower. We continue to Songdo Beach for a ride on Korea’s first maritime cable car – tickets included and subject to weather – with panoramic views of the bay. We then explore the Gamcheon Cultural Village, one of Busan’s most picturesque neighbourhoods, with brightly coloured buildings, winding alleyways, small galleries, pottery workshops and cafés. Return to your hotel for an overnight stay in Busan.

We depart Busan for Seokguram Grotto, an 8th century Buddhist site on the slopes of Tohamsan – entrance included – then continue to Bulguksa Temple, regarded as one of Korea’s most beautiful – entrance included. We travel on to Gyeongju – the capital for 992 years under 56 kings – and pause to photograph the wooden Woljeonggyo Bridge on the Namcheon River. Lunch is included. We then explore Tumuli Park to see the royal burial mounds of the ancient Silla Kingdom and visit one of the tombs – entrance included – before walking to Cheomsongdae Astronomical Observatory, the oldest in East Asia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We continue to Daegu, Korea’s fourth most populous city, where before reaching the hotel we take in Dongsan Cheongna Hill, a historic area once home to Christian missionaries, the city’s liveliest shopping street, Dongseong ro, and the Yangnyeongsi Museum of Traditional Medicine – entrance included – noted for its history of medicinal herbs. Overnight in Daegu.

Departing north from Daegu, we arrive in Andong to explore Hahoe Village – a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the outskirts – with admission included. You’ll have free time to stroll its lanes and experience a rural community that feels frozen in time. We then visit the World Mask Museum, which displays masks used for dances, medical practices, religious ceremonies and theatrical performances. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we continue to Byeongsan Seowon, a Confucian academy founded in the 16th century beside a peaceful river, before travelling on to Seoul for a mid afternoon arrival.

This morning we travel to the Aegibong Observatory in Gimpo, close to the border with North Korea, where we can clearly see across the frontier. We then transfer to the Paju Demilitarised Zone at Imjingang – lunch is included – to visit the National Memorial and Mangbaedan Altar and the Imjingak Pavilion Temple, a symbol of peace. A cable car ride is included to view the areas near the Military Demarcation Line, and we make a final stop at the Freedom Bridge, a powerful symbol of hope and reunion. Please remember to bring your passport – it is mandatory. The DMZ is a military area and may close without prior notice; if this happens, we will provide an alternative tour.

Later, with our guide, we head to City Hall Square to view the building from the outside, notable for its undulating design. Just opposite stands Deoksugung Palace, which when lit at night highlights Korea’s blend of tradition and modernity. We then walk to Myeongdong, the city’s largest commercial and entertainment district – its name means bright tunnel. Dinner is included at a local restaurant, and we return to the hotel by Seoul’s modern subway – ticket included.

We spend around five hours exploring Seoul on a guided tour. We visit Changdeokgung Palace – a UNESCO World Heritage complex set within a large park – then stroll through Bukchon Hanok Village, a historic neighbourhood of small, well preserved houses. We continue to the War Memorial of Korea – entrance included – whose galleries explain the country’s conflicts, especially the Korean War and the role of United Nations forces. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. We then head to the lively Gangnam district, known for its shopping and entertainment. To round off the day, we stop at Lotte World Tower, a landmark rising to 550 metres, where you have free time to go up to the observation deck – admission not included – or to wander its park and luxury shopping centres. Return to the hotel and free time.

We begin with Gyeongbokgung Palace – entrance included – a royal complex with more than 600 years of history. If the ceremonial changing of the guard is taking place during our visit, we’ll watch it. We then leave Seoul and head south to Suwon – once the capital – to view its impressive UNESCO-listed city walls and visit Hwaseong Haenggung, the summer palace – entrance included. Lunch is included. We continue to Jeonju to explore its historic centre, Hanok Village, known for traditional houses, small shops and art galleries.

We depart Jeonju for Sunchang Gochujang Village at the foot of Mount Amisan, its hanok houses set around courtyards filled with hang–a–ri clay jars. We join a hands–on session to learn how this famous chilli paste is made. Continuing to Damyang, we explore the Juknokwon Bamboo Forest – entrance included – and visit the Bamboo Museum – entrance included. Lunch is included, featuring a local speciality: rice cooked and served in a bamboo stalk. With mountain and forest views en route, we then reach Haeinsa Temple – entrance included – a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded in 802 that houses the Tripitaka, the most complete collection of Buddhist scriptures, carved on 80,000 wooden tablets. We continue to Busan for the night.

After breakfast, we conclude the journey in Busan – we hope you depart with wonderful memories of your time in Korea.