Korea Busan Tour

Welcome to Seoul, the capital of South Korea! After arrival at Incheon International Airport, a friendly driver will pick you up and transfer you to check in at the hotel in downtown Seoul by 1.5 hours’ drive.

► Recommendations for Early Arrivals
After getting settled at the hotel, you could have a good rest and rejuvenate, or take a stroll by yourself around to get into the spirit of the modern city. You may go to Namdaemun Market, one of Seoul’s most representative traditional markets. All kinds of goods can be found here, and there are a lot of specialized shopping streets such as Clothing Street, Hairtail Alley, Souvenir Alley, and Camera Street. Sample some authentic street food like knife-cut noodles and spicy stewed hairtail, and indulge yourself in the relaxed vibe.

► How to Get around
If you want to explore the surroundings by yourself, taxi and subway are both convenient choices. The mobile phone app Kakao Taxi can help you book a taxi simply and quickly. Purchasing a T-money card (KRW 2,500, approximately USD 2) in cash at a subway station or a convenience store is highly recommended if you want to experience Korea’s bus or subway. T-money card can be used in most areas of the country, including payments at some convenience stores. Top-ups and refund are easy, so you don’t need to add too much to your card, and KRW 10,000 is ok.

► Best Time to Visit South Korea
South Korea has 4 distinct seasons, and each of them is favorable for visiting and seeing different views. Generally, the climate is moderate in spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), suitable for outdoor activities and sightseeing. For visitors who love water sports, summer (June to August) is the best season for playing in the sea. And if you come in winter (December to February), you could enjoy the romance of the white snow-capped mountains. Winter in South Korea can be frigid with temperatures dropping below zero, so sweaters and down jackets work better for a winter getaway.

Accommodation: Fraser Place Namdaemun Seoul (4 stars) or similar

After breakfast, your private driver guide will pick you up at the hotel and transfer you to Daejeon. We’ll make a stopover at Gongju to do some sightseeing. Gongju was the capital city of Baekje Kingdom (18 BC - 660 AD) during the Three Kingdoms period (57 BC - 668 AD) of ancient Korea, serving as Baekje’s political and cultural center. First, we will visit the well-preserved Gongju Gongsanseong Fortress, a mountain castle built after Baekje established its capital (234-678), which has been listed as one of the World Cultural Heritage sites. Walking along the 2,660-meter (1.6 mi.) fortress wall, you could get an insight into Baekje’s charming history through the ruins of the castle. Enjoy the picturesque view of Gongju city and overlook the meandering Geumgang River.

Later, move to another UNESCO site - the Royal Tomb of King Muryeong, which is the final resting place of the 25th king of Baekje - King Muryeong (reign: 501-523) and his queen. The tomb has never been robbed, thus over 4,600 artifacts remained intact until they were excavated, making it one of the most magnificent ancient tombs in South Korea. The must-see of the tomb is the stone wall with fine murals in Tomb 6, which is of high aesthetic value.

Next, follow the guide to visit Gongju National Museum, where large amount of the grave goods discovered from the Royal Tomb of King Muryeong are exhibited. Admire the national treasures like the gold crowns of the king and the queen, gold ornaments, earrings, necklaces and belts, pillows, and bronze mirrors. You could even step into the replicas of the tomb to vividly know the layout of the tomb’s interior. We will continue drive to the hotel in Daejeon after all the visits.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: LOTTE City Hotel Daejeon (4 stars) or similar

This morning, we’ll drive 1.5 hours to visit Maisan Mountain, literally “Horse Ear Mountain”. Maisan Mountain was formed due to crustal movement 70,000 years ago. Just as its name suggests, the mountain looks lovely and eye-catching with two distinctive paired peaks called Sut Mai - the 687-meter (2,254 ft.) “Male Peak”, and Am Mai - the 681-meter (2,234 ft.) “Female Peak”. Standing on the peaks, you could enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the sea. More than 80 stone pagodas of Tapsa Temple are scattered on the base of the female peak. The temple was selected as one of the “33 of South Korea’s Most Beautiful Temples” by CNN in 2020.

After that, we will drive another one hour to Jeonju, the most Korea-style city, and first visit Jeonju Hanok Village. Holding more than 800 traditional hanok houses with unique tiled roofs, Jeonju Hanok Village is still with its original appearance after hundreds years’ vicissitude. Jeonju is the birthplace of bibimbap - a typical Korean food with rice mixed with meat and vegetables. You could have a taste of the authentic bibimbap of South Korea in the village. Tourists and locals wearing hanbok are very common here. If you like, you could rent a set of hanbok at your own expense to experience the country life and take some impressive photos in front of a traditional house. Next, spend some time exploring Gyeonggijeon Shrine in the center of the village. The shrine was constructed in 1410 to enshrine the portrait of King Taejo of Joseon (reign: 1392-1398), the founding emperor of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Rebuilt in 1614, the shrine now exhibits a collection of cultural relics from the Joseon Dynasty, including 5 royal portraits. Get overwhelmed by the bamboo forests surrounding the shrine, and feel the breath of history when you walk along the path just as the kings did a thousand years ago. Thereafter, the driver guide will escort you to the hotel in Jeonju.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Best Western Plus Jeonju Hotel (4 stars) or similar

Say goodbye to Jeonju, and this morning you’ll be transferred to Gwangju airport by a 1.5-hour drive for your one-hour flight to Jeju Island.

Upon arrival, the local guide will pick you up and take you to visit Seongsan Sunrise Peak, a 182-meter-tall (597 ft.) dramatic volcanic rock on eastern Jeju Island. The towering peak was formed by a volcanic eruption under the sea around 5,000 years ago. The crater on the top is about 600 meters (1,970 ft.) in diameter, making the peak look like a huge green crown. The natural wonder was listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in 2007. Standing on the edge of the crater, you could catch the splendid sight of the sea and the villages below. Then, let’s proceed to Seopjikoji Cape, whose name means the land jutting out to the sea. The vast coastal cape is grass-blanketed without any tall trees. Walking along the trail, and take some photos of the old lighthouse, smoke signal station from the Joseon period, and stone walls. At the end of the path, you could appreciate the simple but beautiful architecture of the Glass House, and watch sea waves crushing against the black reef with white foam spraying in the background of Seongsan Sunrise Peak. Every year from March to April when the land is carpeted with golden canola flowers, the striking color contrast of the flowers and the cyan sea will make the scenery more alluring and vivid.

At the end of the day, we’ll stop at Woljeongri Beach, a stretch of white sand with one of the most stunning sea views of Jeju. Unwind on the beach and sit on the colorful benches by the seaside. Take in the mesmerizing scenery of the jelly-like water and rotating windmills in the distance, or participate in some exciting water activities. Maybe have a cup of coffee at a beachfront café to immerse yourself in the chic atmosphere. Later, head to the hotel for the night.

► Tips: Don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes since there are lots of steps on Seongsan Sunrise Peak and Seopjikoji Cape. It could be quite windy by the sea of Jeju, so please pay attention if you are wearing a hat.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Sirius, Jeju (4 stars) or similar

After breakfast, follow your guide to dig deep into the tea culture of Jeju through a visit to O’sulloc Tea Museum. The fertile dark volcanic soil of Jeju Island contains rich organic matters that are hospitable for tea cultivation. Green tea, with bright color and fresh taste, has long been a spiritual symbol and vital cultural element of Easterners. Surrounded by lush tea trees on the hillside, the museum building looks like a huge teacup. The green tea fields are also the source of ingredients of the popular Korean beauty brand Innisfree. You could experience being a tea farmer at Tea Roasting Space, where there are trays and pans for roasting and paper bags for packing. After the exploration, you could take a break at the café in the museum and try their matcha ice cream or cake at your own expense if you like. From the observatory area on the second floor, you could enjoy the refreshing air and landscape.

Next, we will continue to visit Sanbangsan Mountain. With its memorable odd looking, the mountain is very conspicuous in the surroundings. According to the ancient myth of Jeju, a goddess pulled out the peak of Halla Mountain on central Jeju Island and threw it away, therefore Sanbangsan Mountain was formed. Due to the erosion of the sea wind all year round, there are numerous small caves at the foot of the mountain. Temples and Buddha statues were set up on the mountain, making it a sacred place with both natural beauty and cultural charm. Then, visit Cheonjiyeonpokpo Falls. The name of the waterfall refers to “where the sky and the land meet”. As you get close to the fall, you could hear the thundering sound and feel the cool mist of it. Along the path are luxuriant cypresses and camellias. The water cascades from the 22-meter (72 ft.) forested precipice, and drops into the 20-meter-deep (65 ft.) pond, where the rare giant mottled eels inhabit. The beautiful fish is said to bring good luck to all the visitors.

After the sightseeing in Jeju, you’ll be transferred to the airport to board the 1 hour flight to Busan. Upon arrival, you’ll be picked up and sent to the hotel for check-in.

► Dinner Recommendation in Busan: (at your own expense)
As the second largest city of South Korea, Busan abounds with various local delicacies like pork rice soup (Dwaeji Gukbap), shellfish BBQ, and Busan fish cake. Choryang Milmyeon (225 Jungang-daero, Choryang-dong, Dong-gu, Busan), which is opposite your hotel, serves cold wheat noodles, the locals’ favorite dish. The thin noodles typically come with beef or pork broth, with cucumber strips, egg and meat slices on the top. It tastes better if you add some vinegar. You could also pair with some steamed dumplings. The average cost per person is about USD 7.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: ASTI Hotel Busan Station (4 stars) or similar

Today, your Busan tour will start from Taejongdae Resort Park, a geology park with historical sites. Strolling on the trail along the rugged rocky cliff, you could enjoy the awe-inspiring view of the boundless blue water, white ships cruising and flocks of seagulls chasing over the water’s surface. Pass by a towering lighthouse, under which is the Sinseon Rock (namely deity rock) where a god once lived according to the local legend. Slow down and embrace the sea breeze and scenery.

Next, we’ll head to Jagalchi Market, one of the symbols of Busan. This traditional market, with a history of over 50 years, is the largest seafood market in South Korea. The ground floor is for fresh seafood stalls and the second floor is packed with restaurants and dried seafood. Enjoy your eye-opening experience to spot a variety of strange-looking seafood like mackerels, sea urchins, squids, king crabs, and even whale meat. Sliced raw fish and octopus sashimi are the features of the market.

Our next stop is BIFF Square. Besides seafood, you may think of Busan International Film Festival when it comes to this port city. The square was constructed for this Asia’s most significant film festival. Nowadays, visitors from all over the world flock here to satisfy the appetite with mouth-watering street food and touch the cinematic history of Busan. The sweet hotteok with brown sugar, roast chestnuts and fish cake skewers are the must-eats. You could also discover a lot of handprints of film stars and famous directors like Jeremy Irons and Willem Dafoe. Head north and we will then get to Gukje Market, which is nicknamed “Namdaemun Market of Busan” for its long history and diverse goods. Gukje Market, or International Market, origins from the hub where refugees sold war supplies and other goods during the war time in the 1950s. The most bustling alleys are the Vintage Alley, Cosmetics Alley, and Accessory Alley.

Later, let’s explore Gamcheon Culture Village. The village grows out of the camp for refugees built on the side of a hill during the war time of the last century. Several decades ago, the village was elaborately rebuilt and painted with bright colors and graffiti. Embraced by green hills and facing the sea, this colorful fairyland is also called the “Santorini of South Korea”. Encounter the Little Prince and Desert Fox statues here, and take some lovely photos with them. If you are a fan of the K-pop group BTS, you’ll definitely want to find murals of the members hidden in the village. Thereafter, we will return to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: ASTI Hotel Busan Station (4 stars) or similar

Today, we will continue to visit the must-see tourist attractions in Busan. First, go to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, which is the only seaside temple of the country located on the east coast of Busan. Founded in 1376 and restored in 1930, the temple enshrines a 10-meter-high (33 ft.) Bodhisattva statue, which is the largest sea water Bodhisattva of Compassion statue in South Korea, making the temple one of the most-visited places of worship in Busan. A lot of worshippers specially come here to make a wish as the sun rising over the sea. There are also a row of statues of the 12 zodiac animals. You could put a coin by them to pray for good luck.

Next, take some leisure time at Haeundae Beach. Different from the sun-kissed sea in the tropics, the sea in Busan features clear blue water and mild weather. The 1.5-kilometer (about 1 mile) stretch of pristine beach offers enchanting view and a wide range of water activities. The beach turns into a canvas for artists to exert their imagination in May every year, filled with delicate pieces of sand art.

Finally, you’ll be transferred to take the KTX bullet train to Seoul. On the way, we will pass by one of the landmarks of Busan - Gwangan Bridge, which is South Korea’s second longest suspension bridge with a span of over 7 kilometers (4.4 mi.). After a 2.5-hour train ride, you’ll be picked up at the station and sent to your hotel in Seoul.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Fraser Place Namdaemun Seoul (4 stars) or similar

This morning after breakfast, your guide will lead you to unveil the past of the capital city. We will start with a visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace, which was built as the royal palace in 1395, soon after the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) was established. The original Gyeongbokgung Palace was grand in scale with hundreds of intricately-decorated buildings, but was severely damaged with only a few of the architecture and relics preserved. Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, sitting in a lotus pond, is one of the most exquisite buildings in the palace, used for holding banquets and meeting the foreign envoys. Opposite the pavilion is Sujeongjeon Hall, which is of great historical and cultural significance for being the place where Korean language was created. If luckily, you could watch the Changing of the Guard Ceremony, which had been practiced every day over the past hundreds of years. Inside the palace there is also National Folk Museum which showcases what life was like in ancient Korea. You could get an insight into the customs and traditions of Korean people in the Joseon Dynasty, including all the big events of a Korean’s lifetime.

► Tip: The palace closes on every Tuesday, and we will visit Changdeokgung Palace instead if it’s closed.

Follow the guide to take a stroll in Samcheong-dong Street, where tradition and modernity blend with each other. The historic hanok houses along the street are transformed into workshops, tea houses, cafes and restaurants, adding the retro vibe of the scenic place. The nearby Bukchon Hanok Village offers an escape from the busy city. 600 years ago, it served as the residential area of the civil and military officials. These antique houses feature gable walls and tiled roofs, perfect for taking some hanbok photos and stepping back into the ancient times. Although the village is an attractive place for tourists, there are still residents living in the neighborhood, so please try to lower your voice and not to disturb the life of locals. Next, proceed to Insadong Antique Alley, an area with dense artistic atmosphere, brimming with art galleries, antique shops, and art-supply stores. Feast your eyes on the rare antiques and fine artworks, or even come across a traditional performance or exhibition in this paradise of art buffs.

At the end of the day, we’ll go to Cheonggyecheon Stream Park. Cheonggyecheon Stream to Seoul is just like Kamogawa River to Kyoto, flowing as a witness and carrier of the city’s history. The 10-kilometer (6 mi.) river through Seoul has become a refuge for citizens to relax and an unmissable part for visitors to Seoul. Along Cheonggyecheon Stream there are cascades, fountains, statues, and bridges. Cheonggye Plaza is particularly popular for hosting various cultural activities. Take in the cool air and the peaceful view by the riverside. As it’s getting dark, the running water will reflect the radiance of the setting sun and the streetlights.

After that, you’ll be escorted back to the hotel. If you haven’t enjoyed yourself to the full, the guide could send you to Myeongdong Shopping Street, one of the liveliest districts in the downtown. Discover by yourself the wide selection of fashion clothes, skincare and makeup products, high-end stuff, and of course, the incredible street food such as Korean fried chicken, Kimchi tofu hot pot, and Korean BBQ. Don’t hesitate to try whatever you see because Myeongdong will never let you down. Finally, you could return to the hotel on foot.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Fraser Place Namdaemun Seoul (4 stars) or similar

Today, your driver will send you to the airport and see you off there based on your departure flight schedule. Thank you for travelling with us!

► If you want to extend your tour to the historic cities of Gyeongju and Daegu to visit the World Heritage sites Bulguksa Temple and Daereungwon Tomb Complex, or head to China and Japan to uncover the history and culture of the mysterious Oriental countries, please contact us to make an extension for your private itinerary.

Meals: Breakfast