5 Days Introduction to Korea Tour

Your driver will meet you once you arrive at Incheon International Airport and take you to your hotel by private mini van. Optional tour: DMZ tour + lunch ($60 USD. Please note visitors who wish to take the DMZ tour need to arrive at their hotel in Seoul by 7:30am. You will stay overnight in Seoul.

You will enjoy breakfast at your hotel and then meet your guide to begin the morning’s tour. The first stop on the tour is Gyeongbokgung Palace (please note, the palace is closed on Tuesdays; you will visit another attraction if the palace is closed during your tour) and the National Folk Museum. Next you will visit the presidential residence of Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House) and then Cheonggyecheon Stream. You have the afternoon free to explore Seoul at your leisure, and then overnight at the hotel.

Today you will have breakfast at the hotel, then your driver will meet you and transfer you to the train station, where you will take the express train to Gyeongju. Your tour guide will meet you at the train station in Gyeongju. This is the ancient capital city of the Silla Dynasty (57 BC - 935 AD) is really like a museum without walls because of all the historical and cultural heritage sites. Here you will visit Bulguksa Temple built during the most glorious period of the dynasty and is one of the best known temples in Korea. The architectural design of the temple is one of constrained dignity, peace and harmony and the temple still remains as one of the remarkable achievements of the ancient Far East region.

You will continue on to Seokguram Grotto , the home of eighth century stone Buddha built during the glorious period of the Silla Dynasty and said to be one of the finest Buddhist shrines in the world. Inside, a serene white statue of a seated Buddha in the sublime state of enlightenment is surrounded by Bodhisattva, disciples and guardians. Both of Bulguksa Temple and Seogulram Grotto are listed as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites. Afterwards, you will visit Gyeongju National Museum, displaying the 23-ton Emille Bell built in 771 AD as well as thousands of priceless treasures.

In the morning you will have breakfast at your hotel and then meet with your tour guide and transfer to Busan. On today’s tour you will visit the United Nations cemetery, the International Market, and Yongdusan and Taejongdae parks, favorite places for local Busan residents.

You will pass by Jagalchi Fish Market, Korea's largest seafood market, built after the Korean War and which represents the lifestyle of the local people in Busan. Here you can eat fresh raw fish right at the market where all kind of seafood are on display and for sale on ice or in aquariums.