Namdaemun Market

Discover the city highlights and secret alleys of Seoul with a professional guide. For the morning tour, meet at City Hall Station then walk to Gyeongbokgung Palace. Watch the changing ceremony of royal guards and learn the 500-year history of the Joseon Dynasty. Stop at the National Folk Museum of Korea, located within the palace. See over 98,000 artifacts and understand the daily lives of Koreans during the Joseon dynasty.   The next stop is Bukchon Hanok Village for walk through Samcheongdong Alley. Admire the traditional houses and see how old and new coexists within the city. The morning tour ends at the Insadong area, a perfect place to shop for souvenirs. You can ask your guide for recommendations. With the full-day option, lunch will be included, and the tour will continue afterwards.

By car, explore Seoul in-depth, visiting sites such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, Cheongwadae (Blue House), Bukchon Hanok Village, and Gwangjang Market. Our guided car tour will allow you to discover Seoul's top attractions with the utmost efficiency and convenience. Tours last 4 hours in the morning. (If requested separately, afternoon tours can also be arranged.) [Tour Course] - Gyeongbokgung (Palace) : Gyeongbok Palace, the inaugural and grandest among the royal palaces constructed during the Joseon Dynasty, encapsulates 500 years of historical tales from Seoul. Immerse yourself in the narratives of the city's past and step into the role of the main character at Gyeongbok Palace. - Cheongwadae (Blue house): Explore the Blue House, the former office and residence of South Korean presidents, gaining a glimpse into its interior. - Bukchon Hanok Village : During the Joseon Dynasty, Bukchon was situated in the upper neighborhood of Cheonggyecheon and Jongno. The alley on the hill is adorned with hanoks on both sides, forming a serene and vintage panorama that evokes Seoul's rich historical past. - Gwangjang Market : Established as Korea's initial permanent market, Gwangjang Market remains a vibrant tourist hotspot to this day. The term "Gwangjang" translates to "to gather from afar and keep altogether," reflecting its enduring appeal and tradition. For any specific scheduling requirements or special requests, kindly reach out to us prior to making your booking. Our tours can be personalized to cover various regions across Korea, extending beyond Seoul.

To start your adventure, you will head to the Changdeokgung palace; the name itself meaning "to brighten virtue." Changdeokgung is Korea's most successfully preserved palace and a UNESCO world heritage site. *Changdeokgung Palace will be replaced to Jongmyo Shrine on Monday as it is closed on Monday. Explore the Insadong antique shop alley, to experience the traditional culture of Korea in the heart of the city. With art galleries, traditional craft stores, antique art dealers, traditional tea houses and restaurants, this street cannot be missed. Then make your way to Namsangol Hanok village located between the tall buildings in the middle of a normal city scene. This village has 5 restored traditional Korean houses, a pavilion, a pond and a time capsule as well, making it a perfect spot to take a leisure walk. On the grounds you can try traditional games such as: neolttwigi (seesaw jumping), tuhonori (arrow throwing) and yutnori (traditional board game).  Afterwards you will visit Namdaemun gate (Sungnyemun or South gate) and walk in and admire the gate. Next, visit Namdaemun market, which dates back to the Joseon Dynasty. This open-air market is just a few minutes from Seoul’s ancient Namdaemun gate (Sungnyemun or South gate). It is close to the downtown area and a number of deluxe hotels, and boasts an impressive selection of merchandise.  At the end of the tour, you will visit Cheongha Korea Ginseng. Ginseng is first mentioned in “Ji Jiu Zhang” during Han dynasty of China as herb used widely in the orient for so many diseases and ailments. It is a plant which had been regarded as a panacea, a cure all. In the studies, Korean ginseng shows best performances in adaptogenic properties. After all the tour finished, you will be dropped off at Myeongdong or City hall subway station Itinerary: • 13:00 in front of the front desk (1 Floor) of Lotte Hotel Seoul (30 eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul) • [UNESCO] Changdeokgung Palace (Jongmyo Royal Shrine on Mondays) • Insadong antique shop alley • Namsangol hanok village (Monday: Bukchon hanok village) • Sungnyemun gate (outside of the Sungnyemun gate on Mondays) • Namdaemun market • Cheongha Korea Ginseng • 17:00 Drop off at Myeongdong or City hall subway station

Namdaemun is the largest of Seoul’s traditional markets ! Namdaemun Market has become a particularly popular destination among foodies drawn to the sights, smells and flavours of its sprawling food streets. Among them, three are not to be missed: Foodie Alley, a stretch of vendors offering classic Korean staples and street-food favourites; Kalguksu Alley, a street comprised of restaurants specialising in hand-cut noodles and Galchi Jorim, a road dedicated to braised hairtail fish stew, a dish invented at the market. Korean food export tell you about street food also you can learn about Korean culture as well This tour no mandatory shopping shopping and Tipping Meet guide at exit5 Haehyeon St. street food tasting(Noodle Soup,Dumplings,twisted bread stick,Skewered fish cake) Food Alley story

Start the day with hotel pickup and meet your local guide to start exploring Seoul's best cultural highlights. The first stop on the itinerary is the Blue House, also known as 'Cheongwadae,' which serves as the official residence of the President of South Korea. Don't forget to capture a memorable souvenir photo in front of this iconic landmark. Gyeongbokgung palace is the oldest palace of the Joseon Dynasty, built in 1394 as the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty by its founder King Taejo, it's the most comprehensive and grandest of the five palaces of the period. The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is a great opportunity to experience a rare traditional scene in Korea. Be sure to bring a camera to take lots of pictures. Admire the guards’ costumes with brilliant primary colors. (As Gyeongbokgung palace is closed on Tuesdays, it will be replaced with a tour of Deoksugung palace on Tuesdays.) The next stop is Cheongha Korea Ginseng. Ginseng is first mentioned in “Ji Jiu Zhang” during Han dynasty of China as herb used widely in the orient for so many diseases and ailments. It is a plant which had been regarded as a panacea, a cure all. In the studies, Korean ginseng shows best performances in adaptogenic properties. After great Bibimbab lunch, you will visit Changdeokgung Palace which was used as the main palace by many Joseon Kings and is very well preserved. The palace was registered with UNESCO in 1997. (You'll visit Jongmyo Royal Shrine instead on Mondays) Continue the cultural journey at Insadong Antique Shop Alley, a vibrant street lined with art galleries, traditional tea houses, and antique shops. Discover unique souvenirs and traditional crafts Namsangol Hanok Village stands out between tall buildings in the middle of the city with its five restored traditional Korean houses, a pavilion, a pond, and a time capsule. (You will visit to Bukchon Hanok Village instead on Mondays) Now we will visit one of a symbol of Seoul's historical significance. Sungnyemun gate, also known as Namdaemun gate, is one of the Eight Gates in the Fortress Wall of Seoul. Take memorable photos of one of the gates that surrounded the city. (Outside only on Mondays) And then let's enjoy the Namdaemun Market! It is one of the oldest and largest open-air traditional markets in Seoul. Explore a wide array of goods, including clothing, accessories, souvenirs, and delicious street food. *Three main meals of the photos are included only in 3 main meal option. Finally, the tour will conclude with a drop-off at either Myeongdong or City Hall, depending on your preference.

Take this private 4-hour walking tour to explore Seoul at your own pace with a customized itinerary. Select where you want to go and plan your route with your guide. Scope out the best places to visit during your stay, learn how to get into top restaurants and learn how to navigate the transport system. For history lovers, visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, Samcheongdong, and Insadong. If you are more interested in the modern aspects of the city, go to Gangnam district, COEX, and relax by the Han River. For shoppers, visiting Myeongdong and Namdaemun Market is highly recommended.

Visit Seoul in an original way by joining our food tour. With the theme of Korean street food, we made a selection of places that you might not have found on your own or in guides. During the food tour, you will have 5-6 very qualitative and gourmet tastings. After the street food, the visit will go through a stopover in a typical Korean restaurant where we will offer an even more generous tasting. Our food tour was born from a meeting between a French tourist who has a food tour business and her apartment rental host. We had a real friendly crush and we wanted to work together on this project. Our goal is to show you Seoul as we experienced it together! Since then, we were joined by an other guide who speaks French and English. Attention please! The tour isn't a historical tour but a food tour, we're here to eat and discover fabulous food together :)

Namdaemun Market is Seoul's largest traditional market, with more than 10,000 vendors. So you'll taste the most popular market foods that the local merchants love like Kalguksu (knife-cut noodle), Wang Mandu (a huge dumpling), Hotteok (deep fried dough filled with brown sugar), Gimbab (rice seaweed roll), Tteokbokki (spicy rice cake) ect. Follow a well-planned route to savor authentic local market eateries, meet the Market’s lively characters and hear their memorable stories, and also see the marvelous and beautiful traditional Korean architecture. Whether you are solo traveler or groups, we'll ensure to make you have a fun and an unforgettable experience here in South Korea.

You will meet your guide at designated point, Lotte Hotel Seoul for this small group Seoul tour. On your way to see the first attraction, The Blue House called as Cheongwadae and see into The Blue House, the executive office and official residence of the South Korean head of state, the President of the Republic of Korea. The Blue House is, in fact, a complex of buildings, built largely in the traditional Korean architectural style with some modern elements. One of the highlights of this tour is a Royal Guard Changing Ceremony. It is a great opportunity to experience a rare traditional scene in Korea. Be sure to bring a camera to take pictures. Afterwards, you will continue to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of the 5 grand palaces built by the Joseon dynasty. The government ministry district and main buildings of Gyeongbokgung Palace formed the heart of the capital city of Seoul and represented the sovereignty of the Joseon Dynasty. The architectural principles of ancient China were harmoniously incorporated into both the tradition and the appearance of the Joseon royal court. * Gyeongbokgung palace will replaced to Deoksugung palace on Tuesday, as Gyeongbokgung palace is closed on Tuesday. Later visit Cheongha Korea Ginseng. Ginseng is first mentioned in “Ji Jiu Zhang” during Han dynasty of China as herb used widely in the orient for so many diseases and ailments. It is a plant which had been regarded as a panacea, a cure all. In the studies, Korean ginseng shows best performances in adaptogenic properties. At the end of this tour, you will be dropped-off at Myeongdong Lotte Hotel or Namdaemun market finally. Itinerary: • Visiting the Blue House ‘Cheongwadae’. • Gyeongbokgung Palace, The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (Only Deoksugung Palace on Tuesday) • Cheongha Korea Ginseng • 12:00 Drop off at Myeongdong Lotte Hotel or Namdaemun Market

9:00am to 6:00pm (9hours) Pick up at your hotel. (9:00 am) → Jogyesa Temple → Gyeongbokgung Palace (The ceremony of royal guard rotation) → Insadong antique shop alley → Bukchon hanok village → Namsan N Seoul Tower (Cable car & Observatory) → Namdaemun Traditional Market → Drop at your hotel. (6:00 pm) (or We can drop you off wherever you want in Seoul). . * Depending on the traffic conditions on the road on the day you travel, the time required may vary slightly from the expected schedule. . . 1. Jogyesa Temple. : Jogyesa Temple plays an important role in Korean Buddhism as the head temple of the Jogye order. Jogyesa Temple’s Dharma Hall serves as the main venue for several Buddhist events, holding rituals, lectures, ceremonies, and other events all year long. The annual lantern festival in celebration of Buddha's birthday also takes place at this temple. 2. Gyeongbokgung Palace. : Gyeongbokgung Palace is the largest of all five palaces in seoul. The Palace was built as the official palace of the Joseon dynasty by the founder of the new regime. Many Joseon kings were crowned here. The Palace retains the original Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, a prime example of Joseon architecture, and the Hyangwonjeong Pavilion and pond. * Closed on Tuesday (replaced by "Changdeokgung or Deoksugung Palace") * The ceremony of royal guard rotation) : Twice a day (10:00, 14:00) , 20 minutes. The event is not held on holidays (every Tuesday) and on days of severe cold and hot weather. 3. Insadong Antique shop alley. : Insadong Cultural Street is a popular tourist destination. There are art galleries, korean restaurants, traditional teahouses, and street vendors lining the streets. Its most recognizable feature is the use of 'Hangeul' (Korean script) in storefronts 4. Bukchon Hanok Village : Surrounded by Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine, Bukchon Hanok Village is home to hundreds of traditional houses, called “hanok”, that date back to the Joseon dynasty. Today, many of these hanoks operate as cultural centers, guesthouses, restaurants and tea houses, providing visitors with an opportunity to experience, learn and immerse themselves in traditional Korean culture. 5. N Seoul Tower : Namsan is in the center of Seoul city. The Namsan N Seoul tower has served as a landmark of Korea and a representative tourist attraction for the past 40 years. The Tower’s Observatory offers an unobstructed view of the whole city. And The aerial lift(called 'cable car) transferring passengers from the foot of the mountain to the base of the tower. (Shuttle buses are also available, but we can’t go to the tower by private car.) 6. Namdaemun Traditional Market : Namdaemun Market is the largest traditional market in Korea with shops selling various goods for the past 60 years. Products are sold at affordable prices as wholesale markets .The market is even open overnight, from 23:00 to 04:00, and is crowded with retailers from all over the country.