Classic South Korea with DMZ & Jeju Island

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival, Seoul

  Touching down at the Inchon airport, you will be greeted by your driver and transferred to your hotel for checking in. The rest of the day is yours to recover from jet lag.

  Seoul

• Day 2: Seoul Highlights Tour

  Meet your guide at the hotel lobby and commence the exploration today at the magnificent Gyeongbokgung Palace, the principal palace of the last dynasty Joseon that ruled Korea. Wander around to appreciate the fantastic architecture and travel hundreds of years back to the country's ancient times. There you may also witness the guard changing ceremony and take photos with the guards in traditional garb. Within the grounds of the Gyeongbokgung, you can easily find the National Folk Museum, a showcase of ancient Korean people's daily lives. Your next stop Bukchon Hanok Village is a nice retreat in the middle of the busy city. Hundreds of traditional Korean houses Hanoks are located on the top of a hill in the quaint village. After a mooch around the residential area, mix with city residents in the bustling neighborhood of Insadong, and savor traditional Korean snacks at Gwangjang Market.

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• Day 3: Korean DMZ and JSA (Panmunjom)

  Have a join-in bus tour to explore the Korean DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) and Joint Security Area (Panmunjom). You will be picked up at an appointed place in the morning and taken to visit one of the world's most sensitive borders. The adventure today includes Imjingak Park, Freedom Bridge, The Third Tunnel, Dora Observatory, Dorasan Station, Camp Bonifas (Slide show and Briefing), Freedom House, Conference Room, and Bridge of No Return. Be dropped off in downtown Seoul after the tour.

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• Day 4: Seoul - Andong - Daegu by Car

  Leave Seoul behind and drive forward to Andong, known as a treasure house of Korean cultural heritage. Your first stop is Andong Hahoe Folk Village, a representative of Hanok villages that preserves Joseon period-style architecture and folk traditions. In the tranquil and beautiful village, remember to enjoy the fascinating Mask Dance Performance. Byeongsan Seowon literally is a serene place to be away from hustle and bustle. The architecture of this prestigious old academy is nestled in nature, creating a wonderful landscape in perfect harmony with its surroundings.

  After the tour in Andong, you will be transferred to Daegu by private vehicle.

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• Day 5: Daegu to Gyeongju by Car

  Relax and enjoy the fresh morning at Daegu Arboretum, home to more than 1,000 varieties of beautiful trees, flowers and medicinal herbs. Walking on the paved pathways and seeing the lush and green vegetation you can hardly imagine it's a reclaimed landfill with millions of tons of garbage stored. Stunningly standing in the middle of a forest near Daegu, the prestigious Haeinsa Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that cannot be missed. It is well-known for being the home of the Tripitaka Koreana, the most complete collection of Buddhist scriptures engraved on more than 81,000 woodblocks with over 52 million characters.

  In the afternoon, transfer to Gyeongju, which is often referred to as "the museum without walls" for it was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla.

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• Day 6: Gyeongju to Busan by Car

  The Gyeongju discovery today includes the Daereungwon Tomb Complex, huge tumuli park with nice scenery and tombs of the kings and royals of the Silla period; Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, where royal families relaxed and enjoyed themselves; Cheomseongdae Observatory, the oldest survival star observatory in Asia; Gyeongju National Museum, a must-visit of Gyeongju with an excellent range of Silla-era treasures on display; Bulguksa Temple, an example of the golden age of Buddhist art in the Silla kingdom; and Seokguram Grotto, a heritage site with the statue of a big Buddha inside a temple and a wonderful view of the surrounding sites seen from the mountain top there.

  After the tour, you will be taken onward to Busan, a famous port city located in the southeast of the country.

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• Day 7: Busan Tour, Fly to Jeju Island

  Start the fresh day from Yongdusan Park, to immerse yourself in a peaceful and calm corner of the bustling city, and have a bird's eye view of the city at Busan Tower in the park. Be amazed by the dazzling fresh seafood at the Jagalchi Market, the largest fish market in South Korea at present. Change your tempo to Taejongdae Park, a waterfront park noted for its gorgeous coastline, spectacular cliffs and lush forests. Different from most of the temples in Korea that sit on mountains, Haedong Yonggungsa is located by the sea. Round off by visiting this serene temple on the edge of a cliff.

  Board a flight to Jeju Island, a charming volcanic island located off the southwest coast.

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• Day 8: Jeju Island Highlights Tour

  Diverse attractions can be explored on Jeju Island, but some people claim that better sights await under the ocean waters. This morning you will take an exciting 90-minute Seogwipo Submarine to find the fantastic sceneries underwater.

  In the afternoon, take a stroll in the Jeju Folk Village, a museum depicting life in a traditional Korean village where you can peep into the lifestyle of Jeju in the past. Move your steps to Sangumburi Crater, and be rewarded with a beautiful view of the flat crater and surrounding area, especially the field of silver grass if you're there in the right season. Just like a jewel set on Jeju Island, Seongsan Ilchulbong provides visitors with breathtaking views of the vast ocean, blue sky and green mountain. Remember to have your camera ready for great pictures.

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• Day 9: Jeju Island to Seoul by Flight, Seoul Departure

  After breakfast, you will be transferred to Jeju domestic airport for your flight to Seoul. Upon arrival at Gimpo airport in Seoul, you can take a taxi to Incheon airport for your international flight home.

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