Spectacular South Korea 12 Days | Starts/Ends: Seoul
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TRIP NOTES Spectacular South Korea 12 days | Starts/Ends: Seoul PRIVATE TOUR: South Korea is • UNESCO Listed Seokguram Grotto - • Touring of Seoul, Jeonju, rich in tradition, culture and natural one of Asia's finest Buddhist shrines and Boseong,Namhae, Busan, Suncheon, beauty. Starting in the nation’s Bulguksa Temple Gyeongju, Yeongju • Jeonju Hanok Village, home to 700 bustling capital, Seoul, travel south traditional Korean homes What's Not Included through the rolling tea plantations • Boesong - stunning mountains and rolling • International flights and visa of Boesong to the ‘Treasure Island’ green hills of tea plantations • Tipping - an entirely personal gesture of Namhae and bustling port city • Suncheonman Bay - 40 kilometres of stunning wetlands Busan, before exploring ancient DETAILED ITINERARY • Gyeongju and the spectacular Jeonju - home to the Gyeonggijeon Shrine towering granite peaks of Mount Day 1 : Seoul • Namhae - known as the ‘treasure island of Upon arrival in Seoul you will be met by Seoraksan. Discover the wonders Korea’ our representative at Incheon International of South Korea in 12 memorable • The Sosuseowon Confucian School, Airport and transferred to your hotel. Day 1 is the first private Confucian academy days! designed as an arrival day, rest of the day at established in Korea leisure. • Mt.Seoraksan National Park - with HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS towering granite peaks and lush green Day 2 : Seoul Sightseeing Trip Highlights valleys • Seoul - the nations captivating capital; What's Included Gyeongbokgung Palace, National Folk • 11 nights 3 star hotels (4 & 5 star upgrade Museum, Jogyesa Temple, Insadong available, please enquire) Antique Alley, Cheonggycheon Stream • Breakfast daily and Seoul Tower • Airport arrival and departure transfer on • Busan - South Korea's principal port city day 1 and 12 and the Kukje Fish Market • Services of an English speaking guide/ • Gyeongju - former capital of the Silla driver for all scheduled sightseeing Kingdom and historic heart of the nation; • All entrance fees as per the itinerary Today is spent visiting Seoul’s most Gyeongju National Museum, Tumuli Park • All transfers and tranportation in private famous landmarks, this morning we see and the Silla royal tombs, Anapji Pond, air conditioned vehicles Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of the the ancient Cheomseongdae Observatory “Five Grand Palaces” built by the last Korean Dynasty, the Joseon Dynasty. Within the Palace grounds visit Jogyesa Temple Spectacular South Korea - 12 days updated on 26-09-2021 07:42:12 www.onthegotours.com This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday. Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to UK 020 7371 1113 [email protected] this itinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa AUS 1300 855 684 [email protected] requirements are subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours. NZ 0800 44 77 69 CAN 1 866 890 7038 - 1 - USA 1 866 606 2960 SA 0800 990 311 TRIP NOTES Spectacular South Korea dedicated to Buddhism and still influential Day 4 : Boseong and 57BC – 935AD, Gyeongju is a living history today. We also learn more of Korean culture, Suncheon museum containing archaeological sites of tradition and history at the National Folk the Silla Kingdom as well as ancient relics Museum also situated in the grounds of the pertaining to Buddhism, the national religion palace. at the time. During the afternoon you will visit the UNESCO listed temples of Bulguska Afterwards we stop at Insadong, “dong” including the Seokguram Grotto, one of Asia’s meaning neighbourhood or district, the finest Buddhist shrines, resting 750 metres picturesque Cheonggycheon stream runs above sea level and looking out over the along the main street and divides what Sea of Japan, it is considered to contain one were once two villages, “In” and “Sa”, which of the best Buddhist sculptures in the world. have now combined as one. The area Overnight - Gyeongju (B) Today tour Boesong with its stunning has a traditional atmosphere and represents Day 7 : Gyeongju sightseeing Korean culture both past and present with mountains, the Boseong River flowing a mixture of modern and historical buildings through the centre and the rolling green hills and alleys. This afternoon take the chance to of tea plantations famous for its green tea of explore the many antique, craft and pottery supreme quality. Before visiting picturesque shops as well as traditional restaurants and Seonamsa Temple at the western end of teahouses. If time permits you will also have Mount Jogyesan with its beautiful arch the opportunity to visit an amethyst or ginseng bridges then continuing to Suncheonman specialist. Evening at leisure. Bay, the ecological capital of South Korea Overnight - Seoul (B) and part of the United Nations Environment Programme, the UNEP. A 40 kilometre long wetland with its vast fields of reeds makes Day 3 : Jeonju Located in the North Gyeongsang province for a spectacular landscape. Onwards to Today travel Southwest towards Jeonju the and once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Gwangyang where you will spend the night. capital of Jeollabuk-do province situated Silla,Gyeongju which ruled most of the Korean Overnight - Gwanyang (B) in the fertile Honam Plain famous for its Peninsula during the 7th till 9th Centuries, quality produce, especially its exceptional Day 5 : Namhae many remnants remain of this period leading strawberries, as well as being rich in tradition to the city being known as “the museum Leaving Gwangyang travel along the coastline and culture. In the afternoon explore Jeonju without walls”. An afternoon tour of Gyeongju to Namhae, known as the ‘treasure island Hanok Village, home to 700 traditional Korean takes you to Tumuli Park to visit some of the of Korea’. Connected to the mainland by homes built from clay, wood and stone, large and small tombs from the Silla period a 660 metre long and 80 metre high a rarity in today’s South Korea. Many are including that of King Michu, the 13th King of suspension bridge giving an impressive view still residential properties while others have the dynasty famed for fending off invaders. of the surrounding landscape. In Namhae been converted into guesthouses, museums, Legends even tell of soldiers with bamboo visit Daraengi Village with its 108 terraces galleries and teahouses. leaves stuffed in their ears arising from his of rice patties covering the hillside and the tomb to fend off invaders after his death, German village. Built in the style of German Jeonju is also home to the Gyeonggijeon explaining why his tomb is known as the architecture and even using German materials Shrine in honour of King Taejo the founder “Bamboo Soldier Tomb”. imported from Germany. The village was built of the Joseon Dynasty as well as Jeondong for German - Koreans who had moved to Catholic Church built in 1914 in a western-style Germany in the 1960’s seeking work and since Also once part of the ancient Silla complex cathedral design and the largest such western returned. Continue to Busan for the night. is Anapji Pond, an immense oval shaped style structure in the province. Later depart for Overnight - Busan (B) man made pond measuring 200 metres from Gwangju where you will spend the night. east to west and 180 metres from north Overnight - Gwangju (B) Day 6 : Busan to south. During renovations to the area A morning tour of Busan takes in the Busan in the 1970’s and 80’s many relics were Tower in Yongdusan Park and provides unearthed and are today housed in the perfect views of the entire city. See the vivid Gyeongju National Museum alongside the life of the Jagalchi Fish Market as locals Emille Bell, with its shady legend, is the largest haggle with the fishermen selling their fresh extant bell in Korea. Later we visit the oldest catch before you depart for Gyeongju. Serving surviving observatory in East Asia and one of as the capital of the Silla Kingdom from the world’s oldest scientific installations still Spectacular South Korea - 12 days updated on 26-09-2021 07:42:12 www.onthegotours.com This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday. Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to UK 020 7371 1113 [email protected] this itinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa AUS 1300 855 684 [email protected] requirements are subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours. NZ 0800 44 77 69 CAN 1 866 890 7038 - 2 - USA 1 866 606 2960 SA 0800 990 311 TRIP NOTES Spectacular South Korea in existence, Cheomseongdae Observatory. Travelling along the beautiful coastline We recognise any vaccine that has been Evening at leisure. to Mount Seoraksan we stop en-route authorised for use in the country where Overnight - Gyeongju (B) at Unification Park wher you can see the vaccine was administered. This includes the salvaged remains of a North Korean vaccines such as AstraZeneca, Covaxin, Day 8 : Yeongju submarine which was wrecked off the coast in Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Pfizer- 1996 before making our final stop for the day BioNtech, Sinopharm, Sinovac and Sputnik. at Daepo Port, one of the finest places to find the freshest fish and seafood restaurants.