I am an American citizen who has lived in South Korea since 1982, exploring it myself, leading tours, working in its tourism field and writing about its history & culture. For jobs, I have mostly served as a Professor of Korean Cultural Tourism at leading universities in Seoul.

My main passion remains continuous discovery of the beautiful Korean mountains, and the spirituality going on in them -- and showing and explaining the best of Korea's assets to others!

I truly enjoy living here, and people respond that the enthusiasm shows and is infectious.

Having guided more than 700 tours in Seoul and the rest of Korea, for an astonishing variety of people, I think that I know pretty well how to create excellent memorable experiences for whatever your particular interests are. Especially if you're looking for deep learning-experience of cultural, spiritual, religious and historical sites/events, I'm your guy!

I'd be glad to show you around for a half-day (3-4 hrs), or a full day, or several days. Anything you need is possible, from just 1 hour at a nearby temple to overnight expeditions in wonderful areas outside of Seoul. Meals at great Korean restaurants can be included before or after the walk, or a visit to a charming traditional tea-house. I can pick you up at your hotel or meet you at an easy designated place, and we'll go from there, until you're satisfied and safely back.

From 2001 I worked for the national Ministry of Culture and Tourism in various positions as a Tourism Marketing and New Programs Consultant for five years, gaining a lot of valuable knowledge and experience. I was an adviser to the authorities on cultural tourism for the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup and the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

I helped to design and launch the famous "Buddhist TempleStay" program. We can do one of those together if you like -- half-day, 24 hrs or 48 hrs. Or simply visit one of the best temples to see and learn about its artworks, views and history.

I earned a Masters' Degree in the History of Korean Religions from Yonsei University in 1997. This led to my career as a teacher, speaker, writer and guide on the religious character of Korea's mountains, which goes ever-onward.

I have published ten books on Korean culture and tourism, including the 1996 edition of the Lonely Planet KOREA guidebook. The most-famous of my books was "Spirit of the Mountains" (1999) about Korea's deep and varied traditions of veneration of mountains. My 9th in 2014 was the 600-page English Encyclopedia of Korean Buddhism, and my 10th in 2016 was a biography of Korea's greatest ancient Sage.

Tour Guide in Korea for 25 years, for many organizations and individuals, up to VIP-level.
17 years as a Professor of Korean Cultural Tourism at two of the nation's top university Tourism departments.
Have written 10 books and many academic & popular-media articles about Korea's traditional spiritual culture, sites, mountains and tourism.
Master's Degree in the History of Korean Religions.
National Honorary Ambassador of Korea's main mountain-system.
Consultant to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
popular public speaker on all these matters.

I do not have a car in Korea, do not drive. I can arrange for a mini-bus or taxi if you wish, at extra expense. Otherwise we will use the cheap taxis that are easy to catch, and Korea's excellent and fast system of subway trains, and buses, together.

In my office with Korean tea-set, 15 years ago...

May 2023, explaining what this carving means.

This tour will cover the best of the amazing relics of the Shilla Kingdom in Gyeongju, Korea's ancient capital and primary tourist destination. We will experience some of the worlds best Buddhist art!

Many designated National Treasures are included. You options include Bulguk-sa the Buddha-Nation Temple, Seokgur-am Grotto Shrine-Hermitage (Seokkulam), Mt. Nam-san covered with ancient statues, pagodas and carvings; the National Museum featuring the Gold Crowns and the great Emille Bell, Cheomseongdae Astronomy Tower, the Royal Tombs Park, Yangdong Confucian Aristocratic Village, Oksan Seowon Neo-Confucian Academy, Anapji Pavilion-Pond (Donggung), and much more. . .

Great meals at Korean restaurants can be included.

Gyeongju extra afternoon for David Vizel

To be frank, I don't recommend day trips to the DMZ these days, even though they have been a long been a popular feature of Korean tourism. The most important part of it, the JSA, remains off-limits due to North Korean policy, and anyway most of what you see is just barbed wire fences and various monuments; a trip there does not give insight into North Korea nor about the 1950-53 war. The long trip driving up there and then back is not really worth your precious time during a short visit. There is a very good alternative, which is this gigantic compound in the middle of Seoul -- a large museum all about the Korean war and sprawling outdoor display of actual weaponry from that era. There is not a lot of explanation in English, but I can guide you expertly through the exhibits, giving you a deeper understanding of what happened (and is still going on) in a very convenient location.

Korean War Museum Memorial for BC

Would you like to see some sites that are "truly Korean" and yet quite unusual? This tour is entirely "off the beaten path" but is also right on a corner of downtown Seoul.

It includes Inwang-san [Benevolent King Mtn], Seoul's center of Shamanic shrines and practice, and an interesting park with relics of the Joseon Dynasty's royal Neo-Confucian heritage. These are rarely-seen yet fascinating sites overlooking the busy modern centers of financial and government power.

Our walking-tour will conveniently meet and finish at Metro subway stations. As the shrines are built on a very steep slope, some uphill walking is necessary on cement stairways, roads and paths; but it's worth it! This tour can meet on any day at any time at the Station, or I can pick you up at your hotel.

I am a well-known expert on both Korean Buddhism and Korea's folk-religion traditions, and will give a fascinating tour! You will learn a lot about both Confucian & Shamanic beliefs & practices, and see some amazing photo-perfect sights!

Tour guide in Seoul David M.

Korean, English

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