Private tour in Seoul David M
5.0
(3) reviews
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David M.
4.8
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141
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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.
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As of now the most famous area called "Panmunjom JSA" remains closed ever since the Covid Crisis started, but we will visit the extensive Imjin-gak Peace Park in Paju City with many monuments, exhibits and a good view to the North; you can look that up to see its myriad offerings. There is no good public transportation option, and so we will do this by hiring a touring-van with driver for us all. The driving-time is just barely less than an hour each-way on the roads, so we will have just over 2 hours on the site, enough to see all the best parts. I am an expert on the history and can explain everything about why the nation got divided, why the war happened, the dramatic course of the war and its result, and why there has never been a peace treaty and the problem persists to this day (I am not a military expert that can explain specific battles or the difference between one type of tank and another). This will be a 6-hour tour by stopping for lunch, and visiting a great Buddhist temple there too.
0:00 Meet in Seoul, board our van. 2:00 Visit a great little Buddhist temple, the lovely Yongam-sa Buddhist Temple of Paju, featuring a gigantic double-headed medieval carved-cliff statue of Maitreya the Future Buddha, which has a fascinating legend attached! {this might also be at the end} 3:00 Arrive at Imjin-gak Peace Park in Paju City, begin experiencing the many monuments, exhibits and good views to the North, including the famous Freedom Bridge. There is an optional Gondala Ride over the Imjin River ($30 per-person extra cost). having snacks or a lunch at a good Korean restaurant is possible (extra cost), if-desired. 6:00 We get back in our van. 7:00 We arrive back in Seoul. I will be telling colorful stories from academic sources all along the way, about the Division of Korea, the tragic War, the presidents, generals and heroes involved, and the political issues that have prevented re-unification. You will learn so much, and in context!!
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This is a car- or van-with-pro-driver tour.
Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
Your Hotel, or some prominent place anywhere in the city
3 reviews
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