Private tour in Seoul David M
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David M.
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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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Jeonju is one of Korea’s most fascinating and picturesque cities, as the well-preserved hometown of the “Grand Founder” of the Joseon Dynasty with many important historic sites centered around the famous Hanok Village – a big neighborhood of traditional Korean wooden buildings. This tour is a great opportunity for you to experience the best sites of Jeonju, and eat the very best meal of its celebrated traditional cuisine, guided by an American academic expert on Korean cultural history. This is accomplished by doing a roundtrip on Korea’s KTX bullet train, leaving Seoul early in the morning and returning in the early evening – extremely efficient! The train takes about 90 minutes, and you can eat breakfast on it if you wish. We will begin at a very charming traditional pavilion overlooking the river from a rocky cliff. It’s a short walk from there down to Jeonju Hyanggyo, the very important Neo-Confucian private academy-complex with several original buildings surrounded by huge ginkgo trees.
After the 1404 Hanbyeok-dangru Pavilion and the Jeonju Hyanggyo, we stroll up to the Omok-dae hilltop lookout to get great views over the famous Hanok Village. Then we stop by Jeondong Cathedral, a stark contrast to the old Joseon architecture, captivating in its complex soaring design and statues of Korean Catholic martyrs. Right across the street we pass through the grand gate and walk through the 1410 Gyeonggi-jeon Shrine with Royal Portrait Museum. Then lunch at the Hanguk-jip, the oldest restaurant for bibim-bap, one of the most popular dishes of Korean cuisine. We will then stroll all-through the Jeonju Hanok Village, getting views of the traditional houses in their narrow alleyways, and visiting some of the many interesting places there, such as cultural art exhibits, a mulberry paper studio, and charming themed cafes. We will taxi back to the main station and ride the bullet-train back to Seoul, arriving whenever you wish. KTX Train Tickets are NOT included in the price, you must pay those extra.
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KTX Bullet Train, a couple of taxi rides, and mostly just walking.
Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
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