Private tour in Seoul David M
5.0
(2) reviews
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David M.
4.8
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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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This is a unique opportunity to visit Korean Shamanic Shrines and witness their practices; no other guide offers such tours in English. Starting early in the morning from a Seoul train station, we'll ride the bullet-train south for an hour to historic Gongju city, and a scared mountain that was one of the nation's first national parks, with the highest of reputations as a spiritual center. We will visit about ten Shamanic Shrines, old & new, in the foothills of Gyeryong-san National Park, one of Korea's most sacred areas. As the shadows grow long we'll be taken back to the train to get back to Seoul at 18:30 with our hundreds of rare photos. Our guide is a renowned expert on these matters, and will explain all we see. We might encounter some shamans at work, and witness their amazing rituals -- you never know, it's up to chance (as willed by the spirits?)
We will begin with two old shrines in a dramatically-sited deep, narrow stream-gorge, featuring a large waterfall gushing between boulders upon which a half-dozen Shamanic altars stand. The waterfall is believed to be home to the "Golden Dragon Spirit", and there is a Daoist hall in front of it enshrining that theme, and a great Mountain-spirit Shrine across from that. 2nd will be the 250-year-old Royal Mountain-spirit Shrine that still venerates the "Central Peak of the Kingdom", remarkably authentic and the only remaining one. It's just behind the grand historic Spirit Garden Temple, and we'll be guided through its best features; then we'll get a great country-style lunch nearby. Then we'll stroll thru superb views of the holy mountain, and on up the road. The modern Shamanic Shrines are very dense there, and we will just walk from one to the next, our guide showing the best ones, with unique arrangements according to the natural landscapes and an incredible variety of colorful artworks of all the deities!
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KTX high-speed train, and taxis to the initial site; walking after that.
Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
Best to meet is Yongsan Train Station at 06:20 or 7:30, but it can be 6am or 7am at your hotel...
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