Private tour in Seoul David M

Shrines of Benevolent King Mountain

5.0

(5) reviews

-
Hours icon 4 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 4 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

David M.

4.8

Guide rating

141

Reviews

Tours delivered

4 hrs

Avg. response time

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.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message David M.

Overview of your Seoul tour

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!

Recent Reviews

Denise B.
April 2025

We really enjoyed the tour with David. He’s knowledge is huge and the way he is lecturing very engaging. Thank you very much!

Anat R.
November 2024

We had a wonderful trip. David is definitely extremely knowledgable and very enthusiastic to show us around and share his love to Korean history. We managed to see a unique location, off the beaten path, that we would have not be seeing otherwise. David had patience to answer all our questions and add more information and insight, especially since this is his research topic, and an area that is dear to his heart. We are very happy to have had that experience and recommend it to everyone who wants a taste of the less known, less touristic, Seoul!

Allan D.United States
June 2024

David combines a deep knowledge of Korean history and religion with wonderful storytelling abilities and indefatigable energy, which makes for a memorable experience.

LeeAnne P.United States
September 2023

Very informative and well paced! I got to see a side of Korea and Seoul I wouldn't have known existed before this. I hope to one day get to join another tour.

Sun K.United States
July 2014

Great tour! Got to see a shamanic village and was lucky enough to find an actual ceremony happening on the mountain. Copious information, and David was very flexible and accommodating to our wishes. It was very cool to have a guide that could take us to these little known nooks, very off the beaten path. Some of the locals knew him too. Very highly recommended for those who are interested in the shamanic and folk rituals of Korea. Couldn't get a better guide for this tour!

Your Seoul tour itinerary

We meet at your hotel or the Gyeongbok-gung Metro Subway Station. I will show you around Sajik Park, including the Joseon-Dynasty Altars to the Earth and Harvest. Then we will visit the large modern shrine for Korea's Founding-King Dangun just up behind the Park, and learn about his myth and its continuing modern significance. Then we will proceed to walk for about 20 minutes up to the "Benevolent King" temple/shrine complex of Inwang-san, the very rocky mountain just west of the Palace, which has been the most active site of Korean shamanism for thousands of years. We will see the mystic Seon-bawi rocks, the Guksa-dang National Spirit Shrine, several examples of active outdoor shamanic shrines, and stand on top of a giant boulder for one of the best views of Seoul there is. We just might see some live-action Shamanism happening right in front of us - or we may not, you never know! When finished, we walk back down a shorter way.

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Transport details
Type: Public Transportation / Category: Subway

Easy to get there and back by taxi or other public transport; it's very close to downtown. On the mountain, we're just walking... some steep slopes!

What's included
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses.
Public Transportation
Food Drinks Snacks
Meeting location

Seoul, Seoul, South Korea

Gyeongbokgung Subway Station Exit one. Or your hotel or etc.

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
Architecture
History
Nature Wildlife And Safaris
Hiking
Tour reference number
54151
Languages
English
Activity level
High
Accessibility
Kid Friendly

Traveller reviews

5.0

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Seoul best suited for?

This private tour in Seoul is perfect for travellers interested in exploring unique cultural and religious sites that are "truly Korean" and off the beaten path. It's ideal for those who want to learn about Korean Shamanism and Confucian beliefs, as well as enjoy some amazing photo-perfect sights. With David M., a well-known expert on Korean Buddhism and folk-religion traditions, you'll gain deep insights into these fascinating practices.

What should I bring or wear?

Can this private tour in Seoul be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

What languages is this tour offered in?

What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?

Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 4 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 4 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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