Private Tour from Busan to Seoul: Explore Gyeongju, Tongyeong, and Boseong

BUSAN Highlight Tour with Food tasting

Hotel pickup in Busan.
Proceed to Busan city tour of Gamcheon village first of all.
Gamcheon Culture Village is consisted of houses built in staircase-fashion on the foothills of a coastal mountain, this village was originally made by war refugees for their settlement. In 2000's, the city government of Busan launched maintenance and revitalization project in the area, bringing vibrant murals and sculptures into the meandering alleys of this town. The success of the city projects earned this village the nickname "Machu Picchu of Busan."

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is situated on the coast of north-eastern Busan. While most temples in Korea are located in the mountains, this temple has found its charming location along the shore line.

The main sanctuary of the temple was reconstructed in 1970 with careful attention paid to the colors that were traditionally used in such structures. On the right-hand side, inside the a cave, is a uniquely designed Buddhist sanctum.

Other special sites at the temple are four lion statues, the 108 stairs, and stone lanterns lining the rocky landscape. Midway down the 108 steps one can pause and enjoy the calming sounds of the waves, and view the majestic sunrise.

The 72.5 meters long and 20 meters high observatory in the shape of a blue dragon stretches out impressively over the ocean. Visitors are able to see the ocean under their feet from the transparent glass floor for the thrilling experience of walking on the sea.

Korean war was the only war in history where United Nations was involved together. This modest piece of land owned by the U.N. is a burial ground for United Nations Command(UNC) casualties of the Korean War. It contains 2,300 graves and is the only United Nations cemetery in the world.

Busan Tower is one of the most famous landmarks in Busan. You can see the entire metropolis glimmering below as you walk around the top deck! This landmark tower offers a 360 degree view of Busan.

Busan's Bupyeong Market is also known as Kkangtong (tin can) Market. It earned that funny name when it had a variety of imported canned goods from the United States for the US forces stationed in Korea during the Korean War. It was also known as "Dottegi (bustling plea) Market." All foreign products found in the country at that time were supplied from this market. Due to its vast property and many rare goods that were hard to find anywhere else during the time, it was also referred as "Gukje (International) Market." Nowadays, the market has reduced in size as many foreign products are freely imported, but the reputation and potential still remain. Some imported goods including liquor, clothes, ornaments, accessories, fashion items and electronic goods are still sold here.

> Included Food tasting at Gukje market or Bupyeong Kkangtong market - spicy rice cake & crispy fried squid and fried chicken(Gukje Tongdak) and Dessert is Stir-fried ice cream etc.

-Dinner with Korean barbecued pork belly
and Food tasting at Market

5star hotel in Busan : Busan Lotte Hotel or similar

BUSAN - GYEONGJU UNESCO World Heritage Tour - BUSAN

Seokguram, located in Tohamsan Mountain, is the representative stone temple of Korea. This valuable grotto has been kept intact for over 1,200 years, thanks to its design that facilitates natural ventilation and humidity control. Cold spring water was designed to flow beneath the structure, settling down any moisture that formed in the grotto towards the floor.

Bulguksa Temple is an absolute historic jewel of the Silla Capital Gyeongju, also inscribed as a UNESCO Heritage of the World. It's a temple where one can discover sophisticated masonry skills of the era from its stairs, bridges, and pagodas.

Cheomseongdae is the oldest existing astronomical observatory in Asia. Constructed during the reign of Queen Seon-deok, it was used to observe stars in order to forecast the weather. This stone structure is a beautiful combination of straight lines and curves, built in a shape of a cylinder.

Gyeongju Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond were the secondary palace site which was used for the palace of the Crown Prince along with other subsidiary buildings. It was also a banquet site for important national event and important visitors.

5star hotel in Busan : Busan Lotte Hotel or similar

BUSAN - Day tour in Tongyeong + Oedo-Botania Island with Haegeumgang in Geoje

Pick up from hotel and head to Tongyeong ( 2hours )
The locals know it as the ‘Napoli of Asia’, as many harbourside hotels, cafes and shops will attest. It is famed among Korea for its seafood, particularly oysters, and is a top holiday destination for Koreans.

You will ride Tongyeong Cable car & Skywalk - The panoramic view of Tongyeong as seen from the cable car is unlike any other! Departing for the peak of Mireuksan Mountain at 461 meters above sea level, the cable car is the longest in Korea, stretching a distance of 1,975 meters! The height makes for a thrilling experience while the length allows riders to fully take in the beautiful views from every angle. After arriving at the summit, step out on the skywalk if you are brave enough. The panorama includes all of downtown Tongyeong, as well as Geojedaegyo Bridge. The boats moving around the harbor resemble the many islands both large and small which dot the sea. From this vantage point, it’s easy to see why Tongyeong is called the “Napoli of Asia.”

Oedo-Botania is a marine botanical garden located in Hallyeo Maritime National Park, which has a beautiful view of the crystal blue South Sea and surrounding landscape. It is 4 kilometers away from Geojedo Island. About 20 minutes by ship from Gujora Port, past Naedo Island lies the European-like Oedo Island. In 1969, Lee Chang-ho first came to this island to escape from the wind and waves as he was fishing. He and his wife created this breathtaking landscape with all the care for 30 years.

In April, the island is covered with a plethora of flowers. The Venus Garden displays twelve sculptures and a western-style garden. At Paradise Lounge, one can enjoy the sunshine and the sea while drinking beverages. Camellias and various kinds of rare flowers from all over the world can be found in Oedo. When coming down the 'Stairway to Heaven,' visitors can view the beautiful garden and the ocean in the background. Magnificent terrace landscaping line both sides of the stairway. Oedo Paradise Island is without a doubt, a true paradise.

As one of the best sights in Geojedo Island, Geoje Haegeumgang River is called the Geumgang River (Sea Diamond) of the South Sea. As a rock island, Haegeumgang River belongs to Hallyeo Marine National Park, which is assigned as an official green area in South Korea. Its original name was Galgotdo, because it is shaped like the spreading roots of arrowroot. These days it is known as Haegeumgang River, meaning Geumgangsan Mountain in the sea.

The most stunning scenery of Haegeumgang River is the sunset and sunrise and can be best viewed on Ilwollbong Peak or Lion Rock. There is Shipjagul Cave in the center of Haegeumgang River, which is 100m long from east to west and 180m long from south to north

Dongpirang Mural Villages are one of the biggest reasons why Tongyeong is the great cultural destination it is today. The two neighborhoods are set to the east and west of Tongyeong Jungang Market. Built on a steep slope and becoming an eyesore as it fell into disrepair, Dongpirang Village was slated to be bulldozed. The residents living here obviously rejected this idea, and with the help of volunteers, set about to transform their neighborhood with whimsical murals. It quickly became known as an attraction by word-of-mouth, and Seopirang soon followed suit.
The murals in Dongpirang Village were created by amateur artists, but this gives the village a friendly, approachable feeling. It’s easy to see the love each artist had for the village through the styles and colors they chose

Yi Sun-sin Park is dedicated to Admiral Yi, who fought off the Japanese forces during the Imjin War (1592-1598). Even now, visitors can feel his protection by looking at the 17.3 meter-tall bronze statue of Admiral Yi gazing out to sea. The park is near Tongyeong Harbor, offering views of the port, fishery market, and Dongpirang Village. If you’d like to get away from the city, follow the park’s boardwalk. The many sculptures along the way create great photo zones and the ocean breeze will blow your cares away.

As the market is located close to the coastline, fresh fish and dried fish make up a huge part of the market's offerings. Here, visitors can also find mother-of-pearl inlaid wares, quilted products, and rice cakes.
Taking in the local attractions is great, but tasting the regional food is just as important! Some of Tongyeong’s foods include Chungmu-style gimbap, uzza (noodles in udon broth and black bean sauce), honey bread, and ppaeddaegi juk (porridge made from dried sweet potato). Chungmu-style gimbap is a simple take on the classic gimbap, with just white rice wrapped in seaweed; it goes great served with seokbakji (radish kimchi) and ojingeo eomuk muchim (spicy squid salad). Uzza, combining udon with jajangmyeon, offers a taste special to Tongyeong! If you’re looking for gifts to give out when you return home, Tongyeong honey bread is a great choice! The fried bun has a red bean filling and is coated in honey. All these local foods can be found around Tongyeong Jungang Market, so be sure to include a visit here in your itinerary!

4star hotel in Tongyeong : Stanford hotel and resort or similar

TONGYEONG - Eco Tour of SUNCHEON - BOSEONG Green Tea Plantation- SEOUL

Pick up from hotel and head to Suncheon Bay Garden ( 1h 40min.) Suncheonman Bay National Garden was created in 2013 as the venue for the International Garden Exposition Suncheon Bay Korea. The garden is the acme of gardening culture and business in Korea, and is the most visited Suncheon attraction among international visitors. The garden is vast, so it’s a good idea to select the sections you would like to visit beforehand. The most popular areas are Lake Garden, Dream Bridge, Sharing Forest, Dutch Garden, and Korean Traditional Garden. Be sure to stop by the gift shop near the West Gate for beautiful souvenir items, ranging from scarves and hats to dishes.

The highlight of Suncheon is rightly Suncheonman Bay Wetland Reserve. The bay is the perfect example of how nature and people can fit together beautifully and mutually beneficially. A simple walk along the wooden decks placed throughout the fields of reeds is all it takes to feel a sense of peace with the world. The reeds are also the perfect backdrop for photos!

In addition to the walking paths, you can also learn about the local ecosystem at Suncheon Bay Eco-Museum. Bird watch in the day or view stars at the Observatory at night, and take in the perfectly curvy stream from Yongsan Observation Deck. For mementos, don’t forget to stop by the Craft & Local Products Hall before leaving.

Head to Boseong ( 1hour ) and visit to Boseong is the largest producer of green tea in the country, and the tea fields create beautiful landscapes that often appear in Korean dramas. At Boseong Green Tea Festival, some of the most popular festival events are the hands-on experience programs like picking tea leaves, making tea, and sampling green tea snacks. Other events include learning traditional tea ceremony culture and an exhibition of submitted photographs.

Daehan Dawon Tea Plantation produces high-quality green tea and is a popular tourist attraction year-round thanks to the vast rows of tea trees that line the hillside like a deep green carpet. Despite being a small peak at just 350 meters above sea level, the observation deck offers views of the sea on clear days. Daehan Dawon Tea Plantation has been featured as a filming site in dramas such as “Summer Scent (2002),” “Legend of the Blue Sea (2017),” and “The Rebel (2017).”

After finish tour, drop off at Gwangju station to take a KTX train to Seoul ( Yongsan station), pick up by our driver and head to hotel in Seoul

5star hotel in Seoul : Intercontinental Hotel or similar

SEOUL Highlight Tour with Drinking Tea at traditional Korean Tea House at Insadong

Situated at the top of Gwanghwamun Square, the presence of Gyeongbukgung palace gleams brightly in the central spine of the nation. As the first and largest palace built by Joseon Dynasty in 1395, this grand villa consisted of 330 buildings and had up to 3,000 staffs.

Before entering to explore the palace, we will watch the changing ceremony of royal guards. This enactment is an excellent opportunity to experience a rare tradition, performed exactly as it used to be held. Guards appear wearing royal uniforms, carrying traditional weapons and playing traditional instruments.

Insa-dong, located in the heart of the city, is an important place where old but precious and traditional goods are on display. There is one main road in Insa-dong with alleys on each side. Within these alleys are galleries, traditional restaurants, teahouses, and cafes.

The galleries are the heartbeat of Insa-dong. There are about 100 galleries in the area and you can see every example of traditional Korean fine art from paintings to sculptures. Traditional craft stores dealing with calligraphy, ceramics, embroidery, and stamps are interesting complement to galleries.
- Included Drinking tea at a traditional Korean Tea House

Bukchon Hanok Village is home to hundreds of traditional houses called hanok, that date back to the Joseon Dynasty. We will go stroll in this labyrinth of traditional homes cramped together, sharing walls. Created by the first city-planner of Korea, these intimate structures will delight you as you discover your way around the hillside village.

Jongmyo Shrine was a primary place of worship for kings throughout Joseon Dynasty. The memorial service, called Jongmyo Jaerye, is said to be the oldest complete ceremony in the world, and was carried out in obedience to the king’s order.

Gwangjang Market was the first permanent market in Korea and continues to thrive as a popular tourist destination today, popularized by a recent Netflix show. The second floor of the market is filled with silk, satin, and linen bed-sheet stores, which are the largest and most famous in Seoul.

The highlight of this market is, however, discovering the animated street food stalls! We will go sampling some of the best Korean street foods here. The specialties in this market are octopus tartar and mung-bean pancakes. You will also be introduced to eccentric Korean foods such as steamed pork feet, blood sausage, and spicy chicken feet.

Take in the breathtaking 360-degree view of the Seoul Metropolis! The top of the tower is at almost 480m above sea level, including Namsan Mountain(243m) and the tower’s own height(236.7m).

The tower was first established as a broadcast tower to send out TV and radio signals in 1969. As of now, it has become one of the representative landmarks and multi-cultural venues in Seoul. At the tower, you can check out other highlights including the famous 'Locks of Love' and ancient beacon mounds.

Lunch and Drinking tea at a traditional Korean Tea House at Insadong