Seoul & Busan: A Journey through Korea
2 cities |
24 attraction(s) |
total distance 707
km
TIPS
Day1
Day2
Day3
Day4
Day5
Day6
Day1: Seoul
3 attraction(s) ·
4 km
1
Insadong is a famous traditional neighborhood in Seoul, known for its hanbok rental shops, tea houses, and art galleries. It offers visitors a chance to experience traditional Korean culture and arts. The streets of Insadong are lined with shops selling traditional crafts, paintings, and antiques, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. Don't miss the opportunity to explore the narrow alleyways and discover unique souvenirs or enjoy a cup of traditional Korean tea in one of the traditional tea houses.
3
km
2
The Myeongdong Cathedral is a Gothic-style cathedral located in the central area of Seoul, South Korea. It is the main cathedral of the Seoul Archdiocese of the Catholic Church. The cathedral was first built in 1898 and consecrated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In 1945, it was renamed Myeongdong Cathedral to celebrate Korea's independence. Due to the church's significant role in Korean society, the cathedral has been involved in various political events. The Virgin Mary's Garden behind the church sometimes holds organ performances at noon, and a midnight Mass is held here every December 24th.
2
km
3
Opened in 1980, this iconic tower offers panoramic views of the city & a revolving restaurant.
Day2: Seoul
5 attraction(s) ·
4 km
1
Bukchon Hanok Village is one of the most representative places to experience traditional Korean residential culture. Here, you can feel the authentic living atmosphere as it is a residential area. Therefore, when you visit here as a tourist, please keep quiet so as not to disturb their daily lives. Of course, taking photos here is also an excellent choice. If you want to find the eight major attractions of Bukchon and take beautiful pictures, don't worry about getting lost because there are ground signs to guide you to the best shooting spots. The services here are very thoughtful and convenient for tourists.
1
km
2
Traditional Hanok buildings, elegant galleries, and leisurely coffee time can be enjoyed on Ssamcheong-dong Road. Modernity and tradition harmoniously blend here, creating a unique atmosphere. Along this quiet walking path, you can also visit museums, antique shops, and other places, immersing yourself in a rich cultural ambiance.
1
km
3
Gyeongbokgung Palace is the first palace built in the early days of the Joseon Dynasty, with a history of 600 years. It was once a grand palace and now showcases delicate beauty. Gyeongbokgung Palace is the largest of the Five Grand Palaces and features unique architecture such as Geunjeongjeon Hall and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion. In addition, there are the National Palace Museum and the National Folk Museum where visitors can explore and experience. Gyeongbokgung Palace is open to the public and there is a ticket office at the entrance of Gwanghwamun. Visitors can also watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony and take photos with the guards, immersing themselves in Korean classical culture.
The name Gyeongbokgung means "great blessings and prospering the nation," reflecting the early aspirations of the Joseon Dynasty. It was completed in 1395 and at its peak had over 390 buildings. During the Japanese invasion in the late 16th century, Gyeongbokgung Palace was burned down and remained abandoned for 273 years. It was restored during the reign of King Gojong but suffered significant damage during the Japanese colonial period, with some buildings demolished and replaced by the Government-General Building. After Korea's independence, Gyeongbokgung Palace gradually underwent restoration, with the completion of the restoration project of Gwanghwamun Gate in 2010. There are also guided tours available in Chinese, departing from the inside of the Geunjeongmun Gate at four designated times.
2
km
4
Insa-dong, like Shanghai's Tianzifang, is just a step away from Gyeongbokgung Palace. Although its area is not large, with only one main street and a few perpendicular alleys, it was once the residential area of the Joseon Dynasty's noble class. Today, Insa-dong is home to numerous art galleries, museums, and specialty shops. Walking on the stone-paved Insa-dong Street, history is solidified with every brick and tile underfoot, and you can experience the coexistence of classical and avant-garde Korean culture. Here, you can find a Starbucks with a Korean signboard, the most distinctive Korean souvenir store in Seoul, and traditional Korean tea shops, which are treasures of this place. It is definitely an unforgettable experience to have a cup of traditional Korean tea, taste various traditional snacks, and sit in a traditional tea house to feel the lovely atmosphere here. Moreover, you can find some Korean souvenirs that are not available elsewhere! Even locals may not be familiar with the objects in Insa-dong, but the movie "The Scandalous Lady W" by Jang Lee-yeong has added a touch of mystery and interest to this place, which is definitely worth a visit.
1
km
5
Cheonggyecheon is an artificial river in Seoul, South Korea, with a total length of about 13.7 kilometers. It was excavated in the Joseon Dynasty to solve the problem of rainwater accumulation in the city. Cheonggyecheon used to be used as a sewer, but it was transformed into a famous international tourist attraction in 2005. It is the second largest tributary of the Han River and flows into the Han River after merging with Jungnangcheon, the largest tributary, in the eastern part of the city.
Day3: Seoul
4 attraction(s) ·
11 km
1
Ewha Womans University is one of the world-famous women's universities, attracting many foreign tourists with its beautiful campus and charming Ewha girls. The scenery here is colorful, with enchanting maple leaves in autumn and blooming cherry blossoms in spring. The entire campus is surrounded by greenery, with ancient teaching buildings coexisting harmoniously with trees, giving people a lively and beautiful feeling. There are many stone school buildings like those in fairy tales, quiet little gardens, campus avenues lined with ginkgo trees, and beautiful and captivating faces, making it hard for people to leave. The whole campus is filled with a faint romantic and aesthetic atmosphere, and a moment's stay here will be refreshing. The school also arranges campus tours led by students, and there are many unique shops and restaurants nearby, making it a great place for a leisurely stroll and to experience campus life.
3
km
2
"Gentleman's Dignity" is a wonderful Korean drama, with many scenes filmed around Hongik University (홍익대학교). The art department of Hongik University is one of the most famous in Korea, therefore, the surrounding cultural atmosphere is very rich. There are often artistic performances and shows on the streets, and there is also a lively street culture in the late night. In addition, the nightclubs here are also very popular, so if you want to experience the carnival atmosphere of young people, you are welcome to come and experience it. In addition, there are many delicious restaurants and fashionable young clothing stores here, if you want to travel on a budget, Hongik University area is a very worthwhile place to visit.
1
km
3
8
km
4
Dongdaemun History and Culture Park is a combination of traditional architecture, historical sites, cultural relics, and modern cultural facilities. The park has opened up certain areas to the public, including Seoul City Wall and Two-Story Water Gate. In addition, there are facilities like Dongdaemun History Museum, Dongdaemun Heritage Exhibition Hall, Dongdaemun Stadium Memorial Hall, an event hall, and a design gallery. The park also features two lighting towers and a torch tower, preserved as memorials to Dongdaemun Stadium.
Day4: Busan
4 attraction(s) ·
7 km
1
Haeundae Beach is a famous coastal resort in South Korea, known as the representative beach of Busan. It stretches 1.5 kilometers long and is 30-50 meters wide, with an average water depth of 1 meter and an area of 58,400 square meters. The long white sandy beach, beautiful coastline, and calm waters attract a large number of visitors seeking relaxation and summer retreat. It is not only popular during the summer, but also attracts domestic and international tourists in every season. Haeundae Beach also hosts various festivals and events throughout the year, such as the Lunar New Year's Day moon viewing celebration, Polar Bear Winter Swimming Competition, sand sculpture exhibition, and Busan Sea Festival. With complete surrounding attractions and facilities, visitors can fully enjoy their vacation here. In addition, Haeundae is also recognized as one of the Eight Scenic Spots of South Korea and is considered an international-level beach resort. The hot spring foot bath pools are particularly popular among tourists, offering free services and receiving multiple awards and nominations. The 2009 movie "Haeundae" also added a touch of mystery to Haeundae Beach.
1
km
2
Haiyuntai Yingyue Road is a winding path in the middle of the forest, starting from the beautiful Haiyuntai Beach and ending at the peaceful and serene Songting Beach. Walking on this path, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the surrounding environment and experience the charm of nature. The air here is fresh, and along the way, you can see clear streams and lush forests. It is definitely a must-visit tourist route.
5
km
3
Popular, curved golden-sand beach lined with tiki umbrellas providing views of the Gwangan Bridge.
2
km
4
Gwangan Bridge is the largest sea bridge in South Korea, located between Suyeong Square and Centum City in Haeundae, Busan. It spans approximately 7.4 kilometers and offers a unique and beautiful night view of the surrounding cityscape and the sea. The bridge is surrounded by attractions such as Yeongdo Island and Hwangnyeongsan Mountain, allowing visitors to enjoy even more breathtaking scenery, including Gwanganli Beach and Dongbaek Island.
Day5: Busan
5 attraction(s) ·
4 km
2
Jagalchi Market is the largest fish and seafood market in Korea, offering the freshest seafood daily. As one of the must-visit tourist attractions in Busan, it is a popular destination for foreign visitors. The enthusiastic ajummas (middle-aged women) in the market, speaking in their strong dialect, invite tourists to taste the seafood. The market showcases the charm of Busan. Every year in October, the Jagalchi Festival takes place here, featuring a variety of activities, including experiential events and cultural performances.
1
km
5
Haeundae Beach is a popular tourist destination with a long sandy beach and calm waters. The beach is approximately 1.5 kilometers long and 30-50 meters wide, with an average depth of 1 meter. It attracts visitors from both domestic and international travelers throughout the year, not just during the summer. Haeundae Beach also hosts various festivals and events, such as the Lunar New Year Moon Viewing Festival, the Polar Bear Winter Swim Festival, sand sculpture exhibitions, and the Busan Sea Festival. The beach area is also surrounded by a variety of attractions and amenities, providing a great vacation experience for visitors. Additionally, Haeundae Beach is considered one of the top eight beaches in South Korea and offers a free foot bath with hot spring water. It was featured in the 2009 movie "Haeundae," adding to its popularity.
Day6: Seoul
3 attraction(s) ·
14 km
1
Lotte Group built "Lotte World" complex next to the Jamsil Sports Complex to accommodate the 1988 Seoul Olympics. It includes a theme park, cultural museum, department stores, duty-free shops, a five-star hotel, a supermarket, and a Hallyu (Korean Wave) destination. Visitors can find products from all Lotte department stores and duty-free shops here. Lotte World has indoor and outdoor theme parks with a mysterious theme similar to Disneyland. There are daily parade performances that are popular among foreign tourists. Visitors need to adjust their schedule as there are often long queues at the amusement park. It is more suitable to visit on weekdays when it is less crowded. Additionally, Lotte Mart is a large supermarket worth visiting, with a wide range of products and affordable prices. Snacks and Korean cuisine ingredients are great gifts and purchases. Lotte World Starlight Avenue is a must-visit spot for Hallyu fans, with many giant lightboxes and limited edition merchandise of celebrities on display. Admission is free with a Lotte World ticket and a receipt from the Lotte duty-free shop. It is recommended to visit this attraction last when visiting Lotte World.
12
km
2
Many high-end international stores & restaurants draw crowds to this bustling retail district.
3
km
