Explore Seoul’s journey from royal dynasties to modern-day pop culture. Visit historic palaces, vibrant markets, and trendy shopping districts. Dive into Korea’s past at Namsangol Hanok Village and discover the latest in K-beauty and K-pop with your guide’s local insight. A cultural blend of tradition and trend.

Programme Details

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Meet the guide in the hotel lobby. Today’s tour will be by public transportation. 

Begin the day at Deoksugung Palace, a graceful complex blending traditional Korean structures with neoclassical architecture from the early 20th century. Stroll along its tree-lined stone paths and explore the elegant interiors once used by Korea’s final royal family.

Within the palace grounds, visit the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA Deoksugung). Housed in a former royal building, this branch of the MMCA presents a refined curation of modern works that dialogue with Korea’s evolving cultural identity and its complex history of modernisation.

From here, make a brief stop at Sungnyemun Gate(also known as Namdaemun), one of the last remaining great gates from Seoul’s old fortress wall. Standing proudly in the heart of the city, this national treasure offers a striking contrast to the surrounding modern buildings.

For lunch, head to Namdaemun Market, Korea’s oldest traditional market. Wander its vibrant alleys and savour a simple yet hearty local meal—whether it be kalguksu (hand-cut noodle soup), hotteok, or spicy stir-fried rice cakes, among locals and shopkeepers.

This afternoon, explore the dynamic Myeongdong area, a paradise for both K-pop fans and K-beauty enthusiasts. 

Stop by renowned music shops to browse the latest K-pop albums, posters, and official merchandise. With the help of your guide, visit a flagship Olive Young store, where you’ll discover Korea’s top-rated skincare and makeup products, loved by locals and beauty enthusiasts worldwide.

Whether you’re after glowing skin, a minimalist routine, or simply curious about the latest beauty trends, this is the ideal setting to immerse yourself in the world of Korean beauty.

Conclude the day with a visit to Namsangol Hanok Village, a peaceful cluster of restored traditional houses at the base of Namsan Mountain. Wander through the historical homes, reflecting on how everyday life once unfolded during the Joseon era. It’s a calm and grounding finale to a day that spans both Korea’s imperial past and its pop cultural present.(L)

Inclusions:

🥘 Lunch

Notes:

- Deoksugung Palace is closed on Mondays.
- Namsangol Hanok Village is closed on Mondays.
- Dinner on your own arrangement.
- This product can only be sold as part of a full multi-day tour package.
- We encourage travellers to travel with their own refillable/reusable water container in order to minimise plastic bottle usage and water waste, as more and more refilling stations are now available in destinations.

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