Busan and Gyeongju Discovery

📍 Busan Gimhae Airport - Haeundae Beach (approx. 20 km): 1 hour Tour duration (guided tour): 14:30-18:30

Upon arrival at Busan Gimhae International Airport, a representative will be waiting to assist you with  a private transfer to the hotel. 

Busan, South Korea's second-largest city, is a coastal metropolis known for its stunning beaches, vibrant seafood markets, and scenic harbour views. 

After checking into the hotel, join your guide for a visit to Seongbulsa Temple, a Buddhist temple at the foot of Jangsan Mountain. A short hike takes you to the temple which is notable for its golden Buddha statue and serene atmosphere. Spend time exploring the temple and its surroundings before returning on foot to the car.

Then continue your exploration of Busan with a walk around the Haeundae area and its stunning beach. Then continue through the busy evening streets of Busan, mingling with locals. Afterwards, bid farewell to the guide and either return to the hotel or explore the city's nightlife independently.

Note: Normal hotel check-in time is 15:00;  a surcharge will be applied for early check-in.

Overnight in Busan.

Inclusions:

After an early breakfast, join your guide for a visit to Gamcheon Village, an area of Busan where refugees settled during the Korean War and cultivated the mountainous land to make a living. These days, the area has been reborn thanks to the Village Art Project. Walk around the winding streets, admiring the colourful houses, art installations, retail shops and galleries.

Continue to a cooking class, where you will learn more about authentic local specialities. The course includes English instructions and demonstrations, as well as an opportunity to taste local rice wine. 

After having lunch, collect the recipe to take home and proceed to Jagalchi Market. This is South Korea’s largest seafood market to observe the array of products on sale and to experience the hive of activity where storekeepers are keen to sell the day’s catch.

Before the day comes to a close, take a cable car ride across the sea. During the 15-20 minute journey, enjoy spectacular views across the ocean, Songdo Beach, Yeongdodaegyo Bridge, Namhangdaegyo Bridge, Songdo Coastal Dullegil Road and rock cliffs. Before the return journey, stop at Sky Harbor Observatory to observe the natural beauty of Busan coastal area.

Overnight in Busan

Tour duration (guided tour): 08:00-18:00
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Busan – Gyeongju (approx. 100 km): 1.5 hr Tour duration (guided tour): 09:30-18:30

After breakfast, check out and travel by private car to Gyeongju, a journey of approximately 1.5 hours.

Gyeongju, once the capital of the 8th-century Silla Kingdom, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Revered as an open-air museum, it is a veritable treasure trove of history, brimming with palaces, temples, and tombs.

Your tour of Gyeongju begins at the religious architectural complex of Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple. Built during the time of the Silla Kingdom, the site highlights the mastery of the architects and artists of that era. Admire the Buddhist carvings and statues of Seokguram and Bulguksa’s wooden buildings and stone terraces. 

Lunch will be served at the local restaurant.

This afternoon, visit Gyeongju National Museum. With its vast collections of artefacts, relics, and royal treasures, the museum offers a comprehensive insight into the art, culture, and history of the Silla dynasty.

Then continue to Daereungwon Tomb complex. Also known as Tumuli Park, the area has more than 20 tombs from the Silla period. Take a closer look at the Cheonmachong Tomb, a typical upper class tomb of the Silla era with a wooden coffin placed inside an underground chamber covered with a mound of boulders and earth. 

The final stop today is a walk to the Woljeong Bridge,  an historical gateway connecting the royal palaces of Silla to the south. End the walk at the Woljie Pond, an artificial pond that was part of the palace complex of the ancient Silla.

Afterwards, bid farewell to the guide and transfer back to the hotel.

Overnight in Gyeongju
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

Take a morning excursion out of Gyeongju.  Travel by private car along the Hyeongsan River for 16 km northeast to visit Yangdong Folk Village, a traditional yangban (Korean Aristocracy) village from the Joseon dynasty. 

Yangdong is home to more than 160 traditional style houses (called ‘hanok’), with either tile or thatched roofs, as well as other buildings from the Joseon era. With a backdrop of beautiful natural scenery, visit the village shrine, confucius school, and the noble house of the village head. Before returning back, stroll along the village trail to admire the well-preserved traditional hanoks.

Transfer back to Gyeongju and take a short break before hiking in the afternoon.

Take a half-day hike at Namsan Mountain, home to over 100 temples, 80 stone Buddha statues and 60 stone pagodas. The 3-hour hiking route follows a well-maintained trail. Take short breaks along the way to admire some of the cultural relics and scenic views. After watching the sunset from the top of Namsan Mountain, return to the base and transfer back to the hotel. NOTE: Hiking is optional, depending on your energy and fitness level.

Overnight in Gyeongju

Tour duration (guided tour): 09:00-13:00
Hiking difficulty: Medium, hiking shoes and gears recommended
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Gyeongju – Busan Gimhae Airport (approx. 100 km): 1.5 hr

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and transfer to Busan Gimhae airport for your onward departure flight.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast