GpsExcursion - Seoul. Great Palaces.

Excursion Seoul. Great Palaces.

Seoul is the capital of Korea with over 600 years of history. It is the heart of Korea’s culture and education as well as politics and economics. Seoul is home to many old historic sites like Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung Palaces, and places of traditional culture like Bukchon Hanok Village.

Day 1

08:30

Bukchon Hanok Village , 0$ , 1hr.
Rating: 9.1
Hanoks are Korean traditional houses and Bukchon Village is where aristocratic classes lived during the Joseon Dynasty. Certain Hanoks are still owned by locals, while most of them were converted into galleries, restaurants, and cafes. You can get there by subway. Exit 2 – Anguk Station Line 3. Go straight about 300m.

09:30

Wood & Brick , 8$ , 30min.
Rating: 8.9
8$ - Banana pancakes + Coffee
The roof, the courtyard and the traditional house gives this cafe a unique character. One of the best bakeries in Seoul. Their pancakes are very delicious.

10:30

Gyeongbokgung , 3$ , 2hr.
Rating: 9.3
3$ - Adults (age 19~64) = 3,000 won, $2 - Youth (age 7~18) = 1,500 won
The main palace of the Joseon Dynasty (Korea’s last royal dynasty), located in the heart of Seoul. The name of the palace, Gyeongbokgung, translates in English as “Palace of Shining Happiness.” Closed on Tuesdays.

12:30

Tosokchon Samgaetang , 15$ , 1hr.
Rating: 8.2
15$ - Chicken Soup (Chicken Samgyetang)
Traditional Korean restaurant. Samgyetang (Ginseng chicken soup) is a Korean version of chicken noodle soup. You can choose between two types of chicken samgyetang soups – regular chicken and black chicken. You don't want to miss it when you are in Seoul.

14:00

Changdeokgung , 3$ , 1hr. 30min.
Rating: 9
3$ - Palace admission - adult (age 19~64) = 3,000 won; youth (age 7~18) = 1,500 won; Secret Garden - $7 Adult (age 19~64) = 8,000 won; $5 - youth (age 7~18) = 4,000 won
Seoulites say that Changdeokgung is the prettiest of all the palaces. And on top of that, there’s a garden called the “Secret Garden”. The secret Garden consists of lotus ponds, pavilions, landscaped gardens, flower beds and water features. Visitors can only enter the palace with a guided tour and you can choose between a tour of the palace or a tour of the palace and Secret Garden.

15:30

Changgyeonggung , 1$ , 1hr. 30min.
Rating: 9.1
1$ - Adults (age 19~64) = 1,000 won; Youth (age 7~18) = 500 won
This is one of the five great palaces. The palace features the distinctive arched bridge across a pond, which can be seen in all Joseon Dynasty palaces. Other highlights of the palace complex include the Gongsacheong Gate and the Honghwamun Gate. The palace is surrounded by beautiful gardens. Closed on Mondays.

17:00

Jongmyo , 1$ , 1hr.
Rating: 8.2
1$ - Adults = 1,000 won; youth (age 7-18) = 500 won
Jongmyo is the place where all the royal rituals took place. Throughout the week, guests can only visit the shrine with a guided tour but on Saturdays, visitors can enter independently. The shrine is closed on Tuesdays.

18:30

Myeongdong Gyoja , 7$ , 1hr.
Rating: 9
7$ - Kalguksu
Myeongdong Kyoja is a noodle restaurant. The restaurant is known for its knife-cut, handmade kalguksu (noodle soup). Also popular are mandu (dumplings), bibim guksu (spicy noodles), and kongguksu (noodles in a cold soybean soup).