South Korea

Suwon was one of four main regional government centers during the Joseon dynasty. Hwaseong Fortress, built to protect the city, was designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site on December 12, 1997 for its historical value. The fortress offers various performances daily as well as the
Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival every fall. The walls stretch for 5,700 kilometers, with Paldalsan Mountain at the center. The fortress, constructed from 1794 to 1796, was built as a display of King Jeongjo’s filial piety towards his father and to build a new pioneer city with its own economic power.

Accommodations: Four Seasons (Breakfast and Lunch)

Next we will have a Hanbok wearing experience. Hanbok is the traditional attire of the Korean people. Nowadays, it is only worn on special occasions
or anniversaries. It is a formal wear and many Koreans keep a hanbok for such occasions. While the
traditional hanbok was beautiful in its own right, the design has changed slowly but surely over the
generations. The core of hanbok is its graceful shape and vibrant colors, which have had a major impact
on the modern fashion industry. It is slowly being revolutionized through the changing of fabrics, colors
and features, reflecting the latest trend. Many aspiring hanbok designers have altered hanbok for
everyday wear with traditional elements at the base of the garment but having a distinct modern feel.

Next we will visit the Gwangjang Market. Gwangjang Market was the first permanent market in Korea and continues to thrive as a popular
tourist destination today. The name Gwangjang means “to gather from afar and keep altogether.” The
market began as a small trading center that brought in goods from nearby regions, but has now grown into a large wholesale market selling a variety of goods, including upholstery, imported goods, groceries, dried fish, traditional goods, and more.

Insa-dong, located in the heart of the city, is an important place where old but precious 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 Insadong. There are about 100 galleries in the area offering every example of traditional Korean fine art from paintings to sculptures. The most famous galleries are Hakgojae Gallery, which functions as the center of folk art, Gana Art Gallery, which promotes many promising artists, and Gana Art Center.

Next we will visit the Jogyesa Temple. As the main temple as well as the district head temple of the Jogye order in Seoul, Jogyesa Temple is the
center of Korean Buddhism. The temple was built in the late 14th century during the Goryeo period but was
completely destroyed in a fire. It was rebuilt under the name of Gakwangsa Temple in 1910 with the effort of
many respectful monks, namely Han Yong-un and Lee Hee-gwang. The temple was given a role as the head
temple of Korea’s Buddhism and renamed to Tegosa Temple in 1936. In 1954, a purification drive took place
to eliminate Japanese influence and revive traditional Buddhism, which established the present day Jogyesa
Temple as a result. Jogyesa Temple plays an important role in Korean Buddhism as the head temple of the
Jogye order. Jogyesa Temple’s Dharma Hall serves as the main venue for several Buddhist events, holding
rituals, lectures, ceremonies, and other events all year long. The annual lantern festival in celebration of
Buddha’s birthday also takes place at this temple.

To end todays tour we will visit the Myeongdong Shopping Street. Myeong-dong is one of Seoul’s leading downtown areas. Myeong-dong has passed through the center
of modern and contemporary Seoul culture and finance, and today it has established itself as a
representative special tourist zone that serves as a tourism and shopping center. According to the 2017
Seoul Metropolitan Government statistics, it is the most visited place by foreign tourists who visited
Seoul. According to the survey data, 78.3 percent of tourists visited Myeong-dong. In particular, 93.9%
of the groups whose purpose is to visit Seoul visited Myeong-dong.

Accommodations: Four Seasons (Breakfast and Lunch)

After we will have a mother-of-pearl experience, often offered in South Korea, provides a unique insight into the traditional craft of “najeonchilgi,” the art of inlaying mother-of-pearl into lacquered surfaces. This intricate and delicate process involves harvesting and preparing the iridescent inner layer of shells, cutting them into fine shapes, and embedding them into lacquered wood or other materials to create stunning designs and patterns. Participants typically get hands-on experience in creating their own
mother-of-pearl inlaid items, such as jewelry boxes, trays, or small decorative pieces. This experience
not only highlights the beauty and craftsmanship of this ancient Korean art form but also allows visitors
to take home a personalized piece of cultural heritage.

After we will visit the Lotte World Tower that was designed with a conceptual motif inspired by Korean ceramics and writing
brushes. With 123 floors total, the tower is the fifth tallest building in the world, standing at 555 meters.
The tower contains galleries, cafés, and a luxury hotel, in addition to a skywalk and an observation
deck. It is one of the best spots to appreciate the breathtaking view of Seoul’s vibrant city lights.

Finally we will go on a Han River Cruise. Hangang River Ferry Cruise began operations on October 26, 1986, traversing the Hangang River as it
runs through Seoul from east to west. The operation company, E-Land Cruise, currently offers river
cruise programs from two ferry terminals, located in Yeonuido and Jamsil. Riders can see the beautiful
Hangang River by day on the Story Cruise, or take in the city nightscape and colorful Banpo Rainbow
Bridge on the Music Cruise. The Lunch and Dinner Buffet cruises provide delicious cuisine.

Accommodations: Four Seasons (Breakfast and Lunch)

After we will visit Samyang Beach that is cozy and has clear waters not well-known among tourists. In particular, it stands out because of its sparkling black sand. As the black sand’s therapeutic effect is well known, visitors can often be
seen lying down on the beach and burying themselves in the black sand.

Accommodations: Parnas Jeju (Breakfast and Lunch)

Next we will visit the O’sulloc Tea Museum, located next to O’sulloc’s Seogwang Tea Planation in Jeju, was opened by Amore Pacific in 2001 with the aim of introducing and spreading Korean teas and the traditional tea
culture of Korea. The museum is a cultural space where the West and the East, and modernity and tradition coexist in harmony. The museum has a tea gallery, eco-friendly rest area, and a cafe where visitors can enjoy a variety of tasty tea-based desserts.

After we will visit Yongmeori Beach where Sanbangsan Mountain stretches into the ocean and it looks as if a dragon’s head is going underwater. This area is made of sandstone stacks, built up over millions of years. There
are coastal caves here which are depressed into the shape of rooms, and wide rocks stacking up on
one another along the seashore cliffs which create a majestic scenery by the sea. Along the road down
to the seashore, there is the Hamel Castaway Memorial, in remembrance of Hamel who drifted to this
place in 1653. The coastal walking path is a popular date course, and haenyeo (female sea-divers) often
sell freshly caught sea cucumbers and other seafood in the area.

If you follow the farm road about 600m to the southwest from Daepo-dong, at the end of the pine
tree forest is a cliff. At the base of this cliff is the Jisatgae Coast along with the imposing stone pillars.
Jusangjeolli are stone pillars piled up along the coast and is a designated cultural monument of Jeju
Island. Jusangjeolli Cliff was formed when the lava from Hallasan Mountain erupted into the sea of
Jungmun. They are rock pillars shaped like cubes or hexagons of various sizes and almost seem as if
stone masons had carved them out. The administration of the district named them ‘Jisatgae Rocks’
from their old name ‘Jisatgae’. The 20m cliff makes it a popular spot for high tide and sea angling. The
waves of the high tide crashing into the side of the cliff provide a breathtaking view of the ocean
surrounding the pillars.

Accommodations: Parnas Jeju (Breakfast and Lunch)

After we will stop at Seongsan Ilchulbong. Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone rose 180 meters above sea level due to a magma flow under the sea over 5,000 years ago. It was originally a separate island, but a build-up of sand and soil has connected it to the main island. A large crater, formed by the hot lava mixing with cold ocean water, is located at the top of Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone. The crater is about 600 meters in diameter and 90 meters deep. It has been featured in films, and was originally used for agriculture, but has now been given
over to a field of silver grass. From the summit, visitors can see Udo Island, as well as take in the magnificent sunrise. The tuff cone area was designated as a natural reserve on July 19, 2000.

Our next stop is Seopjikoji getting its name from its shape, jutting out to sea, with ‘koji’ being the Jeju dialect for a cape. Located just south of Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone, the cape is a popular tourist attraction. The tuff cone along with a beautiful vista of the ocean and fields of canola flowers can easily be seen from the
peak of Seopjikoji. On top of the hill stands a beacon fire station, reaching 4 meters in height with a diameter of 9 meters, built using volcanic rocks. Behind the beacon fire station is Bulgeunoreum Volcanic Cone, vibrant with red soil. The white lighthouse atop the cone stands out in contrast.
Seopjikoji has been used as a filming site for many Korean movies and dramas.

Finally we will visit Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market for a food tour. It is the largest market in Seogwipo. It is a traditional market that was formed in the early 1960s and is a mainstay in the Seogwipo economy. Starting from 2001, the market expanded its shopping center and now stretches over 620 meters in length. The interior of the market
is designed in such a way that visitors can easily navigate through shops and vendors. For customers’ ease, the market offers free delivery service as well as cultural programs and outdoor performances.

Accommodations: Parnas Jeju (Breakfast and Lunch)

Next we will visit The Bay 101 located in a culture and art complex in Haeundae area, attracting many visitors to the area thanks to the beautiful nightscape that it offers. The Bay 101 is located next to Dongbaekseom Island and can be visited
together. There are several attractions on the small island including touring Nurimaru APEC House, coastal walk,
lighthouse and suspension bridge.

After we will visit Busan, the birthplace of Korea’s marine sports, has a large-scale yacht berthage and holds an international yacht
race. You may have thought that yachting isn’t for you. However, yachting has become a unique, public
experience activity in Busan, which provides a variety of yacht tour programs. The yacht tour allows tourists to travel around the sea while enjoying Busan’s beautiful scenery harmonized with the sea and the city. It takes about one hour to tour around Haeundae and Gwangalli, although the duration and the departure point vary depending on the company. Moreover, most of the companies offer snacks during the yacht tour. The programs consist of day, sunset, and night tours and require a reservation.

Accommodations: Park Hyatt Busan (Breakfast and Lunch)

Next we will stop at the Oryukdo Skywalk is located at what was called Seungdumal, meaning a saddle, due to the shape of the point. It was also called Jallokgae by residents and female divers in the area. The construction of Oryukdo Skywalk began on September 12, 2012, at the Seungdumal area, which is regarded as the dividing point between the East Sea and the South Sea, and the skywalk opened on October 18, 2013,
with the theme of “walking over the sky.” Iron columns were set up over a 35-meter-high coastal cliff, and a 15-meter glass bridge comprised of 24 glass plates and shaped like a horse’s hoof connect the iron columns.

Next we will visit the Gamcheon Culture Village is formed by houses built in staircase-fashion on the foothills of a coastal mountain, earning this village the nickname “Machu Picchu of Busan.” Many alleys that cut through this community are vibrantly decorated with murals and sculptures created by the residents.

After we will visit the Gukje Market. Following the Korean War, refugees who fled to Busan set up stalls in order to make a living, and this was the beginning of the Gukje Market (Gukje meaning “international” in Korean). The Gukje Market is one of Korea’s largest markets; each alleyway is crowded with stalls, and it connects to Bupyeong Market, Kkangtong Market, and other smaller markets. The market stocks such a wide variety of goods, that you can find almost everything you need right here.

Accommodations: Park Hyatt Busan (Breakfast and Lunch)

After we will visit the Bulguksa Temple a representative relic of Buddhist culture from the Silla kingdom. The temple was built during the 15th year of King Beopheung’s reign (514-540) to wish for peace and prosperity for
all. It was later rebuilt in 751 by Kim Dae-seong. Unfortunately, the temple caught fire during the Imjin War (1592-1598). After the war, the temple suffered serious damage and was often the target of theft.

After we will visit the Daereungwon Tomb Complex, a Cheonmachong Tomb (Ancient Tomb No. 155), which was excavated in 1973. Cheonmachong Tomb consists of a wooden coffin placed inside an underground
chamber mounded with boulders and earth, characterized as a typical upper class tomb of the Silla period. The mound has a height of 12.7 m with a diameter of 50 m, and consists of a layer of rocks collected from streams)

Accommodations: Park Hyatt Busan (Breakfast and Lunch)