The Best of South Korea: Local Culture and Ancient History

Your Group Leader will meet you at the hotel when you arrive. After checking in, the remainder of the day is free at leisure.

On your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

At leisure.

At the hotel, the buffet breakfast will include a variety of local dishes plus eggs, cereals, fresh seasonal fruit, pastries, juice, coffee, tea, and water.

We will gather in a hotel meeting room for a welcome briefing before a local expert will begin our study of Korea with a lecture on the "Traditional Values of Korea". This will offer an overview of Korean Culture, which can be learned through the five most important elements of culture (Korean Cultural Symbols, Korean Language, Korean Norms, Korean Beliefs, and Korean Values). Following our lecture, we will have a walking exploration of the area close to our hotel. Led by our Group Leader, we will take in the sights during a walk along Insadong Antique Street, lined with traditional teashops, modern galleries, and a mix of older buildings from the Joseon Dynasty. As we walk, we will learn about the area’s history and culture.

At a local restaurant, we will have a typical Korean lunch.

We will board a coach and travel to Changdeokgung Palace. Changdeokgung Palace displays a splendid and delicate feminine beauty. Its original form is the best-preserved of the remaining palaces of the Joseon Dynasty, and it is the palace where the characteristics of Joseon Dynasty architecture can be best seen. The palace was the most beloved by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty and was a place of relaxation for the royal family. Here, as well as Changdeokgung Palace, we explore the “Secret Garden". The landscaping style of the palace during the Joseon Dynasty can be seen through this garden, which takes up 60% of the palace site, where nature and architecture harmonize. The palace complex has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. From the UNESCO inscription, “The garden was landscaped with a series of terraces planted with lawns, flowering trees, flowers, a lotus pool and pavilions set against a wooded background. There are over 56,000 specimens of various species of trees and plants.” We will then reboard our motorcoach and transfer for a field trip to the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History. Here we will examine artifacts that illustrate Korea’s history from 1876 to the present. We will learn about efforts to establish an independent, modern nation, the Korean War, the process of South Korea’s economic development and democratization, and the “Great Leap Forward” that changed South Korea from one of the world’s poorest nations to one of the most advanced. We return to the hotel in time for dinner.

Welcome dinner at the hotel.

Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will be accompanied throughout the program by an experienced and knowledgeable Group Leader. We will also have the benefit of lecturers and local experts in several places who will provide additional information. Breakfasts will be buffets with a variety of local dishes plus eggs, cereals, fresh seasonal fruit, pastries, juice, coffee, tea, and water. We will be getting on/off motorcoaches and taking public transit. In general, expect to walk an average of 5 to 7 miles over the course of a day. As Korea is 70 percent mountains, we will be walking up/down hills. See each day’s activity notes for details. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Be sure to bring your passport for our field trip tomorrow.

Hotel buffet.

We will gather in a hotel meeting room for a lecture on "The Modern History of the Korean Peninsula & the Relationship of the Two Koreas (North & South)". This will give us important background for today's field trips. After a short break, we board a motorcoach with our Group Leader and depart for the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

At a local restaurant close to the DMZ we pause for lunch.

Next, we will ride to Imjingak, the last village at the border of North and South Korea, at the start of the DMZ. We explore the DMZ exhibition. This exhibition hall displays materials that show the reality of Korea, which remains the only country divided by a demilitarized zone. We can learn about life on the Korean Peninsula before and after the Korean War, the meaning of the armistice line established by the armistice agreement, the sorrow of families separated by the armistice line, and the ongoing military conflict between North and South Korea. In addition, the ecological environment of the DMZ, which has been untouched by humans for over 60 years and is known as a treasure trove of natural ecosystems, is also on display. We will see the third Infiltration Tunnel, the Dora Observatory, where North Korea is visible via a telescope, and the Dorasan Train Station that once connected North and South Korea. The station itself is eerily quiet since very few trains pass through here. We will return to Seoul in the late afternoon. Please note that at times we may be unable to visit the DMZ due to military or other issues. In this scenario, an alternative tour will be arranged that will include Odusan Observatory, the DMZ Peace Gondola Ride (including Camp Greaves), and Imjingak Park (Mangbaedan, Gyeongui Seon Jangdan Station Steam Locomotive and Freedom Bridge).

On your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

At leisure.

Hotel buffet.

We will depart the hotel by motorcoach with our Group Leader and ride to the National Museum of Korea. We will explore the Medieval and Early Modern History sections of the museum to examine historical and cultural items from the Goryeo Dynasty (918 - 1392), Joseon Dynasty (1392 - 1897), and Korean Empire (1897 - 1910). We will learn about events, conflicts, and achievements in these three most significant periods of Korea's national development. We will also have some time for independent exploration to see what interests each of us most. From the museum, we will transfer to lunch.

In a local neighborhood, we have a Korean meal.

After lunch, we head to Deoksugung Palace. Here we witness the ceremony of the changing of the Royal Guards. The rest of the afternoon is free. The Group Leader will return to the hotel with those who want to go back. Those who wish to stay on and explore independently are welcome to do so and return on your own.

We come together at the hotel in the late afternoon and transfer to dinner at a local restaurant.

At leisure. Prepare for tomorrow’s train transfer to the south. Plan to bring your large suitcase to the hotel lobby by 7:00 a.m. to be loaded onto the motorcoach that will take our luggage to Gyeongju. Take a carry-on bag you can easily manage on the train.

Hotel buffet.

We will check out of the hotel and transfer by motorcoach to Seoul railway station. We then board the KTX high-speed train to Gyeongju. From 57 BCE to 935 CE, Gyeongju was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla. Upon our arrival, we will meet our motorcoach and drive to lunch.

At a local restaurant.

Next, we will ride to Yandong Folk Village, a village of the Son and Lee clans with over 600 years of tradition. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a village that still has many “hanok” — houses built in the traditional style. The village sits in a scenic and strategic position on the hillside overlooking the Hyeongsan River. It is one of the largest and most important villages in South Korea due to its preserved architecture that demonstrates the lifestyle of Korean aristocracy and neo-Confucian traditions of the Joseon Dynasty. We will visit one of the houses of the village Manjo Gotaek. With one of the hosts, we will learn how the traditional distilled rice wine is made and have an opportunity to taste it. We then transfer to our hotel and check in. We have a short break before transferring to Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond.

We pause en route for dinner at own arrangements. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. One of the local favorites is dwaeji-gukbap, a hearty pork soup.

We carry on to a night visit to Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond. Formally known as Anapji, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond is an artificial pond built in 674 CE by King Munmu of Silla in Gyeongju. It was restored in the 1970s, revealing 33,000 relics that offer insights into Silla's art and daily life, and it now serves as a testament to Silla's historical and cultural legacy. We return to our hotel and have the remainder of the evening at leisure.

Hotel buffet.

We board a motorcoach and transfer to a local cooking school. In one of the school's meeting rooms, a local academic will give a lecture on "The Interaction of Korean Buddhism & Shamanism". After a short break, we will begin our hands-on cooking class. During our class we will learn about the ingredients and process of creating a typical Korean meal, featuring beef barbecue.

For lunch, we will enjoy the fruits of our labor.

After lunch, we transfer to Gyeongju's World Heritage-listed Historic Sites. We first visit the Daereungwon Tomb complex, consisting of 23 ancient burial mounds of Silla Kingdom royalty and nobles. Located in Hwangnam-dong, it includes prominent tombs such as Cheonmachong and Hwangnamdaechong. Cheonmachong, discovered in 1973, contains over 11,000 artefacts, including the only known Silla-era painting and two golden crowns. Hwangnamdaechong, the largest tomb, is a twin mound believed to house a royal couple with over 30,000 relics, highlighting the queen's high social status. Here we will explore the rich cultural heritage and opulent lifestyles of Silla royalty from 1,500 years ago. Next we visit Cheomseongdae Observatory, the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in Asia. Built in the 7th century, during Queen Seondeok's reign, this 9.17-meter-tall cylindrical structure, made with 362 stones symbolizing the lunar year, was used to observe stars and forecast weather. We carry on to the Gyeongju National Museum. The museum showcases relics of the Silla Kingdom, including the Emille Bell, Silla crowns, and artefacts from Anapji Pond and Hwangnyongsa Temple. Established in 1945, the museum features four main exhibition areas and an outdoor exhibit area with Buddhist sculptures and artefacts from royal palaces and temples, providing insight into the cultural history of Gyeongju and the Silla period.

We transfer to dinner at a local restaurant.

After dinner, we transfer to our hotel and have the remainder of the evening at leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

Hotel buffet.

After checking out of our hotel, this morning we initially focus more deeply on Korean Buddhism with a field trip to the Bulguksa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some of the Temple's original pagodas date from the year 751. A local expert will lead our exploration. We then drive to Ulsan, Korea’s industrial center. Upon our arrival in Ulsan, we are joined by a commentator from Ulsandaegyo Observatory who will lead us on a guided exploration. From the observatory, which is located on a hill near the Ulsan Bridge, we gain a panoramic view of the Ulsan industrial area with the Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hyundai Mipo dockyard, SK refinery, and the Ulsan Bridge all clearly visible. Here we gain some understanding of the might of South Korea's industry. We reboard our coach and continue on towards Busan.

We pause for lunch at a local restaurant.

Moving on to Busan, we head first to the United Nations Memorial Cemetery. The cemetery is the burial ground for UN Command casualties of the Korean War and the only United Nations cemetery in the world. We then transfer to the Haeundae Beach area and check into our hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is free to stroll along the beachfront promenade or just relax.

On your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. There are many eateries around Haeundae Beach.

At leisure.

Hotel buffet.

Via motorcoach and walking with our Group Leader, we will explore the city of Busan. We first transfer to Gamcheon Cultural Village and Amidong Tombstone Cultural Village. A local cultural commentator will introduce us to the vibrant, colour-filled villages and explain their culture and fascinating history. We then take a short walk to Choiminsik Gallery. Here a docent will introduce us to the photographic displays, explain some of their history, and give us some time to explore on our own. We then take the short walk to lunch.

At a local restaurant.

In the traditional old quarter of Busan, we take in the lively scene at the Jagalchi Fish Market with its amazing array of fresh seafood. A local expert will introduce us to the goings-on at the market. We return to our hotel and have the remainder of the afternoon and evening at leisure.

At own arrangements.

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and our flight to Jeju Island in the morning.

Hotel buffet.

After checking out of the hotel, we will transfer to Busan airport for the short flight to Jeju Island. Situated off the south coast of South Korea, Jeju is 45 miles wide east to west and 25 miles from north to south. It is dominated by Mount Halla in the middle, a volcano 6,400 feet high — the highest mountain in South Korea. The volcano and its lava tubes are part of a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site. The island is a popular holiday destination for the East Asia region. The Jeju airport is situated in the heart of the city. Upon our arrival, we will board our motorcoach and transfer to lunch.

At a local restaurant.

We will begin our exploration of Jeju City at the Folklore and Natural History Museum, which will give us an overview of the island’s history and people in its multiple exhibit halls. Next, we visit Dongmun Market. Our Group Leader will guide us as we explore. We then ride to our hotel and check in. We have some down time before we head out for dinner.

At a local restaurant.

At leisure.

Hotel buffet.

Today we focus on the east side of Jeju Island. During our drive east, our Group Leader will present an overview of the island’s unique culture and history. Our first stop is at the Jeju Stone Culture Park. Here we learn about local traditions and examine a unique collection of natural stone formations as sculptural art. Moving on, we will ride to Sangumburi Crater and walk up and around the 1.5 mile rim of the crater. The walk will give us panoramic views of Hallasan. Sangumburi is an example of the island’s many “oreum” — parasitic cones produced by volcanic activity. We drive to Seongeup Village. Seongeup has been constantly inhabited for more than 500 years and still retains its traditional architecture, with thatched-roof houses surrounded by high walls. As we walk through the village, we will see examples of traditional houses.

At a local restaurant.

After lunch we transfer to Seongsan Peak, formed more than 5,000 years ago by an underwater explosion near the shoreline. Originally an island, sedimentary deposits now connect it to the land. It is possible to walk up 550 steps to the very top of the crown of the crater, or just enjoy the views of the shoreline from the base of the crater. We will walk down the 150 steps to the shoreline for a close-up view of the women who dive for shellfish. We will learn about the tradition of women divers on Jeju. We return to Jeju City at the end of the afternoon.

On your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. There are many casual eateries near the hotel.

At leisure.

Hotel buffet.

We will head to the southwest corner of Jeju Island. Our first stop will be Cheonjeyeon Falls, part of the most significant waterfalls on the island that flow from the foot of the mountains towards the sea. We move on to Jeonbang Falls, the final stage of the waters’ flow from Hallasan — the only waterfall in Asia that drops directly into the sea, falling more than 70 feet. Those who wish may take the 110 steps down for the view at sea level.

At a local restaurant.

While we are still on the coast, we will stop at Jusangjeolli Pillars (also known as the Jusangjeolli Cliffs) for a stroll. We walk along a paved path with views of the columnar basalt lava tubes that were created more than 100,000 years ago. On our way back to Jeju City, we stop in at a special botanical garden that was created on reclaimed wasteland beginning in 1968.

On your own to dine as you choose.

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and our flight to Seoul in the morning.

Hotel buffet.

After checking out of the hotel, we will transfer to Jeju Airport for our flight to Seoul Gimpo Airport.

At a local restaurant.

After lunch, we coach to the hotel and check-in. The remainder of the afternoon will be free for independent exploration or just to relax.

At the hotel, we have a farewell buffet dinner.

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

Hotel buffet.

We check out of the hotel and transfer as a group to Seoul Incheon International Airport. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!