Sparkling Korea 8-Day Tour: Central 4-Star Hotels, English-Speaking Guides, and KTX Train Experience

Experience the best of Korea on this 8-day tour. Stay in central 4-star hotels, explore with English-speaking guides, and enjoy the convenience of the KTX train. Discover magnificent scenery, rich cultural heritage, and unique customs & traditions.

Duration: 8 days
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights

Arrive at ICN airport

Incheon International Airport - Welcome to Seoul, the city that never sleeps. Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of time to rest and overcome your jetlag as we swiftly transport you to your hotel from the airport in a private car or charter bus. Enjoy a day of leisure and comfort.
As Korean culture spreads globally, more people are visiting Korea to experience it firsthand.

Seoul,

Gyeongbokgung Palace - This morning, we will start our Seoul City tour at the stunning Gyeongbokgung Palace, showcasing the most representative buildings of the Joseon Dynasty (over 500 years old). Afterward, visit the National Folk Museum to learn about Korea’s unique culture and historical lifestyle. We will then witness the Traditional Royal Guard Changing Ceremony and see the Presidential Blue House before arriving at the famous Bukchon Hanok Village.

Bukchon Hanok Village - Bukchon Hanok Village is a traditional Korean village in Seoul with a long history, located on a hill between Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeok Palace, and Jongmyo Royal Shrine. The village features many alleys and hanok houses, preserved to showcase a 600-year-old urban environment. Enjoy a guided walk and marvel at the beautiful traditional homes.

Dongdaemun Market - End the day with some leisure time at Dongdaemun Market, the largest open market in the Orient. This commercial district includes traditional markets and shopping centers around Dongdaemun Gate, a prominent Korean landmark. It is Korea’s largest wholesale and retail shopping district, featuring 26 shopping malls, 30,000 specialty shops, and 50,000 manufacturers. Return to your accommodation and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Seoul - DMZ - Suwon

DMZ - The highlight of today’s tour is the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone).
*Note: Must bring passport for ID check.

Located on each side of the 38th parallel, this infamous border was established at the end of the war in 1953 at the signing of Panmunjom’s armistice to separate North and South Korea.
Upon arrival, proceed to passport security control followed by a short introduction at the United Nations camp.

Visit Dora Observatory and Dorasan railway station. Discover Imjingak Park with the Memorial, the Liberty Bridge, and the bell of unification. Late morning, visit the 3rd tunnel dug into the rock at a depth of 73m, capable of moving a full division per hour with their weapons.

Museum Kimchikan - Participate in a cooking class to prepare Korea’s number one staple dish - Kimchi. During this class, you will also have the opportunity to take photos in the traditional Korean outfit, Hanbok.

Suwon - Transfer to Suwon for dinner at a local restaurant. Check-in at the hotel in Suwon.

Suwon - Gayasan National Park - Temple Stay

Hwaseong - This morning, visit Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, a prime example of Korean traditional architecture designated as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Haenggung, meaning detached palace, is a palace built within the walls of Hwaseong to house King Jeongjo when he was away from his palace in Seoul. When not in use by the king, it served as a government base for his officials. The palace was built in 1789 and expanded between 1794 and 1796 to include 600 compartments, making it the largest haenggung in Korea.

Haeinsa Temple - After lunch, transfer to Haeinsa Temple, built in 802 by two monks and listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. It houses the Tripitaka Koreana, with 80,000 printing plates containing Buddhist scriptures, 15 national treasures, and around 200 private treasures. Enjoy an unforgettable temple stay experience, including Buddhist ceremony meals, an introduction to Zen meditation, and a tea ceremony. Dinner (vegetarian meal) and overnight at the temple.

Note: Personal supplies - Toilet articles, towel, socks, sneakers

Gayasan National Park - Gyeongju, The Historical City, a Museum Without Walls, World Heritages Designated by UNESCO

Gyeongju - The Historical City, a museum without walls, World Heritages designated by UNESCO

Yangdong Folk Village - Transfer to Gyeongju and visit Yangdong Village, Korea’s largest traditional village, showcasing the traditional culture of the Joseon Dynasty and beautiful natural surroundings. The village is designated as a cultural heritage site due to its many cultural treasures, national treasures, and folklore materials. Many visitors come to see its cultural heritage and scenic surroundings. Charles, Prince of Wales, visited this village in 1993.

Gyeongju

Gyeongju - This morning, we start the city tour. Gyeongju Historic Areas were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. The protected areas include the ruins of temples and palaces, outdoor pagodas and statues, and other cultural artifacts from the Silla Kingdom. The historic areas are known as one of the largest outdoor museums in the world.

Bulguksa Temple - Bulguksa Temple is a significant relic of Buddhist culture from the Silla kingdom. Built during the 15th year of King Beopheung’s reign (514-540) to wish for peace and prosperity, it was later rebuilt in 751 by Kim Dae-seong. The temple caught fire during the Imjin War (1592-1598) and suffered serious damage. Restoration work began in 1920 and continues today. The temple holds seven national treasures and numerous important heritages and was designated a World Cultural Heritage Site along with the nearby Seokguram Grotto by UNESCO in December 1995.

Seokguram - Seokguram Grotto was constructed by Kim Dae-Seong during the reign of King Gyeong-Deok (742-765) of the Silla Kingdom. Located 3 kilometers away by hiking trail and 9 kilometers by car from Bulguksa Temple, the grotto was designed harmoniously with the seated Buddha facing the East Sea. It is a valuable cultural heritage preserved and registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site on December 6, 1995.

Daereungwon Tomb Complex - Within Daereungwon Tomb Complex is Cheonmachong Tomb (Ancient Tomb No. 155), excavated in 1973. Cheonmachong Tomb features a wooden coffin inside an underground chamber mounded with boulders and earth, typical of upper-class tombs from the Silla period. The mound is 12.7 m high with a diameter of 50 m, consisting of a layer of rocks from streams. Below the rock layer is a wooden chamber 6.5 m long, 2.1 m wide, and 2.1 m high, with the wooden coffin at its center. A total of 11,526 artifacts were discovered, including Cheonmado, Korea’s first artwork excavated from an ancient tomb.

Gyeongju - Busan

Busan - Today, we will depart for the airport and fly to Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city after Seoul. It is also the largest port city in South Korea and the world’s fifth busiest seaport by cargo tonnage.

Yongdusan Park - Named Yongdusan because the mountain resembles a dragon’s head emerging from the sea.

Busan Tower - Visit Busan Tower, a 120-meter tower offering a stunning bird’s-eye view of Busan, including islands and ships in the distant seas.

Nurimaru APEC House - Visit the APEC House, an APEC conference hall where world summits gather for APEC meetings.

Haeundae Beach - Haeundae Beach is Busan’s most famous beach. The white sand beach is roughly 1.5 kilometers long and 30 to 50 meters wide, creating a beautiful coastline before a shallow bay, perfect for swimming.

People flock to Haeundae Beach every summer. The area around the beach offers various accommodations, from luxury hotels to private guesthouses, making it an ideal summer vacation spot. Haeundae Beach is also known for cultural events and festivals held throughout the year. Other facilities include Dongbaekseom Island, Busan Aquarium, a yachting dock, BEXCO, driving courses, and more.

Busan - KTX Train to ICN Airport

Busan - After breakfast, enjoy leisure time at Nampodong Shopping Street. Lunch is on your own.

Transfer to Busan station for the KTX Bullet Train to Incheon airport. With a top speed of 320 km/h (190 mph), the KTX-Sancheon is the second commercial high-speed train operated in South Korea and the first domestically designed and developed high-speed train.
Arrive in Seoul and transfer to ICN International Airport.

Seoul Station / City Hall - Seoul KTX bullet train station

What's Included
  • Breakfast included
Additional Information

Accommodation: Best selected 4star hotels located in the heart of downtown.

Tour Guide: Best selected Licensed English speaking guides, who are passionate, well-trained, and knowledgeable to create a truly unforgettable experience.

Tour condition: Premium quality Service, Comfort, Hassle-free Travel, Not too rushed.

There is so much to explore in Sparkling Korea - from the magnificent scenery, affluent cultural heritage, to the unique customs & traditions. Be inspired in this fantastic Korea experience!

Location
Incheon International Airport
In front of Arrival Gate
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
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Travelsolution0321
Sep 6, 2022
Great, Awesome, Fantastic Korea Tour !! - I and my clients were travelled in Korea through Korea DMC Tour last month. I've choose this tour because it's fully included and interested in KTX train. It was risky to travel to Korea during Covid19. However, it was very safe and the tour was really really great. All Hotels, and the tour guide was perfect. They were very informative, very professional. If you guys planning to travel in Korea, book this tour!!
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