Seoul 4-Hour City Highlights and Historical Walking Tour with Hanbok Rental No Shopping
by Tripper Korea
Overview
This four-hour walking tour in Seoul includes an optional hanbok rental at the start. Participants may choose to wear traditional Korean hanbok clothing for about 30 minutes before visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace. The hanbok rental allows visitors to experience wearing clothing that has been part of Korean culture for over 2,000 years. After dressing in hanbok, the group spends approximately 90 minutes at Gyeongbokgung Palace. A professional English-speaking guide explains the history and architecture of the palace and the group can watch the Changing of the Guard Ceremony. Gyeongbokgung Palace, built in 1395, is known as the Northern Palace because it is located north of other royal palaces in Seoul. After the palace visit, participants return the hanbok and change back into their own clothes. A private vehicle or taxi then transfers the group to Bukchon Hanok Village at no extra cost. Visitors have about 50 minutes to explore Bukchon, a neighborhood known for its traditional Korean houses called hanok. During this visit, there is a break to enjoy tea and yakgwa, a traditional Korean dessert, at a café with a view of the village. The final stop is Baek In-je House, a hanok built during the Japanese administration period that combines traditional and modern architectural elements. This house includes a main room with a view of the village, spacious bedrooms, a large garden, and annex buildings. Baek In-je House is closed on Mondays and will be skipped on those days. The tour includes all entrance fees, bottled water, snacks, and the services of a professional English-speaking guide. The hanbok rental is optional. Private transportation is not included except for the transfer from Gyeongbokgung Palace to Bukchon Hanok Village. The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness due to walking. This tour does not include any shopping stops.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Hanbok Rental Experience
Hanbok refers to traditional Korean clothing that has been worn for over 2,000 years. This stop allows visitors to try on hanbok, a style often seen in Korean dramas and K-pop performances. The rental is optional and lasts about 30 minutes.
30 min
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Wearing hanbok, visitors enter Gyeongbokgung Palace, built in 1395 and known as the Northern Palace due to its location furthest north among Seoul’s five main palaces. A guide explains the palace's history and architecture during a 90-minute visit. The group also observes the Changing of the Guard Ceremony, a traditional ritual held at the palace.
90 min
Hanbok Return and Transfer
After the palace visit, participants return their hanbok and change back into their own clothes. A private vehicle or taxi then transfers the group to Bukchon Hanok Village at no additional transportation cost.
20 min
Bukchon Hanok Village
This neighborhood contains many hanok, traditional Korean houses. Visitors walk around the village and take a break at a café that offers views of Bukchon while serving tea and yakgwa, a traditional Korean dessert. This stop lasts about 50 minutes.
50 min
Baek In-je's House
Baek In-je House is a hanok located in Gahoe-dong within Bukchon Hanok Village. Built during the Japanese administration period, it combines traditional hanok features with modern design elements of that era. The house includes a main room with views of the village, spacious bedrooms, a large garden, and annex buildings. It is closed on Mondays and omitted from the itinerary on those days. The visit here lasts about 30 minutes.
30 min
Meeting point
Meet in front of the bench at exit 4 of Gyeongbokgung station. Your guide will be waiting for you, holding a TRIPPER SIGH.
End point
The tour ends at Insadong, a street of culture and food! Enjoy a delicious lunch here after the tour!
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
More things to do in Seoul
- Seoul Special City Night Tour Including N Seoul Tower and Deoksu Palace
- Aegibong Peace Ecopark and Closest Observatory to DMZ with Suspension Bridge Tour from Seoul
- Seoul Street Food Market Tour with Korean Foods and Beverages
- Seoul 5-Hour Drinking and Eating Tour through the Alleys
- Seoul City Tour: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Insadong, Namsan Tower with Cable Car
- Nami Island, Alpaca World and Garden of Morning Calm Day Trip with Optional Rail Bike