World Cultural Heritage Morning Tour

Itinerary

Hotel → Changdeok Palace (Gyeongbok Palace on Monday only) → Jongmyo Royal Shrine (Seoul Museum of History on Tuesday only) → Insadong Arts and Crafts Market → Shopping Center → City Hall or Itaewon

Description

No time but want to see the UNESCO’s world cultural assets in Seoul? Changdeok Palace, the best preserved of the five royal palaces in Seoul, was the main palace of many Joseon Kings for the longest period. Attached to the palace is the “Secret Garden”, a beautiful landscape garden to be used by the Royal Family only. Jongmyo Shrine was built to hold the ancestral tablets for the kings of the Joseon Dynasty.

Tour Course Information

Insadong Arts & Crafts Market

Insadong has been at the heart of nation’s capital for 600 years and it has been the center of culture during the Chosun Dynasty (1392-1910). This is where the Ministry of Art was once situated. Insadong usually refers to the area from Anguk-dong Rotary to Tapgol Park in Jongro 2(i)-ga, past the Insadong Intersection. The notable features of Insadong are the countless alleys that branching out from the main street. Insadong has become known as ‘Merry’s Area,’ a favorite shopping spot among foreigners.

Jongmyo Royal Shrine

Jongmyo Royal Shrine is the primary place of worship for the kings of the Joseon Dynasty. It was built when the first King of the Joseon Dynasty, Lee Sung-Gye (1335-1408) founded the Joseon Dynasty. Jongmyo Royal Shrine is registered as World Cultural Heritage because the tradition and customs such as the memorial services and traditional music are very well preserved.

Changdeok Palace

Changdeok Palace is the second royal villa built after Gyeongbok Palace in 1405. Changdeok was the principal palace for many of the Joseon kings, and is the best preserved among the five remaining royal Joseon palaces. The rear garden that was used as a place of rest by the kings boasts a gigantic tree that is over 300 years old, a small pond, and a pavilion. The palace grounds are comprised of a public palace area, a royal family residence building, and the rear garden.