Seoul: Full Day Tour with Hanbok at Changdeok Palace & Gwangjang Market

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/28

Duration7h

GroupUp to 100

LanguagesEN · CM

PickupAt your hotel

Changdeokgung in hanbok, old village alleys, temple bells, market flavors

You’ll slip into tradition wearing hanbok at Changdeokgung Palace before wandering Bukchon’s quiet alleys and tasting street food at Gwangjang Market. A local guide shares stories behind every gate and teacup, while temple bells echo nearby. Expect laughter, new flavors, and maybe a few surprises you’ll remember long after leaving Seoul.

Step-by-step itinerary

Seoul cultural and shopping tour

Wear a Hanbok experience
Visit Changdeok Palace
Tour Bukchon Hanok Village
Explore Insadong Arts and Crafts Market
Visit Jogyesa Buddhist Temple
Shop at Kwangjang Market
Drop off at City Hall or Myeongdong

The Experience

I didn’t really know what to expect when our guide handed me a hanbok near Changdeokgung Palace. The fabric felt heavier than I thought it would—sort of crisp and cool against my arms—and the colors were so bright they almost glowed under the morning sun. There was this moment where I caught my reflection in a palace window and just… laughed. It’s impossible not to feel a little regal (and a bit clumsy) walking through those ancient gates dressed like that. Our guide, Minji, explained how each color once meant something about your family or status—she even fixed my hairpiece when it started sliding off. Little details like that stick with you.

Walking through Changdeok Palace in full hanbok was surreal. The wooden floors creaked softly underfoot and there was this faint smell of pine from the gardens drifting in. Minji pointed out the Geumcheongyo Bridge—the oldest in Seoul—and told us how some parts had burned down and been rebuilt centuries ago. She had stories for every corner; I kept losing track of time listening to her talk about royal banquets and secret gardens. Then we wandered up through Bukchon Hanok Village, where the alleys twist around old wooden houses. Locals still live here, so we tried to keep our voices down (well, mostly). I remember passing a tea house with its door open—someone inside was boiling water and the steam curled out into the chilly air.

Insadong was next—loud and colorful, with shopkeepers calling out and kids running past holding sticky rice cakes on sticks. There’s even a poo-themed café at the end of the street (I didn’t go in but honestly wish I had). We ducked into a ceramics shop where an older woman let us try some plum tea—tart and sweet at once. After lunch (you get free time for that), we followed Minji to Jogyesa Temple. The air smelled like incense and there were paper lanterns everywhere overhead; someone was chanting quietly inside, which made me pause for longer than I expected.

The last stop was Gwangjang Market—crowded, noisy, alive with people slurping noodles or flipping bindaetteok pancakes on hot griddles. I tried mayak gimbap after watching three locals polish off a plate in record time (it’s addictive for a reason). The market has this energy that makes you want to linger even when your feet are tired. We ended up chatting with one of the vendors about her family’s stall—she’d been coming here since she was a kid.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from central locations or main subway stations, all entry fees for palaces and temples, transportation between sites by comfortable vehicle, guidance from an expert local who shares cultural context throughout the journey—and plenty of chances to sample snacks or shop along the way before being dropped off downtown in City Hall or Myeongdong.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by VIP TRAVEL Co.Ltd