Seoul City Tour: Gyeongbokgung Palace, N Seoul Tower & Namsangol Hanok Village

Gyeongbokgung Palace and the royal guard ceremony

Gyeongbokgung Palace was built in 1395 as the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty and is the largest of Seoul's five grand palaces. Behind the Gwanghwamun Gate you find the throne hall Geunjeongjeon, the pavilion of Gyeonghoeru on its lake and wide courtyards framed by Bugaksan Mountain. The changing of the royal guard at the gate is a colourful ceremony of drums, banners and period costumes.

For visitors asking about a Gyeongbokgung tour, Gyeongbokgung opening hours or the best time to see the guard ceremony, remember that the palace has a weekly closing day and the ceremony is held at set times. Your guide plans the order of the day around them and explains the palace's history, including its destruction and reconstruction.

Jogyesa Temple and Insadong

Jogyesa Temple is the head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, set in the middle of Seoul near Insadong. Its courtyard is covered with rows of lotus lanterns, and the main hall holds a large golden Buddha. It is a calm place to see how Buddhism is still part of daily life in the city.

Next door, Insadong is the district for traditional Korean crafts, tea houses, calligraphy shops and art galleries. If you are searching for what to do in Insadong or where to buy souvenirs in Seoul, this is a good short stop for hanji paper, ceramics and small gifts. Take your time to look inside the alleys.

Gwangjang Market

Gwangjang Market is one of Seoul's oldest traditional markets, open since 1905 and famous for its silk and clothing stalls and its busy food corridors. Locals shop here for hanbok, bedding and fabrics, and the aroma of street snacks fills the lanes.

Visitors often ask whether Gwangjang Market is worth visiting. It is a lively glimpse of everyday Seoul away from the palaces, and the tour gives you time to walk through it. Meals and drinks are not included in the tour, so bring a little cash if you want to buy something to eat.

Namsangol Hanok Village

Namsangol Hanok Village at the foot of Namsan Mountain is an open-air collection of five restored traditional Korean houses moved from different parts of the city, along with a pavilion and a traditional garden. You can walk through the courtyards and see how families of different classes lived in the Joseon era. The village also hosts traditional performances and cultural displays at certain times, and the grounds are easy to walk, so you can spend the time moving through the houses and taking photographs.

A time capsule buried here in 1994 is planned to be opened in 2394, to mark Seoul's 600th anniversary. It is a peaceful, photogenic stop before the cable car.

N Seoul Tower and the Namsan cable car

N Seoul Tower stands on the top of Namsan Mountain, at about 480 metres above sea level, with sweeping views of the city. The tour includes the ride on the Namsan cable car to the tower; admission to the tower's observatory is not included, but the base terrace already has an excellent panorama.

Many travellers ask about the best time to see Seoul from N Seoul Tower; late afternoon into dusk is popular, and the tour usually finishes with this stop. The tower is also known for the love locks left on the fences.