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Seoul / Korean Folk Village / Ganghwado Island / Panmunjeom / Mt. Seoraksan / Andong / Hahoe Village / Haeinsa Temple / Gyeongju / Busan / Tongyeong Harbor-Hallyeo Maritime National Park / Jejudo Island Tour
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 15 Days / 14 Nights |
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Day 1 ― Arrive in Seoul
Arrive in Seoul at Incheon International Airport, where you will be met and transferred to your downtown hotel. After check-in the balance of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Seoul.
Day 2 ― Seoul / Korean Folk Village / Seoul
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A morning tour of Metropolitan city of Seoul, where old meets new in modern Korea. Established by the founder of Joseon Dynasty in 1392, the capital of the Republic of Korea has a population of more than 12,000,000 people.Seoul is a city of incredible contrasts which, despite its immense size, make it one of the most fascinating cities in the world. It is the heart of Korea’s culture and education as well as politics and economics. The tour includes Gyeongbokgung Palace (Palace of Shining Happiness) - the main palace during the Joseon Dynasty - passing by Blue House (Presidential Residence)；National Folk Museum of Korea |
- the collections display complete items from every region of Korea which illustrate all aspects of traditional life；and N Seoul Tower on Mt. Namsan for a bird's-eye view of Metropolitan city of Seoul. An afternoon tour visits Korean Folk Village outside of Seoul to see a superb and truly authentic display of Korean history including folk traditions, legends, and the lifestyles of the nobility, the 14th-20th centuries, Korea. Return to Seoul. Overnight in Seoul.
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Day 3 ― Seoul / Ganghwado Island / Seoul |
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| A full day excursion travels to Ganghwado Island, the fifth largest island of Korea at the mouth of the Han River just northwest of Seoul, provides visitors a look at Korea's rural life and natural beauty, offers numerous prehistoric remains and historical attractions. See the Ganghwa Historical Museum-exhibits historical records of the entire spectrum of Korean existence, from the time of Tan' gun, the mythical founder of the Korean nation, to the opening of Korea, to the Western World；Birthplace of 25th Joseon King-King Cheoljong was born in this house and it was the residence of King Cheoljong before he ascended the |
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throne in 1849； the Oldest Anglican Church-is the oldest Anglican Church in the country, with Western, Korean, Christian, Buddhist and Confucian influences which is definitely the most unusual；the Prehistoric Dolmen-a granite dolmen from the Neolithic period which more than 2 m high, its one-m-thick oblong capstone rests on 2 sturdy upright supports, and open at each end, its high enough to crouch through；Jeondeungsa Temple-a major Buddhist temple that was built about 1,600 years ago during Goguryeo Kingdom. Here, in the 1230-40s, 81,258 wood printing blocks were made. Collectively known as the Koreana Tripitaka；the Gwangseongbo Fortress-Ganghwado is still a fortress island of sorts, with a large but relatively unobtrusive military presence, this fortress was constructed in 1656 with additions in 1679 and 1745 and saw battle in 1866 against the French and in 1871 against the American Navy；Ginseng Center-Ganghwado Island is one of the largest concentrations of ginseng farming in the country, five to six years are required to raise the plant to maturity, while great care and expertise are needed in its cultivation, thatched straw-roof lean-toss are erected in long rows to protect the tender plants from too much rain, wind or direct sunlight. This Ginseng Center is the largest wholesale market in t he island for all kinds of Ginseng products being sold directly by the farmers. Return to Seoul. Ovrnight in Seoul.
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Day 4 ― Seoul / Panmunjeom / Seoul |
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| Enjoy a full day tour to the armistice village of Panmunjeom where the agreement ending the Korean conflict was signed in 1953 and scene of many international headlines in recent years. The day includes the Korean Border Line and the Demilitarized Zone (D.M.Z.) including the Freedom House, the Conference Site, the Bridge of No-Return and the Joint Security Area. Lunch is included. Return to Seoul. Overnight in Seoul. |
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Day 5 ― Seoul / Mt. Seoraksan
Today we journey to Mt. Seoraksan National Park, this northern stretch of Korea's eastern coast, which is rugged and mountainous with breathtaking scenery making it the "Alps of Asia", and give this area an unparalleled popularity with the dense forests bordering crystal clear streams, tumbling over cataracts and dropping from precipices to form fleecy waterfalls, as well as awesome sawtooth cliffs spiraling into the blue skies. Overnight at a hotel at the foot of Mt. Seoraksan
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Day 6 ― Mt. Seoraksan / Unification Observatory / Daejin Harbor / Mt. Seoraksan |
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| This morning explore Mt. Seoraksan National Park with visits to Sinheungsa Temple-established in 653 A.D., claims to be the country's oldest Zen Buddhist temple, and it would be the oldest existing Zen temple in the world；Cheonbuldong Valley-the most visually stimulating valley in the park；and Biseondae (Flying Fairy Rock)-a wide, flat rock surface where the river rapids drain into a crystal clear pool and a peak rises majestically above the valley, one hears many legends of the heavenly nymphs who come to |
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laugh and play while they bathes in the placid pools of the many glens hidden from human eyes. Drive this afternoon to the Korean Peninsular Unification Prayer- Observatory set at the edge of the demarkation line which is a symbol of the Korean people's long-cherished desire for the unification of the two Korea. Afterward, visit Daejin Harbor, where you will have your own independent tour to explore this small exotic harbor, located near the demarkation line and in the northeastern tip of Korea. Overnight at a hotel at the foot of Mt. Seoraksan.
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Day 7 ― Mt. Seoraksan / Andong |
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This morning travel to Andong, one of the last living vestiges of old Korea, where still is very conservative and traditional, a stronghold of Confucianism, which has deeply influenced all aspects of the lives of its people, along the crystal east coast. En route to Buseoksa Temple - established in 676, it is one of Korea's most venerated temples, and five national treasures and three treasures including the second oldest wooden structure and some of the oldest mural paintings in the country, are preserved at this temple, and the panoramic mountains' spreading views from the temple are spectacular. Overnight in Andong. |
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Day 8 ― Andong / Hahoe Village / Haeinsa Temple |
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| A morning tour visits Dosanseowon Confucian Academy-founded by Korea's foremost Confucian scholar, Yi Toe-gye during the Joseon Dynasty and was the hub of Korea Confucianism which ruled all Koreans in their ethical-moral way and still conduct the ethical behavior in Korean society；Andong Folk Museum which displays rich folk artifacts collected in variety in Andong and its surrounding county；and Hahoe Village-the best preserved traditional village of the Joseon Dynasty, where residents still live in traditional thatched and tile - roofed houses and one of the few remaining examples of a classical Joseon |
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Dynasty Confucian village layout. Continue to Haeinsa Temple which is one of three greatest temples of Korea, established in 803 A.D., chiefly known today as the repository of the Tripitaka Koreana, set of over 80,000 wooden printing blocks engraved with one of the most comprehensive compilations of the Buddhist scriptures in all of Asia, and the Depositories and the Tripitaka Koreana Wooden Printing Blocks were added to UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage List in 1995. Overnight at a hotel in the temple village.
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Day 9 ― Haeinsa Temple / Gyeongju |
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| This morning visit Haeinsa Temple, then travel to Gyeongju, where was the capital of the Silla Dynasty from 57 B.C. to 935 A.D. and designated by UNESCO as one of the world's ten most historically significant sites with numerous relics of that era, and is called the "Museum Without Walls". An afternoon tour includes Bunhwangsa Pagoda-erected in 634, is considered, with Cheomseongdae, one of the country's two oldest stone structures, and the pagoda was originally 9 stories high, only 3 remain today；Gyeongju National Museum, which has the best collection of Silla Dynasty artifacts with |
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more than 100,000 pieces； Anapji Pond-constructed in 674 A.D. as a pleasure garden to commemorate the unification of the peninsula by the Silla forces, used the recreational area for the Silla royal family and banquet garden to entertain royal important guests；Cheomseongdae Astronomical Observatory-built in 634 A.D., is considered the world's earliest known existing observatory and admired by archaeologists worldwide；and Royal Tumuli Park-a collection of royal Silla tombs located in the middle of Gyeongju with 20 tombs, of which Cheonmachong (Flying Horse Tomb) is the most famous with its excavation which yielded more than 10,000 treasure-artifacts；and the 15th century built Family Choi s House. Overnight in Gyeongju.
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Day 10 ― Gyeongju / Busan |
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| A morning tour visits Bulguksa Temple-originally constructed in 535 A.D., the most frequented and best-known temple in Korea, was added to UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage List in 1995, and Seokguram Grotto-dating back to the same era as Bulguksa Temple, one of Asia's finest Buddhist shrines, an attempt to represent physically the highest spiritual aspirations, the crowning achievement of Silla religio-artistic work, was added to UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage List in 1995. Continue to Busan, the country's principal international port city, second largest city with a population of 4 million, and is the San Francisco of Korea built |
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along the sea at the site of an excellent harbor. The balance of the day is at leisure or for independent
activities for shopping, etc. Overnight in Busan. |
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Day 11 ― Busan |
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| A full-day tour visits Yongdusan Park, where provides a pleasant touch of greenery on a hill in the heart of the city and a very popular public park with Busan Tower；Busan Tower-Yongdusan Park crowned with the tower, 120-m-high tower observatory dominates the most of the area of the city, and the sea and harbor views spreading below the tower are spectacular；Jagalchi Fish Market-Busan's most active fish-dealers' cooperative, the colorful spectacle is also a great attraction for tourists and camera buffs；Taejongdae Seaside Cliff Park-the scenery of rugged cliffs dropping straight down to the sea is |
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breathtaking, along with a panoramic sea view from the Park, overlooking the Korean Strait-on a very clear day you can even see the Japanese island of Tsushima on the horizon to the southeast；UN Memorial Cemetery where the Korean War (1950-53) dead from the sixteen UN allies rest in honored serenity and is the unique one in its kind in the world；and Busan Municipal Mus eum-has a decent collection of artifacts, most from the Busan area. Overnight in Busan.
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| Day 12 ― Busan / Tongyeong Harbor-Hallyeo Maritime National Park / Busan |
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| Early this morning travel to Tongyeong Harbor, where has the most extensive ferry network between Busan and Yeosu, and is home port for one of the largest concentrations of fishing boats on the southern coast. Take a sightseeing boat and a full-day tour of Hallyeo Maritime National Park-stretches across 400 islands along the southern coast, and it is a 93-mile-long waterway running from Hansando Island, south of Busan, to Yeosu in the west, where, with islands dotted here and there, is sometimes mistaken for a lake and it is divided into six sections and has both stunning natural scenery and many sites of historica |
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l interest. Return to Busan. Overnight in Busan.
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Day 13 ― Busan / Jejudo Island |
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| This morning fly to Jejudo Island, Korea's largest Island which is often described as "Emerald Isle", "Island of Gods" or "Korea's Hawaii" and most "exotic" region, and is one of Korea's premier tourist regions as undiscovered and unspoiled tourist destinations, and has been a Korean honeymooners' retreat, a paradise where love can bloom in planned seclusion amidst the serenity of its easygoing ambiance. An afternoon tour of Jeju city, capital and hub of Jejudo Province, includes Mokseokwon-a public park which contains |
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naturally sculpted rocks and dried tree roots imaginatively representing various animal and human forms and figures；the Jeju Folklore & Natural History Museum-has a huge exhibition room decorated with black volcanic rocks and a large collection of folkcrafts, as well as exhibits of geology, flora and fauna of the island；Samseonghyeol Holes (Ancestral Spirit Holes)-the shrine to the island's 3 legendary clan progenitors, emerged from the three small holes in this meadow, and annually grand worship ceremony is given by the islanders；and Yongduam (Dragon Head Rock)-an unusual lava formation set at the edge of the ocean, gets its name from the fact that it looks like a dragon head which is opening its mouth to roar. Overnight in Jeju city.
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Day 14 ― Jejudo Island |
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A full-day tour includes Mt. Hallasan - which is the highest peak in the Republic rising to 1,950 m above sea level and this mountain is the island of Jejudo-crossing over 1,100 m pass；Cheonjiyeon Waterfall-cascades down a cliff 22 meters high and 12 meters wide into a natural tropical pond inhabited by eels and surrounded by lush vegetation, and many fossils can be found around the falls；Cheonjeyeon Waterfall-got its name from a legend that seven fairies descended every night to bathe in the falls by the moonlight and is a gorge that contains a series of 3 falls and pools；Yeomiji Botanical Gardens-located at the heart of Jungmun Resorts and it is the largest botanical garden in Asia with an area of 13,373㎡, and the indoor garden contains over 2,000 different sub-tropical and tropical plants and there is a 38-meter-high observation tower overlooking the whole Jungmun Tourist Complex and its surrounding seashore, and an outdoor garden where are areas devoted to the styles of other countries such as traditional Japanese, Italian, and French gardens as well as traditional Korean garden；Jeongbang Waterfall-this 23-meter-high waterfall is the only one in Asia to plunge straight into the sea, and on the beautiful beaches around the falls, visitors can watch the women divers collecting shellfish and abalone； Jusangjeolli - stone pillars piled up along the coast and is a designated cultural monument of Jejudo Island. The Jusangjeolli was formed when the lava from Mt.Hallasan flew to the sea of Jungmun. They are rock pillars shaped like cubes or hexagons of various sizes. The administration of the district named them 'Jisatgae Rocks' from their old name 'Jisatgae'. It is also famous for its 20m cliff with the high tides and sea angling；Seongeup Folk Village-the only non-coastal town of significance, is the island's best preserved old community and has been designated as a "folklore preservation zone", where the villagers still live behind the stone courtyard walls in thatched-roof, and mud and rock homes；Sangumburi Crater |
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-it is 438 meters above sea level and is located in an elegant wilderness, the circumference measures 2 km and the center area is about 298,000㎡ in which grows at least 420 species of sub-tropical, temperate and alpine zone plants providing ample opportunity for botanical study；Seongsan Ilchulbong (Seongsan's Sunrise Peak)-rising from the double-headed peninsula at the eastern end of the island, this volcanic crater rises 182 m straight up from the water, and the whole crater is surrounded by 99 sharp, basalt pinnacles which looks like an ancient western-style castle or crown from a distance and reflects marvelous scenery；Manjanggul Cave-at 13.4 km in length, this cave is reputed to be the world's longest lava tube, and has many interesting and grotesque-shaped lava stones and lava pillars along its length. Drive back to Jeju city. Overnight in Jeju city.
Day 14 ― Jejudo Island / Depart Korea
Transfer to Jeju Domestic Airport and fly to Seoul, then connect with international flight at Incheon International Airport for departure.
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HISTORICAL- 
COMBINED KOREA-JAPAN
