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20-Days in Korea |
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Day 1 - Arrive in Seoul
Arrive in Seoul at Seoul's Kimpo International Airport, where you will be met and transferred to your downtown hotel, Hamilton. Afetr check-in the balance of the day is at leisure. Dinner at a downtown local restaurant with an orientation conducted by Root Travel. Overnight in Seoul. (D.) |
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Day 2 - Seoul
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Breakfast at the hotel. Visit TIC(Tourist Information Center) at KNTO(Korea National Tourism Organization). A full-day tour of the city of Seoul, where old meets new in modern Korea - A morning tour includes the National Folk Museum which displays rich and priceless artifacts from prehistoric Korea to the end of the Chosun (Yi) Dynasty - via the Blue House(Presidential Residence) ; Kyobo Bookstore for those who wish to purchase English books on Korea ; and Seoul Tower on Mt. Namsan for a bird's-eye view of Metropolitan city of Seoul. |
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Lunch at the tower restaurant. In the afternoon visit Changdok Palace(Palace of illustrious Virtue) - constructed in 1405, and is now the best preserved of Seoul's five palaces of the Chosun(Yi) Dynasty Piwon(Secret Garden) - behind Changdok Palace (illustrious Virtue) are tranquil gardens of unequalled beauty and woodland originally constructed for the recreational area the family and palace women Tongdaemun(East Gate) Market - one of the oldest and largest markets in Korea, with colorful and bustling spots for bargain shoppers. Overnight in Seoul. (B.L.D.) |
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Day 3 - Seoul( Korea social service )
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Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Korea Social Service involved in adoption, and meet the staff and see your child's file. The families will be gone most of the day. Lunch may be served by KSS or at a downtown local restaurant. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Seoul. (B.L.D.) |
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Day 4 - Seoul / Suwon / Korean Folk Village / Seoul
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Breakfast at the hotel. This morning travel to Suwon walled city, where was planned as capital city of Chosun(Yi) Dynasty in the 18th century, with the intention of moving the national capital from Seoul to Suwon, and the fortress wall was constructed. Enjoy tour of Suwonsong Fortress - over 5 km in length, the fortress wall averages 9 m high, and its bulwark of stone and brick is considered the masterpiece of Korean fortress construction. Afterwards visit the Korean Folk Village outside of Seoul to see a superb and truly authentic display |
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of Korean history including folk traditions, legends, and the lifestyles of the nobility, the 14th-20th centuries, Korea. Lunch at the Folk Village. Return to Seoul. After dinner, the evening is at leisure.Overnight in Seoul. (B.L.D.) |
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Day 5 - Seoul / Pusan
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Breakfast at the hotel, and check out. This morning travel to Pusan, the country's principal international port city, second largest city with a population of 4 million, and is the San Francisco of Korea built along the sea at the site of an excellent harbor. Lunch en route. The balance of the day is at leisure or for independent activities for shopping, etc. Dinner at a downtown local restaurant. Overnight in Pusan. (B.L.D.)
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Day 6 - Pusan
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Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Namkwangwon Children's Home and meet the staff and see your child's file, and visit the babies'/children's home. After lunch, in the afternoon, visit Haeundae Beachone of the most popular places in Korea to spend a summer vacation, Haeundae Beach is 2 km long with a gentle curve, shallow water, perfect facilities and convenient transportation. Dinner at a downtown local restaurant. Overnight in Pusan. (B.L.D.)
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Day 7 - Pusan
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Breakfast at the hotel. A full-day tour of Pusan 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 Pusan Tower ; Pusan 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 ; Chagalchi Fish Market - Pusan's most active fish-dealers' cooperative, the colorful spectacle is also a great attraction for tourists and |
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camera buffs ;Taejongdae Seaside Cliff Park -the scenery of rugged cliffs dropping straight down to the sea is 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 Pusan Municipal Museum has a decent collection of artifacts, most from the Pusan area. Lunch and dinner at a downtown local restaurant. The balance of the day and evening is at leisure. Overnight in Pusan. (B.L.D.) |
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Day 8 - Pusan / Kyongju
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Breakfast at the hotel, and check out. Transfer to Kyongju, where was the capital of the Shilla 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". After lunch at a local restaurant, an afternoon tour of Kyongju visits Kyongju National Museum, which has the best collection of Shilla Dynasty artifacts with more than 100,000 pieces ; Anapji Pondconstructed in 674 A.D. as a pleasure garden to |
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commemorate the unification of the peninsula by the Shilla forces, used the recreational area for the Shilla royal family and banquet garden to entertain royal important guests ; Chomsongdae Astronomical Observatory - built in 634 A.D., is considered the world's earliest known existing observatory and admired by archaeologists worldwide ; Royal Tumuli Park - a collection of royal Shilla tombs located in the middle of Kyongju with 20 tombs, of which Chonmachong(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. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Kyongju. (B.L.D.) |
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Day 9 - Kyongju / Pohang Iron & Steel Company(POSCO) / Kyongju
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Breakfast at the hotel. A morning tour of Kyongju includes Folk Crafts Village - a working community of master craftsmen in Kyongju and visitors can buy beatiful craft pieces direct from the craftsmen ; Sokkuram Grotto constructed in 535 A.D., one of Asia's finest Buddhist shrines, an attempt to represent physically the highest spiritual aspirations, the crowning achievement of Shilla religio-artistic work, was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1995 ; and Punhwangsa Pagoda erected in 634, is considered, with Chomsongdae, |
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one of the country's two oldest stone structures, and the pagoda was originally 9 stories high, only 3 remain today.Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit Pohang Iron & Steel Company(POSCO) which is enormous milling complex and the largest steel mill in Korea, and one of the most advanced in the world. Return to Kyongju, and dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Kyongju. (B.L.D.) |
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Day 10 - Kyongju / Haeinsa Temple
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Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Travel 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 Heritage List in 1995. After lunch, an afternoon tour of Haeinsa Temple. After dinner, the evening is at leisure. Overnight in Haeinsa Temple Village. (B.L.D.)
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Day 11 - Haeinsa Temple / Andong / Hahoe Village
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Breakfast at the hotel and check out. This morning travel to Andong where is 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. Lunch at a local restaurant. An afternoon tour of Andong includes Tosansowon Confucian Academy founded by Korea's foremost Confucian scholar, Yi Toe-gye during the Chosun(Yi) Dynasty and was the hub of Korea Confucianism which ruled all Koreans in their ethical-moral |
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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 county ; and Hahoe Villagethe best preserved traditional village of the Chosun(Yi) Dynasty, where residents still live in traditional thatched and tile-roofed houses and one of the few remaining examples of a classical Chosun(Yi) Dynasty Confucian village layout. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Andong. (B.L.D.) |
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Day 12 - Andong / Mt. Soraksan(Sokcho)
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Early this morning we journey to Mt. Soraksan National Park along the crystal east coast Mt. Soraksan is 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. Breakfast on board. En route to Pusoksa Temple established in 676, |
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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 ; Puryong Valley - The most beautiful and scenic valley in the country featuring granite and limestone cliffs, many waterfalls and crystal clear water with forests of fir and pine trees ; Pongpyong Beach for a rest ; and Edison & Gramophone Museum - the only biggest Edison-Gramophone Museum in the world to enjoy from Edison-Tin foil to the newest of Audio system ; Lunch en route. Dinner at a local restaurant in Sokcho and the evening is at leisure. Overnight in Sokcho. (B.L.D.) |
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Day 13 - Mt. Soraksan / Naksansa Temple / Sokcho
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Breakfast at the hotel. This morning explore Mt. Soraksan National Park with visits to Shinhungsa 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 ; Chonbuldong Valley the most visually stimulating valley in the park ; and Pisondae(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 laugh and play while they |
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bathes in the placid pools of the many glens hidden from human eyes. Lunch en route. In the afternoon, visit Naksansa Temple set at the edge of the ocean, dedicated to Kwanseum Posal, the Goddess of Mercy, Naksansa Temple was founded in 671 by the traveling monk Uisang. Dinner at a local restaurant and Overnight in Sokcho. (B.L.D.) |
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Day 14 - Mt. Soraksan(Sokcho) / Seoul
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Breakfast at the hotel. A morning tour visits Olympic Main Stadium, where is the symbol of the 88 Olympics, it has a seating capacity of about 100,000 and its unusual shape was inspired by the graceful curves of a Chosun Dynasty porcelain vase. Lunch at a downtown local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit Namdaemun Market, the largest general wholesale market in Korea, for Hanbok (traditional Korean costume) shopping, etc. Dinner at a downtown local restaurant. The evening is at leisure. Overnight in Seoul. (B.L.D.)
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Day 15 - Seoul
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Breakfast at the hotel, and check out. Return to Seoul, passing mountains, green countryside and clusters of unique tiled houses. Lunch en route. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure. Dinner at a downtown local restaurant. Overnight in Seoul.(B.L.D.)
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Day 16 - Seoul
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Breakfast at the hotel. This morning visit War Memorial Museum - opened in 1994, the War Memorial Museum offers visitors an educational experience of the many wars in which Korea has been involved. Lunch at a downtown local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit Itaewon Primary school and observe the school's facilities, classrooms, etc. Dinner Party hosted by Dutch Embassy in Seoul . The evening is at leisure. Overnight in Seoul. (B.L.D.)
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Day 17 - Seoul / DMZ ( Tora Observation Platform & North Korea's Infiltration Tunnel ) / Imjingak / Seoul
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Breakfast at the hotel. Today's tour includes Tora Observation Platform - located at a western front line and from here you can get a view of the North Korean territory including Propaganda Village, People's School and Kaesung city which was a capital of Koryo Dynasty through telescope ; and North Korea's infiltration Tunnel - this is located within DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) area and is 44 km away rom Seoul and found in October, 1978, and 30,000 armed military forces with field artillery may permeate through f this tunnel per one hour. Afterwards, |
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proceed to Imjingak - this spot located at 40 km northwest of seoul was dedicated for 5 million people who lost home in North Korea and its major facilities include North Hall where you can get a view of lifestyle of North Korea and Exhibition Hall having old tanks and planes used for Korean War. Lunch at the Imjingak restaurant. Return to Seoul, and the balance of the day is at leisure. Dinner at a downtown local restaurant. Overnight in Seoul. (B.L.D.) |
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Day 18 - Seoul / Kanghwado Island / Seoul
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Breakfast at the hotel. A full day excursion travels to Kanghwado 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 Kanghwa 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 Chosun(Yi) King - |
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King Choljong was born in this house and it was the residence of King Choljong before he ascended the 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 Ancient Koryo Palace Site - the site of a former Koryo Dynasty palace, constructed in 1232, 2years after the court fled here to escape the Mongols, where only a few of the foundation stones remain.; 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; the Kwangsoungbo Fortress - Kanghwado 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 Farm - Kanghwado 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; and the Island Products Exhibition Hall - the hall is famous for its excellent ginseng, and also famous for its rush mats woven in flora designs, which are prized by Koreans and already popular as tourist souvenirs. Lunch en route at a local restaurant. Return to Seoul. After dinner, the evening is at leisure. Overnight in Seoul. (B.L.D.) |
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Day 19 - Seoul / DMZ ( Tora Observation Platform & North Korea's Infiltration Tunnel ) / Imjingak / Seoul
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Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a full day at leisure or for your independent activities with independent lunch. This evening there will be a farewell dinner with a Korean folklore dance and music performance at Korea House. Overnight in Seoul (B.D.)
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Day 20 - Seoul / Depart Korea
Breakfast at the hotel, and free time until check out. Transfer to Kimpo International Airport for departure. (B.) |
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Schedules are subject to change according to the unforeseen circumstances. |
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