The UNESCO Journey of South Korea

After breakfast at the hotel, meet a guide for a full day sightseeing in Busan. Visit Korea’s largest seafood market, Jagalchi Fishery Market and traditional market. Next, visit Gamcheon Culture Village, formed by houses built in staircase-fashion on the foothills of a coastal mountain, earning this village the nickname "Machu Picchu of Busan”. This afternoon, experience traditional rice cake making with a master and tasting it. Continue to visit Haeundae Beach, the most famous beach in Busan. The white sand beach is roughly 1.5 kilometers long, over a 30 to 50 meter wide area, creating a beautiful coastline before a shallow bay. Proceed to Yonggungsa Temple via Dalmaji-gil Road, famous for its views of the blue ocean, white sandy beach, Camellia forest, and pine tree forest, creating one of Busan’s eight scenic sites. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is situated on the coast of the north-eastern portion of Busan. Transfer to Gyeongju (1.5hrs by car) and visit Gyeongju Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond(night tour), a secondary palace used by the crown prince of the Silla Kingdom. You can enjoy the reflection of Imhaejeon in Wolji during the night.

Breakfast is at the hotel. Met by our guide and enjoy a full day tour in Gyeongju, a museum without walls. In 57 BC, around when Julius Caesar was subduing Gaul, it became the capital of the Shilla Dynasty and remained so for about 1000 years. Gyeongju preserves a vast amount of significant and fascinating historical heritage. Visit Gyeongju National Museum, Cheomgseongdae Astronomical Observatory, Seokguram Grotto (UNESCO world heritage) - an artificial stone temple made of granite, located on the eastern peak of Mt. Toham. Inside the round-shaped main hall, there are the Bonjon Statue, Bodhi-Sattava and his disciples. It was built to preserve these statues. Bulguksa Temple (UNESCO world heritage) – The beauty of the temple itself and artistic touch of the stone relics are as awesome and fascinating as to be highly praised by visitors from all over the world. Move to Daegu which is the largest and central city of this province. Check in at Hotel and take a rest.

After Check-out, move to Haeinsa Temple located in Gayasan National Park. Haeinsa Temple was founded by King Ae-Jang of Shilla Dynasty (802), well known for its famous treasure “ Tripitaka Koreana ”(UNESCO world heritage) composed of 81,341 printing woodblocks made to repulse the Mongolian Army Invasion with support of Buddha. And then transfer to Andong Hahoe Village which has preserved the housing architecture and the village structure of the Joseon Dynasty. Moreover, the Village was not artificially created; there are people who actually live there. The Hahoe Village has become world-famous for the visit of The Queen Elizabeth II of Britain several years ago. And then transfer to Pyeongchang in Gangwon province, the 2018 Winter Olympics site and every winter millions of tourists come to enjoy snow-covered hills and slopes

After breakfast, drive to Seoraksan National Park of which the peaks break through the clouds while jade-like water flows through the valleys, creating breathtaking views and making this Korea’s most famous national park. UNESCO designated this park a Biosphere Preservation District in 1982 due to so many rare species found here. Visit Sinheungsa temple located in Mt.Seorak which is an ancient temple with deep historical significance, built by a great monk Jajangyulsa (590~658). Gwongeumseong is a site of castle ruins located on the steep Dol Mountain of Seoraksan National Park area(Cable car with your own expenses,USD20pp). After sightseeing at Seoraksan National Park, move to Seoul. *In a cast of more than 8 persons, before heading to Seorak National Park, you will stop by Woljeongsa temple and have a chance to experience the temple life program. Woljeongsa, situated on the mountain, is revered as the holy site of the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. The thousand-year-old fir tree forest is a good place to walk in self-reflection and the trail along the stream will give you an opportunity to be one with Mother Nature. Temple life program (09:00~11:30): learning temple etiquette, Temple tour, Walking Meditation or conversation with a monk and monastic meal.*

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up at your hotel lobby 4 hours before your flight departure.