Today includes a full-day's guided city tour that takes us to
attractions such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, where we'll see the
ceremonial changing of the guards. A colourful event, each guard
wears time-honoured robes and carries a ceremonial blade. There is
also customary Korean folk music to accompany this ancient and
symbolic ceremony.
Next up is Insadong Antique Alley. A creative hub in the 1930s,
today Antique Alley retains its traditional atmosphere, selling, as
you may have guessed, Korean antiques as well as catering for those
looking to stop for a drink or snack with its array of authentic
tea-houses and restaurants, many of which are tucked away down the
secret alleyways that join together, forming a veritable rabbits
warren of discovery. It's easy to pass an hour or two here, getting
lost amidst the street vendors and enticing food stalls.
Following a group lunch we make our way to Namsangol Hanok
Village set in the quaint neighbourhood of Pil-dong, just outside
central Seoul. With a site here since the days of the Joseon
Dynasty and a shrine dating back to the 15th century, its setting
has long been considered one of the most scenic in the area, and
was once a well-known summer resort for the most privileged in
Korean society. Back then it went by the name of Jeonghakdong which
translates as 'the land of the fairies for the blue crane where the
Jeonugak Pavilion stands along the stream in the valley.'
There will be a taekwondo demonstration*, a martial art form
that initiated in Korea, after which we attend a delicious kimchi
(famous Korean fermented cabbage) making class. *May-October
departures only