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Bukchon History Tour: Seoul's Cultural Heart
5.0
23 Ratings
Unni-dong
Explore Bukchon’s rich history with a local storyteller, uncovering secrets from 1392 to the 1970s. Discover Seoul’s hidden gems with a filmmaker guide.
Explore Bukchon’s rich history with a local storyteller, uncovering secrets from 1392 to the 1970s. Discover Seoul’s hidden gems with a filmmaker guide.
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Unhyeongung - When the king passes away without a crown prince, an 11-year-old royal boy, born and raised here, ascends as the 26th king of Joseon. For the following decade, the boy’s father governs the nation from this location. Discover the captivating history of Unhyeonggung Palace and admire the remarkable architecture of the era.
- **Cafe…
- Unhyeongung - When the king passes away without a crown prince, an 11-year-old royal boy, born and raised here, ascends as the 26th king of Joseon. For the following decade, the boy’s father governs the nation from this location. Discover the captivating history of Unhyeonggung Palace and admire the remarkable architecture of the era.
- Cafe Onion Anguk - Appreciate historic architecture from 600, 100, and 50 years ago and uncover the stories behind them.
- Bukchon Cultural Center - Explore and value the hanoks of the Yangban, the ruling class, who typically resided in Seoul.
- Seokjeong Boreum Well - Hear stories about the wells familiar from childhood and what history has unveiled about them.
- Choong Ang High School (Location for Winter Sonata) - This high school is renowned for being the filming site of numerous dramas and music videos, yet it is a historic venue that contributed to shaping Korea into its present form. Discover the story behind its hidden history.
- Samcheongdong / Bukchon - Follow the dramatic rise and fall of influential politicians and business magnates who once owned land in Bukchon — a district selected as the capital based on feng shui principles. Esteemed as a favorable site, this sought-after land became both the source of their wealth and influence, and the setting for their eventual decline.
- Bukchon Hanok Village - The individual who transformed the landscape of Bukchon in the 1920s and 30s.
What's Included
- Traditional Korean handicraft experience (Plus Tour only)
- Professional guide from Bukcheon
- Traditional Korean handicraft experience (Plus Tour only)
- Professional guide from Bukcheon
What's Not Included
- Travel Insurance
- Hotel pick-up service
- Personal expenses
- Tea and coffee
- Travel Insurance
- Hotel pick-up service
- Personal expenses
- Tea and coffee
Additional Information
The Bukchon Storytelling Tour was launched in February 2025, and the operator is deeply appreciative of the incredible support received from guests around the globe. The final tour sale of the year is now available.
Please be aware: the tour may be canceled if fewer than two guests register.
Prepare yourself… the alleys are eager to share their…
The Bukchon Storytelling Tour was launched in February 2025, and the operator is deeply appreciative of the incredible support received from guests around the globe. The final tour sale of the year is now available.
Please be aware: the tour may be canceled if fewer than two guests register.
Prepare yourself… the alleys are eager to share their secrets.
Introduced in February 2025, this walking tour guides you through Bukchon, a central hub of Korean politics, economy, and culture from 1392 AD to the 1980s. Led by a storyteller who was born and raised in Bukchon—and is now a filmmaker and university screenwriting professor—you will uncover the rich history of Seoul on foot. This tour is highly recommended for participants aged 12 and above to ensure an optimal experience for all guests.
- While we welcome everyone, please note that the storytelling walking tour may be challenging for children aged 12 and under. We kindly recommend that they refrain from participating.
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Location
Anguk Station Exit 4
Meet in front of Exit No.4 of An Guk Station on Subway Line 3
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(23 Ratings)
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Adam_b
Sep 18, 2025
Personalized tour with... - Personalized tour with insightful local expert! I would recommend to anyone looking to book a bukchon tour.
Review provided by Viator
Virginia_j
Jul 13, 2025
Dong was a wonderful... - Dong was a wonderful guide, we had a great experience! I highly recommend this tour! He lived in Bukchon as a child, so he has knowledge and personal experience that other guides might not have.
Review provided by Viator
G6556pwjamesg
Jun 29, 2025
Fantastic tour from a storyteller who grew up in the neighborhood - Dong's tour was incredible. We loved all the historical insights and Korean cultural references that he walked us through. Dong's tour was very special since he grew up in the neighborhood; I feel like he could give us much more context than other tour guides. He told us about local stories and history that could only be explained by growing up in the neighborhood. Also, he would say things about the historical significance of a building and then in the same breath, point out that his best friend grew up in that other house; it was so cute. I do not think you could book a better tour guide for the neighborhood.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
John_c
Jun 10, 2025
Bukchon with a real one - Dong was an amazing guide in Bukchon today.
His vast knowledge of the area - he grew up in Bukchon - coupled with his enthusiasm for the culture makes this a must see tour. We toured palaces and listened to not only historical knowledge of the Joseon period but Dong was able to deliver specific tales of the daily life of the palace itself. It pays to have a guide with this experience. Do yourself a favor and choose the craft option as well for this tour. I was able to make a “Hopae” with a local artisan and now - if I’m ever thrown back to the Joseon Dynasty, like in the K-Drama “Mr. Queen” - have proper identification. 😁 Thanks again, Dong, for an informative tour of your neighborhood.
Review provided by Viator
Lindsey_d
Jun 9, 2025
Excellent Day - We had an excellent time with our guide showing us Bukchon and the surrounding area. We loved making the traditional Hopae tags and learning about his time growing up in the town.
Review provided by Viator
Johnma
May 18, 2025
This tour was a valuable... - This tour was a valuable opportunity to speak with someone who personally grew up in the area in the not-too-distant past. Dong has a wealth of first-hand knowledge and anecdotes about what the neighborhood was like (before its relatively recent transformation into a popular tourist destination) and the dramatic changes that have occurred over the years. Would recommend booking this excursion if you're interested in digging deeper into the history, culture and daily life of the area.
Review provided by Viator
Marguerite_d
May 16, 2025
Dong was an excellent... - Dong was an excellent guide! Extremely knowledgable and personable. It really was a "hidden" tour that included much quieter (and still important) features in Bukchon.
Review provided by Viator
Sara_r
Apr 23, 2025
What a fantastic walking... - What a fantastic walking tour of Bukchon! Without our guide, Dong, I would’ve totally missed out on the fascinating stories and hidden gems behind the traditional architecture. His insights brought the neighborhood to life in a way that made every alley feel like a time machine. If I get the chance, I’d love to come back on my own, soak in the atmosphere, and enjoy a quiet cup of tea somewhere in this beautiful place.
Review provided by Viator
Alexis_c
Apr 7, 2025
Top time 🌝✨ - Donghwan was a top guide 🌟, he introduced me, through stories, not only the “back in the day” Seoul but the new-vibrant one.
Also he gave me extra recommendations and tips to keep enjoying the city according my interests. Plus a short-film to watch during my flight home 🌝✨
감사합니다 🙏
Review provided by Viator
Holli_d
Apr 1, 2025
Dong is a great tour guide! - The tour guide for this tour is Dong and I really enjoyed having a personal tour of Bukchon Hanok Village and the surrounding areas. I learned a lot on this tour about the history of the area, but what also made this tour unique is the inside perspective of someone who grew up in this area and it has been rapidly changing overtime.
Dong was great at answering my questions and so I highly recommend people take this tour if they have time!
Review provided by Viator