Korea In Between

Land safely at Incheon International Airport where a driver will be waiting for you to transfer you to a beautifully restored 130 year old hanok boutique hotel nestled in Bukchon Hanok Village, where traditional Korean architecture lovingly merges with modern comforts—featuring jade heated ondol floors, tea ceremonies, mud sauna and tranquil courtyard gardens reminiscent of a former Joseon aristocrat’s residence. Settle down at leisure. Dinner can be pre-booked if you like

The day begins with a traditional Korean breakfast served with many small dishes. We offer two options today:
- on your own: explore Seoul at leisure during the whole day. Bukchon Village offers many traditional houses, art galleries, shops and cafes all around. The Changdeokgung Palace is just a few minutes away by walk.
or
- with a guide: leave early morning at 7.30am, you will head to Ganghwado Island: Ganghwado is an island located in Ganghwa County, situated in the Yellow Sea at the mouth of the Han River. It is separated from Gimpo by a narrow channel, which is crossed by two bridges, and from Kaesong in North Korea by the main channel of the Han River. Heading to Gyodong Here you will be able to visit the Gyodoing Bridge along with the Daeryong Market is an alley market that recreates the atmosphere of Yeonbaek Market to support the livelihood of residents who temporarily evacuated from Yeonbaek-gun in Hwanghae-do to Gyodongdo Island during the Korean War. Then you geto visit Hwagaesan Mountain is the highest peak on Gyodongdo, standing 259 meters above sea level. From its summit, many tourists visit to view the Yeonbaek Plains in North Korea. To cater to the growing number of visitors, the village now features a family-friendly recreation area, including Hwagae Garden, a skywalk with an observatory, and a monorail. After that, head to Gang Hwa Old Town to uncover Goryeogung and Yongheung Palace. Enter the Anglican Church of Korea and the Gangwha Cathedral. Then head to the Sochang Hall to study about the people’s traditions and way of life. Back to your hanok.

Pick up at your hotel and Seoul and drive 50km North to Paju county to explore one of the most secured area on the planet with your guide. We start with The Freedom Bridge that crosses the Imjin river, a former railroad bridge which was used by repatriated Prisoners of War/soldiers returning from the North. We continue with Imjingak - a unification and security tour complex which consists of Imjingak and North Korea Center, Unification Park, and several monuments and memorial sites. Pyeonghwa Nuri Park, located next to the resort, also hosts many events, performances, and exhibitions to promote peace and reunification. We move to the 3rd Tunnel, discovered in 1978, the third infiltration tunnel was dug by the Northern army to spy on their Southern counterparts - 1,635 meters long, with a height and width of 2 meters. It is estimated that over 30,000 soldiers would have been able to pass through the tunnel in just one hour. We have a look at Dora Observatory, the northernmost observatory on the western section of the DMZ. The binoculars offer views of the city of Gaeseong, Songaksan Mountain, and the Statue of Kim Il-sung in North Korea. NB: as the area beyond the observatory is within a military outpost command, photography is strictly prohibited here. The Dorasan Station is one of the northernmost railway stations on the Gyeongui Line, connecting Seoul to Sinuiju - a symbol of effort for a unified Korea. After lunch, we walk around Dorasan Peace Park -an ecological park featuring a pond in the shape of the Korean peninsula with a boardwalk around it. The park’s exhibition hall showcases information and materials related to the history of Dorasan Station and DMZ’s ecosystem. Next is the Unification bridge: located in the Joint Security Area (JSA), the so-called "Bridge of No Return" crosses the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) between North Korea and South Korea. It was used for prisoner exchanges at the end of the Korean War in 1953. And we end the day with Panmunjeom; this is where the Armistice Agreement was signed on July 27, 1953. Panmunjeom is within the Joint Security Area (JSA) secured by UN and North Korean military and is beyond the jurisdiction of North and South Korea. We drive back to the historic heart of Seoul, for an evening in your Hanok.

Enjoy a relaxing morning and have some morning before checking out and being picked up to drive to Andong, Hahoe Folk Village. The drive will take approximately three hours to reach the village. Hahoe Village is one of the most famous folk villages in Korea. Surrounded by the Nakdonggang River, the village is home to descendants of the Ryu clan of Pungsan, which still makes up seventy percent of the villagers. Your driver will take you around the area as you please. Once fully toured around the village you can retreat to your new hotel, the Rakkojae Andong. Where you will relax and kick back for the rest of the day.

After having breakfast at Rakkojae Andong, check out to be picked up by a driver at ten in the morning. The driver will take you to Golgulsa Temple, located amid the natural beauty of Hamwolsan Mountain, just outside of historic Gyeongju City. Where will you live and learn the ancient martial art form of Sunmudo, its origins dating back over a thousand years. You will live and breathe the temple ground for three days practicing this ancient art and gaining harmony of the body and mind through breathing and movement. There will be loads of activities offered during a stay at the temple you can enjoy, such as horse-riding, archery, chanting, tea time with monks, walking meditations along the beach, and much more. Please be advised that some activities may include extra fees. Please note that there will be no driver and car service during your stay at Golgulsa Temple.

Relax and enjoy your morning after your breakfast at the temple before checking out to be picked up by your driver at midday to be transferred back to your next stay in Tongyeong. Once you have arrived check in and settle in. Relax and enjoy the rest of day at your own pace. You can take this opportunity to explore the cute little seaside town at your own pace.

After breakfast, we start the day with a visit to Chungnyeolsa Shrine, which possesses the monument of Yi and twenty-nine gravestones of later naval commanders. It is also known as the depository of the eight presents to Yi Sun Sin from the Wanli Emperor of the Ming Dynasty (National Treasure). The shrine was designated as a Historical Site in 1973.
We continue to Yi Sun Sin Park, where a bronze statue of immortal Admiral Yi Sun Sin stands facing the sea of Hansando. The view of the sea is magnificent from the small trail that lies along the coastline between the beach and a beautiful forest. This park displays also some parts of Yi Sun Sin’s turtle ship. We continue to Jeseungdang Shrine and the unique Archery Ground on Hansando Island, just a 30-minute ferry ride away. Historically, Jeseungdang served as the main command center where Yi Sun Sin met with his generals to devise naval strategies. The nearby archery range at Hansanjeong Pavilion is the only one in Korea where water lies between the shooter and the target—a rare design that reflects Admiral Yi Sun Sin’s ingenuity. He believed that aiming across water posed a greater challenge due to the difficulty in gauging distance, making training more precise and effective.
After lunch, we will move to the neighboring city, Geoje, to visit Okpo Great Victory Commemorative Park. The so-called Battle of Okpo was the first victory during the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592, and it served as an opportunity to develop the war situation in an advantageous way. In order to commemorate the Battle of Okpo, a 30 meter high memorial monument and exhibition was built here. We end the day in Namhae and check in for the night in a hanok, where dinner will be served.

After breakfast, we start the day with Yi Sun Sin Memorial Park, a memorial built on the site where Yi Sun Sin’s coffin was first brought to the mainland. There are 3 main exhibition halls within the Exhibit Building, each dedicated to a different historical aspect of Admiral Yi Sun Sin. After the visit, we move to Iraksa Shrine, where a monument and pavilion to cherish the memory of Yi were erected. Iraksa Shrine and the sea in front of Gwaneumpo are the actual places where the disaster of war was overcome as well as the place that commemorates the merit and loyal spirit of Yi Sun Sin.
Next, we move to Namhae Chungnyeolsa Shrine, an ancestral shrine built to honor the loyalty and spirit of immortal Admiral Yi Sun Sin who died for this country in the naval battle at Noryang in the last year of the Japanese Invasion in 1592. This shrine bears the same commemorative tablet inscribed with “Chanyeol” that was originally used at the Chungnyeolsa in Tongyeong. The remains of the admiral were respectfully placed here for a short period following his death in battle.
After lunch, we will move to another city, Yeosu. On the way we stop at Jinnamgwan, a place where Admiral Yi Sun Sin commanded his forces during the Imjin War. The original building burned down near the end of the war, and Yi Sun Sin’s successor, Yi Si Eon, constructed Jinnamgwan Hall. From Jinnamgwan, we finish the day with a visit to Yeochon Seonso – the remains of the shipbuilding site from the Goryeo Dynasty to Joseon Dynasty. This shipbuilding site is known as the shipyard where Yi Sun Sin built Geobukseon (turtle-shaped battleships). We reach Haenam and check-in at another beautiful hanok for the night and dinner.

After breakfast, the day begins with a visit to Myeongnyang Battle Park and its monument, established in honor of the decisive victory achieved during the Battle of Myeongnyang. The Korean navy under Yi Sun Sin won a great victory in the Myeongnyang Strait over hundreds of Japanese ships with only thirteen Korean battleships. This monument was designated as a National Treasure in 1969.
Next, we move to visit Myeongnyang Battle Park – built to commemorate the great victory of Admiral Yi Sun Sin as one of the three major naval battles. We continue to Jindo Bridge and monument, a popular tourist attraction since its completion on Oct 18, 1984. Guests can take in stunning sunset vistas and panoramic evening views, surrounded by the beautiful natural landscape nearby.
Last, we stop at the Chungmusa Shrine – Yi Sun Sin was laid here for about 80 days after his death at the battle of Noryang and services have been held every year on Yi Sun Sin’s Anniversary on April 28 and his patriotic death on November 19. We drive back to Seoul and drop you off at the airport for your flight to return home.

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