2010-10-01 (FRI) Half Day City Tour | 13:30-18:00 Grand Hilton Seoul → Pass By The Presidential Blue House → Changdeok Palace → Insadong → Pass By Cheonggye Stream → Namsan Hanok Village → Grand Hilton Seoul The Presidential Blue House Cheong Wa Dae is the executive office and official residence of the South Korean head of state, the President of the Republic of Korea. Both the English and Korean names refer to the building's blue-green roof. The Korean name has the literal meaning "house of the blue roof tiles." Cheong Wa Dae is in fact a complex of buildings, built largely in the traditional Korean style with some modern elements. At present, Cheong Wa Dae consists of the main office building, the official Presidential residence, Yeongbin-gwan or the guest house, the Chunchugwan press hall, and the secretariat buildings. Changdeok Palace Changdeokgung was the second palace after Gyeongbokgung which had been established in 1395 as a primary palace. In the midst of strife for the throne between princes and vassals, authority of Gyeongbokgung was deteriorated. King Jeongjong enthroned by Prince Yi Bang-won moved the capital to Gaegyeong, the one of Goryeo dynasty, again in 1400 on the pretext of superior geographical features of it, in fact, in order to avert the power struggle Insadong Insadong has been at the heart of the nation’s capital for 600 years and it has been the center of culture since the time of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Insadong was once known as ‘Mary’s Alley,’ and is a favorite shopping spot among foreigners. Over forty percent of the nation’s antique stores are in Insadong. There are a variety of art works from earthenware of the Unified Silla Era to white pottery of the Joseon Era. Namsan Hanok Village A folk village located in the middle of the city, more specifically, in the area called Pil-dong, at the foot of the northern part of Namsan. First opened to the public in 1997 after four-years of construction, the village has five authentic old Korean Hanoks that have been transported from other parts of the country and restored to perfection with traditional gardens, pavilions, and ponds. The village is also available for wedding ceremonies, which take place two or three times a week. Visitors can also view and purchase traditional ceramic arts and crafts in the exhibition hall.  2010-10-02 (SAT) One Day City Tour for International Young Doctors | 09:00~21:00 Grand Hilton Seoul → Pass by the Presidential Blue House → The Royal Guard →Changing →Ceremony → Gyeongbok Palace → The National Folk Museum →Insadong → Lunch → →Myeongdong → Namsan Hanok Village → Seoul Tower → Dinner → Grand Hilton Seoul Gyeongbok Palace The palace was originally constructed in 1394 by King Taejo and "Gyeongbokgung" was named by minister Jeong Do-jeon. Gyeongbokgung was continuously expanded during the reign of King Taejong and King Sejong the Great, but part of the palace was burnt down during the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592-1598). Archeological work has brought 330 building foundations to light. However, the original magnificence of the palace may never be fully restored. The National Folk Museum The National Folk Museum of Korea, located in Gyeongbokgung Palace, features aspects of both the traditional folk culture of ordinary people and that of the aristocracy, centering particularly on the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Devoted to the study, collection, and preservation of folk artifacts, it is also a forum for social education on folk culture through exhibitions and classes, which are designed to provide a better understanding of traditional Korean culture. The Presidential Blue House Cheong Wa Dae (translation: The House of the Blue Roof Tiles or the Blue House, Office of the President of the Republic of Korea) is the executive office and official residence of the South Korean head of state, the President of the Republic of Korea. Both the English and Korean names refer to the building's blue-green roof. The Korean name has the literal meaning "house of the blue roof tiles." Cheong Wa Dae is in fact a complex of buildings, built largely in the traditional Korean style with some modern elements. At present, Cheong Wa Dae consists of the main office building, the official Presidential residence, Yeongbin-gwan or the guest house, the Chunchugwan press hall, and the secretariat buildings. The entire complex covers 76,685 pyeong (about 250,000 m²). The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony In ancient times, the royal guards of Joseon Dynasty performed the given task by guarding the Gwanghwamun Gate, the entrance of Gyeongbokgung Palace. The reenactment of the original ceremony began from 1996. The gate guardsmen perform the changing of the guards and hold a parade. The guards' uniforms, weapons, and accessories as well as their strict ceremonial procedures catch the eyes of people, especially foreign tourists, when guardsmen perform the changing of guards in traditional costumes at the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace in downtown Seoul. Be sure to bring a camera to take lots of pictures. Myeongdong Myeong-dong Street is a one kilometer area from Myeong-dong Station to Euljiro and Lotte Department Store. Myeong-dong is the busiest region in Seoul and is the leader in Korean fashion trends. Not only will you find large shopping malls and famous brand name shops where you can find clothing and shoes, but fast food chains, cozy cafes and specialty restaurants fill the alleys. Seoul Tower 'N' from N Seoul Tower stands for New, Namsan and Natural Seoul Tower. Most visitors ride the Namsan cable car up the mountain, and then walk to the tower. The tower features a gift shop and restaurants on the ground floor. Visitors may go up the tower for a fee. There are four observation decks (the 4th observation deck, which is the revolving restaurant, rotates at a rate of one revolution every 48 minutes), as well as gift shops and two restaurants. It is a popular place to go on clear days to see most of Seoul.  2010-10-02 (SAT) One Day DMZ Tour | 09:00~21:00 Grand Hilton Seoul → Imjingak → The Unification Bridge → ID Check → DMZ theater & exhibition hall → The 3rd Infiltration Tunnel → Dora Observatory → Dorasan Station → Lunch → Gyeongbok Palace → The National Folk Museum → Insadong → Dinner → Grand Hilton Seoul The Unification Bridge The Unification Bridge, which is known as the Gateway to the Unification, was constructed by the founder of Hyundae Corp.,Jung Ju Young to drive cattles to North Korea as a payback in 1998. Since1998, It has been used by the former presidents Kim Dae Jung, Roh Mu Hyun to cross the border for North-South summit talks. DMZ theater & exhibition hall DMZ theater & exhibiton hall give you genral information of Korean war & DMZ. It takes about 15miuntes. The 3rd Infiltration Tunnel The 3rd Tunnel was discovered on October 17, 1978. It is located 52km from Seoul. Approximately 10,000 soldiers can move through this tunnel In one hour. Mt. Dora Observation Platform is located nearby the 3rd Tunnel. From this observation platform, North Korean military personnel are visible, and so are the city of Gaeseong and the Geumgangsan Diamond Mountains. Dora Observatory It is the northernmost observatory of South Korea from which visitors can view a part of North Korean life through a telescope, such as Mt. Songaksan in Gaeseong, Kim Il-seong statue, Gijeong-dong, the outskirts of Gaeseong-si, Train smokestack at Jangdan station, and Geumamgol (collective farm). This has 304 sq. ft. and some facilities; 500 capacity, VIP Room, control office, 30 to 40 capacity parking lot. It opened to the public in Jan. 1987 From Dora Observatory, tourists can view the North Korean propaganda village in the DMZ and as far north as the city of Gaeseong. Dorasan Station 52 years of anticipation, waiting for the day when the two countries will be united once again. Dorasan station, the northernmost station in South Korea, has planned to connect the Gyongueisun(Line) and it will be linked to the European continent via the Siberian Railway. Gyeongbok Palace The palace was originally constructed in 1394 by King Taejo and "Gyeongbokgung" was named by minister Jeong Do-jeon. Gyeongbokgung was continuously expanded during the reign of King Taejong and King Sejong the Great, but part of the palace was burnt down during the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592-1598). Archeological work has brought 330 building foundations to light. However, the original magnificence of the palace may never be fully restored. The National Folk Museum The National Folk Museum of Korea, located in Gyeongbokgung Palace, features aspects of both the traditional folk culture of ordinary people and that of the aristocracy, centering particularly on the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Devoted to the study, collection, and preservation of folk artifacts, it is also a forum for social education on folk culture through exhibitions and classes, which are designed to provide a better understanding of traditional Korean culture. Insadong Insadong has been at the heart of the nation’s capital for 600 years and it has been the center of culture since the time of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Insadong was once known as ‘Mary’s Alley,’ and is a favorite shopping spot among foreigners. Over forty percent of the nation’s antique stores are in Insadong. There are a variety of art works from earthenware of the Unified Silla Era to white pottery of the Joseon Era.