South Korea by Rail for the Autumn Colours

After breakfast this morning, you’ll travel on Seoul’s modern and immense network of subway metro trains to explore the city. Our first stop is the 14th century Gyeongbokgung Palace – the largest of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon dynasty, and home of the royal family and the seat of government. Later, we’ll visit Bukchon, home to many restored traditional Korean houses, known as hanok, quaint alleyways, and the Gwangjang Market, one of the oldest and largest traditional markets in the country.  In this immersive  introduction to the sights, smells and flavours of the local cuisine, you’ll get to sample a couple of local delicacies as we walk to our lunch spot. 

Lunch today is a very special treat. Our local tour operator, Daniel Gray, a food-loving Korean who moved to America aged 5 before returning to his homeland to run foodie tours and the very popular Seoul Eats blog, filmed his Netflix program “Street Food Asia Seoul.” in the restaurant where we will enjoy a sit down for lunch complete with a fascinating talk on Korean food history, and stories from the filming of the series.

After lunch, you’re free to return to the hotel with your tour leader, or you might like to stay on and visit the Myeongdong Underground Shopping Centre – Seoul’s famous shopping street renowned for its K-pop merchandise bargains, or go and see a show like the high-energy Nanta drumming comedy.

Dinner tonight will be at a local Myeondong Hotpot restaurant.

Overnight: L’Escape Hotel, Seoul (B, L, D)

This morning it’s an early departure in order to beat the crowds. Upon boarding our private coach, we’ll journey northward to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) to learn how this peninsula has been divided since the devastating Korean War that waged between 1950 and 1953.

Our first stop is the Dora Observatory, offering a unique perspective as you peer across the border to catch glimpses of North Korean villages. Grab those binoculars for an up-close view! 

You’ll have the opportunity to descend into the Third Tunnel of Aggression, coming as close as 170 metres to North Korea before moving on to visit Imjingak Park. Built in 1972 with the hope that someday unification would be possible, the three-storied Imjingak Pavilion is surrounded by several monuments – the historic Freedom Bridge used by prisoners of war returning from North Korea after the Korean War; the Peace Bell, symbolising the wish for peace and reunification; Mangbaedan Altar, a site where displaced North Koreans pay respects to their ancestors; Unification Park and North Korea Centre, and various steam locomotives, tanks and aircrafts used during the war. 

We’ll enjoy some lunch together before travelling back to Seoul by local train. There’ll be some time to freshen up at the hotel before engaging in a Q & A session with a North Korean defector to hear their harrowing tale of struggle, and ultimately, triumph. 

Dinner tonight is at leisure.  If you’d like to join in an activity at your own cost, our Guide will be most happy to take you out for another Seoul favourite, Korean Fried Chicken and beer, a popular pairing known as ‘chimaek’. You may also like to visit the 236 metre high Namsan Tower.

Overnight: L’Escape Hotel, Seoul (B, L)

This morning, after breakfast, checking out and handing our luggage over to a private courier, we’ll board a KTX high speed train for a 2 hour ride through lush green scenery to the coastal city of Gangneung. 

Upon arrival we’ll have lunch in the area surrounding the station and take in some local sights before catching a local train for the short ride to Jeondongjin Railway Station. Situated on the seashore of the East Sea lies the quaint and quirky Jeongdongjin Rail Bike. Here, you’ll have the chance to ride on rail bikes alongside the railway tracks and the coastline to feel the fresh sea air and see commuter trains running alongside you on the other railway tracks.

Later we’ll return to Gangneung by private coach, check into our hotel, and enjoy dinner together in a local restaurant.

Overnight: Skybay Hotel Gyeongpo, Gangneung (B, L, D)

This morning after breakfast, it’s back on our private coach for a scenic drive along the Heonhwa-ro Coastal Road. The road derives its name from a Korean myth about an old man picking azaleas from the edge of the coastal cliff at the request of Lady Suro, the wife of Gangneung Governor Sunjonggong. We’ll stop at Sandglass Park to see one of the largest sandglasses in the world, and then travel on to Haslla Art World, a contemporary art gallery attached to a large sculpture garden. With quirky art surrounded by views of the sea, photo opportunities will be everywhere!

We’ll then continue on to Ojukheon House, one of the oldest surviving wooden residential buildings in Korea. The house was once home to the prominent Korean Confucian scholar Yi I who features on the South Korean 5000 Won note. There’ll be time here to explore the traditional hanok buildings and learn about Korean Confucian heritage.

Lunch today will be in a local restaurant at Chodang Sundubu Village, named after Chodang Heo Yeop, a 16th century Joseon-era scholar and politician. We’ll indulge in Gangneung’s famous Chodang Sundubu (soft tofu stew), made from ground beans and salt water from the East Sea resulting in a soft and light tofu.

After lunch it’s off to Seoraksan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and South Korea’s most well-known mountain. The park is the most whimsical place to visit during autumn, when the fiery fall foliage takes over the mountains, shading the hidden streams, and covering the sky. On arrival, you have the option to enjoy a short forest walk or take a cable car to marvel at the beauty all around you.

We’ll return to Gangneung in the late afternoon where your evening is free.

Overnight: Skybay Hotel Gyeongpo, Gangneung (B, L)

This morning after breakfast and check out we’ll enjoy a leisurely day of driving South Korea’s eastern coast to our next destination, Ulsan. Relax in the comfort of our private limousine bus and enjoy several stops along the way at beachside towns and cafes where you can purchase morning tea and lunch on the way.

Upon arrival in Ulsan in the late afternoon, we’ll check-in to our hotel and have some time to freshen up before heading out to dinner together.

Overnight: Lotte City Hotel, Ulsan (B, D)

This morning you’ll visit one of two national gardens in South Korea, theTaehwagang National Garden.  Located on the Taehwagang River, it was once an abandoned field before being transformed into what is now considered a vital ecological and cultural landmark of the city. Highlights of the garden include a 4 km-long bamboo forest that stretches along the Taehwa River, massive flower fields, including cosmos in autumn, and Taehwagang Grand Bridge, a beautiful pedestrian bridge offering panoramic views of the river and gardens.

Afterwards, we will head to Korea’s premium Makegeolli (Korean Rice Beer) brewery to see this fascinating brewing process, making beer from three ingredients – rice, Nuruk (a traditional fermentation starter), and water.  Boksoondoga is a renowned family-owned artisanal brewery that takes pride in handcrafted fermentation techniques using processes that have been handed down from one generation to the next.  

We’ll be back in Ulsan for lunch together. The rest of the afternoon and evening is yours at leisure.  

Overnight: Lotte City Hotel, Ulsan (B, L)

Today, after breakfast and checking out, you’ll enjoy a day exploring Gyeongju, commonly known as the “Golden City” because of its 1000-year-old history and many important cultural sites. We’ll start by visiting the UNESCO World Heritage listed Bulguksa Temple to see the gilt-bronze statues of Buddha, and the nearby Seokguram Grotto – a classic example of high Silla art and architecture, a spectacular Buddhist site. Gyeongju is famous in autumn for its foliage, stunning natural colors with green, red and yellow dotted all over the town. 

See the dazzling Donggung Palace mirrored in Wolji Pond and marvel at the field full of pink muhly grass and misty mountain peaks beside the ancient Korean Cheomseongdae astronomical observatory. Muhly grass originally came to Korea from America, but it has become a feature of gardens all over the country – visiting in autumn offers an ‘otherworldly’ scene that you won’t see anywhere else in the world.

After lunch at leisure we will visit the Gyeongju National Museum to view relics of the Silla kingdom, of which Gyeongju was the capital. The ancient Silla Kingdom (57 BC – 935 AD), ruled most of the Korean Peninsula for nearly a thousand years. 

Later, board the KTX highspeed rail to the bright lights of Busan – South Korea’s second-largest city and the country’s premier coastal destination.

Upon arrival, we’ll transfer from the station directly to our hotel and check in.  There’ll be time to freshen up before we regroup for dinner in a local restaurant.

Overnight: L7 Haeundae Hotel by Lotte, Busan (B, D)

This morning we’ll visit the Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan. Known for its layered streets, twisted labyrinth-like alleys, brightly painted houses and street art, this colourful village is also extremely photogenic, so don’t forget your camera as you wander around. You’ll get to wander through a maze of brightly painted houses, artistic murals, and sculptures created by local artists; snap a picture with the iconic “Little Prince & Fox” statue; browse unique souvenirs, handmade accessories, and local crafts in small art shops; visit Gamcheon’s History Museum to learn about the village’s transformation from a wartime settlement to an artistic hotspot; and enjoy a coffee at a rooftop café while taking in panoramic views of Busan’s coastline.

After lunch together in Busan, you’ll have the unique opportunity to visit the local Haenyeo community centre and meet with a female diver to hear about her experience diving, the changes Busan has gone through and her life now, since retiring from the profession. 

The Haenyeo (“sea women”) are an incredible group of female divers known for their free-diving skills and deep connection to the ocean. These women, many of whom are in their 60s, 70s, or even 80s, dive up to 10-20 metres without oxygen tanks to harvest seafood such as abalone, sea urchins, octopus, and seaweed—a tradition that has lasted for centuries. Haenyeo communities are female-led, with knowledge passed down from mothers to daughters.  In 2016, the Haenyeo tradition was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Later, we’ll enjoy the region’s stunning coastal scenery with a ride on the Haeundae Beach Train,  the world’s first battery-charged eco-friendly train. Operating along the old Donghae Nambu Railway Line, it’s a great way to see the sites before we head back to Busan for an evening at leisure. 

For dinner, you might like to head to Gwangalli Beach with its alleyways full of restaurants and coffee shops or to the Haeundae Night Market or see the buskers on the boardwalk. Afterwards, you can visit Busan X the Sky, an observatory with the best ocean and city views on the 98-100th floors of the tallest building in Busan.

Overnight: L7 Haeundae Hotel by Lotte, Busan (B, L)

This morning, after an early breakfast and check out, we’ll continue by rail to Gwangju.

Defined by its powerful political history and reverence for creativity, Gwangju is often considered the birthplace of Korean democracy. The effects of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, a 1980 mass protest against South Korea’s then-authoritarian military government resulting in over 300 deaths, remain a strong part of the city’s identity. Art abounds at every turn thanks to a wealth of museums, exhibitions and festivals that are generously supported with local government investment.

Upon arrival, we’ll take a walk along Chungjang-ro Street, the city’s premier fashion district lined with boutiques, shopping malls, restaurants, and cafes, stopping for lunch before some time to do some shopping and explore this lively area on your own.

After returning to the hotel, you’ll have some downtime before re-grouping for dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Ramada Plaza by Wyndham, Gwangju (B, L, D)

After breakfast this morning we’ll board our private coach for an excursion to Damyang, travelling via the scenic Metasequoia Road, which should be awash with autumn colour. Upon arrival in Damyang, we’ll explore the serene Juknokwon Bamboo Forest, known for its towering bamboo groves and peaceful walking trails. With its various winding trails enclosed by endless thickets of towering green bamboo, Juknokwon isolates you in a place of serenity detached from the outside world, a very Korean experience.  

After lunch in Damyang, we’ll travel the short distance to the spectacular Naejangsan National Park, considered to be one of the best places to see autumn colours in South Korea. There’ll be time to wander the park and immerse yourself in the crimson, orange, yellow and green coloured foliage. There’s also the opportunity to enjoy a cable car ride over the top of what is a  most wonderful kaleidoscope of colours.

After a wonderful afternoon of seeing the autumn colours, we’ll return to our hotel in Gwangju.  Dinner tonight is at leisure.  

Overnight: Ramada Plaza by Wyndham, Gwangju (B, L)

This morning after breakfast and check-out, we’ll hand over our big luggage and transfer to the station to board a train bound for Yeosu, a port city on South Korea’s East China Sea coast, known for its stunning sea views, historic sites, and vibrant culture.

Upon arrival in Yeosu, we’ll enjoy a fresh seafood lunch together before taking a quirky bus-train ride to Odongo Island to immerse ourselves in the Autumn foliage, before continuing on to Jasan Park for a cable car journey to enjoy panoramic views of the city and the sea. Later, we’ll continue by train to the picturesque village of Jeonju, the birthplace of South Korea’s most well-known culinary delight, bibimbap (rice, egg and vegetables with a hot sauce).  

Upon arrival at Jeonju railway station, we’ll transfer directly to our hotel and check in. Dinner tonight will be at a traditional bibimbap restaurant.

Overnight: Hotel Kkotsim, Jeonju (B, L, D)

This morning after breakfast, we’ll take a step back in time with a visit to Jeonju Hanok Village, one of South Korea’s most famous traditional villages, featuring over 700 beautifully preserved hanok (traditional Korean houses). Our walking tour will take us through the charming alleyways lined with elegant wooden houses, many of which serve as guesthouses, cafés, and cultural centres.

After a stop for lunch, we’ll visit Gyeonggijeon Shrine, a historic shrine dedicated to King Taejo, the founding monarch of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897), which ruled Korea for over five centuries. Strongly shaped by Confucianism,  its rulers adhered to Confucian ideals to maintain social order and legitimacy – a way of life that still exists today. The portrait of King Taejo that has been a focal point of the shrine for centuries, is considered to be one of the oldest surviving images of the king.

We’ll return to our hotel where the rest of your evening is free.

Overnight: Hotel Kkotsim, Jeonju (B, L)

This morning  after a lazy breakfast and check-out we’ll head off to a cooking class followed by lunch, before taking the train back to Seoul, travelling through dramatic landscapes and majestic mountain passes.  

Upon arrival in Seoul, we’ll check-in to our familiar hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.

Overnight: L’Escape Hotel, Seoul (B, L)

This morning after breakfast, we’ll jump on the metro ride and head out to the Korail Railroad Museum, where you’ll have the chance to explore at your own pace. Check out the Railroad Model Panorama Room, featuring replicas of the various trains that have traversed the Korean railways, right from the first steam engine until the most recent KTX high speed train. There’s also an outdoor exhibit area features a real steam engine train, a presidential train carriage, Pacific Steam Locomotive No. 23 which was used by former presidents in the 1950s and 1960s, a coach that was used by the UN forces stationed in Korea in the 1950s, and a narrow-gauge boxcar that primarily transported agricultural products.

We’ll return to Seoul on the Metro for lunch at leisure and some free time before enjoying a farewell dinner together.

Overnight: L’Escape Hotel, Seoul (B, D)

END OF TOUR

Our tour finishes after breakfast this morning. (B)