When the king dies without a crown prince, an 11-year-old royal boy born and raised here becomes the 26th king of Joseon. For the next 10 years, the boy's father would rule the country from here. Learn about the fascinating history of Unhyeonggung Palace and marvel at the outstanding architecture of the time.
Admire historic architecture from 600, 100, and 50 years ago and learn the stories behind them.
Learn about and appreciate the hanoks of the Yangban, the ruling class, who usually lived in Seoul.
I'll tell you stories about the wells you heard as a child and what history has revealed about them.
The high school is known for filming countless dramas and music videos, but it's actually a historic space that helped shape Korea into the country it is today. Here's the story behind its secret history.
We trace the dramatic rise and fall of powerful politicians and business tycoons who once held land in Bukchon — a district chosen as the capital under the principles of feng shui. Revered as an auspicious site, this coveted land became both the foundation of their wealth and influence, and the backdrop to their eventual downfall.
The man who changed the face of Bukchon in the 1920s and 30s
Mr Dong Kim is the best guide we’ve ever had in Seoul. As he was raised in this magnificent neighborhood, walking the streets and alleys with Mr Kim felt like reliving Korean history from the Joseon dynasty to modern Korea. This tour should always be a part of your visit to Bukchon Hanok Village!
Dong was incredibly knowledgeable and engaging, answering all of our questions and made great recommendations for after our tour. Would highly recommend and would definitely book a tour with him again in the future!
He was great. He informed us of the history of the important neighborhood. His personal stories were so interesting. Truly enjoyed it.
Dong was a great guide, funny and insightful. Great recommendations throughout the city as well. Highly recommended for everyone!
It was a pleasure spending the morning with Dong and discovering his hometown through his eyes. We truly enjoyed all the historical anecdotes and personal stories he shared as we wandered through the traditional houses in Bukchon—they made the experience feel intimate and memorable. Thank you so much, Dong, for such a thoughtful and meaningful tour. 😊
Dong gave us a really fun and interesting tour of the Bukchon area. Since he’s from the neighborhood, he added personal stories and local details that made the walk feel special. The pace was nice and easy, so we never felt rushed. We had a great time and would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Bukchon!
I had an amazing time on the tour! Our guide grew up in the neighborhood and it really showed, he shared so many fun facts, personal stories, and local insights that brought the area to life. The tour was engaging from start to finish, and I walked away with a much deeper appreciation for Bukchon’s history and culture. Highly recommend!
One of the best storytelling tours I’ve ever experienced. Dong guided us through the rise, growth, and decline of Bukchon—layers of history I never knew—interwoven with personal stories from the neighborhood where he grew up. It felt like watching a sweeping historical film unfold in real time. Absolutely and wholeheartedly recommended
Excellent tour. Wonderful guide. Love that guide grew up in neighborhood and had stories to link past and present. Nice pace. Relaxing pace. Didn’t feel rushed. Highly recommend.
Personalized tour with insightful local expert! I would recommend to anyone looking to book a bukchon tour.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 🙏
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!
It was the most informative and enjoyable time I had during my tour in Korea. The tour guide told an interesting story about the area's history, and it was so fun that three hours flew by. Since the tour guide grew up in Bukchon, he told a vivid story that no other guide could tell. If various attractions were added in addition to Bukchon, I would definitely participate every time I come to Korea. Thank you!
Our tour guide, Dong, grew up in Bukchon and provided us with local colour of this historic area during our walking tour. Being able to walk the area gave a nice flavour of its past.
A lovely low key walk with a former Bukchon resident. So interesting to hear about the neighbourhood from someone who grew up there. Was so helpful - giving us tips about how to get around the city and making a call to confirm an appointment. Highly recommend!
Walking through Bukchon in Seoul felt like stepping into the past. I especially enjoyed learning about traditional Korean feng shui—it added a unique perspective to the experience. If you’re looking for a tour with great storytelling and cultural depth, this one is a must.
Before I joined an Old Seoul walking tour, I was staying in Gangnam, which is a really modern area of Seoul. The experience was completely different from what I was used to – stepping into a city that felt historic and full of character. I loved the old-world charm and the unique atmosphere. The storytelling added so much depth, making the tour even more interesting and engaging. It was a great way to see a different side of Seoul, and I'd highly recommend it!
This was the best tour and experience I’ve had! We had a great time exploring the area. Our tour guide was amazing and very knowledgeable. I would recommend to anyone who wants a fun tour in the area.
It was a great tour. The guide led us through his home area with visit to hanok village, explaining the ancient traditions and modern attitudes. It was a pleasant experience I would recommend.
600 years of history and people in Seoul's Bukchon district and a guide Dong introduced me to many buildings with interesting storytelling and it was very fun. In particular, it was good to see the depth of the history of Seoul, the capital of Korea.
Among the various stories about Bukchon in Seoul, the most interesting one on this tour was the story about feng shui. It was interesting to learn that feng shui is very important to those who gain power, prosper or destroy a country, and make people die or live. It was a very fun and informative tour.
The trip to Bukchon was unexpected and despite the cold weather, I was impressed with the many sights and history explained by our enthusiastic guide Dong.
I found it fascinating to learn that almost all of Korea's history has taken place in Bukchon over the past 600 years, and that every building or place name has its own story that only a guide from Bukchon would know. I loved most of the Korean stories and things to see.
This was my first time in Korea, and I had the opportunity to join the Bukchon Alleyway Tour. I thought it would be a great way to experience Korea’s rich history and culture up close. The tour started at Unhyeongung, where our guide, Dong, shared a fascinating story. A baby born here—not as a prince but as a member of the royal family—eventually became the emperor of Joseon, while his father ruled the country for ten years. Walking through Bukchon, we encountered architecture spanning 500 years, from traditional hanok houses to modern Korean landmarks. We also saw traces of Korea’s independence movement during the Japanese colonial period. As I wandered through the narrow alleyways, I began to understand why Bukchon is such a symbolic part of Seoul. What made this tour truly special was Dong’s storytelling. Having been born and raised in Bukchon, he shared stories that you wouldn’t hear anywhere else. If you want to truly understand Seoul, I highly recommend this tour.
A special place that you have to visit to start discovering Seoul. I recommend that you make a reservation with a guide since the neighborhood can be a bit confusing. Going at the time they open, 10am is good, and stopping by Cafe Onion beforehand for bread and a coffee is a pleasant experience. The visit can easily take you 2 to 3 hours and go prepared to take some nice photos.
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