TOURS

OPTIONAL TOURS

Optional Tours are available at APSCI 2023 Seoul!

The APSCI 2023 Seoul offers exciting daily tour programs from November 9 to 10, 2023. All tours are designed to give participants an authentic Korean experience, bringing visitors face to face with Korea’s natural beauty, abundant historical sites of 5,000-year-old heritage, and ever-rising Korean wave. From Gyeonbokgung Palace of Joseon Dynasty to Cheongwadae (the Blue House) which just opened to the public in 2022 and to the Demilitarized Zone at the northernmost end, all located in Seoul or its vicinity, you will certainly have a memorable time during your stay in Korea.

The tours are open to registered participants and their registered accompanying persons. Each tour will depart only if the minimum number of participants is met, and may be cancelled or replaced with other tour programs if less than 20 people apply. On-site registration may be available depending on the circumstances, but it is recommended that you apply in advance.

Please click the Application Form below and fill in the form. If you have any inquiries regarding the tour programs, please do not hesitate to contact the tour agency (Golden Tour Korea) by e-mail at apsci.tour@gmail.com.

All tours are closed

Half-day Tour

HT-1 : Royal and Cultural Experience in Seoul (CLOSED)

Let’s travel back in time at Gyeongbokgung Palace in the Korean traditional attire, Hanbok!
As you stroll in the magnificent and largest palace in Korea wearing Hanbok, you can feel the history and grandeur of the Joseon Dynasty.
Tour Date & Time November 9 (Thu), 2023 / 09:30 ~ 13:30
Tour Sites Hanbok House for Hanbok rental - Gyeonbokgung Palace - National Folk Museum - Hanbok House for Hanbok return Meeting point : APSCI 2023 Tour Desk, Coex
Drop-off            : Coex
Price USD 80 (English-speaking guide, transportation and admissions included)
Description Gyeongbokgung Palace is simply majestic, leading tourists to take out their cameras to ensure they capture it all. Gyeongbokgung Palace was the largest palace built during the Joseon Dynasty and is saturated with authentic Korean beauty. In Gyeongbokgung Palace, there are many buildings that give visitors a glimpse into the royal culture of the Joseon Dynasty, such as Geunjeongjeon Hall and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion.

Hanbok retains a glorious cultural heritage, which is not only valuable for its historical value and the preservation of Korean traditional clothes but also its uniquely Korean artistic significance. Here, you will have a unique opportunity to experience a gorgeous Korean traditional costume and take pictures freely at the Gyeongbokgung Palace to leave those special moments.

HT-2 : The Blue House Tour (CLOSED)

Tour Date & Time November 9 (Thu), 2023 / 09:30 ~ 13:30
Tour Sites Cheong Wa Dae (The Blue House) – HiKR Ground (Korean Wave Experience Center) Meeting point : APSCI 2023 Tour Desk, Coex
Drop-off            : Coex
Price USD 65 (English-speaking guide, transportation and admissions included)
Description Cheong Wa Dae, also called the Blue House with its blue tiled roof, served as the presidential office and residence for 74 years since the establishment of the South Korean government on August 15, 1948 and used by all past 12 South Korean presidents. As the presidential office was relocated to Yongsan in 2022, it has been fully open to the public starting from May 2022.

It consists of the main building with the president's office, reception room, conference room and residential room, as well as auxiliary buildings such as secretary's office, security office, press center and guesthouse, and has a large garden and a pond that leads to Bukaksan Mountain.

HiKR stands for "Friendly Greetings (Hi) from Korea (KR)", while Ground means "a playground for global travelers". This place is popular among domestic and foreign travelers for its trendy and sensational contents that combine popular elements of K-pop, media art and more. Here you can enjoy and experience Korea’s world-leading contents such as K-pop, drama, art, and festivals all at once!

HT-3 : Pedicab Tour into Alleys of the Old Days (CLOSED)

Tour Date & Time November 9 (Thu), 2023 / 09:30 ~ 13:30
Tour Sites Pedicab Tour in Bukchon Hanok Village – Jogyesa Temple Meeting point : APSCI 2023 Tour Desk, Coex
Drop-off            : Coex
Price USD 95 (English-speaking guide, transportation and admissions included)
Description Not only do you get to ride on the rickshaw to tour around popular attractions including Bukchon Village and Seochon Village, the rickshaw tour guides you to the smaller alleys as well. Surrounded by two magnificent palaces and a royal shrine, Bukchon Hanok Village is home to hundreds of traditional houses that date back to the Joseon dynasty. The name Bukchon, which literally translates to "northern village," came about as the neighborhood lies north of two significant Seoul landmarks, Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jongno (the shopping mecca of Seoul).

Jogyesa Temple plays an important role in Korean Buddhism as the head temple of the Jogye order. Jogyesa Temple’s Dharma Hall serves as the main venue for several Buddhist events, holding rituals, lectures, ceremonies and other events all year long. The annual lantern festival in celebration of Buddha's birthday also takes place at this temple.

HT-4 : Korean Folk Village Tour (CLOSED)

Tour Date & Time November 9 (Thu), 2023 / 09:30 ~ 13:30
Tour Sites Korean Traditional Village Meeting point : APSCI 2023 Tour Desk, Coex
Drop-off            : Coex
Price USD 90 (English-speaking guide, transportation and admissions included)
Description The Korean Folk Village introduces Korean traditional cultures and lifestyles of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). It recreated the past with relocated and reconstructed houses of the Joseon dynasty and brings the joy and wisdom of the past to the present. You will be delighted with a variety of performances and activities.

Performances including nongak (farmer’s music), martial arts on horseback and traditional wedding ceremony are available by season. In particular, “Joseon Fairytale Festival," an event held every November, takes visitors back to the past, and you can enjoy special performances of the original tales. In addition, a family-friendly theme park equipped with 15 exciting attractions is also available. Various Korean foods at the market street is a must-try.

Full-day Tour

FT-1 : Korea’s Art and Culture Tour (CLOSED)

Tour Date & Time November 10 (Fri), 2023 / 09:30 ~ 19:00
Tour Sites National Museum of Korea – Leeum Museum of Art – Seoul Sky Meeting point : APSCI 2023 Tour Desk, Coex
Drop-off            : Coex
Price USD 110 (English-speaking guide, transportation and admissions included)
Description The National Museum of Korea houses a vast collection of over 420,000 invaluable artifacts from ancient times to the modern era in a wide range of topics, including art and culture. In addition to galleries with a wide array of national and international pieces, the National Museum of Korea is the stage for a number of cultural activities related to collection, preservation, research and analysis, social training, academic publications, intercultural exchange programs, concerts, and more.

Leeum Museum exhibits vast collections of precious traditional and modern artworks. The museum houses modern and contemporary art by both Korean and international artists, from Park Soo-keun and Lee Jung-seob to Alberto Giacometti and Damien Hirst. It also displays some of the greatest artworks designated as Treasures and National Treasures of Korea, including calligraphy, paintings, ceramic arts and metal craftwork.

The SEOUL SKY is located on floors 117-123 of the Lotte World Tower, the nation's tallest and the world's fifth tallest building. The observatory offers a panoramic view of the entire capital city, beautiful both day and night. The SEOUL SKY is comprised of an exhibition zone, observation deck, sky deck, dessert cafe, sky terrace and lounge.

FT-2 : Demilitarized Zone and Art Village Tour (CLOSED)

Tour Date & Time November 10 (Fri), 2023 / 9:00~18:00
Tour Sites Imjingak Park - The 3rd Infiltration Tunnel - Dora Observatory - Dorasan Railroad Station - Heyri Art Valley Meeting point : APSCI 2023 Tour Desk, Coex
Drop-off : Coex
Price USD 90 (English-speaking guide, transportation and admissions included)
Description Located 45km north of Seoul, the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsular that serves as a buffer zone and border between North and South Korea. The DMZ tour provides a rare and extraordinary This tour begins with a visit to Imjingak Park that was built to commemorate those who lost their homes and families when Korea was divided.

opportunity to gaze into North Korea, as well as to learn about the tragedy of Korea's national division. A stop not to be missed on our itinerary is the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel. This tunnel was discovered in 1978 and its purpose was to be used to invade the South. At 1,635 meters long, 2 meters high and 2 wide, the tunnel has the capacity of moving an entire division per hour. By walking through, it will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time!

Heyri Art Valley is a neighborhood of inspiration, creative workshops, exhibitions, and festivals. This neighborhood expanded into an art complex when artists from diverse fields of expertise began to gather during the development process of Paju Book City. The village’s name originates from Paju’s local song “Heyri Sound,” sung by farmers while working at the fields. The whole neighborhood is like a masterpiece with the artworks displayed along the streets in harmony with nature’s beauty.
Note ※ Participants must bring their passports on the day of tour.
※ The 3rd Infiltration Tunnel has a low ceiling and narrow width, and you may have to lower your head slightly to pass.