Gyeongbokgung Palace–built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace is also commonly referred to as the Northern Palace because its location is furthest north when compared to the neighboring palaces of Changdeokgung (Eastern Palace) and Gyeonghuigung (Western Palace) Palace. Gyeongbokgung Palace is arguably the most beautiful, and remains the largest of all five palaces. The premises were once destroyed by fire during the Imjin War (Japanese Invasions, 1592-1598). However, all of the palace buildings were later restored under the leadership of Heungseondaewongun during the reign of King Gojong (1852-1919).

Optional: Traditional costume experience–wearing hanbok in the palace. From20$/pax.

Insadong Antique Alley is “well known as a traditional street to both locals and foreigners” and represents the “culture of the past and the present”. It contains a mixture of historical and modern atmosphere and is a “unique area of Seoul that truly represents the cultural history of the nation.” The area is well known for sightseeing, with approximately 100,000 visitors on Sundays reported in 2000. Insadong is also a visiting spot for foreign dignitaries such as Queen Elizabeth II and the princes of Spain and the Netherlands. It contains 40 percent of the nation’s antique shops and art galleries as well as 90 percent of the traditional stationery shops.

Jogyesa Temple is the center of Korean Buddhism. The temple was built in the late 14^th century during the Goryeo period and was once turned into ashes due to fire and was rebuilt under the name of Gackhwangsa Temple in 1910 with the effort of many respectful monks, namely Han Yong-un and Lee Hee-gwang. The temple was given a role as the head temple of Korea’s Buddhism and renamedto Tegosa Temple in 1936. In 1954, a purification drive took place to eliminate Japanese influence and revive traditional Buddhism, which established the present day Jogyesa Temple as a result.

Cheonggyecheon Stream is an 11 km long modern stream that runs through downtown Seoul. Created as part of an urban renewal project, Cheonggyecheon is a restoration of the stream that was once there before during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The stream was covered with an elevated highway after the Korean War (1950-1953), as part of the country's post-war economic development. Then in 2003, the elevated highway was removed to restore the stream to its present form today. The stream starts from Cheonggye Plaza, a popular cultural arts venue, and passes under a total of 22 bridges before flowing into the Hangang (River), with many attractions along its length.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

SULWHASOO FLAGSHIP STORE:

The Sulwhasoo Flagship Store, located in front of Dosan Park opened on 30 March 2016. It is set in the trendy and luxurious shopping district of Cheongdamdong and Apgujeongdong. The remarkable six-storey (including basement) building is designed by internationally renowned architect duo Neri & Hu. It showcases the brand heritage and offers Sulwhasoo products, spa services and flagship-exclusives. Sulwhasoo Spa is the largest spa facility operated by a beauty brand in Korea. The golden structure that illuminates the inside and outside of the building and the interior which creates a different tone on every floor harmonize with each space, establishing a luxurious and sophisticated atmosphere. To learn more about Sulwhasoo Spa and the brand, the docent tour is recommended. The 40-minute tour must be booked beforehand and allows visitors to experience the boutique, the spas and the culture lounge of the Sulwhasoo Flagship Store with all five senses.

SINSA-DONG GAROSUGIL ROAD

The ginkgo tree-lined street, Sinsa-dong Garosu-gil, that runs from Sinsa Station (Subway Line 3) to Hyeondae High School is a popular, upscale street in Seoul. The street (also known as ‘artists' street’) has an eccentric flair thanks to its variety of charmingly decorated coffee shops, and designer stores. Garosu-gil is particularly popular in autumn when the golden ginkgo leaves begin to fall.

DR JART+ FLAGSHIP STORE

With its Gangnam-district flagship store ‘Filter Space Seoul’, beauty company Dr. Jart+ takes the cleansing power of its beauty products to thematic extremes. A store-meets-installation experience, the space is crafted inside and out to look like an enormous filtration device, evoking an aesthetic of purification and cleansing that ties into the brand’s ethos. Betwin Space Design’s HVAC-inspired space for Dr. Jart+ perfectly encompasses the brand’s cleansing ethos. Visitors enter through an airlock, sip on water distilled from elaborate purification device, and receive ‘prescriptions’ based on their skin condition, health and overall mood. Products are displayed on stainless steel benches, while brand signage is etched into mesh steel walls or displayed on screens mounted in industrial chambers. Flawlessly themed in a way that perfectly encompasses the brand’s ethos, it’s certainly a breath of fresh air. Free consultation at Dermatology or Plastic Surgery Clinics. Transfer to Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Shopping at Dongdaemun market.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) is the newest and most iconic landmark of the Korean design industry. Located at the center of the Dongdaemun area, the DDP will serve as a key venue for design-related shows and conferences, exhibitions, and other events and gatherings. Designed by world renowned architect, Zaha Hadid, DDP is the world’s largest atypical architecture. The DDP is comprised of five halls: Art Hall, Museum, Design Lab, Design Market, and Dongdaemun History and Culture Park. The Art Hall is the primary launch pad for the Korean creative industry.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

EWHA WOMANS UNIVERSITY FASHION STREET

The area around Ewha Womans University, Korea’s famous women’s university, is commonly called Ewha Womans University Fashion Street. This district features a number of stalls lining the streets selling fashion items, such as clothing, shoes and accessories, for young women. It offers a distinctive shopping experience, with all the fun of a “shop-crawl” from stall to stall and store to store along the narrow alleyways. Another specialty of the fashion street that cannot be missed is the alterations services, where tailors have taken alterations to a new level of design expertise. The fashion street is also famous for its concentration of hair salons, meaning people can find a whole new look from head to foot.

ESPOIR FLAGSHIP STORE

eSpoiris a professional brand, which is a subsidiary company of Amore Pacific Corp. The eSpoir flagship store is the largest of all eSpoir stores in Korea, which has an underground floor and two main ground floors. You can experience eSpoir’scosmetics through its varieties of makeup products, which are composed of a variety of colors on the store’s first floor. The second floor is a makeup studio for makeup servicing by professional makeup stylists. It also functions as a place for beauty classes. The underground floor is for providing other cosmetic services, like hair waxing, such as eyebrow waxing. The center is called, Eyebrow Bar. This flagship store runs makeup classes targeting foreign tourists to teach them about k wave makeup styles.

Transfer to shopping center Myeongdong.

Myeongdong is Seoul’s shopping mecca and is a must-see for tourists, but it is not just a shopping destination; Myeongdong is also a hub of commerce, banking and culture with a daytime population of 1.5-2 million. For shoppers there is a mixture of street stalls and retail outlets selling everything from high fashion to casual attire, as well as many Korean cosmetics stores offering high-quality products at competitive prices.

Visit to INNISFREE FLAGSHIP STORE

Innisfree was South Korea’s first all-natural beauty brand when it launched back in 2004 and its eco-friendly ethos has been central to its image ever since. All of the ingredients in its products are sourced from the idyllic Korean island of Jeju and its rich storytelling around this has caught the attention of the GDR innovation research team many times over the years. The brand opened its flagship store in Myeongdong in 2010, but more recently it has added what it calls a Green Café to its second and third floor to further amplify its brand mission. The Green Café concept was first launched on Jeju Island in 2013 and it creatively combines Innisfree’s beauty products with organic drinks and desserts made from local ingredients.

OPTIONAL: Visit to DRAGON HILL SPA

Spa-complex Dragon Hill–Yongsan Dragon Hill Spa is a charcoal sauna permeated with an oak fragrance created by traditional heating techniques. The jjimjil-bang and spa facilities offer sweating rooms/sauna, an open-air bath, seawater bath, salt room, swimming pool, and health center. The main hall of Yongsan Dragon Hill Spa boasts a Chinese-style design and a luxurious interior that has been used as a filming location for various Korean television broadcasts.

Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Check out from the hotel. Transfer to Incheon International Airport. Departure from Korea.