The journey
Wander Busan's seafood markets and colourful hillside villages, cook a regional Korean meal with a local chef, and trade the coast for Gyeongju's royal tombs, UNESCO temples and a mountain trail lined with centuries-old stone Buddhas.
Busan & Gyeongju: Coast to Ancient Capital is a five-day journey from Korea's coastal second city to the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom. In Busan, visit the hillside Samgwangsa Temple and stroll Haeundae Beach, then cook a regional Korean meal in a hands-on class before exploring Jagalchi Market's seafood stalls, the colourful lanes of Gamcheon Culture Village, and a cable car ride across the sea. In Gyeongju, a UNESCO World Heritage Site once called an open-air museum, visit the Buddhist masterpieces of Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple, the treasures of Gyeongju National Museum, and the royal burial mounds of Daereungwon, before a half-day hike on Namsan Mountain, home to over 100 temples and 80 stone Buddha statues, and a visit to Yangdong Folk Village, a traditional aristocratic village from the Joseon dynasty.
Highlights
- Visit Samgwangsa Temple, one of Busan's most impressive Buddhist complexes, set on the foothills of Baegyang Mountain
- Cook a regional Korean meal in a hands-on class led by a local chef, and take home a recipe card
- Explore Jagalchi Market, South Korea's largest seafood market, and the colourful hillside lanes of Gamcheon Culture Village
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple, Silla-era masterpieces of Buddhist architecture
- Hike Gyeongju's Namsan Mountain, home to over 100 temples, 80 stone Buddha statues and 60 stone pagodas
- Visit Yangdong Folk Village, home to more than 160 traditional Korean houses from the Joseon dynasty
Included
Accommodation
4 nights across Busan and Gyeongju
Activities
Samgwangsa Temple and Haeundae Beach · Korean cooking class · Jagalchi Market, Gamcheon Culture Village and Busan sea cable car · Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple · Gyeongju National Museum · Daereungwon/Tumuli Park (Cheonmachong Tomb) · Namsan Mountain half-day hike · Yangdong Folk Village
Also included
Private airport transfers on Days 1 and 5 · English-speaking guides on Days 1 to 4 · private air-conditioned vehicle transfers as mentioned in the itinerary · entrance fees for mentioned visits · breakfast daily from Day 2 (4 total), plus lunch on Days 2 to 4 (3 total)
The route
Five days across South Korea
2 stops · Busan to Gyeongju
Busan
Gyeongju
Stop 1 of 2
Journey's end
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Stop 1 of 2
Day by day
The route in detail
Day 1
Arrival in Busan
Arrive at Busan Gimhae International Airport for a private transfer to the hotel. Busan, South Korea's second-largest city, is a coastal metropolis known for its beaches, bustling seafood markets and sweeping harbour scenery. Meet the guide for an afternoon visit to Samgwangsa Temple, one of Busan's most impressive Buddhist complexes, set on the foothills of Baegyang Mountain and renowned for its grand architecture and panoramic views over the city. Continue to Haeundae Beach for a gentle seaside stroll, before the evening free to explore Busan's after-dark scene at leisure. Overnight in Busan.
Day 2
Busan
Begin the morning with a hands-on Korean cooking class, conducted in English, learning to prepare a selection of regional dishes under a local chef's guidance, then enjoy the meal and take home a recipe card. Continue to Jagalchi Market, South Korea's largest seafood market, to take in the dynamic atmosphere of Busan's maritime traditions, then explore Gamcheon Culture Village, a hillside kaleidoscope of colour with winding alleys, murals and independent cafes. Before the day winds down, board the cable car for a scenic ride across the sea, taking in Songdo Beach and the coastline below. Overnight in Busan.
Day 3
Busan to Gyeongju
After breakfast, meet the guide and travel by private car to Gyeongju, once the capital of the 8th-century Silla Kingdom and a UNESCO World Heritage Site revered as an open-air museum of palaces, temples and tombs. Begin at Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple, admiring the Buddhist carvings and stone terraces built during the Silla Kingdom, with lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit Gyeongju National Museum, home to a vast collection of Silla-era artefacts and royal treasures, then Daereungwon, or Tumuli Park, home to more than 20 Silla-period tombs, including the Cheonmachong Tomb, a typical upper-class Silla burial chamber. Guests wishing to explore further at leisure can take an independent evening walk to Woljeong Bridge, a historic gateway that once connected Silla's royal palaces, and Wolji Pond, part of the ancient palace complex. Overnight in Gyeongju.
Day 4
Gyeongju
Meet the guide for a morning excursion out of the city to Namsan Mountain, home to over 100 temples, 80 stone Buddha statues and 60 stone pagodas. The hike follows a well-maintained trail over around three hours, with short breaks to admire cultural relics and scenic views, followed by lunch at a local restaurant featuring regional specialties. In the afternoon, travel along the Hyeongsan River to Yangdong Folk Village, a traditional yangban aristocratic village from the Joseon dynasty, home to more than 160 traditional Korean houses. Visit a shrine, a Confucian school and the noble residence of the village head, then stroll the village trail before returning to the hotel for the evening at leisure. Overnight in Gyeongju.
Day 5
Departure from Gyeongju
After breakfast at the hotel, check out and transfer to Busan Gimhae Airport for the onward departure flight.
Moments
Along the way
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