Seoul Gyeongbokgung Palace Half-Day Guided Tour

My friend and I ended up having a private tour with Sujin. Her tour was an excellent mix of historical period facts along with more modern history. She was entertaining and engaging and despite the rain made the tour very enjoyable. I would highly recommend!

Our English tour guide Sally gave a thorough explanation on the history behind the palaces - such as the purpose, the architecture, and a glimpse of how life was back in the Joseon dynasty. Sally was very patient and is a good communicator. She also answers our questions very well. Not only did we enjoy the spectacle but we also learned so much about the culture. :)

A great tour to help us understand more about the palace. Our guide, Kean, was just lovely! super knowledable, he told us lots of interesting facts, and was happy to take lots of photos for us, which was much appreciated! A really kind, gentle and thoughtful man. He even sent detailed recommendations for other things to do in Seoul whilst I was there! Thank you so much for a splendid tour!

The tour guide, Sally was great and explained clearly about the history during the tour. She is helpful and proposed the best spot for taking of photo.

Our tour guide, Sally, was very knowledgeable about the palace and the history of Korea. She shared interesting stories about the lives of those living in the palace, the palace’s architectural design purposes, and guided our group easily through crowded areas. Sally had audio devices for each group member to wear so she could be heard clearly. Great idea! Sally was a fantastic guide.

My guide (Alan) was awesome. Very knowledgeable and courteous. He took his time and made sure I understood what I needed to and asked questions so as not to repeat things that I already knew.

Private small tour was great. Kean, our tour guide, was helpful, patient and very accomodating to my elederly parents' needs. Apart from the history, Kean showed us the best photo spots and assisted us in the photo-taking. Even after the tour ended, Kean provided us with his recommended places to visit while we were in Korea.

Initially, we had planned to explore Gyeongbokgung Palace on our own, thinking it would give us the flexibility to take our time and absorb the experience. However, deciding to book a tour guide turned out to be one of the best decisions of our trip. The tour was absolutely worth it for several reasons. First and foremost, the sheer size of the palace can be overwhelming for first-time visitors. After completing the tour, it became clear that without a guide, we would have struggled to figure out where to start or how to navigate the grounds efficiently. More than just getting from one spot to another, having a guide allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the rich history and fascinating details of the palace that we would have missed otherwise. Simply wandering around and taking photos wouldn’t have done the experience justice. Our guide, Kean, was exceptional. His deep knowledge of the palace's history and his ability to share fun and engaging facts made the entire experience both educational and enjoyable. Learning about the stories behind the architecture and the cultural significance of the palace brought the place to life for us. One thoughtful touch that stood out was the earphone system Kean provided. It allowed us to hear him clearly as we roamed the spacious grounds, ensuring we didn’t miss a single detail. This small but impactful effort made the tour feel well-organized and considerate. Kean also went above and beyond by taking plenty of group photos for our family and the other tour attendees. Not only was he accommodating, but he also had an eye for photography, capturing some fantastic shots that we’ll cherish forever. Having him take our photos was so much better than relying on a tripod or asking strangers—it felt like having a professional photographer on hand! Another highlight of the tour was Kean’s willingness to share recommendations for other places to visit after the tour. His suggestions were thoughtful and spot-on, adding even more value to our overall experience. If you’re planning to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace and want to truly appreciate its beauty, history, and significance, I highly recommend joining a guided tour—and specifically, booking with Kean. His expertise, kindness, and extra efforts made our visit unforgettable.

Soraya was an amazing tour guide. We ended up getting a more private tour because it was just my partner and I on the day of the tour. She was very knowledgeable, friendly and open to a lot of questions about Gyeongbokgung Palace. I’m really happy I ended up opting for a tour with Soraya because it was so much more insightful having someone so knowledgeable about its history rather than us booking our own tickets and walking around. Also she’s a great photographer. If I could give bonus points I would. Thanks Soraya.

26/6/2024. our tour guide was Alan. he is very knowledgeable, experienced and speaks fluent English. he helped us take many photos at great spots along the way as well. we were fortunate enough to have a private tour as we were the only 2 people.