A number of optional tours and pre & post conference tours are available during the 12th WCLC. For more information, please email tours@meet-ics.com.
optional tours
Demilitarized zone (D.M.Z) Tour (6.5 hours)
Sunday, September 2 |
08:30 – 15:00
$100.00 US per person
To truly understand Korea and her people, visitors must understand the effect of the war and the chasm it left in the hearts of its victims. The only divided country on earth, Korea and its symbol of division, DMZ. DMZ is the most heavily fortified border on the planet. It has been 50 years since the Korean War ended in 1953. This is a very special tour destination in Korea, which offers a real vivid eye-opening experience of the Korean War and a dramatic sense of the tragedy of the separated family members between the two Koreas from the division of the peninsula. Lunch included, valid passport required to board this tour.
Deoksugung Palace & Namdaemun Market (5 hours)
Sunday, September 2 | 10:00 – 15:00
$62.00 US per person
Located at the corner of the busiest intersection of downtown Seoul, Deoksugung Palace is famous for its elegant stone-wall road. It is the only one that has western buildings beside it, and it adds to the uniqueness of the scenery. The east wing of the Seokjogwan building now serves as a Palace Treasure exhibition, and the west wing is used as part of National Modern Arts Center. Also in the heart of Seoul, the Namdaemun Market is the oldest and biggest traditional market in Korea. There are about 10,000 stores offering a large selection of products including clothes, accessories, silverware and much more at inexpensive price. The most colorful aspect of the market is the group of street vendors that setup in the alleys and walkways between the buildings.
Bukak Skyway – Gyeongbokgung Palace (5.5 hours)
Sunday, September 2 | 12:00 – 17:30
$63.00 US per person
The sightseeing trip to the Bukak Skyway is an exceptional opportunity to enjoy some of the finest views of Seoul and its surrounding mountains. Back in the city, you’ll visit the Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main and largest of the five palaces of the Joseon Dynasty in Seoul. The major buildings on the site are the Geunjeongjeon (the royal throne room), and the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, which stands in a lotus pond and rests on 48 granite pillars.
Changdeokgung Palace & Insadong Art Street (5.5 hours)
Monday, September 3 | 13:30 – 19:00
$63.00 US per person
The charms of ancient royal palace and a stroll through Insadong will get you to experience traditional Korea. Changdeok Palace is the most successfully preserved palace and best known for its beautiful garden. Nearby Insadong was where the officials, extended royal families, and the Yangban aristocratic class live. Since then, Insadong has been home to dozens of art galleries and antique shops.
Han River Ferry Cruise – Prehistoric Settlement (5 hours)
Thursday, September 6 | 12:30 – 17:30
$75.00 US per person
Combine the afternoon with a relaxing Hangang River Ferry Cruise and a historic step back to the Neolithic Era. The cruise is one of the best ways to enjoy the Hangang River’s beautiful scenery, the surrounding islands, Jeoldusan Park, the 63 Building, Namsan Tower, Jamsil’s Multi Sports Complex, and other famous tourist spots. The Amsa-dong Prehistoric Settlement Site was first excavated in 1925 when a flood washed away the soil on the banks of the Han River and exposed a large number of diagonal-line patterned earthenware underneath the earth. The site is one of the largest settlement sites ever discovered on the Korean Peninsula. Today it features two exhibition halls, reconstructed mud huts and interpretative trails.
Into the Real Life of Korea - Kimchi making (4.5 hours) CANCELLED Monday, September 3 | 08:30 – 13:00
$88.00 US per person
Join the Yoo’s family for a hands-on experience in Kimchi making. Kimchi is a traditional fermented vegetable dish which is the most basic side dish at every Korean meal. It is not only fun but an excellent opportunity to learn about Korean culture and dietary life.
Winter Sonata Drama Tour (7.5 hours) CANCELLED
Monday, September 3 | 08:30 – 16:00
$91.00 US per person
Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the romantic settings of Winter Sonata, the most popular Korean drama filmed about 1 hour away from Seoul. Discover the breathtaking scenery of Nami Island, the bustling activity of Chuncheon’ s Myeongdong Street and enjoy a traditional Dakgalbi lunch (spicy stir-fried chicken with vegetables).
Tracing the Spirit of Korean Ceramics (8.5 hours) CANCELLED Tuesday, September 4 | 09:00 – 17:30
$113.00 US per person
Known for exquisite quality and beauty, Korean ceramics are renowned as some of the world’s finest. With about 250 kilns, a ceramics museum and numerous apprentice studios and shops, the Icheon Pottery Village offers everything from collector's curios to daily utensils. After lunch, visit the Korean Folk Village, a collection of common houses from different parts of the country and from different professions as well as a 99-room mansion and a government office reflecting the luxurious lifestyle of the aristocratic class of the Joseon Dynasty. A market place also offers the exotic flavors of the Korean cuisine and a variety of traditional handcrafts and souvenirs.
Learning Korea Traditional Music Instrument (5.5 hours) CANCELLED Tuesday, September 4 | 12:00 – 17:30
$96.00 US per person
Experience and learn Korean music at the Chongdong Theatre and its famous Jang-Go school, the traditional art stage for foreigners since 1997. Enjoy a 20 minutes hands-on class to learn the tempo and rhythms and join performance with the professionals.Watching 'Traditional Arts Performance' after learning janggo makes the experience ever more pleasant since one can compare the earlier lesson to the skills of the professionals. After that you can have your picture taken in Korean costumes.
Daejanggeum Drama Tour (6 hours) CANCELLED
Tuesday, September 5 | 08:30 – 14:30
$70.00 US per person
Tour the filming location of the popular he TV miniseries Daejanggeum (Jewel in the palace), which aired on MBC from September 2003 to March 2004. Based on a real historical figure, it retraces the life of the first and only woman to serve as head physician to the King in the rigidly hierarchical and male-dominated social structure of the Joseon Dynasty. Lunch included.
Pre & Post Conference Tours
Legendary Shilla Dynasty, Gyeongju (2 days / 1 night)
August 31 – September 1 or September 7 – 8
From $420.00 US per person
Gyeongju was the capital of the Shilla Kingdom for a thousand years. Today, an exceptional concentration of historical buildings, temples and artifacts remains throughout the city and surrounding valley. Visit Seokguram and Bulguk Temples, both registered on the list of World Cultural Heritage Sites and sense the strength and dignity of the Silla kings by observing the huge burial mounds in Tumuli Park.
Dreamlike Jeju Island (3 days / 2 nights)
August 30 – September 1 or September 7 – 9
From $820.00 US per person
Jeju Island has a variety of unique geographic attractions from scattered hills, vast plains, to peculiar volcanic landscapes. Korean people like to compare Jeju Island with Hawaii. Like Hawaii, Jeju was created by a volcanic eruption and many parts of the island are covered with dark volcanic rocks, sand and soil. Jeju Island has more exotic natural surroundings and scenic splendors than anywhere else in Korea.
East Coast & Natural Beauty of Mt. Seorak (2 days / 1 night)
August 31 – September 1 or September 7 – 8
From $390.00 US per person
A Korean National Park, Mt. Seorak is often considered the most beautiful mountain in the southern part of the Korean peninsula. The mountain contains some of Korea's most scenic rocky peaks, cliffs, valleys, ancient temples, ridges, waterfalls, and the sea of forests. Its major attractions include Sinheung Temple, Gwongeumseong Peak and Heundeul Bawi ("Rocking Rock").
Golgulsa Temple Stay (2 days / 1 night)
August 31 – September 1 or September 7 – 8
From $390.00 US per person
The participants experience Buddhist daily life, starting with the early morning ceremony in temples usually around 3 a.m. They are invited to Zen meditation, Dado tea ceremony and Barugongyang vegetarian meal while staying at the Golgulsa (Stone Buddha) Temple and visiting nearby Buddhist sites.
