Treasures of Seoul: Tea ceremony Tour

• Private Experience
• Instantly Confirmed
• Carbon Neutral

You’ve probably heard that Seoul is well-known for its Tea ceremony, but do you know the stories and origin behind it? Or how much influence it has on the locals daily life? On this private city tour, you are in for a cultural treat!

Destination

Seoul, South Korea

Category

City Highlight Tours

Duration

2.5 hours

Transport mode

Walking tour

Available languages

English, Français, Deutsch, Español, Korean

Included

• Private Guide
• Songpyeon (Korean traditional rice snack)
• Tea selection from Korean Green Tea
• Pu-erh Enzyme Tea
• Oolong Tea
• All Withlocals Tours are Carbon Neutral

Excluded

• Food and drinks not listed as inclusion

What you can expect

Choose your local

Get to know these 2 passionate locals, each bringing unique perspectives and talents. Choose your favorite, check their availability, and book to create an unforgettable adventure tailored to you.

This is the plan

Check out the plan below to see what you'll get up to with your local host. Feel free to personalize this offer with the host of your choice.

1. Meeting point

   Meet at Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3) Exit 1 (In front of Police Station) - Seoul to start your journey

   View on Maps

2. Itinerary

   This is what our experience could look like, but it’s not set in stone! Once you book, you can chat directly with your host to make small tweaks to suit your preferences.

3. Culture of the City

   On this private tour, you’ll experience and discover Seoul through its culture. Whether it’s focused on a tradition, a special part of town with a story to tell, cultural beliefs, or around a cultural activity that shaped the city into what it is - this tour will be a cultural awakening you can’t miss!

4. Tea ceremony in Seoul

   Your tour will focus on Tea ceremony, a very important cultural subject in Seoul. Thanks to your local host, you’ll learn and see how Tea ceremony made an impact in Seoul, making you experience the city from a different perspective.

5. Cultural Highlights

   As you deep dive into the subject of your tour, you’ll make stops to visit unique spots that will give you a full picture of the city. Visit Bukchon Hanok Village, Traditional Tea House, Jongmyo Shrine, and more and see how these cultural highlights are part of the local life but have so much history behind them!

6. Storytelling Journey

   As you discover the cultural side of Seoul, you’ll be able to embrace it thanks to the amazing stories and storytelling skills of your local host. Feel free to ask any questions and feel as if you are relieving history in the present time.

7. Make it yours

   Want to tweak the itinerary? Book directly & chat afterwards with your host to adjust highlights, skip stops, or make small changes to fit your preferences.

   Book risk-free: Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund.

   Need something special? Personalize your experience for more time, alternative locations or a completely tailored plan.

Flexible cancellation policy

• Feel confident booking

  Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. Even up to 7 days before your experience, you’ll receive a refund, minus the service fee.

• Change of plans?

  Reschedule your experience to a date and time that works best for you.

• Loved by travelers worldwide

  Simple and flexible – your plans, your way.

Reviews from guests

Kendra

(About local Jason)

5 February 2025

With so much to explore in even just the city of Seoul, I didn't know where to start! I had a lot of last minute questions and Jason made sure to clarify what I was in search of and what would make my experience most enjoyable. I really appreciated how thorough he was and how he handled all of my vague inquiries patiently. We fit quite a variety of tailored experiences in a short amount of time and I was thankful for his help and expertise. He even went above and beyond helping me with tourist information I really should have had figured out before I got here 😅 To anyone on the fence about getting a guide, I would say "It's definitely worth it! Just book it!" This was one of the biggest highlights of my trip. Can't express enough how grateful I am! "Seoul" nice to meet you!

Nicole

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

25 May 2024

1

We had a wonderful afternoon tasting and learning more about tea from a presentation by an expert. Sanghee picked up on our interests and helped guide the conversation and the activity around that. We did this tour on our second day in the city, so it was a great way to learn and have fun.Fun afternoon

Miriam🇩🇪 Germany

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

5 May 2024

1

We started our trip through Korea with this tea tasting and it was the perfect start. We learned a lot about the Korean and Chinese tea tradition and had a great time with Sanghee. Thank you for the great time, we still think back fondly on it!Perfect start in Korea!

Ben🇨🇭 Switzerland

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

4 January 2024

We went to two tea shops (no traditional tea ceremony!) to drink tea and afterwards we went to the Hanoi village to walk up a hill on our own to take pictures. Sanghee mainly asked us about our lifestyles and didn't share much about tea ceremonies, South Korea, Seoul or the history. The tour felt unorganized and unstructured.Chaotic and Unstructured

Fernando🇸🇬 Singapore

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

2 January 2024

1

Priscilla was great in explaining the back stories not normally available in books. She was flexible in adjusting the pace and content based on our interests. Lots of recommendations too for places to go after the tour. Highly recommended!Great Intro to Korean Culture

Hemant🇺🇸 United States

(About local Cristina)

26 November 2023

Cristina was fun, knowledgeable and authentic. Her local anecdotes and personal flavor made the tour more personal and personable. Had this tour combined with the tea tasting back to back. Appreciated her accommodating that and tailoring the combined tour to my preferences and adapting as we went along. Appreciated her guidance through the local stores in my search for curios and keepsakes.Seoul the local way

David

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

28 September 2023

1

Sanghee was very friendly and easy to get on with and knowledge with useful information about the teas and food. I would highly recommend both her and the tour.Really great tour

Emile🇳🇱 Netherlands

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

2 September 2023

1

Samghee was a lovely, sweet and friendly guide who provided us with a very nice tour, experiencing 3 tea houses and different teas. We had a great, relaxing time. Don't expect a traditional, 'solemn' ceremony. We were explained that the traditional tea ceremony takes one or two hours, which would be a lot, which is why this was a more informal introduction into different teas, of which some were made by a tea master and not for sale. We visited two locations at which the tea was prepared for us and one where we could prepare the tea ourselves, in a relaxed informal manner, all the while enjoying a nice conversation with our guide. We enjoyed it and came out calm and relaxed. Only would have liked to have a bit more in-depth explanation about the origins of the teas and the place of the tea in Korean life and society. We decided to take it as it came and enjoyed it thoroughly as such. We paid € 85,- p.p. jncluding booking costs, which, given the 3 hour duration of the tour and the inclusion of all the teas, seems reasonable to me.Great time!

Kyanna🇺🇸 United States

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

20 August 2023

1

Sanghee went above and beyond what we expected! We went to multiple cafes and got some of the most delicious treats on my trip so far! Ending the night with the tea class with something that I know not many get the experience and the atmosphere was so nice and light hearted I would go back in a heartbeat!A unforgettable experience

Selina🇨🇦 Canada

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

19 September 2022

1

I had a wonderful time with Sanghee Priscilla, who shared the Korean tea experience with me in the Bukchon neighbourhood. We visited the new Hansik Space to enjoy traditional Korean tea and snacks. We also visited the Tea Therapy Café, where we enjoyed a foot bath along with our traditional tea. Sanghee shared many insights about her city – it was fascinating to learn about Seoul from a local’s perspective. I would highly recommend Sanghee as a guide – she will help you make the most of your visit to Seoul. An Unforgettable Tea Experience in Seoul

Taylor🇺🇸 United States

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

1 August 2022

Sanghee shares not only a wonderful tea experience, but her vast history and knowledge as well. She has a great taste in music and is a fabulous picture taker. Your pictures will definitely be Instagram ready!

Brenda🇰🇷 Korea, Republic of

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

17 June 2022

It was great meeting Sanghee and having her walk us through a nice tea ceremony. We visited a local place in Bukchon village, told us information about the traditional tea, and had lots to share about the history of Korea. Afterwards, we enjoyed walk through Bukchon village followed by a tour at a loca shrine. We definitely packed a lot in the small amount of time we had! Tea Ceremony & Walking Tour

Katja🇩🇪 Germany

(About local Cristina)

6 June 2025

wir hatten eine Tolle Zeit mit Christina.mit Charm, Witz und Wissen

MARIA LUZ

(About local Cristina)

1 June 2025

Cristina es una guía muy cercana y amable, dispuesta a satisfacer los gustos del cliente al que acompaña. No tuve más tardes libres ya que iba en viaje organizado y por eso no solicité más servicios suyos. Lo pasé muy bien y cumplí mi objetivo con ella Gracias CristinaBUENA TARDE CON CRISTINA POR SEUL

Ken🇨🇦 Canada

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

31 May 2025

We had a wonderful experience on this walking food tour in Seoul! Our guide, Sanghee Priscilla, was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, making the whole tour feel relaxed and engaging. We explored a variety of local street foods and even enjoyed a couple of sit-down spots, which gave a great mix of authentic tastes and atmospheres. Every stop felt thoughtfully chosen, and I appreciated learning about the history and culture behind each dish. Highly recommend this tour for anyone wanting a true taste of Seoul, guided by a passionate local expert!Great local experience

Warwick

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

27 May 2025

Sanghee Priscilla was very pleasant, funny and knowledgeable and had planned the tour well, based on what Nick wanted to do and see. She went out of her way to accommodate us and even found English breakfast tea bags for me as I couldn’t find them. She was so thoughtful in regards to my son’s limited capacity for walking. I could not have asked for a more pleasant person to guide us around her hometown Seoul. 11 out of 10 if possible.K pop tour

Martin🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

23 May 2025

Sanghee is a natural guide. Full of energy and humour, eager to impart her knowledge and experience of her city, but thoughtfully tailored to our interests and pace. Her extensive overseas travel contributed to an instant rapport and a shared context for her explanations. Our tour with her was most enjoyable. A natural guide!

Günter🇩🇪 Germany

(About local Cristina)

17 May 2025

Christina ist ein super Tourguide und spricht sehr gutes Deutsch.Sehr gut.

Edwin

(About local Jason)

14 May 2025

Jason is a one-of-a-kind private tour guide. I was on the lookout for a tour guide with three key qualities: great communication skills, a charming personality, and a wealth of knowledge. He was super responsive to my messages. He really listened to what I wanted to see or do in Seoul. He even made sure his tour itinerary was all about what I wanted to get out of it. With his perfect itinerary, he showed not only professionalism but also a friendly vibe during the tour. He was super easy to talk to, making me feel like I was hanging out with a long-time friend instead of being on a tour. Of course, he still kept his expertise as a tour guide. He’s got a youthful vibe, but he’s a tour guide extraordinaire! When I asked him a question, he would give me a super clear and concise answer. In other words, he’s a master of his craft! Wow, this was an amazing experience! I’ve never had a private tour guide in Seoul before, and he exceeded all my expectations. I’m so glad I had him as my guide. I’ll definitely have him again when I come back to Korea, whether it’s in Seoul or anywhere else in the country. I highly recommend him!A Rare Find Private Tour Guide

Paul🇨🇭 Switzerland

(About local Camille)

2 May 2025

Camille est une guide tout à fait charmante et dynamique qui parle en effet très bien coréen et connaît quelques endroits sympas. Néanmoins au marché de Gwangjang, nous n’avons pas reçu de recommandations et avons plus ou moins décidé nous mêmes où manger. Ce n’est pas le but d’un tour de street food où on s’attend aux meilleures adresses, petits secrets et autres trouvailles.sympathique mais manque de connaissances

Olivia🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Camille)

1 May 2025

Camille was wonderful. We had fantastic local eating experiences we would never have had without her. She was brilliantly informative and interesting.Perfect intro to Korean Food Culture

jeffrey

(About local Jason)

1 May 2025

Jason was a great tour guide! There were 5 of us and he made sure to pick us up at our hotel and have a very nice van available that fit us all. We previously gave him some ideas of what we would like to do, and he accommodated to them very well. He took lots of family pictures and videos for us dressed in hanboks at a palace. He also took us to a restaurant and a cafe away from the city with the best mountain view! My mother-in-law had lost her glasses on the bus the night before, so he took us to a glasses store where they were able to give her an eye exam for a new pair. It was very helpful having him with us because it would have been very difficult to speak with them since we didn't know Korean. He also helped us pick out the perfect pair as well as had them delivered to our hotel! He even checked back with us to let us know they had been delivered. We ate lunch and dinner with him at delicious restaurants and made sure there was something for all of us to eat (mother-in-law is a vegetarian) and he felt like part of our family. My kids are 14 and 17 so he made sure to do things that they were able to enjoy. He was a great tour guide, and I am glad to have chosen him!!Tour of Seoul!

Rohini🇮🇳 India

(About local Jason)

30 April 2025

This tour gave great insights on the food culture of Seoul and it was amazing. Jason took us to the most authentic cultural food stalls and each of them were amazing. We were so full by the end of the day and there was still so much mode to explore.infact my friend was a pure vegetarian so he also suggested great tasty Vegan/Veg food. We tried appetisers, mains and a variety of desserts. To top it he also took is for a local shopping tour around the area the the best shops with best deals. Overall it was an amazing experience. Thanks Jason for making it so memorable. If you are planning to book your tour, think no further as Jason is highly experienced and will meet your requirements/food choices. Amazing Experience

Brian🇺🇸 United States

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

24 April 2025

1

If you're visiting Seoul and want more than just a typical tour, Sanghee is the guide you need! She’s not only super knowledgeable about the city, but also incredibly funny and warm—like catching up with a friend who knows all the hidden gems. We booked a foodie on day one and a city tour on day two , and it was hands-down one of the best experiences of our trip. Sanghee took us to places we’d never find on our own, from street food stalls to cozy local restaurants. She shared fun facts, local history, and even quirky stories that made everything so much more memorable. What really sets her apart is her energy and genuine love for Seoul—and food! If you’re a foodie or just want to explore the city with someone who feels like a local friend, don’t miss out on touring with Sanghee. Can’t recommend her enough!A warm welcome to Seoul!

Lauren🇺🇸 United States

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

20 April 2025

1

Sanghee was an excellent host! She made us a tailored tour, taking us to some of the biggest sites of Seoul and showing us where to find the best, most authentic food! We started our few days in Seoul with Sanghee and it was the best way to introduce ourselves to the city. Thank you so much!

Johannes🇩🇪 Germany

(About local Jason)

19 April 2025

Jason is a top recommendation. We are a group of students and early professionals living in Seoul and booked with Jason to visit the DMZ. He knows the best spots in the DMZ and is able to put things into a broader contemporary context, not just focused on the past history. The best thing was that he was a true guide, selecting the best sights and skipping the waiting lines. He made sure to adjust to all of our needs, e.g., finding a bang-for-the-buck authentic Korean restaurant or also showing us the suspension bridge despite a detour. Really felt like taking a long-time friend with us.DMZ Trip

Ying Ching🇸🇬 Singapore

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

14 April 2025

1

We had a great time with Priscilla. Priscilla was really flexible and accommodating. We are really introverted and Priscilla totally put us at ease. In total we had more than 20 items and were stuffed to the brim. Many of the stalls were stalls we would never dare to try without a local. Come hungry!!!Great time! Really authentic!

Ute🇩🇪 Germany

(About local Cristina)

4 April 2025

Es hat uns Freude bereitet von Cristina rumgeführt zu werden. Sie hat uns einiges gezeigt und uns sehr viel in unserer Heimatsprache erklärt, wodurch wir auch alles verstanden haben. Das Highlight war zudem das süße Kaffee in das sie uns geführt hat und die urigen Einkaufspassagen. Wir können Cristina sehr empfehlen.Schöne, entspannte Stadtführung

Boris

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

2 April 2025

1

Shanghee was a wonderful companion for our visit to the palace. We felt very comfortable and enjoyed every minute of it, we recommend it. Guide unreservedly.Perfect Guide.

Pierre

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

30 March 2025

1

Very good guide, knows authentic and good street food places ! Thanks !!Excellent !

Regina

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

21 March 2025

Priscilla organised the full day for us. So good to be picked up from our accommodation knowing we were going where we wanted to go. Zip line and Nami ticked off our list with an added bonus of a local lunch … yum Priscilla dropped us off in the city and ensured we knew exactly where we had to go on the sub. All adding to our experience. Priscilla is such a bubbly individual and has a wealth of knowledge to impart. Such a great day

Regina

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

21 March 2025

Well organised tour. Priscilla went out of her way to ensure we were happy with our day. Amazing guide with a great sense of humour. We would highly recommend Priscilla. Cheers from Regina and Moira Do DMZ with Priscilla

Maria

(About local Cristina)

21 March 2025

Fue muy dificil encontrar guia en español en Seul, y en la busqueda encontramos withlocals. Si bien se iba un poco de nuestro presupuesto, no nos queríamos ir de la ciudad sin tener una explicación de las cosas que habíamos visto. Cristina no defraudo! Ante mi temor de que su español no fuera el mejor, le pregunte antes de encontrarnos como era su fluidez y me contesto perfecto... asi fue!!! Pasamos 3 horas muy entretenidas descubriendo el centro de Seúl, su cultura y tradiciones. Siempre estuvo pendiente de nuestras necesidades y hasta nos acompaño a una farmacia a comprar medicamentos. Excelente experienciaPerfecto español en Seul

Jessica

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

18 March 2025

1

P. is a great tour guide. She is very friendly, humorous, professional and responsive to our requests. We had a lot of fun with her. Thank you for the lovely evening. :-)So much fun… :-)

Shirley🇨🇦 Canada

(About local Jason)

17 March 2025

Our group loved Jason - As Group Leader of 14 retirees, I'm so very happy I chose him as our Guide in Seoul! Jason has a great command of the English Language - he has a warm, upbeat personality, a great sense of humor, is knowledgeable, flexible and very attentive to our group's wishes and was especially attentive to the needs of those in our group who required special attention. We could not have had a better Guide in Seoul and thanks to him and his hard-working, efficient driver, Mr. Lee, our group had a wonderful, fun and rewarding time in Seoul. Perfect English Speaking Korean Guide!

Jennifer

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

11 March 2025

1

Priscilla was a lot of fun and had a lot of energy. We went to all the different hot spot for local and well know food places. I am happy that I got to the famous dumpling place on Kstreet. It was amazing! Great for Foodie's

Mo🇺🇸 United States

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

5 March 2025

1

My mother and I did a walking tour with Sanghee that started off at Gyeongbokgung Palace and in and around Bukchon. Since my mother is older, I asked Sanghee to pace us slowly and she did a great job of showing us around the sights while checking in with my mom on how she was doing. Sanghee was knowledgeable and kind, giving us insights into the Korean life whilst also helping satisfy the "tourist" side. Highly recommend!Great tour with Sanghee!

Richard🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

2 March 2025

1

I met Priscilla at a Metro station near Namdaemun Market and sampled a wide variety of foods from restaurants, small cafes and street stalls. I tasted many things which I would have been wary about, without her telling me about them. She was knowledgeable, funny, informative and very easy to understand. I would highly recommend her - just make sure you haven’t eaten for a few days beforehand! Her insight into Korean food was very useful in my further travels around Korea and I will definitely be cooking some of the dishes when I get home. Thanks Priscilla, hope to see you on my next trip to Seoul. A must do if in Seoul.

mrdreese

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

1 March 2025

1

My group really enjoyed our time Priscilla. She was very fun, charismatic, and knowledgeable about the history of South Korea. She was very familiar with the many shrines, statues, temples and artifacts, and she was able to tell the stories of each. Priscilla answered all of our questions and she made great recommendations outside of our tour. I would recommend Priscilla as a guide if you are visiting South Korea.Very Informative

Unknown

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

1 March 2025

1

We loved our time with Priscilla. She is a perfect combination of guide and friendliness! Super Friendly

bc9r9rx42s

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

26 February 2025

1

Sanghee was a great guide to different foods in Seoul. We went to places we never would have found ourselves and we had a really great time.Street food

bc9r9rx42s

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

26 February 2025

1

We had a great time with Sanghee. She was really enthusiastic and showed us a great time. Everything about the tour was great!Highlights with Sanghee

Catherine🇨🇦 Canada

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

24 February 2025

1

We are a Canadian family with a 10 years old kid. We had a very go experience with Shanghee Pricilla. She is dynamic, interesting and very generous! She is a very good storyteller. We had a wonderfull journey with her!Wonderfull experience!

Don

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

21 February 2025

From the start, Priscilla led us on a culinary adventure that was varied and delicious despite being somewhat restricted by my wife’s adversity to overly spicy foods. Priscilla was informative, engaging and very personable. We both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Highly recommend! Top-notch Guide & Tour

Melissa

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

18 February 2025

1

Natalie

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

4 February 2025

1

I went on a food tour with my family of 5 and Priscilla took us to hidden gems, explained food history and traditions, ordered for us and made the whole experience utterly memorable and so much fun. We ate kimchee, noodles, sweet delicacies and travelled to secret local eateries. Totally recommend Priscilla who is charismatic, knowledgeable and good humoured!Brilliant tour

Scott🇺🇸 United States

(About local Cristina)

19 January 2025

Cristina was friendly and clearly knew her stuff. She answered all our questions on culture and history. There were some parts of the tour though that she could have helped us make more efficient. We didn't know we were going to a market so we didn't have cash on us. Also, it would have been good if she had mentioned the palace was going to stop admitting people at 8PM since we could have chosen to prioritize that rather than get there a minute late. Most of all, we were disappointed in the lack of restaurant and specific food suggestions. Overall, we're glad we did the tour as a way to make the most of our long layover time in Seoul and Cristina was a friendly local to walk around with and provide some interesting information.Friendly/knowledgeable but can improve

Art

(About local Jason)

7 January 2025

My partner and I booked a private 2 person tour to experience the taste of Seoul. We initially booked on a Sunday, but Jason advised another day as most shops closed Sunday. We enjoyed our tour of the market and had a wonderful experience. The food was excellent and Jason carried the conversation through the experience. We highly recomend using Jason and will use him in the future.Winter Food Tour

bigpetebrown

(About local Jason)

7 January 2025

We had a really interesting tour with Jason but sadly (?) Jason's tour wasn't for us. It was nice to start with a coffee and chat but we have good coffee in Australia and the chat was a little long. Jason was super knowledgable about Korea in general, and the market we visited, but we thought Jason was thrown by us not being the slightest bit interested in shopping. For a food and drinks tour the food was good but drinks didn't happen apart from the free drinks everyone had with lunch. The sit down lunch was excellent and would have been a great opportunity to be offered a beer. To be honest we'd missed that we were going to the palace and this ended up being a real highlight as the changing of the guard happened while we were there. Overall we enjoyed our time with Jason but for us the value for money wasn't there. Good food but where were the drinks?

Stephen🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Sanghee Priscilla)

6 January 2025

1

Enjoyed our tour with Priscilla, went into multiple places to sample lovely tasty Korean food, simple yet full of flavour. A culinary wander to multiple different types and styles of food. Completely stuffed by its completion. Would recommend for all.Great food, local knowledge