Notice

The South Korean capital is attracting more and more people to some of its iconic landmarks.

To ensure that visually impaired visitors can also enjoy these hotspots, Seoul Tourism Organization is running special programs

Shin Ye-eun tagged along to show how they work.

Welcome to Seoul city's latest tour.

A tour for the visually impaired.

Here...visitors have to rely on what they can hear and touch.

Like this.

 “Try pushing these rocks with your foot.

Even though it’s quite slippery from the rain…

doesn’t the surface feel very smooth for a rock?”

Seoul Tourism Organization has been holding these tours since 2020, and this year, it has prepared three courses.

One in Gyeongbokgung Palace, one in Changgyeonggung Palace,...and one around Namsan Mountain Park.

"Here, visually impaired tourists can enjoy the beautiful landscapes in the capital.

All thanks to specially trained professional tour guides."

Park Myung-sook is one of the 57 tour guides certified by Seoul Tourism Organization to lead tours for the blind.

Though she leads a smaller group of people... it requires much more interaction than other tours.

"Whenever I do tours for the visually impaired, I make sure to be extra descriptive. I try to draw an image in their heads by explaining everything around them... from the colors, the weather, the surroundings. I ask participants to touch things around them so they can get a better picture of what's in front of them."

Her hard work pays off when participants praise the tour.

"I came all the way from Jeollabuk-do Province and I enjoyed every minute of it. I could picture everything the tour guide said to me. It also helped that I could touch some items she was explaining about."

Tours for the visually impaired will run until September 7th.

Up to four people two visually impaired participants and two caretakers can go on each tour.

Reservations can be made online on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Shin Ye-eun, Arirang News.

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