Experience 'Rest' at Jeonnam's Tranquil Millennium-Old Temples

Yongheungsa, Neunggasa, Cheongwansa, Baekyangsa, and Sinheungsa Selected
Jeonnam Province Designates Sites for the Global Meditation Tourism Project

Jeonnam's historic millennium-old temples are gaining renewed attention as hubs for meditation tourism, emphasizing 'rest and healing'.

According to Jeonnam Province on April 20, the province has recently selected five temples—Yongheungsa in Damyang, Neunggasa in Goheung, Cheongwansa in Jangheung, Baekyangsa in Jangseong, and Sinheungsa in Wando—as destinations for the 'Millennium Temples Global Meditation Tourism Project'.

This project aims to expand the historical value, natural environment, and traditional spiritual practices of these temples into tourism content, providing domestic and international visitors with profound experiences of relaxation.

Mihwangsa Temple panoramic view. [Photo by Jeonnam Province]

The strategy is to go beyond simple experiences and develop these sites into stay-type tourism destinations, linked with local festivals.

Each temple has prepared meditation programs that highlight their unique characteristics.

Yongheungsa will operate the 'Seon Meditation Templestay', which combines tea meditation, walking meditation, and tea talks with monks, welcoming visitors from spring to fall in connection with the Damyang Bamboo Festival.

Neunggasa plans to create synergy with the Goheung Yuzu Festival through a program that combines singing bowl sound therapy and beach meditation.

Cheongwansa will present a walking meditation-focused 'Mind Retreat' utilizing its camellia forest, while Baekyangsa will offer programs that systematize traditional practices such as tea ceremony, breathing, and temple food meditation.

Devotees performing 108 prostrations at the main hall of Sinheungsa Temple. [Photo provided by Jeonnam Province]

In particular, Baekyangsa aims to attract the demand for healing tourism during the autumn foliage season. Sinheungsa plans to make full use of Wando's pristine marine environment by offering programs that combine seated meditation, walking meditation, and beach healing activities.

Jeonnam Province will provide each temple with KRW 25 million to support the improvement of meditation spaces, content development, and promotional activities. Through this effort, the province aims to nurture traditional temples as 'stay-type healing spaces' rather than simply tourist attractions.

The tourism industry is watching closely to see whether this project can establish a high value-added tourism model that combines Jeonnam's natural and cultural assets.

A Jeonnam Province official stated, "We will reinterpret the unique sentiment and spiritual culture of temples in a modern way to develop them into global meditation tourism destinations."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.