"Heal Yourself at the Millennium-old Temple"

Jeollanam-do Launches Global Meditation Tourism at Millennium Temples
Bulgapsa, Baegyangsa, Daeheungsa, Bongbulsa, and Ssangbongsa Selected

A scene from the alms bowl etiquette training held at Baekyangsa, a temple famous for its thousand-year history. Provided by Jeonnam Province

Jeollanam-do has selected five temples in the province?Yeonggwang Bulgapsa, Jangseong Baegyangsa, Haenam Daeheungsa, Muan Bongbulsa, and Hwasun Ssangbongsa?for the "Namdo Millennium Temples Global Meditation Tourism" project, which is being promoted as part of temple healing tourism initiatives such as rest, meditation, and walking.

The Global Meditation Tourism at Millennium Temples project aims to utilize ancient temples in the Jeollanam-do region to promote differentiated meditation tourism that aligns with the province's image of "rest and healing." This project is being implemented for the first time this year to attract both domestic and international tourists seeking relaxation.

Each selected temple will offer unique programs: Yeonggwang Bulgapsa will host "deep breathing meditation," "walking meditation," and "gratitude meditation" to reflect on the day, in conjunction with the Sangsa Flower Festival around September.

Muan Bongbulsa will run walking meditation competitions, youth meditation camps, and bereaved family healing programs from June to October, linked with the temple's meditation and psychological center "Syuem." The "Syuem" center, which operates residential meditation programs, contributes to revitalizing the local economy and branding meditation tourism.

Jangseong Baegyangsa will hold temple food training with Monk Jeonggwan, meditation programs, and family-style one-night, two-day templestay experiences from June to November.

Haenam Daeheungsa will offer participatory events such as meditation programs connected to tea ceremonies, as well as tea snack and pottery experiences. These will be linked with the Haenam City Tour Bus themed products focused on wellness tourism from September to November.

Hwasun Ssangbongsa will run programs themed "Ssangbongsa: Strolling Among Flowers and Tea," including flower meditation, tea talks, and the Ssangsanuiso walking program from September to December.

In addition, Jeollanam-do plans to widely promote the Namdo Millennium Temples Global Meditation Tourism project by collaborating with the Tourism Foundation to produce promotional videos for each temple and conduct SNS events as part of its marketing efforts.

Shim Woojeong, Director of Tourism at Jeollanam-do, said, "Through meditation tourism at Namdo's millennium temples, we will provide unique 'rest and healing' experiences to domestic and international visitors to Jeollanam-do."