The South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Monday a nationwide initiative offering 50 percent discounts on temple stay programs throughout November. This campaign aims to attract both domestic and international travelers to experience traditional Buddhist temple life as part of the government's broader fall tourism promotion.
The discount program, officially called "Double Happiness Temple Stay," serves as the centerpiece of the "Autumn Travel for All 2025" campaign. This public tourism initiative connects to the Korea Grand Festival, a major government-sponsored shopping and cultural event running both online and offline through this Sunday.
Second Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Kim Dae-hyun made an official visit to Magok Temple in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province on Monday. During his inspection, he examined the temple stay facilities and collected feedback from staff members in preparation for the anticipated increase in visitors due to the discount program.
Magok Temple, which received UNESCO World Heritage Site designation in 2018, represents one of 158 temples nationwide currently participating in the overnight experience program. Temple stay programs offer cultural immersion experiences where participants can explore monastic life through various activities including meditation sessions, traditional tea ceremonies with Buddhist monks, authentic temple cuisine, and Buddhist chanting ceremonies.
These programs have gained significant popularity among South Koreans seeking peaceful retreats from busy urban life, as well as foreign visitors interested in experiencing traditional Korean culture firsthand. According to ministry statistics, the temple stay program achieved record participation last year with 332,297 total participants, including nearly 49,000 international visitors.
Recognizing the growing international interest, 31 temples now provide foreigner-friendly experiences staffed with multilingual personnel. Additionally, 15 temples have developed specialized programs focusing specifically on traditional Korean temple cuisine. The government expects the discounted pricing will make these cultural experiences more accessible while simultaneously promoting wellness tourism and supporting regional economic development.
"Temple stay represents one of Korea's most meaningful cultural assets, offering both spiritual and emotional healing," Kim stated in an official announcement. "By joining this nationwide discount initiative, the program will also energize local economies and further spread the beauty of fall travel throughout the country."
Interested participants can find detailed program information and make reservations through the official temple stay website. The November discount period provides an opportunity for both first-time visitors and returning participants to experience this unique aspect of Korean Buddhist culture at reduced costs.
