Registration opens for English templestay program
Registration for an English templestay program for foreign nationals wishing to unplug from bustling city life and experience South Korea's Buddhist culture opened Friday.
The first 1,500 applicants will be able to participate in the overnight program priced at 30,000 won ($21.77) that will run from Aug. 1 to Oct. 31, according to the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism — an arm of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, the largest Buddhist sect in Korea.
The special templestay program designed for foreign visitors will be available at 47 temples across the country, with each temple offering a unique cultural experience, allowing participants to engage in traditional Korean Buddhist practices.
They include a leisurely walk on a known for its scenic forest path at Hwagyesa in Seoul, making lotus lanters at Daewonsa in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, doing 108 prostrations and making prayer beads at Haeinsa in Hapcheon, South Gyeongsang Province, practicing seonmudo — a form of Korean Buddhist martial art — at Golgulsa in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province and engaging in meditation at Heungguksa in Goyang, just an hour's drive northwest of central Seoul.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
06-08-2025
- Korea Herald
Seoul cracks down on taxis overcharging foreign tourists
The Seoul municipal government announced Wednesday it would launch a 100-day special crackdown on cab drivers' unfair treatment of overseas tourists. The initiative will focus on illegal taxi activities such as overcharging, demanding tips, refusing to pick passengers up for short rides, and other inconveniences experienced by many overseas tourists when hailing taxis here. The crackdown will take place in airports as well as tourist attractions in Seoul, such as the Myeong-dong shopping district. In the capital's downtown, Seoul Metropolitan Government civil servants will penalize taxis that refuse to take overseas tourists on short trips; taxis that wait for foreign customers to demand prices above standard rates; and taxis that overcharge tourists at night. The 100-day crackdown is designed to "rectify illegal taxi activities ahead of the peak tourism season in South Korea," according to Yeo Jang-kwon, head of the transportation office of the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The initiative will be in line with efforts by Seoul this year to bust 139 cases of overcharging at airports near Seoul, and 109 cases of taxi drivers refusing to accept foreign national passengers for short rides, as of the end of June. The regular crackdown has taken place since 2015. According to Seoul, visitors to Korea can also report taxi-related issues via card-sized survey slips available at Incheon Airport and Gimpo Airport. The card links users to a survey via QR code, which can be used to report violations. This service is available in English, Chinese and Japanese. In Seoul, a base fare for a single standard taxi ride up to 1.6 kilometers is 4,800 won ($3.46). An additional 100 won is charged for every 131 meters of travel. The base fare for cabs at night ranges from 5,800 won to 6,700 won, depending on the time of the ride.
Korea Herald
01-08-2025
- Korea Herald
Zhangye: China's Rainbow Wonderland Opens Its Doors to the World via Trip.com
SHANGHAI, Aug. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A breathtaking blend of history, culture, and nature, the city of Zhangye is stepping into the global spotlight through a new online destination flagship store launched on in collaboration with the Zhangye Municipal Tourism Bureau. Best known for its surreal colourful landforms and status as a vital stop along the ancient Silk Road, Zhangye now invites travellers worldwide to explore its rich heritage and landscapes through curated travel guides, experiences, and booking options available on the platform. Put Zhangye on Your Travel Radar: Highlights Zhangye's signature attraction, the colourful Rainbow Mountains in Danxia, is often described as Earth's natural colour palette. Crimson, gold, and green ripple across sunlit hills in dramatic formations that photographers dream of. After rainfall or during snowfall, the hues become even more vivid, forming a visual spectacle in every season. 2. A Temple Where Time Stands Still Home to Asia's largest indoor reclining Buddha, Zhangye's Big Buddha Temple dates back to the Western Xia Dynasty. Wander its ancient halls and you'll find not just serenity but also original Buddhist texts dating from the Ming Dynasty. 3. Galloping Through History at Shandan Horse Ranch This vast pastoral land echoes with the spirit of cavalry of the ancient Han and Tang dynasties. Today, it's a dynamic site where visitors can ride through the grasslands, witness professional equestrian performances, and immerse themselves in a centuries-old nomadic lifestyle. 4. Immerse Yourself in Unique Yugur Customs Step into unique customs in Sunan Yugur Autonomous County, where Gansu's only indigenous ethnic group, the Yugur people, brings centuries of tradition to life. From vibrant ethnic costumes and grassland songs to thrilling horse races and bonfire dances, the Yugur people offer an unforgettable cultural experience each summer. Savour rich butter tea, hear tales of ancient migrations, and immerse yourself in a living legacy set against the stunning backdrop of the Hexi Corridor. Explore Zhangye on Nestled between the Qilian Mountains and the Heihe River, Zhangye offers stunning landscapes and rich cultural experiences for every traveler. The Zhangye Cultural and Tourism Brand Flagship Store on is your one-stop platform for hotels, attractions, local cuisine, travel tips, and more, making trip planning easy and convenient. Skip the guesswork and dive into your adventure in Zhangye today with
Korea Herald
25-07-2025
- Korea Herald
Registration opens for English templestay program
Program to enroll 1,500 applicants on first-come, first-served basis Registration for an English templestay program for foreign nationals wishing to unplug from bustling city life and experience South Korea's Buddhist culture opened Friday. The first 1,500 applicants will be able to participate in the overnight program priced at 30,000 won ($21.77) that will run from Aug. 1 to Oct. 31, according to the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism — an arm of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, the largest Buddhist sect in Korea. The special templestay program designed for foreign visitors will be available at 47 temples across the country, with each temple offering a unique cultural experience, allowing participants to engage in traditional Korean Buddhist practices. They include a leisurely walk on a known for its scenic forest path at Hwagyesa in Seoul, making lotus lanters at Daewonsa in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, doing 108 prostrations and making prayer beads at Haeinsa in Hapcheon, South Gyeongsang Province, practicing seonmudo — a form of Korean Buddhist martial art — at Golgulsa in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province and engaging in meditation at Heungguksa in Goyang, just an hour's drive northwest of central Seoul.
