The '2025 Seoul Beauty Travel Week' will be held from October 30 (Thursday) to November 5 (Wednesday) at Namsangol Hanok Village and the surrounding Jung-gu area, hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. This event will showcase Seoul's unique wellness tourism content centred around three themes: 'Revive', 'Refresh', and 'Rejuvenate'.
In particular, mental health programmes such as meditation and yoga have been significantly enhanced, attracting attention from domestic and international tourists interested in healing tourism.
Various Meditation Programmes Including Walking Meditation on Namsan Trail
This event will feature a variety of healing programmes focused on meditation and yoga. On November 1 (Saturday), the 'Autumn Light Namsangol, Walking Meditation Date' programme will take place twice at 12 PM and 4 PM on the Namsan Trail. This programme, led by instructor Kim Hana, will utilise mindfulness meditation techniques to observe the inner self in nature.
Walking meditation is a meditative practice that focuses on each step and awakens bodily sensations, and it is gaining attention for its effectiveness in stress relief and improving concentration.
Special 'Raja Yoga' Programme at the Main Stage of Hanok Village
At the main stage of Namsangol Hanok Village, 'Raja Yoga: The Calm of the Soul' will be held from 3 PM to 4 PM. This programme, guided by instructor Kartwaik Ronaldo, is designed to allow participants to experience the Raja Yoga practice of mastering the mind and consciousness in a traditional Hanok setting.
Raja Yoga is a meditation practice based on the ancient Indian yoga scripture 'Yoga Sutra', characterised by the pursuit of balance between mind and body through concentration and inner observation. It is expected to provide a unique meditation experience by combining the spatial characteristics of traditional Hanok.
Rich Physical Training Programmes Including Yoga and Pilates
In addition to meditation, various physical training programmes have been prepared. 'Inner Core Yoga & Pilates' (Jogeulsaem·Joeunsaem, 5 PM-6 PM), 'Resonance Flow' (Isabelle Kwak, 1 PM-2 PM), 'Resilience Run' (Lee Su-ji, 9 AM-10 AM), and 'Animal Flow Movement Journey' will be conducted at Namsangol Hanok Village and Chungjeongsa.
All programmes are designed to be accessible to beginners under the guidance of professional instructors, and most are offered for free. Registration can be done in advance through the official Seoul city website (www.seoulbeautytravel.com).
Promotion Linked to '100 Selected Beauty Wellness Tourism in Seoul'
Through this event, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will actively promote the newly selected '100 Selected Beauty Wellness Tourism in Seoul'. This selection consists of 40 places for 'Revive' (healing meditation, natural healing, medical herbal treatments, stays), 18 places for 'Refresh' (food), and 42 places for 'Rejuvenate' (beauty spas, cultural arts).
The healing meditation category includes representative meditation and natural healing spaces in Seoul such as Namsan Jarak Forest Trail, Bongeunsa, Jogyesa Temple Stay, Jingwansa, Hwajeongsa Temple Stay, Seoul Forest, Seoul Botanical Garden, and Buk Seoul Dream Forest. The Seoul Traditional Medicine Promotion Centre in Dongdaemun-gu was also selected for its highly regarded wellness programmes based on traditional medicine.
Koo Jong-won, Director of the Seoul Tourism and Sports Bureau, stated, "In line with the implementation of the law on promoting the healing tourism industry in April 2026, we plan to actively promote a healing tourism industry that reflects Seoul's unique characteristics," adding, "We will present differentiated urban beauty wellness to gain an advantage in the global wellness market."
Meditation Experience in a Traditional Space at Namsangol Hanok Village
The main stage of the event, Namsangol Hanok Village, is a place where five traditional houses from the Joseon Dynasty have been preserved, located in Pil-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul. Opened in 1998, this space has established itself as a representative cultural space where one can experience the beauty of traditional Korean architecture in the city.
The environmentally friendly design and warmth of wood, characteristic of traditional Hanok, provide a suitable environment for meditation and yoga practice. The Seoul Metropolitan Government has developed unique experiential content that combines Korean traditional aesthetics with modern wellness by utilising these spatial characteristics.
Rapid Growth of the Global Wellness Tourism Market... Increasing Demand for Meditation Content
Wellness tourism combines well-being, happiness, and fitness to pursue harmony in physical, mental, and social health. According to the Global Wellness Institute, the global wellness tourism market is growing at an average annual rate of over 10%, with a particularly sharp increase in demand for meditation and mindfulness programmes.
A representative from the Korea Tourism Organization stated, "Interest in mental health has increased significantly since COVID-19, leading to a surge in inquiries about introspective tourism programmes such as meditation and temple stays," explaining, "Seoul Beauty Travel Week is a representative example reflecting this trend."
Scientific Effects of Meditation Proven: Stress Relief and Improved Concentration
Recent research results proving the scientific effects of meditation have been continuously published. A research team from Harvard Medical School announced that an 8-week meditation practice reduces the stress hormone cortisol levels and increases the grey matter density in the hippocampus.
In South Korea, clinical effects of meditation are being studied at institutions such as Seoul National University Hospital and Catholic University of Korea Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, with improvements reported in depression, anxiety disorders, and insomnia. Some companies and educational institutions are introducing meditation programmes as part of their regular curriculum for stress management of employees and students.
Expectations for the Formation of a Meditation Community... Creating a Sustainable Wellness Culture
Through this event, the Seoul Metropolitan Government aims to form a network of citizens interested in meditation and wellness and to create a sustainable wellness culture. Participants in the event can organise regular meditation meetings or share experiences through an online community.
A Seoul city official stated, "The goal is not just a one-time event but the continuous spread of wellness culture," adding, "We are also preparing follow-up programmes to help participants practice meditation in their daily lives and improve their quality of life."
Advance Reservation System... Early Closure of Popular Programmes Expected
All programmes will operate on an advance reservation basis, and applications can be made through the official Seoul city website (www.seoulbeautytravel.com). In particular, popular programmes such as walking meditation, singing bowls, and tea meditation have already been fully booked due to high demand.
Presenting a New Model of Urban Healing Tourism
Seoul Beauty Travel Week is being evaluated as presenting a new model of urban healing tourism that combines the traditional cultural assets of the large city of Seoul with modern wellness content. In particular, the emphasis on mental health programmes such as meditation and yoga is seen as accurately reflecting the tourism trends of the post-COVID era.
A representative from the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute stated, "Wellness tourism is a high-value tourism sector that seeks recovery and growth of the mind and body beyond simple relaxation," predicting that this attempt by the Seoul Metropolitan Government will have a positive impact on the development of the domestic healing tourism industry.
Based on the results of this event, the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to hold the Seoul Beauty Travel Week again next year and gradually expand its scale.
Event Overview
Period: October 30, 2025 (Thursday) ~ November 5, 2025 (Wednesday)
Location: Namsangol Hanok Village and the surrounding Jung-gu area (Revive: Namsangol Hanok Village, Refresh: Cafe Hurowa, Rejuvenate: L7 Myeongdong by Lotte Hotel)
Participation Fee: Most are free (some programmes are paid)
Reservation: www.seoulbeautytravel.com
Inquiries: Seoul Tourism and Sports Bureau