‘2025 Millennium Temple World Meditation Tourism Temple Stay’ Specially Operated at Yeonggwang Bulgapsa
Yeonggwang-gun, Jeollanam-do, operating a millennium temple meditation tourism program for 18 days starting September 26
Jeollanam-do Yeonggwang-gun announced on the 10th that it will officially operate a meditation tourism program at Bulgapsa, a millennium temple that is emerging as a new destination for autumn healing travel.
The Yeonggwang Bulgapsa Temple Stay will be held from September 26 to October 13 for 18 days as the ‘2025 Millennium Temple World Meditation Tourism Temple Stay’.
This meditation experience program in Jeollanam-do has been selected as a public project, providing modern people with a special autumn travel opportunity through Buddhist cultural experiences of rest and healing utilizing the millennium temple.
The Sacred Site of Korean Buddhism, the First Temple Established by Maraṇātha
Bulgapsa, the core of Yeonggwang tourism, is historically significant as the first temple in Korea established by the Indian monk Maraṇātha, who introduced Buddhism to Baekje.
Located at the foot of Bulgapsan (516m), this temple experience space is surrounded by a natural monument designated as No. 112, where visitors can observe various wildflowers throughout the four seasons, making it a popular travel destination in Jeollanam-do.
Although Bulgapsan is not very high, it is rich in vegetation and is regarded as a treasure trove of natural ecosystems.
In particular, the spider lily of Bulgapsan, which is considered one of the nine scenic spots of Yeonggwang, forms the largest colony in the country, establishing itself as a mecca for meditation travel that attracts many tourists during the September festival season.
Various Options from Free Day Programs to 1 Night 2 Days Healing Programs in 2025
The meditation experience program at Yeonggwang Bulgapsa is operated in two categories: day programs and 1 night 2 days programs, tailored to participants' schedules.
The free day meditation program is conducted daily from 1 PM to 3 PM for 2 hours, allowing participants to experience it without any participation fee.
Core programs of Jeollanam-do healing travel, such as deep breathing meditation and walking meditation titled ‘Walk Only on Flower Paths’, are prepared.
The 1 night 2 days temple experience program offers a variety of deeper Buddhist cultural experiences, including breathing meditation and gratitude meditation with tea, for a participation fee of 50,000 won.
Participants can spend a night at the millennium temple and experience a special meditation journey, including early morning prayers and sunrise in nature.
The Highlight of Yeonggwang Travel with the 2025 Autumn Festival, the Spider Lily Festival
During the operation period of the temple stay, from September 26 to October 5, the 18th Yeonggwang Bulgapsan Spider Lily Festival will be held, enhancing the completeness of autumn travel.
The spider lily, which has the flower language of ‘unattainable love’, turns the entire mountain red with a type of spider lily called red spider lily in September, creating a spectacular view.
The main programs of the 2025 Spider Lily Festival will include various performances such as Brad's Barbershop & Doremi Friends Sing-Along Show, Shin Hyo-bum's Spider Lily in Love, and Kim Je-dong's Talk Show.
Additionally, participatory programs such as a children's song contest, couple song contest, hidden singer, and various cultural events themed around spider lilies, including caricatures, photo exhibitions, poetry exhibitions, and rice cake exhibitions, will be prepared.
As a special service for the September festival, a night lighting zone will be installed in the spider lily colony, and a night shuttle bus (4:30 PM to 10:00 PM) will operate between Yeonggwang Terminal and the festival site to enhance the convenience of Yeonggwang travelers.
A representative of Yeonggwang-gun stated, “This meditation tourism temple stay, held at Bulgapsa with a thousand years of history, will provide modern people with true rest and healing time beyond a simple temple experience,” and added, “It is expected to serve as an opportunity to establish itself as a hub for meditation tourism and Buddhist cultural experiences in Jeollanam-do.”
In particular, “With the 2025 autumn travel season approaching, Yeonggwang tourism is expected to emerge as a nationwide healing travel destination,” and added, “By providing various options from free experiences to in-depth meditation programs, it will become a travel course in Jeollanam-do that satisfies all age groups.”
Reservations for Yeonggwang Bulgapsa Temple Stay can be made in advance via phone or the official temple stay website, and detailed information can be obtained by contacting the relevant institution. (https://www.templestay.com)
Written by/Healing News Editor Hyesun Oh Ji-hyun