The '2025 Seoul Beauty Travel Week' hosted by the Seoul City will take place from October 30 (Thursday) to November 5 (Wednesday) at Namsangol Hanok Village and the surrounding Jung-gu area. This event will showcase Seoul's unique wellness tourism content centered around three themes: 'Revive', 'Refresh', and 'Rejuvenate'.
In particular, mental health programs such as meditation and yoga have been significantly enhanced, attracting attention from domestic and international tourists interested in healing tourism.
Various Meditation Programs Including Walking Meditation on Namsan Trail
This event will feature a variety of healing programs centered on meditation and yoga. On November 1 (Saturday), the 'Autumn Light Namsangol, Walking Meditation Date' program will be held twice at 12 PM and 4 PM on the Namsan Trail. This program, led by instructor Kim Hana, will utilize mindfulness meditation techniques to observe the inner self in nature.
Walking meditation is a meditation practice that focuses on each step and awakens bodily sensations, and it is known to be effective in stress relief and improving concentration, gaining increasing interest.
Special 'Raja Yoga' Program 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 program, 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', characterized by seeking balance of body and mind through mental focus and inner observation. It is expected to provide a unique meditation experience by combining the spatial characteristics of traditional Hanok.
Rich Physical Training Programs Including Yoga and Pilates
In addition to meditation, various physical training programs have been prepared. 'Inner Core Yoga & Pilates' (Jogeulsaem·Joeunsaem, 5 PM-6 PM), 'Resonance Flow' (Isabel 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 programs 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 website of Seoul City (www.seoulbeautytravel.com).
Promotion Linked to '100 Selected Beauty Wellness Tourism in Seoul'
Seoul City will actively promote the newly selected '100 Selected Beauty Wellness Tourism in Seoul' through this event. This selection consists of 40 places for rest (healing meditation, natural healing, medical herbal medicine, stay), 18 places for taste (food), and 42 places for beauty (beauty spa, culture and 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 Center in Dongdaemun-gu was also selected for its highly rated wellness programs based on traditional medicine.
Gu Jong-won, Director of the Tourism and Sports Bureau of Seoul City, 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 the unique characteristics of Seoul," and added, "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 are 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 nature-friendly design and warmth of wood, which are structural characteristics of traditional Hanok, provide an environment suitable for meditation and yoga practice. Seoul City has developed unique experiential content that combines Korean traditional aesthetics with modern wellness by utilizing these spatial characteristics.
Rapid Growth of the Global Wellness Tourism Market... Increasing Demand for Meditation Content
Wellness tourism is a type of tourism that combines well-being, happiness, and fitness, seeking harmony of 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 programs.
A representative from the Korea Tourism Organization stated, "After COVID-19, interest in mental health has increased, leading to a significant rise in inquiries about introspective tourism programs such as meditation and temple stays," and explained, "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 gray matter density of the hippocampus.
In 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 programs as part of their regular curriculum for stress management of employees and students.
Expectations for Forming a Meditation Community... Creating a Sustainable Wellness Culture
Through this event, Seoul City aims to form a network of citizens interested in meditation and wellness and create a sustainable wellness culture. Participants in the event can organize 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," and added, "We are also preparing follow-up programs to help participants practice meditation in their daily lives and improve their quality of life."
Pre-Reservation System in Operation... Early Closure of Popular Programs Expected
All programs operate on a pre-reservation basis and can be applied for through the official website of Seoul City (www.seoulbeautytravel.com). In particular, popular programs such as walking meditation, singing bowls, and tea meditation have already closed early due to high demand.
Presenting a New Model of Urban Healing Tourism
Seoul Beauty Travel Week is being evaluated as presenting a new form of urban healing tourism model that combines the traditional cultural assets of the large city of Seoul with modern wellness content. In particular, the emphasis on mental health programs 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 body and mind beyond simple relaxation," and predicted, "Seoul City's attempt this time will have a positive impact on the development of the domestic healing tourism industry."
Seoul City plans to hold the Seoul Beauty Travel Week again next year based on the achievements of this event and gradually expand its scale.
Event Overview
Period: October 30, 2025 (Thursday) - November 5, 2025 (Wednesday)
Location: Namsangol Hanok Village and Jung-gu area (Rest: Namsangol Hanok Village, Taste: Cafe Hurowa, Beauty: L7 Myeongdong by Lotte Hotel)
Participation Fee: Most are free (some programs are paid)
Reservation: www.seoulbeautytravel.com
Inquiries: Seoul City Tourism and Sports Bureau