On the path to spring, there are days when you want to set aside the noise of the world. Escaping from the exhausting routine filled with excessive stimulation and fast pace, it’s time to fill your body and mind solely with nature and food. This special journey will open its doors only once in March 2026.
Meet the Master of Temple Cuisine, Monk Jeonggwan, Who Captivated the World
A figure praised by Michelin star chefs and admired by culinary experts worldwide — Monk Jeonggwan. A special 1-night, 2-day temple food program with the monk, who is usually hard to book, has been organized as part of the 'Namdo Hanbaki' project, jointly operated by Jeollanam-do, Kumho Express, and the Jeollanam-do Tourism Foundation.
From March 11 (Wednesday) to 12 (Thursday), 2026, this program, limited to just 27 participants, is not merely a tour. It is an immersive healing experience where you can directly hear, taste, and feel the philosophy behind the temple food created by Monk Jeonggwan.
The 1 Night and 2 Days Journey at Baekyangsa
The journey departs from Gwangju Youth Square, Hall 2, at 9:10 AM. After passing through Gwangju Songjeong Station and stopping at the Yellow Cholling Bridge in Jangseong, we head to the main stage of this journey, the Baekyangsa Temple Stay.
Day 1 begins upon arrival. After room assignments and a welcome speech at 2 PM, there will be a guided tour of the temple starting at 3:30 PM. At 4:15 PM, we will move to Cheonjinam, and from 4:30 PM, there will be a 3-hour and 30-minute experience of temple food with Monk Jeonggwan. Just watching the monk prepare natural ingredients at the cutting board is already a form of practice.
Day 2 starts at 4:30 AM with the dawn prayer at the Daeungjeon Hall, welcoming the day before dawn breaks. The early morning, greeted by the sound of the bell in the cold air, offers a tranquility deeper than any meditation. After the morning meal at 6:15 AM, participants can choose to hike to Yaksaam or take a walk, and from 9 AM, they can participate in either tea ceremony sensory meditation or 108 bows.
After leaving Baekyangsa, we will stop by the Yeonggwang Themed Botanical Garden to soak in the spring light, and the journey will conclude as we return to Gwangju at 3 PM.
Food is Practice — The World of Monk Jeonggwan's Temple Cuisine
Monk Jeonggwan's temple cuisine is not just simple vegetarian dishes. It embodies a deep philosophy that draws out the original flavors of food using only seasonal natural ingredients without the use of five pungent vegetables. The monk's cuisine, introduced in the Netflix documentary 'Chef's Table', elevates the act of eating itself into a form of meditation.
In this program, participants will have the rare opportunity to learn and experience that philosophy directly alongside the monk.
Travel Information at a Glance
The participation fee for this program is 259,000 won, which includes round-trip transportation by luxury bus, 4 meals, and the 1-night, 2-day temple stay experience fee. Accommodations will be assigned separately for men and women and will be shared among 3 to 5 people (no private rooms). The trip will be confirmed with a minimum reservation of 20 people, and refunds are not available within 7 days of departure, so please check before booking.
For phone reservations, call 062-360-8502 (weekdays from 9 AM to 5 PM), offline at Kumho Express Tourism on the 1st floor of Gwangju Youth Square, or search for 'Bus Hanbaki' on Naver for online reservations.
In Conclusion — A Time to Care for Myself in a Spring Temple
Baekyangsa in Jangseong is a place where red plum blossoms bloom and color the temple in spring. In that scenery of March, I imagine the moment of receiving a bowl of food from Monk Jeonggwan. The sound of the wooden clapper during dawn prayers, the forest path leading to Yaksaam, and the tea ceremony meditation while quietly holding a teacup — all of these will quietly teach us 'how to live slowly'.
This special journey can only be experienced by 27 people. Before spring arrives, how about welcoming the spring of the heart first?