Jeollanam-do has selected five temples—Damyang Yongheungsa, Goheung Neunggasa, Jangheung Cheongwansa, Jangseong Baekyangsa, and Wando Sinheungsa—as target sites for the 2026 'Jeollanam-do Thousand-Year Ancient Temples Global Meditation Tourism Project,' and is moving to cultivate meditation and healing tourism.
The project combines the traditional cultural assets of temples across the Jeollanam-do region with meditation content to give both domestic and international tourists opportunities for rest and healing. Through temple-stay style tourism linked to local festivals, the goal is to grow Jeollanam-do into a world-renowned meditation tourism destination. Each temple receives 25,000,000 won in project funding, which will be used to improve meditation spaces, develop programs, and carry out promotional and marketing activities.
Meditation Programs by Temple
Damyang Yongheungsa — Tea Meditation, Forest Walk Meditation, Combined with Monk Tea Talks (May–October)
Damyang Yongheungsa operates a 'Sun Meditation Temple Stay' that blends tea meditation, walking meditation along forest paths, and tea talks with monks. It runs from May to October in connection with the Damyang Bamboo Festival.
Goheung Neunggasa — Singing Bowl and Beach Walking Meditation (August–December)
Founded during the reign of King Nulji of Silla (417 CE), Goheung Neunggasa offers a 'Try a Meditation Journey' theme with singing bowl sound therapy and beach walking meditation. In connection with the Goheung Yuja (citron) Festival, hands-on experience programs are provided from August through December. Having run temple stays since 2018, Neunggasa has a setting with views of Mt. Palyeongsan and the South Sea. It runs self-guided programs on weekdays and experience-based programs on weekends, and for groups of 10 or more, customized schedules are also available.
Jangheung Cheongwansa — Camellia Forest Walking Meditation & Linked to a Temple Music Recital
Jangheung Cheongwansa runs a 'Mind Retreat' program centered on walking meditation in a camellia forest, combined with a temple music recital. A key feature is a blended experience where guests enjoy walking meditation and music programs together.
Jangseong Baekyangsa — Tea Ceremony, Breathing, and Temple Cuisine Meditation, Linked to the Little Autumn Maple Festival
Jangseong Baekyangsa offers traditional practice programs such as tea ceremony meditation, breathing meditation, and temple cuisine meditation in connection with the Little Autumn Maple Festival. It is also where Ven. Jeonggwan, internationally known for temple cuisine, was appointed as a promotional ambassador for the 2024–2026 Jeollanam-do World Tourism Culture Exposition.
Wando Sinheungsa — Combining Temple Meditation with Marine Healing (June–December)
Wando Sinheungsa presents a dual-structure program that combines temple meditation with marine healing. It runs from June through December, offering both static programs such as singing bowls and seated meditation, as well as dynamic programs such as walking meditation along the shoreline of Sinji Myeongsa-sipri Beach.
Jeollanam-do Meditation Tourism Project Ongoing Since 2024
Jeollanam-do operates the 'Jeollanam-do Thousand-Year Ancient Temples Global Meditation Tourism Project' every year through an open call process, changing the participating temples each time. In 2025, five locations—Yeonggwang Bulgapsa, Jangseong Baekyangsa, Haenam Daheungsa, Muan Bongbusa, and Hwasun Ssangbongsa—were selected, and each offered distinctive meditation programs.
Yeonggwang Bulgapsa offered programs such as deep breathing meditation, walking meditation, and gratitude meditation in connection with the Sanghwas Festival. Muan Bongbusa held walking meditation competitions, a youth meditation camp, and family healing programs at the temples from August to October. Haenam Daheungsa offered participatory events from September through November, including meditation linked with a tea ceremony event and hands-on activities such as dasik and a spinning wheel experience. Hwasun Ssangbongsa presented flower meditation and tea talk programs under the theme 'Wandering Along Flowers, Tea, and the Road.'
With the announcement of the 2024–2026 Jeollanam-do World Tourism Culture Exposition in 2024, this project has been positioned as a key pillar of Jeollanam-do’s tourism globalization strategy. Jeollanam-do is also working in collaboration with the tourism foundation to produce promotional videos featuring each temple and to conduct digital marketing, such as SNS events.
Jeollanam-do Sets Goal: Globalization of 'Rest & Healing Tourism'
Choi Yeong-joo, head of the Tourism and Sports Bureau of Jeollanam-do, said, "Thousand-year temples are the best spaces where modern people can heal their tired minds and bodies," adding, "We will grow Jeollanam-do into a world-class meditation tourism destination through continuous support and content development."
