Seoul & Surrounds
Disconnect from the noise and reconnect with stillness. Start with Seoul's urban temples — Jogyesa and Bongeunsa — for meditation workshops and temple food. Then journey to a mountain temple for an overnight temple stay: pre-dawn chanting, communal temple meals, 108 prostrations, and walking meditation through ancient forests. A transformative experience that goes beyond tourism.
Duration
4 days
Location
Seoul & Surrounds
Full itinerary at a glance — tap markers for map links
Day-by-day breakdown with spots, maps, and local tips
Ease into temple culture at Jogyesa — the head temple of Korean Buddhism, right in central Seoul. Join a meditation class (free, register on-site), explore the main hall with its 500-year-old white pine, and have lunch at Balwoo Gongyang — a Michelin-starred temple food restaurant that showcases Buddhist cuisine as high art. Afternoon tea ceremony at Insadong Dawon.
The head temple of Korean Buddhism's largest order (Jogye), right in the heart of Seoul. The temple grounds host a 500-year-old white pine tree and a massive Daeungjeon hall. During Buddha's Birthday (May), thousands of colorful lanterns transform the courtyard into a sea of light. Temple stay programs available.
Explore tours and activities nearby
A cultural street filled with traditional tea houses, art galleries, and souvenir shops. Visit Ssamzigil, a unique multi-level complex with artisan shops.
Seoul's most photogenic hanok cafe alley. Renovated traditional houses now host trendy cafes, dessert shops, and fusion Korean restaurants.
Michelin-starred Korean temple food restaurant near Jogyesa Temple. Buddhist cuisine made entirely from plant-based ingredients without garlic, onion, or leek. A meditative dining experience rooted in Buddhist tradition.
Japanese omakase by Chef Shin Hyundo (Knife Makase), Black Spoon on Culinary Class Wars S2. Exquisite sushi and sashimi course by a knife technique master.
A serene traditional Korean tea house hidden in Insadong. Enjoy teas like omija (five-flavor berry), yuja (citron), and ssanghwa (herbal) in a hanok setting with a beautiful garden.
Dessert cafe famous for Probungi — fish-shaped pastry bread. Flaky pastry shell filled with vanilla, mugwort red bean, or Nutella cream. Open year-round, not just winter. 2 minutes from Anguk Station Exit 6.
A charming street lined with traditional Korean tea houses in hanok buildings. Enjoy teas like ssanghwa-cha (herbal), omija-cha (five-flavor berry), daechu-cha (jujube), and yuja-cha (citron) in a serene atmosphere.
Korea's oldest restaurant, established in 1904. Clean and refined seolleongtang with pure ox-bone flavor. Listed in the Michelin Guide 2025.
A Busan-style pork soup rice place on an Insadong side street. The milky broth is loaded with pork, and a bowl of rice mixed in hits the spot when you need a solid meal. Right on the Insadong walking route, so it's perfect for a lunch break between gallery-hopping. Made the Jongno top 10 restaurant list.
Kimchi-focused restaurant by Chef Lee Jungsoo (Kimchi Dining), Black Spoon on Culinary Class Wars S2. Original Korean course centered on kimchi as the main ingredient.
A stylish bakery in Jongno with creative toppings and Instagram-worthy interiors. At the center of Seoul's shio-pan (salt bread) craze.
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