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Free night temple walk in Seoul
- When
- Daily 6:00 – 8:30 PM, Oct 26 – Nov 4, 2026
- Where
- Bongeunsa, Jogyesa, Hwagyesa
- Price
- Free, no booking, no headcount limit
- Language
- Audio guide in English and Korean
Three Seoul temples run a free, self-guided night meditation walk every evening from Oct 26 to Nov 4, 2026, with an English audio guide and no booking. Here is how it works, which temple to pick, and how to make an evening of it.
COEX seen from Bongeunsa at night · Photo: travel oriented (CC BY-SA 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons
How it works
- 1Get the audio guide
Open the TripAudio app, or scan the QR code at the temple. The guide comes in English and Korean.
- 2Walk the route on your own
Follow the voice along the temple's meditation path, at your own pace. It runs every day from 6:00 to 8:30 PM.
- 3At Bongeunsa, wait for staff
The path is narrow, so staff send people off in groups of up to 5. At the other two temples you just start.
- FREENo booking, no limit
It's free, with no reservation and no cap on numbers.
Pick a temple
- GANGNAMBongeunsa (across from COEX)
Main route: Jinyeomun gate, the meditation path, then the main hall (about 30 min). Short route: the meditation path only (about 15 min). Use the map button for the gate.
봉은사Google Maps - JONGNOJogyesa (next to Insadong)
Main route: Iljumun gate, the stupa, then the main hall (about 30 min). Short route: walking around the stupa (about 10 min).
조계사Google Maps - NORTHHwagyesa (Suyu, north Seoul)
Main route: Iljumun gate, the main hall, then Samseonggak (about 40 min). Short route: a 10-minute meditation in the main hall. It's further out than the other two.
화계사Google Maps
Make it an evening (our route)
- 1COEX and Starfield Library
Right across the road from Bongeunsa. Go before 6 PM.
- 2Bongeunsa night walk
Start after 6 PM, when it's dark.
- 3Free hanji lantern show at Pilgyeongjae
Two 3-metre paper-lantern works in the courtyard of a historic hanok restaurant in Suseo-dong, Gangnam. Oct 26 – Nov 4, 12:00 – 10:00 PM, lit from 6 PM. Free, no booking, you don't need to eat there. Our tip: it's further south than COEX, so take a taxi.
필경재Google Maps
Say it in Korean (show this screen)
- SAYWhere does the night meditation walk start?
ya-gan myeong-sang eo-di-seo si-jak-hae-yo?
야간 명상 어디서 시작해요? - SAYIs it free?
mu-ryo-ye-yo?
무료예요? - SAYWhere is the QR code?
QR ko-deu eo-di i-sseo-yo?
QR 코드 어디 있어요?
Local tips
- Our tip: bring headphones or earbuds so the audio doesn't disturb others.
- Our tip: it gets cold after dark in late October; bring a layer.
- It's an active temple. Keep your voice down and don't step into halls during services.
- Part of the 2026 Seoul Wellness Travel Week. Times can change; check on site.
FAQ
Is the night temple walk in Seoul free?
Yes, it's free, with no booking and no headcount limit.
When is the night temple walk?
Every day 6:00 – 8:30 PM, Oct 26 – Nov 4, 2026.
Is there English?
Yes, the audio guide on the TripAudio app or the on-site QR code is in English and Korean.
Which temples take part?
Bongeunsa (across from COEX), Jogyesa (next to Insadong) and Hwagyesa (north Seoul).
Sources: Seoul Mediahub (Seoul Metropolitan Government): Seoul Wellness Travel Week, night meditation · Money Today: Seoul Wellness Travel Week (Oct 21, 2026) · Segye Ilbo: wellness festival in downtown Seoul (Oct 21, 2026) · Yonhap via Korean Center: night meditation at Bongeunsa (Oct 21, 2026) · Seoul Wellness Travel Week official site