Meditation & Yoga Retreats in South Korea
5 retreat centers
South Korea's small retreat scene is dominated by the Templestay program — a government-supported initiative offering structured short stays at over 100 traditional Buddhist temples across the country. Templestay programs typically run 2–3 nights with formal Zen (Seon) meditation, monastic meals, sutra chanting, and tea ceremony. The Jogye Order's major temples — Songgwangsa, Haeinsa, Beomeosa — are particularly suited to serious practitioners. Yoga retreats are smaller and concentrated near Seoul and Jeju Island. Korean and English are both available in the Templestay program. Best seasons run April–June and September–November. Most Western passports get 90 days visa-free entry or K-ETA. Cost: Templestay nights from ₩80,000; commercial retreats well above.
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Photo: Ashim D’Silva / Unsplash Ananda Karnika Yoga Retreat Center
South Korea Jeonbuk State
Immersive yoga, meditation, and detox retreats in South Korea's serene Jeonbuk State.
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Photo: Fhriestley Penaflor / Pexels Baekdam Temple
South Korea Gwangju Mahayana
Experience traditional Korean temple life at Baekdam Temple in Gwangju, operating by donation.
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Photo: Luiz M / Pexels Chongji Buddhist Order
South Korea Seoul Mahayana
A leading lay Buddhist order in Seoul, founded in 1972, with a unique place in Korean Buddhist history.
Donation Dhamma Korea
South Korea Jeollabuk-do Goenka (S.N. Goenka)
A former school in an organic farming village, Dhamma Korea offers year-round retreats.
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Photo: Khan Ishaan / Pexels Manbul Temple
South Korea Daegu Mahayana
Manbul Temple offers a tranquil, culturally rich retreat experience on Manbul Mountain, Daegu.