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With hotel nights easily topping 200,000 KRW (approximately $150.00), budget-savvy travelers look forward to May every year for one reason: the Happiness Doubled Temple Stay.
Swap city noise for the soft chime of a wind bell (풍경) and a hard mattress for the hush of a mountain-temple dawn — and that overnight stay costs just 30,000 KRW (approximately $22.50). In 2026, more than 120 temples across the country will open their doors to people craving a reset from daily life.
The Happiness Doubled Temple Stay is a government-backed temple experience run by the Korean Buddhist Cultural Foundation. The foundation and the government subsidize much of the cost, cutting what participants pay to less than half.
Since typical temple-stay fees fall between 70,000–100,000 KRW (approximately $52.50–$75.00), this is about a 67–70% discount. The overnight, two-day program costs the same for locals and visitors: 30,000 KRW (approximately $22.50). The one-day option for foreigners is 15,000 KRW (approximately $11.25). Remember, this is an annual promotion that runs only during May — miss it and you’ll likely have to wait until next year.
Reservations for 2026 opened on Tuesday, April 7, at 10 a.m.. The program runs for one month, from Friday, May 1 through Sunday, May 31.
Temples in the greater Seoul area and those near cherry-blossom hotspots often sell out within minutes of opening, so act fast.
With over 120 participating temples nationwide, scouting spots that fit your schedule and travel plans ahead of time will greatly boost your chances of booking. A single spring night at a mountain temple lingers longer than most luxury getaways.
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