Walking Through Cherry Blossoms

Welcome to South Korea! Upon arrival at Incheon International Airport, you will be met by a local English speaking guide and transferred to Busan by KTX, a bullet train. Busan, South Korea’s second largest city is framed by electric blue oceans, lush mountains and mouthwatering cuisine, it’s a city bursting with surprises and a chilled vibe and the perfect base to start your journey from. The remainder of the day is at leisure. If you are interested, why not head to Gamcheon Cultural Village or explore the fish markets right near your hotel?

Overnight at Hotel Noah or similar

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before you transfer to Changwon (1hr. drive). On arrival, you will visit Anmingogae Hill, which is a 9 kilometre-long hill that reaches from Taebaek-dong in Jinhae to Anmin-dong in Changwon. Six of the nine kilometres are lined with cherry blossoms, making up the famous Jinhae Cherry Blossom Tunnel. The hill is also known for its view of Jinhaeman Bay, Ungsan Mountain (alt. 703m), Sirubong Peak (alt. 630m) and Cheonjabong Peak (502m).

You will also visit the area around Yeojwacheon Stream which is well known as one of the best locations for viewing the spectacular cherry blossoms. Each April, the entire city of Jinhae is filled with cherry blossoms, but the Yeojwacheon Stream area has the most beautiful cherry blossoms.

Your last stop of the day is Gyeonghwa Station. Also a famous spot for cherry blossom viewing and is a small railway station. The station is neighboured by Seongjusa Station to the north and Jinhae Station to the south. Railway services in and out of Gyeonghwa Station have been discontinued allowing you to walk through the tracks surround by rows of cherry blossom trees. The creates a beautiful tunnel effect filled with flowers. (B)

3 nights in a local guesthouse

Enjoy breakfast this morning at a local restaurant before you get ready to depart on foot to walk two sections of the Dream Road totalling 14km and taking approx 6 hours. Listen to the birds singing in the surrounding forest as you walk the Dream Road. The sweet scent of the cherry blossoms floats on the air and their petals will rain on you like soft snow flakes.

Depending on what time you finish walking today, for those interested, you may wish to visit the birthplace of Seongheungsa and Kim Daejin, a famed poet and Kim Daejin’s literature museum, located at the end of the Dream Road. (B)

Fuel up again this morning in a local restaurant for breakfast before you depart on two more sections of the Dream Road covering 13.4km and taking approx 6 hours. Walk through the cooling forest as your mind clears and you absorb the spectacular nature around you. (B)

Following breakfast in a local restaurant, you will depart and drive to Mt. Songnisan National Park (approx 3.5hrs), one of the most incredible sites in Korea. Here you will have the opportunity to hike in spectacular scenery and join in the unique temple stay program as you are introduced to the zen of Buddhism.

The peaceful, lush green landscapes of Songnisan National Park is made up of quietly profound mountains, containing 1500 years of history. Beopjusa means a temple where the teaching of the Buddha resides. Founded in 553 CE, the ancient space cherishes innumerable cultural treasures, which will give you access to the essence of both Buddhist and Korean traditional culture, bringing both local and foreign visitors together. The humble, but pristine and gorgeous temple welcomes everyone with its wide-open doors.

Beopjusa is especially well-known for its cultural properties. The temple highlights are Geumdongmireukdaebul (gilded bronze Buddha statue 33 metres or over 100 feet high), Palsangjeon (five-story wooden pagoda), Daeungbojeon (considered one of three major Buddhist halls in Korea), Ssangsajaseokdeung (twin-lion stone lamp), Lotus-Shaped Stone Fountain and Palsangjeon Hall.

Regardless of your religion, this experience is where you can stay in a traditional Buddhist temple to be immersed in the spiritual culture and practice of Buddhism. Be part of nature and turn inwards to self-reflection.

Dinner this evening is a simple vegetarian temple meal. Following dinner, participate in an evening Yebul.

In the daily routine of Korean temples, the most important event is the Buddhist ceremony – yebul. This ceremony refers to paying respect to the Buddhas enshrined in the Dharma halls three times a day and repeating the teachings. Yebul is also called the “ceremony of five fragrances (obunhyangnye)” because participants reaffirm the five virtues that practitioners hope to perfect. Yebul is the ceremony that regulates the day and is attended by everyone possible in the temple compound.

Different instruments are used to symbolically call all beings to join the ceremony. First of all the large bell is sounded, next the drum calls all animals, then the wooden fish for the water-dwelling animals and finally the cloud-shaped gong for the animals of the air. The ceremony continues with a re-affirmation of the refuge we take in the various Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and generations of Seon Patriarchs. Then follows the recitation of the Heart Sutra and the Wishes for the welfare of the temple and all people (Barunmoon). Lights are out in the temple by 9pm. (B,L,D)

Overnight temple stay

Participate in an early morning chant (yebel) with the monks under the moonlight and stars before returning to main temple for breakfast.

Enjoy some Zen meditation, meditation in the mountains and a tea ceremony with the monks and nuns where you have the opportunity for Q&A.

Enjoy a temple lunch before departing at midday to return to Incheon International Airport for your onward flight. (B)