Contestants of the Manhunt International 2011 pageant participate in a temple stay at Yongmun Temple in Yecheon County, North Gyeongsang Province from Sept. 30 to Oct. 1. / Korea Times

By Chung Ah-young

Contestants of the Manhunt International 2011 pageant took part in traditional Korean cultural programs in Yongmun Temple in Yecheon, North Gyeongsang Province from Sept. 30 to Oct. 1.

The participants from 60 countries attended a temple stay program including meditation and Buddhist rosary craft classes, a ceremony to strike a bell and an evening Buddhist service Friday.

On Saturday, they visited thatched and tile-roofed houses and walked along a stone wall and tried their hand at archery in Geumdangsil Village.

The models had a chance to view the county’s beautiful landscape while enjoying the traditional programs in Hoeryongpo.

A county official said that the events were an important opportunity to promote the area to foreigners and would contribute to attracting more tourists from abroad.

Initiated in 1993 in Australia, the pageant is the world’s third largest contest for men after Mr. World and Mr. Intercontinental.

The finals of the pageant will be held on Oct. 10 at the Central City Seoul Millennium Hall.