Singing bowls and Buddhist temples: Seoul's certified tour program shows different side of city

Tourists experience singing bowl meditation at Saraswati, a meditation center in Gangnam District, Seoul, Sunday. Korea Times photo by Park Ung

Patricia Hung, a Canadian in her 40s, arrived in Seoul last week with six friends to celebrate her birthday and found a city of shopping and relentless energy — until a singing bowl meditation session Sunday showed her something else entirely.

“It feels amazing and very tailored, like a reset. I'm very at peace right now, really relaxed,” she told The Korea Times. “I didn't know that there's this side of things to Seoul.”

The session was part of this year's Seoul Quality Tour Packages, a city-designated program running since 2013, offers curated itineraries spanning themes from K-drama and K-beauty to esports, cultural heritage and nighttime tourism.

The package Hung joined, "Seoul Mind Reset: Bongeunsa Meditation Walk," brought that range to Gangnam, a district better known for nightlife and cosmetic clinics, leading visitors to an unlikely combination of meditation, temple culture and relaxation tucked behind the high-rises.

Joanna Cheng, 46, who made the trip with Hung, also found the buzzing city, then the singing bowl session revealed another Seoul.

“It was amazing. My friend said I was smiling the whole time,” Cheng said. “When I went into the room, I immediately felt happy and calm and at peace. I enjoyed that.”

Kim Saraswayti, 53, owner of the Saraswati Meditation Center in Gangnam District, where Hung and Cheng took part in the session, said the singing bowl meditation works on the body as much as the mind.

“Singing bowls help relieve the stress and mental clutter of modern life. They can also ease tension-related ailments,” Kim said, adding that foreign visitors often leave deeply relaxed and that the experience is unlike anything back home.

Bongeun Temple in Gangnam District, southern Seoul / Courtesy of Seoul Tourism Organization

That calm carried over to Bongeun Temple, a Buddhist temple founded in 794 during the Silla Kingdom (57 BCE — 935 CE) that is tucked away amid the glass towers of Gangnam.

One of the largest temples in Seoul, it is home to a 23-meter-tall stone statue of Maitreya, the Buddha of the future. It also sits steps from Starfield Coex Mall, Asia's largest underground shopping complex, home to more than 300 stores and restaurants, the Starfield Library and a cinema, making it an easy add to any Gangnam itinerary.

Finding a Buddhist temple amid Gangnam's crowded skyline was an arresting experience for Mellissa May, 49, who was also on the trip.

“It's very interesting how it's modern and then you're able to keep this ancient temple in the city,” May said. “I feel very peaceful, light, happy. It's beautiful, very calm.”

9 more ways to experience Seoul

That sense of discovery runs through the other nine Seoul Quality Tour Packages for 2026-27, each built around a distinct side of the city.

"The Glow Code: KPop Demon Hunters Edition" is a full-day tour covering jjimjilbang, Korea's sauna experience, and hanbok, traditional Korean attire, alongside stops at Amorepacific, Korea's leading cosmetics brand, Gyeongbok Palace and Insa-dong Cultural Street.

"Seoul K-Mobility & Esports Highlights Tour" is a single-day lifestyle tech experience covering Korea's future industries and content sector, with stops at Kia's EV6 Unplugged Ground Seongsu, Hyundai Motorstudio Seoul, the Netmarble Game Museum and the headquarters and PC arena of Nongshim RedForce, one of Korea's top esports teams.

"K-Drama Night Walking Tour" combines the city's top attractions with a drama-infused sensibility, routing through Deoksu Palace, Gwanghwamun Square, Gyeongbok Palace, Cheonggye Stream and Jongno's street food and drinks tent bar alleys.

Gwanghwamun in Jongno District, Seoul / Courtesy of Seoul Tourism Organization

"Seoul Night Experience: Han River Cruise and Hidden City Gems" follows the river aboard the Hangang Bus, with stops at Yeouido Hangang Park for Korean fried chicken and beer by the water, Gwangjang Market, one of Seoul's oldest and largest traditional markets and a popular destination for street food, Changgyeong Palace and Naksan Park.

"Master Seoul in Just 8 Hours" blends UNESCO World Heritage sites with Seosulla-gil, a historic alley along the walls of Jongmyo Shrine now dotted with cafes and craft workshops, covering Changdeok Palace, Jongmyo Shrine, N Seoul Tower and the National Museum of Korea, before wrapping up in Myeong-dong or Dongdaemun.

"Seoul, UNESCO Cultural Heritage Day Tour" is the city's one-day tour combining tangible and intangible World Heritage sites, taking in Changdeok Palace, Jongmyo Shrine, Gwangjang Market, Museum Kimchikan for a hands-on session kimchi making and tasting session and traditional music by Jijidaeak, a Korean performing arts ensemble.

"Deep Seoul Experience: Walk Through UNESCO Jongmyo and Ikseon-dong" is a cultural walking tour linking Jogye Temple, Ssamzigil in Insadong for mother-of-pearl craft making, Ikseon-dong, Gwangjang Market and Jongmyo Shrine.

"Real Seoul Vibes: Daehak-ro Theater Tour with an Actor" takes visitors through Daehangno, Seoul's theater district and the heart of Korean stage performance, led by a guide who is part of the theater community. Stops include ARKO Arts Theater, Marronnier Park and Mount Nak, along with Hakrim, Seoul's oldest cafe established in 1956, and a theater performance.

"168h Pause: Brewed in Seoul, Tasted in Yeosu" pairs visits to Clown Brewery in Seoul with the Expo 2026 World Island Exhibition Yeosu Korea in South Jeolla Province, including Manseong-ri Black Sand Beach and Odongdo over two days.