JANGSEONG, South Jeolla Province -- The trees surrounding Baekyangsa, a temple in Jangseong County in South Jeolla Province, boasted their crimson and yellow leaves on a quiet Friday in November.

Everyone at the temple, however, including the monks, remarked that the weather has been strange this year, lamenting how unfortunate it is that visitors won't be able to see the best of the fall colors.

Nonetheless, for a first-time visitor, the temple, whose origin goes back around 1,400 years ago to 632, the scenery was perfectly beautiful.

The temple, about a four-hour drive from Seoul, offers an escape from high-rise buildings, city pollution, and the noises and stress of our daily lives. This solitude and the opportunity to empty one's mind are probably among the main reasons many people embark on templestays offered at traditional temples around the country.

In a humble vest and pants, participants can meditate, converse over tea and enjoy Buddhist meals for a night or two.

• ·Culture minister to discuss exchanges with Vatican this week
• ·FSS issues advisories to fisheries cooperatives federation for W50b investment loss
• ·FSS issues advisories to fisheries cooperatives federation for W50b investment loss
• ·FSS issues advisories to fisheries cooperatives federation for W50b investment loss
• ·NK activity increases at Panmunjom after inter
• ·한동훈, 체포안 설명 8분 넘기자…“짧게 합시다” “왜 이리 시끄럽냐”
• ·한동훈, 체포안 설명 8분 넘기자…“짧게 합시다” “왜 이리 시끄럽냐”
• ·"KTX 꼭 타보고 싶다" 했던 김정은 "만족한 합의"…뭐길래
• ·NK activity increases at Panmunjom after inter
• ·합의문도 없는 희한한 북·러 정상회담…결국 비즈니스 관계였나
• ·야당 29명 반란, 이재명 방탄 뚫렸다
• ·"KTX 꼭 타보고 싶다" 했던 김정은 "만족한 합의"…뭐길래
• ·SK Group creates carbon credit alliance
• ·"KTX 꼭 타보고 싶다" 했던 김정은 "만족한 합의"…뭐길래
• ·[이번 주 리뷰]美 Fed 기준금리 동결…이재명 체포동의안 가결(18~23일)
• ·야당 29명 반란, 이재명 방탄 뚫렸다