Explore the 3rd Baekryunsa Camellia Festival: A Unique Temple Food Experience in South Korea

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This spring, a festival is pairing hands-on temple-cuisine experiences with a walk through the ancient camellia forest at Baekryeonsa, a temple that’s stood for a thousand years.

Gangjin County, in South Jeolla Province, will host the third annual Baekryeonsa Camellia Festival from March 27–29 at Baekryeonsa in Doam-myeon. Set against a camellia forest designated as a national scenic site, the event blends stunning natural views with interactive programs.

This year’s lineup spotlights temple cuisine—meat-free, seasonal dishes that let ingredients shine. Visitors can join hands-on workshops and browse food stalls to taste and learn how these delicate flavors come together.

Throughout the festival, you’ll find a variety of temple dishes—from quick bites like temple kimbap and musubi to more elaborate plates. The event also features the 6th Temple Food Competition, where traditional techniques meet inventive new creations.

Baekryeonsa sits on the slopes of Mandeoksan and is known as a place where the scholar Dasan Jeong Yak-yong and the monk Hyejang once gathered. The area’s historical significance and scenic beauty earned it official recognition as a national scenic site.

With sweeping views of Gangjin Bay and Gaudo Island, the festival site is expected to draw springtime visitors and photographers alike.