According to Trip, an online travel company based in China, since the beginning of this year, the number of ticket orders for temple-related scenic spots has increased by 310% from last year. Among those who bought tickets to visit temples, nearly 50% of them are from the post-90s and post-00s generations. On Chinese social media Weibo, the hashtag #Why visiting temples has gone viral suddenly (为什么寺庙旅游突然火了)# has been trending in the 3rd week of March, viewed by over 110 million people.
The rise of temple coffee culture among China’s youth
Netizens have been fascinated by the sudden rising interest in temple traveling among young people. For the youth, visiting temples has become a cultural symbol that in a way demonstrates temple-goers value spiritual needs over materialistic ones. That being said, it might be difficult for young people to have an immersive Zen experience in a fast-paced society.
However, it only takes the same price as a cup of coffee at Starbucks in the secular world, or even at a cheaper price, to purchase a coffee prepared by a Buddhist monk in a picturesque temple. The stark contrast between ancient Chinese temples and coffee, a symbol of western culture, has immediately captured the interests of young Chinese people. Enjoying freshly brewed coffee in a temple allows them to fulfill their spiritual needs as well as cater to their coffee-drinking ritual.
On Weibo, the hashtag #Why have young people fall in love with coffee from temples (为什么年轻人会爱上寺庙咖啡)# has been viewed 798,000 times within a day, under which many netizens have expressed their opinions on this phenomenon. “The concept of getting coffee from temples feels very novel. I will try it if I have the opportunity,” a netizen from Hebei said. “I like the Chinese-style packaging of the coffee sold from temples,” another netizen from Hebei commented.
From spiritual seeking to coffee drinking: the new trend among Chinese youth
- Ticket orders for temple-related scenic spots have increased by 310% from last year.
- Nearly 50% of those who bought tickets to visit temples are from the post-90s and post-00s generations.
- The hashtag #Why visiting temples has gone viral on Weibo, viewed by over 110 million people.
- For young people, visiting temples has become a cultural symbol that demonstrates a value for spiritual needs over materialistic ones.
- Many young Chinese people are interested in purchasing coffee prepared by Buddhist monks in picturesque temples.
- The hashtag #Why have young people fall in love with coffee from temples has been viewed 798,000 times on Weibo within a day.
- The concept of getting coffee from temples feels novel, and many appreciate the Chinese-style packaging of the coffee sold.
