Last time, we talked about how to book a temple stay in Korea — now it’s time to share some of the most unique ones we’ve experienced!

And just like we mentioned before, the first one on our list is Golgulsa.

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Golgulsa first became popular among Koreans thanks to a TV show called ‘I Live Alone’. After the episode aired featuring Jeon Hyun-moo, Code Kunst, and Park Joo-seung going through intense training at the temple, people who enjoy a good challenge — like us — started to take interest too.

YouTube link to the Golgulsa episode of the variety show ‘I Live Alone‘
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=8MMfDBH_G_o

But among travelers, Golgulsa was already famous for something else: Sunmudo!

We were surprised to learn that this unique martial art was already well known, especially in Europe. Apparently, Sunmudo has been gaining fans there, and that totally caught us off guard (in a fun way)!

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So now, let’s dive into the details and take a closer look at what Golgulsa is really like!

1. How to get to the Golgulsa Temple Stay

Let’s assume you’re starting your journey from Seoul, like most travelers do. Golgulsa isn’t exactly close. It’s located in Gyeongju, on the southeastern side of Korea.

You’ll first need to take a KTX (high-speed train) from Seoul Station to Sin-gyeongju Station, which takes about 2 hours. From there, you should take local bus.

First, take a city bus from Singyeongju Station to Singyeongju Terminal Station. And then, take Bus No. 100 and get off at the stop called Andong, Girimsa, Golgulsa Entrance. From there, there’s a little hidden gem — a shuttle van that takes you straight to the temple! It’s not super well known because it’s kind of unofficial, so you won’t find it clearly listed anywhere.

But trust us, if you’re carrying a heavy bag, you really don’t want to walk the rest of the way. So when you get off, take a moment to check if the van is parked nearby. It might just save your back (and your mood)!

It’s honestly a long and tiring journey.

And to be real… we’re still not sure if it’s really worth all that effort. There are plenty of other temples that are much closer — and honestly, way better in terms of vibe and experience.

2. Room condition

As you can see, the rooms are dorm-style with six people per room. It kind of feels like a sleepover — just with strangers and monks around.

Here are a few things that stood out:

a. Strictly gender-separated rooms
At many other temples these days, rooms are usually private and shared with your own group, regardless of gender. But at Golgulsa, men and women are strictly separated, and you’ll most likely be sharing a room with strangers. So if you’re planning to visit as a couple — keep this in mind! That said, we ended up making some lovely international friends in our own rooms, so it turned out to be a surprisingly fun experience.

b. There are beds! (But… they’re not super comfy)
Most temple stays offer the classic Korean experience — sleeping on cozy floor mats over warm ondol heating. But at Golgulsa, you’ll be sleeping on a bed. Sounds convenient, right? Except… it was a bit cold in winter, and the heating wasn’t really on. Still, for many international guests, sleeping in a bed might actually feel more familiar and comfortable!

3. Temple meals

Temple meals are simple, plant-based. No meat, no garlic, no onions — just calm, clean flavors that reflect the spirit of Buddhist practice.

One unexpectedly funny thing about Golgulsa?

It’s kind of… a fried food hotspot. 😂

No joke — our international roommates were raving about the french fries.

One of them even said, “Those fries were insane!”

Temples are supposed to be all about letting go of desires and practicing self-control…

But at Golgulsa? We totally failed — and ended up overeating.

4. Temple Activities

Who said Golgulsa was a quiet temple retreat…? Let’s be real — it felt more like a dopamine party. 🎉

That said, all the activities are totally optional — so if you just want to eat and chill, no one’s going to say a thing.

Here are some fun activities you can enjoy at Golgulsa:

a. Morning walk by the sea

The ocean in Gyeongju is absolutely stunning — we highly recommend taking some time to enjoy it.

What makes it even more special is that you actually get to do meditation and stretching right by the sea.

Imagine breathing in the salty morning air, listening to the waves, and slowly waking up your body under the rising sun…

It’s peaceful, a little surreal, and definitely not your average temple stay moment.

b. Sunmudo Performance

To be honest, I don’t think it’s something you absolutely have to see. I’d only recommend it to those who have a special interest in martial arts.

Our tip? Just go for a walk around the area — there’s so much beautiful scenery to enjoy, and that alone makes it worth the visit.

c. Archery experience (extra fee)

Want to feel like a zen warrior? You can try archery at the temple for a small additional fee. 

d. Night walk (Not part of the official program, but recommended near the accommodation before bedtime, as long as it’s safe.)

The stars shine so brightly out here, it’s kind of magical.

A quiet stroll under the starry sky? Total peace. ✨🌙

Recommend ‘yellow-coldplay’ as a background music

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Final thoughts..

It didn’t exactly feel like a peaceful Buddhist retreat… more like a teen camp, honestly. 😅

It was super crowded (we heard they host up to 60 people at once!), kind of noisy, and definitely not the quiet, nature-immersed vibe we were hoping for.

But! it was still entertaining in its own way — if you’re looking for a lively, unique experience with a dash of temple culture, Golgulsa might just be your thing.

In the next post, I’ll introduce a temple that I really liked! Can’t wait to share it with you all.