Last Updated on March 18, 2025 by Laura
A few years ago, while watching YouTube videos about South Korea, I stumbled upon a documentary that fascinated me a lot. This was about some incredible Korean monks living in a remote area of the peninsula and practicing a little known martial art that included incredible acrobatic movements. These monks were jumping so high that seemed as if they were flying. I thought “WOW, I would love to do this too!“. But at the time, I assumed such training was reserved for exclusively to Buddhist monks, inaccessible to outsiders. It wasn’t until I began planning my journey to South Korea that I decided to dig deeper. To my surprise, I discovered that this ancient practice, known as Seonmudo, was not only open to non-Buddhists but could be experienced firsthand through a Templestay at Golgulsa Temple.
Hidden in the mountains of Gyeongju, Golgulsa Temple, the headquarter of a traditional and ancient martial art called Seonmudo, for the first time in many centuries, offers its visitors the rare privilege of practicing this martial art alongside the monks who have dedicated their lives to it. It was an opportunity too incredible to pass up.
In this blog, I’ll take you through my journey at Golgulsa Temple, from sunrise meditation to high-flying kicks, and show you exactly how you can book this once-in-a-lifetime experience for your own adventure in South Korea.
Seonmudo. How a secret Buddhist martial art found his way to modern-day South Korea
Templestay at Golgulsa Temple – One of the grottoes of the temple
Deep in the mist-covered mountains of Gyeongju in South Korea, an ancient discipline is making a quiet resurgence. Seonmudo 선무도 — or Sunmudo—is a little-known martial art that merges dynamic combat techniques with meditative stillness. For centuries, this unique practice was shrouded in secrecy, taught only to Buddhist monks in remote temple complexes. But during the last 30 years, the doors to this hidden world have begun to open.
The origins of Seonmudo trace back over a thousand years to the Silla Dynasty (57 BC–935 AD), when Buddhist monks developed the art as a means of spiritual training and self-defense. In an era marked by frequent conflict, these monks, often referred to as “warrior monks”, played a crucial role in safeguarding Korea, most notably during the Japanese invasions of the 16th century. Over the centuries, however, the practice faded into obscurity, preserved only in the hidden corridors of selected monastic communities.
It wasn’t until the late 20th century that Seonmudo experienced a revival. At the forefront of this resurgence was Grandmaster Jeog Un, who systematised the practice and opened its doors to the modern world. Today, Golgulsa Temple serves as the Headquarter of Seonmundo Practice Centre. Here, monks and serious practitioners of the art undergo rigorous training, learning not only the physical art but also Buddhist philosophy, and traditional Korean cultural practices.
Stillness and Motion: the art of Seonmudo through the centuries
Templestay at Golgulsa Temple – Sunmudo demonstration
Unlike many martial arts, Seonmudo does not focus solely on combat. Instead, it blends breath control, seated meditation, yoga-like postures, and fluid movements, gradually building into powerful strikes, kicks, and acrobatic techniques reflecting the art’s warrior heritage. Despite seeming highly in contrast with ahimsa, the Buddhist principle of nonviolence, Seonmudo is not about defeating an opponent (as in many other types of martial arts). It is about overcoming the self. The practice originated as a form of moving meditation, a way for monks to unify body and mind while deepening their spiritual discipline. The dynamic movements, which include striking techniques and acrobatics, are performed not with aggression, but with control, grace, and awareness.
Historically, Buddhist temples in Korea were not just places of worship. Indeed, they were also centres of learning and, at times, protection. During the Imjin War (1592–1598), Korean monks known as “Seungbyeong” (monk-soldiers) took up arms to defend their monasteries and communities against the Japanese invaders. These warrior monks did not seek violence but were forced into action to protect their people. Even then, the emphasis remained on defence, not aggression.
Modern Seonmudo retains this mindset. While its movements resemble martial arts, they are practiced with awareness and discipline, reinforcing the idea that true strength lies in self-control rather than domination over others. In this regard, Seonmudo follows the Zen (Seon) Buddhist path, which emphasises achieving enlightenment through direct meditation and practice rather than solely relying on intellectual understanding of Buddhist texts. Becoming a Sunmudo master requires more than seven years training.
Seonmudo Technique
As previously said, Seonmundo incorporates both stillness meditation and martial art. This technique is divided into four different disciplines:
- Jwaseon, 좌선 (Seated meditation) – Help preparing the mind and body for the physical training while focusing on breathe control and the body’s energy centre.
- Yeonseup, 연습 (Yoga/fluid movements) – The practice of gentle, flowing movements similar to qigong and yoga are used to develop flexibility, balance, and internal energy
- Mudo, 무도 (Martial art technique) – In Seonmudo this includes a variety of powerful movements (e.g. kicks, strikes) and acrobatic actions.
- Hosinsul, 호신술 (Selfe Defence Technique) – This might include also the use of technical defence objects in advanced training.
Golgulsa Temple
Templestay at Golgulsa Temple – Temple building
Tucked into the rugged cliffs of Hamwolsan Mountain, near the historic city of Gyeongju, Golgulsa Temple is famous as the “Shaolin Temple of Korea” because of its position as the headquarter of the Seonmudo martial art. But beyond its reputation for Sunmudo training, Golgulsa is a hidden architectural gem, the only stone cave temple in Korea and the oldest of its kind.
Unconfirmed history traces the foundation of the temple during the Silla Dinasty when a Buddhist monk named Gwangyu arrived from India. Inspired by the ancient rock-hewn monasteries of his homeland, he and his disciples carved a series of stone caves into the mountain, creating a sacred retreat for meditation and worship. At the heart of the temple complex is the Seated Stone Buddha (Maeyeoraebul), a striking 9-meter-high relief carved directly into the cliff face. Surrounded by twelve cave shrines, which once served as monastic dormitories, this sacred site was originally known as Golguram. A small but spiritually significant sanctuary surrounded by a luscious mountainous landscape.
For centuries, little was recorded about Golgulsa’s fate. It remained a secluded place of Buddhist practice, its unique caves largely untouched by history’s gaze.
When Grand master Jeog Un became head monk of the temple, around 1990, Golgulsa was officially registered as one of the 11 regional district temples of the Jogye Order, Korea’s leading Buddhist sect. With new buildings added to accommodate monks, practitioners, and visitors, the once-forgotten cave temple was reborn as a new leading institution in the area. Nevertheless, it’s only from 1970 that the temple is officially welcoming external guests. Moreover, Sunmudo training is open to visitors only from 2002, when Golgulsa joined the program Templestay.
To read more about Templestay, read my detailed guide here.
Templestay at Golgulsa Temple
Our journey to Golgulsa Temple began in Gyeongju, a city steeped in history and ancient capital of the Silla Dynasty. The drive to the temple took us about 35 to 40 minutes, winding through picturesque countryside and tranquil mountain landscapes. In this part of the blog, I will tell you more about our personal experience at Golgulsa Temple. As I said earlier, your time at the temple is dictated by different activities and schedule you will receive. Therefore, also the flow of this part of the temple is following the same pattern to let you know what to expect from this stay.
2.30 PM. Arrival and check-in
Templestay at Golgulsa Temple – Templestay office
We arrived at Golgulsa just before the Templestay program’s 2.30 pm start. From there, we made our way to the Templestay office, the first building on the right as you enter the grounds.
The check-in area was already buzzing with small groups of visitors collecting their room keys and temple uniforms, the loose grey and orange attire worn by all participants to encourage modesty and equality. When it was our turn, a staff member handed us our keys and uniforms. I noticed that some guests were holding maps and schedules, so I asked for those as well.
However, I couldn’t shake a sense of initial disorientation. The check-in process felt hurried and somewhat chaotic, with staff members moving briskly and little guidance offered to newcomers. Instructions were minimal, essentially, we were told to leave our belongings in our rooms and change into our uniforms “as soon as possible.”
There was no formal welcome briefing, no introduction to the temple’s history or the schedule ahead, which left us feeling a bit adrift. I had expected a more mindful arrival, perhaps a few words about what lay ahead or an introduction to the Seonmudo practice we were here to experience. Instead, it felt like everyone was already deep into their own routines, and we were playing catch-up.
After quite a bumpy start, we changed quickly into our uniform and set off for our first Seonmudo demonstration. This was held at the very top of the hill, which meant a steep climb under the unforgiving afternoon sun of the Korean summer. We literally had 10 mins to get to the top of the hill and from the moment we set foot on the path, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a leisurely stroll (for me).
3 PM. Seonmudo Demonstration
Templestay at Golgulsa Temple – Sunmudo demonstration
I immediately regretted my choice and asked my husband if Buddha was punishing me for having skipped the gym for the past six months. The heat radiated off the stones, and the weight of the humid air turned the short walk into what felt like a pilgrimage of endurance.
The only thought I had in my brain was telling me that I was clearly not fit for this stay since I almost died midway to the temple on one of the steepest roads one can walk at 2.30 in the afternoon. Nevertheless, feeling drenched and exhausted while my husband looked way fresher than me, we arrived just in time for the beginning of the demonstration. Being summer, the demonstration took place on a large terrace outside a shrine, with the colossal 9-meter Buddha carving standing watch in the background. It took barely a minute for all my complaints and fatigue to evaporate.
The moment I laid eyes on the scene, a wave of awe washed over me. A serene music filled the air while the monks begun their fluid yet complicated moves that I’m sure took them decades to learn with that perfection. Various professional Sunmudo masters exhibited their skills one by one for the eyes of the amazed public. I felt genuinely privileged to witness this moment. It was more than just a display of martial prowess; it was a rare window into a tradition that had been hidden away in mountain temples for centuries.
The Seated Buddha
Templestay at Golgulsa Temple – Seated Buddha
After the demonstration, we said temporarily goodbye to the monks and had some free time. While some participants took advantage of this time to relax in their dormitories before the Sunmudo training, me, my husband and other few people decided to climb up the rocks up to the big Seated Buddha. It was a wonderful, breathtaking climb, both for its beauty and its literal challenge. The trail winds through ancient stone steps, past weathered caves that once served as the original shrines and dormitories of the temple’s earliest monks.
When we finally reached the majestic Seated Buddha, the view was nothing short of spectacular. The statue’s tranquil expression seemed to look far beyond the peaceful forest below, holding a secret that spanned centuries of history.
It was only later, during a quiet moment of reflection, that I learned the true significance of the Buddha’s eternal gaze. Indeed, the statue was not merely looking over the valley. It was positioned with purpose to face towards the underwater tomb of King Munmu, the 30th king of the Silla Dynasty. I have to say, our meeting with the carved Buddha was probably one of my favourite moments in during the stay.
4 PM Sunmudo Training
Templestay at Golgulsa Temple – Sunmudo Training Hall
After our climb to the Seated Buddha, we made our way back down to the main training hall of Golgulsa Temple. The spacious room, with its polished wooden floors and walls adorned with Buddhist motifs, was a sacred space where monks had honed their skills for generations. Today, it would serve as the setting for our first Seonmudo lesson.
Our instructor was none other than one a young woman who had mesmerised us during the earlier demonstration. We began with meditation, sitting cross-legged on mats. Our teacher’s voice guided us through the exercise, reminding us of two things we often take for granted: how to breathe and how to walk. “Until we have those,” she said, “we have everything”. Her story unfolded gently, revealing how a severe knee injury had once left her unable to walk. This revelation struck me with awe and disbelief. I had just seen her jumping and almost flying during her performance. She clearly had a strong spirit and mind that helped her through a great recovery of her strength.
We proceeded with the very basic on Sunmudo starting with a few kicks in the air and running from one side to the other of the room. It was really funny and engaging. One hour passed quickly and we soon entered the second part of our training.
5.40 PM. 108 Prostrations
Why 108 prostrations?
If you’re wondering why 108 prostrations, and not, say, 110, there’s a profound reason for this choice. In Buddhism, the number 108 holds deep symbolic significance, representing the 108 earthly temptations or delusions that practitioners strive to overcome on their path to enlightenment.
These delusions are not just abstract concepts but everyday distractions and desires that cloud the mind, such as greed, anger, ignorance, and attachment. By performing 108 prostrations, Buddhists engage in a physical ritual that mirrors their spiritual journey, bowing away each obstacle, one by one.
The act of prostrating is more than a physical exercise. It serves as a gesture of humility and a way to purify the body and mind. Each bow is a meditative movement, showing reverence to the Triple Gem (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha).
Not easy at it seems
As our second instructor entered the room, I immediately recognised him from the earlier Seonmudo performance. Also this guy, was incredibly talented and seemed flying in the air when jumping. He began with a lesson on bowing, guiding us through the ritual of prostrations, a practice that, at first glance, seemed simple. However, we soon discovered that all the prostrations needed to be completed in the space of 20 mins circa.
Easy to say, not to do. Indeed, the slow bow we practiced at the beginning of the lesson turned soon into a very quick movement that resembled me more the burpees we do at the gym than a prostration. Of course, not all the people in the room (including me) could keep up with this pretty quick rhythm punctuated by the sound of a wooden stick that our teacher was banging into his hands . Most of us were just shamefully crumbling onto our mats. On the contrary, my husband completed them all without stopping and even say a word. We are clearly two different species of humans. After what it seemed the longest twenty minutes of my life, the training was over.
I admit I was pretty tired after this intense session. However, I did the best I could. The Sunmudo training was very fun and within my reach. Of course for the basic movements we learnt. However, I definitely need to improve my prostration resistance. To show respect for the practice, when I was too tired I simply remained in child pose and then started again when rested. Not sure this was the correct thing to do, but many people were doing the same thing.
6 PM. Dinner at Golgulsa Temple
Templestay at Golgulsa Temple – Restaurant Hall
As soon as our Seonmudo training wrapped up around 6 p.m., it was time for dinner in the main dining hall. The hall, located in a modest building just a short walk from the training area, was a simple yet welcoming space. Long, shared tables—both high and low—encouraged communal dining. I was pleased to see that some of the resident monks joined us for the meal. Dinner was served buffet-style, with an array of vegetarian dishes neatly presented at the end of the room. The smell was so good!
During our induction, one of the rules they explained us regarding the dinner was that we could take as much food as we wanted. Nevertheless, we needed to make sure to not leave anything on the plate. Indeed, the temple works on a zero waste policy and guests are invited to “eat only what they can eat”. For this reason, I started with a very small portion that included rice, kimchi, two potato cakes, mushrooms and some other vegetables. It was a good amount and I just doubled up on the potato cakes when I finished the first round. They were too good to pass on!!
6.30 PM. Free time and cafeteria
With the mandatory program completed after dinner, we found ourselves with a few hours of free time. One of the monks suggested we either explore the temple grounds or take a short walk to a nearby cafeteria outside the temple. The only rule was to return before the 8:30 p.m. curfew, when the temple gates would close for the night. We opted for the cafeteria option. This was located immediately after the temple’s entrance. A completely unassuming place that was actually super nice once inside!
When we entered the cafeteria, a kind lady was cleaning the floor, and my first thought was that they might be closing up. But instead of hurrying us away, she greeted us with a warm smile, genuinely happy to see us. The menu offered a surprisingly good selection of both hot and cold drinks, along with a small choice of desserts. Something I discovered is that the dessert display was actually made with fake replicas.
허니 브레드
Templestay at Golgulsa Temple – Temple cafeteria nearby
One particular item that immediately caught my eye was “Honey Butter Bread” (허니 브레드 in Korean). It looked like a thicker, golden version of the Japanese shokupan, with a crispy crust and a buttery, glistening top that made it nearly impossible to resist. I decided to go for it.
In a funny mix between Korean and English the lady informed us that our order would have take about 15 mins to prepare. We still had about 1 hour and a half before the curfew and honestly we were glad to have some relaxing time before sleeping on the floor. As we waited, a few more Templestay participants trickled in. All recognisable by their grey and orange uniforms and the same mix of exhaustion and curiosity we had in our faces. A group of Korean girls joined us in the nearby table ordering exactly our same dish. I later learnt that honey bread is a quite popular dessert to try in Korea. Apparently I’m good at choosing food!! Anyway, I think this was one of the best desserts we tried in Korea. The taste was so good that I regretted not to ordering another one.
Dusk chatting
By the time we returned inside the temple’s grounds, it was already dusk. We spent sometime chatting with the other participants discovering that a little drama was unfolding while we were filling our belly with honey bread. Indeed, some of the participants had just discovered that the trains to Busan for the next day were fully booked. With limited transport options in the countryside, they found themselves scrambling to find an alternative way back to the city.
Desperate to avoid being stranded, they asked around, hoping someone had extra seats in their car or knew of a last-minute travel hack to escape the area. Unfortunately, we had to leave our car in Gyeongju, so offering a ride wasn’t an option. However, we had (wisely) booked our train tickets to Busan a month in advance, securing our spots before the last-minute rush.
9 PM. Rooms at Golgulsa Temple
Templestay at Golgulsa Temple – my room at Golgulsa Temple
As it was already 9 pm, we retreated in our rooms. We booked two private rooms (you can’t share). This usually has an extra cost that I was very willing to pay. Indeed, despite I appreciate the communal spirit, I really didn’t want to sleep on the floor with unknown people. So, I preferred to have a room all for my self. This meant that I could also use all the 4 futons that were available to create a decent sleeping area that was not as hard as a rock. Rooms are very simple, with just the futons and a space where to leave backpacks.
My only futon experience was at the stunning Rakkojae Hanok in Seoul and of course the futon at Golgulsa doesn’t have nothing to do with that one! Despite my effort and the piling of 4 different slim mattresses, I was pretty much on the floor. For the joy of my poor 80-years old back. To note I did this because I suffer of back pain since I was a child, while my husband was pretty fine with one slim mattress. Nevertheless, I have to say, it wasn’t too bad. I thought I would wake-up mummified but actually I wasn’t in pain. It reminded me of my camping times!
5 AM Sunrise walk
Templestay at Golgulsa Temple – View of the temple from my room at 5 am.
Despite not being too uncomfortable, I was still on the floor so my sleep wasn’t the best. This resulted in me being pretty much awake already at 4.30 am. Therefore, when I started hearing the wake-up chantings from somewhere up in the hill at 5 am, I was already up and running. On this note, I didn’t tell you much about it, but our accommodation was inside a three storied building (pagoda style) and both mine and my husband rooms were on the last floor. My room had a nice window with a very small balcony. The first thing I did when waking up, was opening that window and see the night become morning.
Until that moment, we were so busy that I didn’t realise how far from the city chaos we were. Seeing the sunrise from by this beautiful temple surrounded by the forest (and lots of birds chirping!) it was one of my favourite moments of this trip. It might not have been the most luxurious accommodation where I’ve stayed, but that moment felt like one of the most precious of my trips. What a privilege! Shortly after 5 am, we started our sunrise walk towards the top of the hill joined by a few other participants. This time, I could walk at my pace without rushing and I enjoyed the moment much more.
5.30 AM. Morning chantings and meditation
Templestay at Golgulsa Temple – Morning chantings and walk with sunrise
We arrived just a few minutes before the start of the morning chanting, greeted by the soft glow of a warm light inside a small shrine. Unlike the Seonmudo training session, not many participants from the Templestay program had chosen to wake up and join the chanting.
This, in a way, turned out to be a blessing, as the shrine was quite small, and only a handful of us could comfortably fit inside. Before beginning, we were handed small mats and asked to prepare for prostrations. Unlike the 108 bows from the previous day, today’s practice was shorter, though still just as humbling and grounding. This time, I managed to complete every single one. YAY!
Chantings followed a specific rhythm. However, despite having a useful booklet with the words (in Korean), it was pretty difficult to follow along. I preferred to focus myself on the rhythm of the chant and work on my concentration for the upcoming meditation. Indeed, as the chanting finished, there was a small meditation session. You have to know that I am terrible at meditating. My mind just can’t focus as it floats among many distracting thoughts. I always being like this and find meditation really hard work for my unstoppable mind.
6.10 am – Walking Meditation and Breakfast
After the chantings, we headed to the big seated Buddha to say hello to the sunrise. It was a beautiful, quiet moment that of seeing the sun rising from the the trees. TThis morning, we had a new teacher guiding us. I had briefly noticed him the day before, though he hadn’t interacted much with the group. He spoke mostly in Korean, with a few simple English commands to guide us. After the sunrise moment, he told us we could go on our meditation walk and do a little stretching down the hill. The meditation walk was nothing more than a stroll towards the breakfast hall, with many participants chatting to each other rather than meditate. I felt the group was quite excited for the upcoming activities by the beach.
Breakfast was served at 6.30 am in the main all. It was somehow very similar to dinner with lots of veggies and even kimchi. Unfortunately, I am not a big fan of salty/spicy things in the morning. So, I just got a tea and a toast with jam as my breakfast. As the first activity was at 9 am, many participants decided to have a couple more of sleep hours but I was fully awake so we opted for a stroll around the quiet grounds of the temple.
9 am Seonmundo by the beach
At 9 am, a little bus was ready to carry the us to a nearby beach for our second (and last) Seonmundo training. The warm sun of June was already shining and excitement filled the air for this awaited short trip to the beach. The new session was hold in the beautiful Haeparang trail, a famous and scenic coastal hiking route in Pohang. Unlike the structured temple setting, training by the seaside offers a different atmosphere, where the sound of crashing waves replaces the stillness of the mountains.
Maybe because I like to stay in the nature but the seaside training was really fantastic. I feel like I left a piece of my heart in that little pebble beach. Time flew by and we soon returned to the temple.
End of the experience
Sadly, once we returned to the temple, it was time to quickly change and check out. We had a car to return (in a location we weren’t entirely sure about) and needed to make it to our train to Busan, departing from Gyeongju Station. While the other participants headed to their final lunch in the dining hall, we packed our bags and dropped off our uniforms and hats at the reception. I have to admit, the rushed goodbye felt a little bittersweet.
In the end, though, it was probably for the best. Indeed, we got completely lost trying to return the car! After wandering around and waiting for nearly an hour, the Lotte Car guy finally showed up. By the time we reached the station, we had just 10 minutes to spare before our train! Talk about a close call!
The other participants ended their stay with a final lunch at the main restaurant hall. Who had additional time, could have also signed for an afternoon archery session.
Practical information for your Golgulsa Templestay
Templestay at Golgulsa Temple – Temple Grand Entrance
If the diary of my stay has convinced you to book a Templestay experience at Golgulsa Temple here below you can find all the practicalities you will need to know for your stay.
How to book a Templestay at Golgulsa Temple
All the types of Templestay in South Korea must be booked via the official website Templestay.com. The monks of each temple and their admin offices are directly in charge of the bookings. Therefore, no other website (except the official one) is authorised to book a stay for you. We booked our Templestay about 6 months prior to our visit. Programs are held exclusively during the weekend. Please note that each program has a maximum of 30 participants for Golgulsa. Therefore I recommend booking in advance to avoid any disappointment.
If you would like to read a more detailed blog to Templestay, including a step-by-step guide on how to book your stay, read my comprehensive guide here.
Cost of Golgulsa Templestay
Each Temple Stay has a cost. The cost depend from the type of package you choose and the temple you choose. You should expect to pay between 60,000 and 150,000 KRW (£33 -83 / $41-104) per stay per person. If you chose to stay in a single room (without sharing) the price usually increase of 20% more or less.
The cost usually cover your room and board and your activities. For our Templestay at Golgulsa we paid 120,000 KRW.
How to get to Golgulsa Temple
There are mainly three ways to get to Golgulsa Temple: by car, train or by bus. You can eventually opt for a taxi ride but it can be a costly option (about 40,000 KRW).
Getting to Golgulsa Temple by bus
The quickest and most direct way to reach Golgulsa Temple by bus is from Gyeongju. Here you can hop on either bus Bus No: 100, 100-1 or 150 and get off get off in Andong/Girimsa/Golgusa (안동/기림사/골굴사). I do recommend having Naver on hand as you will need to walk an additional 15 mins to get to the temple. The total trip will be around 1 hour.
If you are travelling from Seoul, be prepared for a long trip as this might take 4-5 hours. Templestay recommends to take the Express Bus Terminal (Subway line 3) to Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal. Than from Gyeonju, you can hop on the bus mentioned before.
Traveling by Train to Golgulsa Temple
Travelling by train to Golgulsa Temple can be an option only if you are arriving from Seoul or Busan (mainly). Indeed, there are no stations in the proximity of the temple. The closest station is the central station in Gyeongju. Please note this is called Singyeongju Station (sin means “new” in Korean, in this case distinguish this station from the old one).
Therefore, either you are travelling from Seoul or Busan, you’ll need to book a train to Singyeonjiu. From the station, you will need to catch a bus to the temple. Templestay website is very clear on the instruction for this reporting the following: from SinGyeongju Express Bus Terminal to the templeBus No: 50, 51, 60, 70 & 700. Get off at the “Express Bus Terminal” & don’t cross the road and transfer to Bus No: 100 / 100-1 / 150 (Taking 50 mins.)
Get off “Andong/Girimsa/Golgusa (안동/기림사/골굴사).” There is a T-junction. You cross the road and go straight along with the street about 10~15 mins on foot.
Travelling to Golgulsa Temple by car
If you are keen to drive and have a little more flexibility, this is a very good option. We opted for a car rental too and this gave us a little piece of mind in reaching the temple at our own pace. We also used the car to explore Danyang and arrive in Gyeongju. It was a cost-effective solution and gave us a lot freedom to explore places not very easy to reach like the Guinsa Temple.
If you want to book a car, I warmly recommend you Lotte Car. We had an excellent experience with them an you can pre-book a car via Rental car here.
If you are travelling by car, you’ll 100% need Naver to move from one place to another. Indeed, Google maps doesn’t work in South Korea!
If you want to know more about what essential apps you will need for a smoother South Korea trip, read my article here!
What to pack for a Templestay in Golgulsa
Templestay at Golgulsa Temple – Temple uniform
You won’t need much for your temple stay. Remember that you are embracing a Buddhist lifestyle so you’ll have to drop any unnecessary thing for the time being of the program. We had lots of luggage with us. However, we left them in the car and packed only two small backpacks with us. Indeed, many temples won’t allow large suitcases in the accommodations. Especially because there are many stairs to do! So if you don’t have a car, you will need to deposit your luggage at the Templestay office of your temple.
Suggested packing list
- 1 or 2 plain t-shirts (for summer)
- Change of clothes/underwear
- Comfortable shoes
- Toiletries
- Hairdryer
- Socks
- Phone charger
- Socks (at least 2 pairs as you will need them to walk inside temples)
- Warm clothes (if booking a winter stay)
- Camera (you are allowed to take picture when these don’t interfere with activities)
- Meditation journal (optional)
- Water bottle (you will also be provided with some in your room)
- A small backpack in case of day trips/trekking
Most of the temples will provide hand soap, temple uniforms, temple hats (for summer) and sometimes toothpaste. Temple rooms are very simple with no electronics (e.g. TV) My room had just an open wardrobe a fridge and the futon(s). As I booked a single room for myself, and I have back problems, I stacked a few futon mattress on top of the other to be a little more comfortable. If you are booking during the winter season, I do recommend packing some extra warm clothes as it seems a place where it can get very cold!
And that’s it! This stay at Golgulsa temple has been one of the highlights of my trip to South Korea and I hope that many people can get this opportunity too!
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