Where do foreigners often go for Temple Stay in Korea? One of the popular places is Golgulsa in Gyeongju. I remember seeing the cast of the popular Korean variety show "I Live Alone" visiting Golgulsa, and apart from them, everyone else seemed to be foreigners. In addition, Gyeongju is a living history with numerous heritage sites. Experiencing Temple Stay and visiting historical sites in the area is a great way to immerse yourself in Korean culture. Now, let me share some information about Golgulsa!
Located near Gyeongju, Golgulsa is famous for its unique combination of traditional Buddhist practices, meditation, and the martial art of Seonmudo, which blends physical movement and spirituality. Participating in the Golgulsa Temple Stay offers a unique experience that balances mental and physical well-being. At Golgulsa, you can first practice Seonmudo. This ancient martial art is the highlight of the Golgulsa Temple Stay. It focuses on meditation movements, breathing techniques, and martial arts forms. The training sessions vary from basic stretching to advanced forms, and anyone can participate regardless of skill level. This Seonmudo program is a special offering not available in most Temple Stays, so if you want to experience it, Golgulsa is the place to go. Secondly, you can engage in Seon Meditation (선 명상), which, like other Temple Stays, is a core activity at Golgulsa. In the temple's tranquil natural environment, you will have the opportunity to practice seated meditation, focusing on your breath and calming your mind.
Golgulsa is located in the Gyeongju area of North Gyeongsang Province, with the address being 101-5, Girim-ro, Munmudong, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do. You can reach it via public transportation from both Seoul and Busan. Let's look at how to get there from each city. First, how to get from Busan to Golgulsa. By train: 1) Take the KTX or regular train from Busan Station to Gyeongju Station (this journey generally takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the train). 2) Upon arriving in Gyeongju, transfer to a nearby bus. Take bus number 100 or 150 from the Gyeongju Intercity Bus Terminal towards Gampo, and get off at Andong Samgeori (안동삼거리). 3) From there, you can either take a short taxi ride or walk for about 20 minutes to reach Golgulsa. Alternatively, by bus: 1) You can take an express bus from Busan Central Bus Terminal to Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal, and then follow the bus routes mentioned above to get to Golgulsa.
To get to Golgulsa Temple from Seoul, you can choose to travel by train or express bus. Taking the KTX from Seoul Station to Singyeongju Station takes about two hours. After arriving, you can catch bus 100 or 150 to Andong Samgeori and then walk or take a taxi to the temple. Alternatively, you can take an express bus from the Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Gyeongju, which takes approximately four hours and includes breaks at rest stops. Once in Gyeongju, you can also use city buses to reach Golgulsa Temple. Both travel options provide opportunities to enjoy Gyeongju’s restaurants and attractions. I hope you can compare costs and travel times to choose the best option for you! In the next post, I will look at places to visit, food, and restaurants near Golgulsa.
