(2025) Golgulsa Temple Stay guide : things to do and what to do around there

*Photo Source: Hankook Ilbo, Golgulsa homepage

 One of the places that foreigners often go to for temple stays in Korea is Golgulsa in Gyeongju. Gyeongju has many historical and cultural records and heritages in Korea. Experience the temple experience in Gyeongju, where nature and scenery live. Let's take a brief look at the things that you experience at Golgulsa, and how to get to Golgulsa.

1. What You Do at Golgulsa Temple Stay

Golgulsa Temple, located near Gyeongju, is famous for its unique combination of traditional Buddhist practices and Sunmudo, a martial art that blends meditation with physical movement. Participating in a temple stay at Golgulsa offers a distinctive experience that balances both mental and physical well-being. Here's what you can expect: especially, Sunmudo is a special experience that no other temple stay has. If you really want to experience Sunmudo, try it at Golgulsa Temple.

• Sunmudo Training: Sunmudo is the highlight of the Golgulsa Temple stay. This ancient martial art focuses on meditative movements, breathing techniques, and martial arts forms. The training sessions range from basic stretching to more advanced forms, and anyone can join, regardless of skill level. 

• Seon Meditation (선): Like other temple stays, meditation is a core activity at Golgulsa. You'll have the opportunity to practice seated meditation, focusing on your breath and calming the mind, as well as walking meditation in the temple’s serene natural surroundings.

Check out other temple stays for common training sessions! Yebul, 108 Prostructions, Temple Meals

More about what the Templestay does

2. How Do I Get to Golgulsa Temple?

Golgulsa Temple is located in the Gyeongju area of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, and it can be reached from both Seoul and Busan via public transportation. Here's a breakdown of how to get there from each city:

How Do I Get from Busan to Golgulsa Temple?

• By Train and Bus:

  1. From Busan Station, take a KTX or regular train to Gyeongju Station (this journey typically takes 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the train).
  2. Once you arrive in Gyeongju, transfer to a local bus. At the Gyeongju Bus Terminal, take Bus 100 or 150 heading toward Gampo and get off at Andong Samgeo-ri (안동삼거리).
  3. From there, you can either take a short taxi ride or walk about 20 minutes to Golgulsa Temple.

• By Bus:

  1. You can also take an express bus from Busan Central Bus Terminal to Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal, then follow the same bus route as mentioned above to reach Golgulsa.

How Do I Get from Seoul to Golgulsa Temple?

• By KTX and Bus:

  1. From Seoul Station, take the KTX to Singyeongju Station. The KTX from Seoul to Gyeongju takes about 2 hours.
  2. After arriving in Gyeongju, take a local bus (Bus 100 or 150) to Andong Samgeo-ri, then proceed to the temple either by walking or taking a taxi.

• By Express Bus:

  1. From Seoul Express Bus Terminal, take an express bus to Gyeongju (around 4 hours).
  2. From Gyeongju Bus Terminal, follow the same local bus route as described above to reach Golgulsa.

 In the next article, we will look at places to look around, food, restaurants, etc. near Golgulsa. Please look forward to it! ????