I had been really looking forward to my temple stay at Golgulsa Temple. I wanted to experience Buddhist culture, daily temple life, and a more mindful way of living. But to be honest, it wasn’t what I expected.

Now, this is just my personal experience—I’ve read plenty of positive reviews about this temple stay, so if you’re considering it, don’t let my experience completely sway you. However, I do think that its popularity might be affecting the authenticity of the experience.

The Arrival: A Structured but Impersonal Welcome

Upon arrival, we were welcomed in a small office, where we were given a simple outfit—a loose-fitting vest and trousers. No explanation was given, but it was clear that everyone wearing the same outfit was meant to symbolize equality.

I had read that temple stays involve sleeping on a futon on a heated floor, and I was excited to try it. In reality, we were taken to what looked more like a hostel with 20 bunk beds rather than a traditional temple lodging. It felt a little more like a tourist accommodation than a meditative retreat.

The Daily Schedule: Gaps and Lack of Connection

We were given a schedule of activities, but there was a lot of free time in between. Normally, I wouldn’t mind this, but because the temple was in a remote location, there wasn’t much to do during these breaks.

The number of visitors was so high that our group had to be split into two. The monks, who I had imagined living and practicing on the temple grounds, did not actually stay there. Instead, they arrived in an expensive car, changed into robes, led their assigned activity without much explanation, and left again in the same expensive car.

The temple stay was mainly run by volunteers, many of whom had come to learn Sunmudo, the temple’s famous martial art. While that was interesting, there was no real introduction to Buddhism or monastic life—something I had expected from a temple stay.

The Highlights: A Few Special Moments

Despite my mixed feelings, there were still some really unique and memorable aspects of the stay.

• Waking up to the sound of drums and Buddhist chanting was incredibly special and something I won’t forget.
• Learning the basics of Sunmudo, a traditional Korean martial art, was a great experience.
• The temple grounds and surrounding nature were absolutely beautiful, even though the location felt a little isolated.
• The food was simple but surprisingly good—definitely a different take on Korean cuisine.

Final Thoughts: Is Golgulsa Worth It?

Would I recommend this temple stay? It depends. If you’re looking for a true Buddhist experience, deep meditation, or meaningful interactions with monks, this may not be the right fit. But if you’re interested in Sunmudo and a more structured retreat experience, then you might still enjoy it.

Temple stays in Korea can be incredibly rewarding, but if you’re looking for something more traditional and immersive, I’d recommend researching different temples, like Haeinsa or Baekyangsa, which focus more on Buddhist teachings and meditation.

That said, every traveler looks for something different, and my experience might not be yours. If you do decide to go, I’d love to hear about your experience—was it what you expected?