Korean Temple Stay: How to Spend a Night at a Buddhist Temple in South Korea
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What if the most memorable night of your Korea trip wasn't at a hotel — but at a 1,000-year-old Buddhist temple on a mountainside?
Korea's Temple Stay program (템플스테이) lets visitors sleep, eat, meditate, and live alongside Buddhist monks for one or two nights. It's one of the most unique cultural experiences in the country — and it costs less than a mid-range hotel.
Here's everything you need to know before booking a temple stay in 2026.
What Is a Temple Stay?
A temple stay is an official program run by Korea's Buddhist temples, supported by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and the Korea Tourism Organization. It's designed to give visitors — both Korean and international — a chance to experience Korean Buddhist culture firsthand.
During a temple stay, you'll typically:
- Participate in evening and morning chanting ceremonies (예불)
- Practice 108 prostrations — a moving meditation exercise
- Join a tea ceremony with a monk
- Eat temple food (사찰음식) — vegetarian meals prepared by the monks
- Try walking meditation or seated meditation (참선)
- Wake up at dawn (around 4:00–5:00 AM) to the sound of a temple bell
- Sleep in a simple room with ondol floor heating
There's no religious pressure — you don't need to be Buddhist to participate. It's open to anyone who wants a peaceful, reflective experience.
How Much Does It Cost?
| Program Type | Duration | Price |
| Standard Overnight | 1 night / 2 days | ₩50,000–₩80,000 ($35–$56) |
| Extended Stay | 2+ nights | ₩70,000–₩120,000 |
| Day Program (no overnight) | 3–4 hours | ₩20,000–₩40,000 |
This includes accommodation, all meals, and all activities. That's remarkable value considering you're getting a cultural experience, food, lodging, and guided activities for the price of a budget hotel room.
What Is Temple Food Like?
Temple food is 100% vegetarian — no meat, no fish, no eggs, no garlic, no onions, no chives, no green onions, and no leeks (these five are considered stimulants in Korean Buddhism). Despite these restrictions, temple food is surprisingly flavorful and creative.
Typical meals include:
- Steamed rice with seasonal vegetables
- Various kimchi (made without fish sauce or shrimp paste)
- Tofu dishes, mushroom soups, and wild greens
- Mountain herbs and roots unique to each temple's location
Important eating rules:
- Eat in complete silence
- Finish everything on your plate — wasting food is considered disrespectful
- After eating, wash your bowl with water and drink the wash water (this is traditional — take only a small amount of food if you're unsure)
Best Temples for Foreigners
1. Geumsunsa Temple (금선사) — Seoul
Located on Bukhansan Mountain, right in Seoul. It's the most accessible temple stay for tourists who don't want to travel far from the city. The temple has English-speaking guides and offers a peaceful escape just 40 minutes from downtown.
Best for: First-timers, short trips, Seoul-based travelers
2. Golgulsa Temple (골굴사) — Gyeongju
Famous for its Sunmudo (선무도) program — a martial arts form practiced by Korean monks. You'll learn basic martial arts movements in addition to regular temple activities. The temple is built into a cliff face and has a dramatic, photogenic setting.
Best for: Active travelers, martial arts fans, unique experience seekers
3. Haeinsa Temple (해인사) — Hapcheon
One of Korea's most important temples, home to the Tripitaka Koreana — over 80,000 wooden printing blocks from the 13th century, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple is deep in the mountains and offers an incredibly serene, traditional experience.
Best for: History lovers, deep cultural immersion
4. Beomeosa Temple (범어사) — Busan
Set in the forested mountains above Busan, Beomeosa combines mountain hiking with temple culture. It's easily reached from central Busan by subway, making it perfect for a quick detour during a Busan trip.
Best for: Busan visitors, nature lovers, combining city + temple
5. Jogyesa Temple (조계사) — Seoul
Korea's most important Buddhist temple, located in central Seoul near Insadong. While it doesn't offer overnight stays, it has excellent day programs including tea ceremonies and meditation. Perfect if you can't spare a full night.
Best for: Day visitors, quick cultural experience
What Should You Bring?
- Comfortable clothes — loose, modest clothing for meditation and sleeping. Temples provide uniforms, but bring layers for early morning activities.
- Warm socks — temple floors are heated but hallways can be cold
- Toiletries — most temples have basic facilities but bring your own soap and toothbrush
- No alcohol, cigarettes, or strong perfume — these are not permitted
- An open mind — the 4 AM wake-up is tough, but it's part of the magic
Typical Temple Stay Schedule
| Time | Activity |
| 3:00 PM | Check-in, orientation, change into temple clothes |
| 4:00 PM | Temple tour + tea ceremony with a monk |
| 5:30 PM | Evening temple meal (dinner) |
| 7:00 PM | Evening chanting ceremony (예불) |
| 8:00 PM | 108 prostrations or meditation |
| 9:00 PM | Free time / lights out |
| 4:00 AM | Wake up — temple bell tolling |
| 4:30 AM | Morning chanting ceremony |
| 6:00 AM | Walking meditation or Sunmudo practice |
| 7:00 AM | Breakfast (silent meal) |
| 9:00 AM | Community work (cleaning, gardening) |
| 10:00–11:00 AM | Closing ceremony + check-out |
Photo by Pexels
How to Book a Temple Stay
- Go to Templestay.com — the official booking website (available in English)
- Search by location, date, or temple name
- Filter by "English available" to find temples with English-speaking guides
- Book and pay online
Important: Popular temples like Golgulsa and Haeinsa fill up fast, especially during spring and autumn. Book as early as possible — availability for the full year is usually published in January.
Final Thoughts
A temple stay isn't a typical tourist activity — it's a chance to slow down, disconnect, and experience a side of Korea that most visitors never see. Waking up at 4 AM to the sound of a temple bell echoing through mountain valleys is something you'll remember long after your trip is over.
It doesn't matter if you're Buddhist, spiritual, or just curious. Korean temple stays welcome everyone, and the ₩50,000 price tag makes it one of the best-value cultural experiences in the country.
Useful links:
Official Temple Stay Booking
Korea Tourism Organization
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