Templestay is a cultural program run by many Buddhist temples in South Korea that immerses travelers in the traditions and practices of Korean Buddhism.

Artisans of Leisure can arrange templestay experiences of different lengths, including half-day visits to Buddhist temples in Seoul or nearby mountains and overnight stays at temples in beautiful countryside settings, as part of our private South Korea tours.

What can travelers expect during a templestay in South Korea? Each Buddhist temple has its own distinctive atmosphere and practices, but all offer memorable ways to experience the centuries-old spiritual and cultural traditions of Korean Buddhism.

Most templestay experiences begin with participants donning comfortable temple uniforms (a vest and pants) that are appropriate for activities around the Buddhist temple. Putting on the temple uniform also helps mark the transition from the everyday world into the sacred realm of the temple grounds.

During a guided tour of the Buddhist temple complex, monks relay the history of the temple and explain the appropriate etiquette and day-to-day rituals of temple life.

Guests have the opportunity to further interact with the Buddhist monks and learn about their lives and Buddhist traditions while participating in a tea ceremony.

Dining on vegetarian Korean temple cuisine is integral to the templestay experience. Cooking and dining at a Korean Buddhist temple is considered a spiritual practice that emphasizes gratitude and mindfulness. Guests of the temple dine together, usually in meditative silence.

A Korean Buddhist temple meal typically consists of rice, soup and side dishes such as tofu, sauteed greens and kimchi. Meals vary from temple to temple, depending on the seasons and local ingredients. (For travelers particularly interested in Korean temple food, Artisans of Leisure can arrange a templestay at Buddhist temples that are known for their cuisine.)

Travelers who opt for an overnight templestay experience will sleep in simple temple lodgings that typically resemble hanok (traditional Korean houses) on the grounds of the temple. Rooms can be shared or private, depending on the temple and the interests of the travelers. Sleeping on mats on the floor is the norm, though some templestays also offer beds.

A highlight of an overnight templestay at a Korean Buddhist temple is participating in the rhythms of monastic life, including waking before sunrise to enter the main temple building for chanting and performing the 108 prostrations, a full-body process that helps purify the mind.

Staying overnight also affords guests time to meditate privately, appreciate the temple’s historic Buddhist architecture and artworks, and hike on the trails leading into the beautiful mountain landscapes that surround many temples.

Each Buddhist temple offers unique experiences. For example, one of our favorite temple complexes near Gyeongju is a center for sunmudo (also spelled seonmudo), a traditional Korean Buddhist martial art that seeks to harmonize mind, body and breath.

Overnight guests at this Buddhist temple can also experience its other highlights, including one of the oldest cave temples in South Korea and a notable ninth-century Buddhist image carved into a limestone cliff.

Other activities we can arrange for travelers staying overnight at a Korean Buddhist temple include meditation walks, archery, horseback riding, private meetings with monks, and making Buddhist prayer beads or lotus lanterns.

Artisans of Leisure can arrange day and overnight templestays at Buddhist temples near Seoul and Gyeongju and in scenic rural locations throughout South Korea.

Contact Artisans of Leisure to begin planning a private South Korea tour that includes an immersive templestay experience at a Korean Buddhist temple combined with in-depth cultural touring at favorite destinations around the South Korea, such as Seoul, Gyeongju, Busan and Jeju Island.