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If you’ve been scrambling for a place to sleep in Busan around the BTS concert dates of June 12 and 13, consider trading a hotel room for a temple courtyard. The Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism has arranged temple stay bookings at eight temples across Busan and the surrounding South Gyeongsang province specifically for fans making the trip.
Which temples are accepting guests
Three temples sit within Busan itself: Beomeo Temple, perched on the forested slopes of Geumjeongsan; Hongbeop Temple; and Seonam Temple. Book these through the Visit Busan website.
Four more are located in South Gyeongsang province, within reasonable distance of the city: Tongdo Temple, one of Korea’s so-called Three Jewel Temples and worth a visit in its own right; Pyochung Temple; Daegwang Temple; and Seongju Temple. Reservations for these go through the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism’s official temple stay reservation site.
A fifth Busan option, Naewonjung Temple, briefly opened applications via Visit Busan but has since filled up and closed bookings.
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What to expect during your stay
A Korean temple stay is a structured experience, not a hostel with incense. Expect an early wake-up call — typically 4 or 5 a.m. — for morning meditation and the bell-ringing ceremony. Meals are simple, vegetarian monastic food eaten in silence. Most programs include a hands-on activity like making prayer beads or learning the 108 prostrations.
For international visitors, the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism is actively working with the eight temples to arrange translation support, so language shouldn’t be a dealbreaker if your Korean is limited.
Practical notes before you book
Temple stays tend to book out quickly even without a concert driving demand, so check both reservation portals as soon as the application pages go live. Dress modestly — loose, comfortable clothing is best, and many temples provide simple grey practice wear. Alcohol is not permitted on temple grounds, and most facilities have a lights-out policy well before midnight, which is worth keeping in mind if you’re planning a late night at the concert venue first.
It’s an unconventional choice, but waking up to monks chanting in a mountain temple the morning after one of the year’s biggest concerts is a combination you won’t find anywhere else.
