On Location: Temple stays, K-culture & the DMZ: 7 takeaways from G’s Best of South Korea tour

At Golgulsa Temple, there’s no turndown service. 

Unless you count being folded into a 1,500-plus-year-old Buddhist martial arts tradition.

Tucked away in the forested hills of Mount Hamwolsan in Gyeongju, South Korea's oldest grotto temple is a place where guests trade hotel slippers and room service for something far more transformative.

It was here that PAX joined 12 Canadian travel advisors for a one-night temple stay, swapping everyday clothes for loose-fitting, clay-coloured uniforms (mandatory for all guests) and stepping into a cultural experience designed to nourish both body and soul.

At Golgulsa, comfort takes on a different meaning. Rooms, spread across pagoda-style buildings, are shared with fellow travellers, nights are spent sleeping on simple floor mattresses, and every meal is vegan.

The temple itself is built beneath a towering Maya Tathagata Buddha statue carved directly into a cliff face, with worship halls and meditation spaces nestled into the mountainside.

One of those spaces is a studio for “seonmudo,” a 1,500-year-old Korean Buddhist meditation practice once used by warrior monks for spiritual enlightenment and self-defence.

Designed to harmonize breath, body and mind, the discipline blends meditation, yoga-like stretching and Zen-inspired martial arts into a surprisingly demanding workout.

We give it a go. 

Our instructor moves through routines with jaw-dropping flexibility, leading us through kicks, back rolls and floor exercises that had more than a few of us discovering muscles – and balance issues – we never knew we had.

Was this a peaceful retreat or a fitness class? Neither.

It was simply another unforgettable day on G Adventures' eight-day Best of South Korea tour, which PAX joined from May 16-24 as part of an exclusive FAM for Canadian travel advisors. 

The trip was timely. 

South Korea is enjoying a surge in global popularity, fuelled by the worldwide rise of Korean pop culture—from PSY's "Gangnam Style" and boyband BTS to hit K-films, like Parasite ("Best Picture" winner at the 2019 Oscars), and Netflix sensations like Squid Game, as well as the animated film KPop Demon Hunters.

Even Rosé and Bruno Mars' catchy chart-topping pop song "APT." takes its inspiration from the "Apartment Game," a popular South Korean drinking game.

It's safe to say South Korean culture, in North America, has graduated from trend to takeover. And the country’s rising tourism numbers reflect the hype. 

South Korea welcomed a record 4.7 million international visitors in the first quarter of 2026 and is on pace to surpass 20 million inbound travellers this year, according to Yanolja Research. 

And with direct flights from Canada to Seoul on Air Canada and WestJet, it's becoming an increasingly accessible destination for Canadians.

READ MORE: On Location: Crazy for K-culture! PAX unpacks the best of South Korea with G Adventures, agents

This is a trend G Adventures – a Canadian company known for its small-group, community-focused itineraries – is watching closely.

Said Hilary Arsenault, a global purpose specialist (GPS) for Quebec and Atlantic Canada, who joined the FAM: South Korea has been “growing immensely in popularity.”

“There’s so much interest,” she said. “Every time we post pictures of South Korea [on social media], the likes and comments go crazy. It’s one of our top destinations for 2026, so this FAM couldn’t have come at a better time.”

G’s Best of South Korea tour – a round-trip loop, beginning and ending in Seoul, with stops in Gyeongju and Busan (and plenty in between) – presented a layered look at South Korea’s past and present.

As a “classic” itinerary, the journey balances must-see highlights with authentic sights, tastes and sounds, and with local interactions orchestrated by an in-the-know “chief experience officer,” also known as a CEO (G’s term for tour director).

What was it like? From K-pop to bibimbap, here are five takeaways from the trip!

1. It’s called the “Best of South Korea” for a reason

This is an itinerary that lives up to its name. From north to south, G’s “Best of South Korea” covers a lot of ground.

It all begins in Seoul, the country’s capital – a hyper-connected megacity of 9.5 million people with more than 400 neighbourhoods, sprawling green spaces and a world-class subway system.

It’s also a city of contrasts, where ancient temples stand alongside futuristic skyscrapers.

Our friendly and knowledgeable CEO, Priya, a native of Daegu (South Korea's fourth-laregst city), helped us quickly get our bearings, introducing us to both Seoul’s iconic landmarks and local hidden gems.

Among the first was Seoul’s outdoor library, tucked beside the illuminated Cheonggyecheon stream below street level. After dark, on weekends, readers gather beside individual lamps, creating a scene that feels both modern and uniquely Korean.

It was just an early glimpse into the city’s blend of innovation, community and public space.

As we explored further, we discovered just how easy Seoul is to navigate. With its spotless streets, efficient transit system and courteous locals, it felt remarkably safe to wander at any hour.

We spent evenings weaving through the shoulder-to-shoulder Myeongdong Night Market, sampling street-food favourites such as tteokbokki, hotteok and grilled seafood.

By day, we visited Bukchon Hanok Village, where restored traditional homes sit within a neighbourhood that has adopted measures to manage overtourism (like signs and patrollers, reminding visitors to keep the noise down) in orders to preserve local quality of life.

We lost ourselves in the winding lanes of Insa-dong, a maze of galleries, teahouses, cafés and restaurants.

When we had free time, we breezed through Gangnam, an affluent district with high-end boutiques and nightlife takes centre stage. This is where South Korean singer and rapper PSY drew inspiration for his 2012 viral dance hit “Gangnam Style.”

The song was such a global hit, the city installed two giant bronze hands in Gangnam, beside the COEX Mall, crossed in PSY's iconic horse-riding dance pose.

The sculpture, appropriately, plays the viral dance song when sensors detect visitors beneath.

Other standout sights, included in our tour, was the War Memorial of Korea and N Seoul Tower atop Namsan Mountain, where sweeping views reveal just how green and mountainous South Korea truly is.

Being a small group – G Adventures caps its tours at 16 people (but the average size is 12) – it was easy to stay together, even within the thickest of crowds.  

And having a local CEO came with a big advantage: insider recommendations.

Thanks to Priya, we found favourites such as Myeongdong Kyoja, a Michelin-recognized family restaurant that has been serving diners since 1966.

We also explored Namdaemun Market, Korea’s largest traditional market, where endless stalls overflow with souvenirs, snacks and everyday goods.

Even after all of that, it felt as though we had only scratched the surface. Seoul offers no shortage of ways to fill a day. 

On one free morning, we even rented e-bikes and followed the Han River’s scenic network of parks and promenades, among the city’s greatest public assets.

Another evening, we joined crowds along the waterfront to watch 400 illuminated drones choreograph a dazzling light show above the river.

The longer we stayed, the more we understood Seoul’s soul.

You could easily spend a week here, hopping between Korean BBQ restaurants, popping into the seemingly endless stream of 7-Elevens, and exploring the beauty and skincare shops that have helped make the city a global tourism hotspot.

And even then, you’d leave feeling like there was more to discover.

But after two nights, we were off, boarding a Korea Train Express train (with speeds of up 320 km/hour!) to Gyeongju, known as “the museum without walls” for its temples, burial mounds and Silla Dynasty treasures.

It was here we shared that memorable night at Golgulsa Temple and visited Yangdong Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its traditional Korean architecture; Cheomseongdae, one of the oldest surviving astronomical observatories in Asia; and the Daereungwon Tomb Complex, home to the royal burial mounds of the Silla Dynasty, which ruled Korea for nearly a millennium.

Wandering through these ancient sites, I couldn't help wishing I'd packed a whip and brown fedora. It felt like stepping straight into an Indiana Jones film.

Our next stop was Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city and a popular cruise port. This city, notably, enjoys a special place in K-pop lore as the hometown of two members of the globally renowned boy band BTS (!).

While Seoul felt energetic and ambitious, Busan emphasized seafood, beaches and laid-back waterfront vibes.

We explored Gamcheon Culture Village, a former refugee settlement that, today, is famous for its brightly-painted hillside homes, winding alleys and street art. Here, Priya gave us plenty of free time to wander at our own pace.

We also visited Jagalchi Market, one of Korea’s largest seafood markets, overflowing with live fish, octopus, crabs and other marine life.

Busan’s beautiful waterfront drew comparisons to downtown Vancouver. 

We walked through Dongbaekseom, a coastal park lined with camellia trees, and visited APEC House, with a sweeping glass façade, where the 2005 APEC Summit was held.

On our final evening, G treated us to a yacht cruise along the illuminated coastline, culminating in a spectacular firework “battle” launched from two neighbouring vessels.

The tour shifted vibes, once again, at South Korea’s Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a heavily fortified buffer zone separating North and South Korea – two nations that remain technically at war.

A form of peace tourism…or the scariest place on earth? Keep reading.

2. Obsessed with temples & palaces? You've come to the right place

South Korea is packed with temples and palaces that bring its rich history to life.

In Seoul, we visited Gyeongbokgung Palace, built in 1395 as the official palace of the Joseon dynasty by Yi Seong-gye.

Today, tourists wear colourful traditional clothing (called hanbok) for photo-taking purposes and free entry, creating the feeling of stepping into a period film.

We watched the renowned Royal Guard Changing Ceremony, framed by restored architecture and Seoul’s modern skyline.

The parade of opulent venues continued in Gyeongju at Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, where illuminated Silla-era pavilions shimmer across still waters at night.

Then came Bulguksa Temple, a UNESCO-listed masterpiece of wooden architecture and raised stone terraces. 

We walked beneath a sea of colourful paper lanterns, each carrying visitors’ prayers for health, wealth, and success.

In Busan, the centuries-old Haedong Yonggungsa Temple sits dramatically atop a rugged seaside cliff overlooking the East Sea.

But nothing matched that one-night temple stay at Golgulsa.

While the rest of G’s tour unfolds in comfortable, amenity-filled hotels, spending a night among Buddhist monks, who are also trained martial artists, offered a deeper, Zen-filled connection to South Korean culture.

“This was definitely a highlight – even when we got up at five in the morning to do meditation and chanting,” said Kitchener, ON-based travel advisor Elke Baumgartner of TravelOnly, one of the week’s participants.

Another Golgulsa highlight? Climbing a steep cliff at night, surrounded by hundreds of glowing lanterns, toward the temple’s famed rock-carved Buddha statue.

The view at the top? Enlightening!

3. South Korea is a culinary powerhouse

Every meal in South Korea felt like a special event.

One of the most unique aspects of Korean dining is the abundance of “banchan” – side dishes, such as kimchi, soybean sprouts, marinated vegetables and sauces, that accompany nearly every meal.

From crowding around a sizzling Korean barbecue grill to diving into steamy baskets of dumplings and soul-soothing bowls of noodles, every meal had us hooked.

Some of our favourite eats included shabu-shabu (Japanese hot pots, but done Korean style), bibimbap (white rice, topped with namul and gochujang, with egg and meats mixed in) and dak-galbi (spicy stir-fry chicken).

And, of course, classic Korean BBQ, where flavourful meats are cooked directly in front of guests over built-in gas stoves or charcoal grills.

4. The DMZ is a psychological rollercoaster

South Korea's Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is unlike any other travel experience.

Stretching 258 kilometres across the Korean Peninsula and about four kilometres wide, it was established in 1953 following the Korean Armistice Agreement.

Intended as a “buffer zone,” it has become the heavily fortified de facto border between North and South Korea.

A DMZ tour, which G includes, is equal parts tense, surreal, and educational. Visitors pass through military checkpoints before entering a high-developed area shaped by Cold War history and ongoing political tensions.

There’s the Dora Observatory, where powerful binoculars offer real views into North Korea, one of the world’s most isolated countries, ruled by the Kim family dictatorship, where contact with the outside world is largely restricted.

In the distance, across the border, you’ll see “propaganda villages” (staged settlements, constructed by the government, to project an illusion of prosperity), guarded outposts, and mountain landscapes.

The experience becomes more intense at the Third Infiltration Tunnel (also known as the Third Tunnel of Aggression) – one of four known tunnels under the border between North and South Korea.

Said to be dug by North Korea for the purpose of invasion, this third tunnel, discovered in 1978, lies 73 metres underground.

Wearing hard hats, visitors descend into a cramped 358-metre-long passageway, often needing to hunch over beneath the low ceiling, gaining a chilling glimpse into the peninsula’s troubled past.

Beneath the earth’s surface, the dimly-lit tunnel takes you about 170 meters away from the North Korean border. A heavy barricade stops you from going further.

Back on the surface, the DMZ, quite accidentally, is a wildlife sanctuary after seven decades of little human interference. More than 6,000 species inhabit the overgrown strip, including endangered animals such as the Siberian musk deer, Asiatic black bear, and Amur goral.

The tour also includes poignant sites such as Freedom Bridge, used by liberated prisoners of war during the Korean War. Other somber landmarks highlight the human cost of division and the separation of families for generations.

Access rules at the DMZ are strict and change frequently. Photography is banned in many areas – including in the observatory facing North Korea. Why? For security reasons, we were told. The two sides, occasionally, will still engage in psychological warfare, exchanging “trash balloons” with each other.

But perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the DMZ is its contrast.

Amid the barbed-wire fences are shops selling tacky souvenirs (such as DMZ-branded t-shirts, decorative plates and grenade-shaped water bottles) and large block-letter signs – the kind you’d expect in a place like Cancun – for taking group photos.

There’s even a colourful amusement park, full of rides, in the DMZ parking lot.

As a visitor, accepting this juxtaposition of mainstream tourism with one of the world’s most serious geopolitical frontiers may be an act of embracing the absurd (as Psychology Today once put it). 

Or, consider this local perspective that was offered: the DMZ can also be a symbol of tragedy, peace, reunification and the possibility of a different future.

Understanding it begins with seeing it. 

5. G's CEOs make the trip

The soul of any G Adventures trip is the chief experience officer (CEO) – part tour leader, part logistics wizard, part local insider.

Priya set the tone from the very start, leading the mandatory "Welcome Moment" on day one, a signature G kickoff meeting that gives travellers a chance to meet one another, ask questions and get excited about the journey ahead.

Throughout the trip, she was a walking Wikipedia of local knowledge and the glue that held the tour together.

One minute she was explaining the history behind a centuries-old temple; the next, she was helping us decipher a Korean menu, securing train tickets, pointing out the nearest ATM or directing us to the closest bathroom.

Could we have explored South Korea on our own? Sure.

But without Priya, we would have spent far more time staring at Google Maps, translation apps and train schedules – and a lot less time actually experiencing the country.

6. Tourism dollars stay in destinations

A core principle at G Adventures is that tourism can be a powerful force for good when it’s done responsibly.

The company’s non-for-profit foundation, Planeterra, connects tourism enterprises with travel markets, supporting women, youth, Indigenous, and rural communities.

The itineraries are also designed to support community-based tourism by fostering authentic connections with locals, ensuring dollars benefit the destinations being visited.

To measure the impact, the company uses a Ripple Score, which shows the percentage of trip expenditures that stay within the local economy through locally-owned accommodations, restaurants, transportation providers, and other services.

A Ripple Score of 100 means that every service used throughout the tour is locally owned – and G’s “Best of South Korea” tour has a perfect score.

This was evident throughout our entire journey. Every restaurant we visited, in addition to our drivers, guides, hotels and CEO, Priya, were all South Korean.

The only thing that felt imported was us.

7. G loves travel advisors

G Adventures has long backed travel advisors with programs that make it easier to sell – and experience – the product firsthand.

Certified agents can save 50 per cent on their own trips, plus 25 per cent for up to three companions, while preferred agency partners earn higher commission rates.

Advisors can also sell with confidence thanks to guaranteed departures—once a trip is paid for, it's going—and lifetime deposits, giving travellers added flexibility if plans change.

Then there’s groups: private departures start with eight travellers, with leaders able to choose either 50 per cent off the eighth person or 100 per cent off the 12th person on most tours.

What did advisors think of G’s take on South Korea?

"It was absolutely amazing," said Riverview, NB-based Monique Cormier of Travaway Vacations, an affiliate of Trevello. "You get a chance to visit so many different places, in a stress-free environment, because everything is organized for you."

South Korea was Cormier's second tour with G, a company whose approach to travel aligns with her own tourism values.

"They really keep the money that you spend on the trip in the community," she said.

TravelOnly's Elke Baumgartner, who has travelled with G several times over the years, landing everywhere from destinations in South America to Vietnam and Cambodia to Galapagos, echoed that sentiment.

As to what type of client she'd send to South Korea? Someone who isn't afraid to try new food, for one, "and someone who wants to see Asian culture from a different perspective than what we have at home."

"People in South Korea are so friendly,” she said. “This trip is for people who have an open mind and heart about exploring the world and seeing what else is out there."

After all, it's not just about where you go, but how you experience it – through local connections, authentic encounters and transformative moments that stay with you long after you return home.

That's what makes it an adventure. A G one.

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