Haedong Yonggung Temple & The Seaside Views In Busan

Buddhist temples are not terribly difficult to stumble upon while in Korea. There are temples in the middle of Seoul daring those that enter to just try and find quiet solitude and there are temples dotting the mountains across the country so any hike becomes that much more interesting with the addition of a tour of one. Rarely, though, do you find a seaside temple in Korea.

Haedong Yonggung Temple (해동용궁사), which means Korean Dragon Palace Temple, is probably the most popular and widely known seaside temple in South Korea and it truly does live up to the hype that brings so many visitors to its gates in Busan, Korea. Want to see it for yourself? Read on and see what you need to know.

Here’s the info you can find in this post, if you want to skip around:

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How To Get There

Address: 416-3 Silang-ri Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan (부산광역시 기장군 기장읍 시랑리 416-3)

Busan City Tour Bus: If you don’t live in Busan but want to get to all of the major sites, definitely look into getting a Busan City Tour Bus Day Pass. You can see so many of the major tourist sites all in one go including Haedong Yonggungsa Temple.

By Subway/Bus: Make sure you have your T-Money card and take the subway to the last stop on the green line, Jangsan Station and from there either catch bus 181 or grab a taxi to the temple. From the bus stop, walk up a road about 500 meters that leads to the temple. It’s the only road around so it can’t be missed.

If you’ll be visiting Busan, make sure you know where to stay near the things you want to see. The city is long so if you want to see things on the east side, don’t stay on the west side! Check out my guide to hotels in Busan to help you figure out the best areas to stay in for you! Which neighborhood will suit you? Let’s find out.

Tours of Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

Busan Day Tour with kkday: Join a day tour in Busan to see Haedong Yonggungsa Temple along with Gamcheon Culture Village and the must see Taejongdae as well. You’ll get all of the top Busan sites in one day and do it the easy way with a guide and transportation covered. Check out the tour on kkday here.

Busan Private Car Charter with Driver & Guide: Klook has a great option if you have a group and want to get around to the top sites together easily and in your own private van or minibus. Busan Course A includes Haedong Yonggungsa Temple along with a skywalk, the Gamcheon Culture Village, Jagalchi Market and more. Check out this option here on Klook.

Basic Temple Info

Admission: FREE

Amenities: restrooms, food, souvenir shops, parking lot

Website: http://www.yongkungsa.or.kr/

Food Vendors: The temple has become so popular that now leading to it from the parking lot are numerous vendors selling all kinds of street foods and seafood items. You can definitely eat in the area.

History of Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

First founded in 1376 by venerable monk Naong, an advisor to King Gongmin, during the Goryeo Dynasty, it was destroyed like so many others during the Japanese invasions and the one currently standing wasn’t rebuilt until the 1930s with additions added on in the 70s and 2000s.

The story goes that the original temple was built by monk Naong after the Divine Sea God of the East Sea appeared in his dream and instructed him to build a temple. The temple was originally named Bomun Temple (보문사) but this temple was destroyed in 1592 during the Imjin War with Japan and wasn’t rebuilt for over 300 years. Upon reconstruction headed by the venerable monk Ungang, it was renamed Haedong Yonggung Temple.

This temple is one of the must see sites in Busan, the second largest city in the country. While Jogyesa Temple or Bongeunsa Temple in Seoul are the most touristy in the capital, Haedong Yonggungsa is definitely the most popular in Busan. Make sure to visit this and the various other sites that are must see. To learn more about where you need to go, what you need to see and what you need to try, check out this guide to Busan before you go.

Twelve statues representing the twelve signs of the zodiac first welcome visitors toward the temple followed by a nine story pagoda ushering people through a golden dragon gate leading to steps that lead to the coast. Down the lantern lined 108 steps that represent the 108 agonies of earthly desire of Buddhism, visitors come to a bridge that leads to the main temple complex.

Numerous statues and shrines including a large golden dharma smiling broadly, a granite statue of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Gwanseeum-bosal, and the Yacksayeorae Healing Buddha sit around the complex and beckon those that have traveled to this spot to take in a few moments of silence in between the crowds of tourists as well as get in some photos. Every angle of this temple is beautiful and provides some great scenic views.

To the left of the main hall you’ll find my most favorite part of this temple, the very happy golden statue of Podaehwasang. Visitors line up to take a photo with this very happy faced statue. From here, you’ll follow the path around to find some steps that lead up to the overlook and another tall statue you need to see.

The statue at the top is the Bodhisattva of Compassion, or Gwangseeum-bosal. Take in the view and enjoy before heading back down the uneven steps. Actually, speaking of views, this temple is not the only seaside temple in Korea though that’s a common misconception. If you want to find another seaside temple that is pretty amazing as well, don’t miss a visit to Naksansa Temple on the east coast of Korea.

Wonder what all of the colors on a Korean Buddhist temple are for? Wonder what they symbolize? Learn more about dancheong before you go so you can really appreciate everything that you’re seeing at Haedong Yonggung Temple.

FAQ

Is Haedong Yonggungsa Temple worth visiting?

I’m guessing you’re wondering how many Korean Buddhist temples should you have in your Korean itinerary. Will this be one too many? One too similar to the others you might see in Seoul or elsewhere? Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is a unique experience and there’s just something about the sea breezes and calming temple surroundings. I say it’s worth it.

How much time should I spend at Haedong Yonggungsa Temple?

You should plan to spend between an hour and an hour and a half at this temple site. It’s not a huge complex, but there are snack and souvenir vendors and it all makes for a fun area to walk around for about that amount of time.

Is Haedong Yonggungsa Temple better at sunrise or sunset?

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is the place to watch the earliest sunrise among the temples in Busan. It’s said to b quite beautiful at that time.

Where To Stay In Busan

Ananti Hilton Busan

The gorgeous ocean views are more than enough to make this hotel a must stay but if you need more, the rooms are spacious and the staff incredibly helpful. Want to stay at the best hotel in the city? This is definitely your spot.

Book your stay here on Booking.com or on Agoda.com

Park Hyatt Busan

In the popular Haeundae district, this 5-star luxury hotel has all of the chic appeal any visitor could want. Enjoy a massage at the amazing Lumi Spa and then take a dip in the 19 meter indoor pool. Want to arrive in style, use the limousine transfer service from the train station or airport.

Want to live the high life in Busan, Check out this amazing hotel on Booking.com or on Agoda.com