How to Visit Haedong Yonggungsa, Busan

Last Updated on 6th October 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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Mesmerising and perched atop of white cliff faces that overlook the crashing waves below, South Korea’s most beautiful temple is often said to be Haedong Yonggungsa. A place where you can watch the sunrise and listen to the tranquil flow of the ocean, or rub the bellies of golden pigs for good fortune.

Here’s how to visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, as well as what to know before you go.

What is Haedong Yonggungsa?

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is one of three sacred places related to the Goddess of Buddha of Korea. It’s completely free to visit the temple and it’s worth noting that what makes this complex so unique is that it’s located by the sea, whereas most temples in Korea can be found in the mountains. 

Where is Haedong Yonggungsa?

The temple is located within the limits of the city of Busan, which is the second largest city in South Korea and the complex itself is around an hour’s bus ride away, to the east of the central train station.

If you visit during the spring then you can expect to find a road filled with dreamy cherry blossoms which lead toward’s the temple’s entrance. Just before you get to the entrance you’ll find a number of stalls selling various street foods and drinks. 

The best views of the complex can be found at the base of the stairs close to sea level on a rocky outcrop. Many people say that, due to the light, the best time to visit the temple is during the morning. We personally visited during the afternoon and still found the complex to be simply stunning!

Is Haedong Yonggungsa Temple worth visiting?

To put simply, yes! You may think you’ve seen all the temples after seeing a handful of them, but for a completely different visiting experience, particularly with the unique setting of this temple, it’s absolutely worth making a trip to.

A history of the Temple

Haedong Yonggung Temple, 해동 용궁사, has quite a confusing history, with no actual recorded truth to when it came to be. With claims that the foundations of the complex date back to 1376, this has apparently since been proven to be untrue.

According to the legends, Naong Hyegeun (a royal consultant during the Goryeo Dynasty) had a dream that the Divine Sea god of the East Sea came to him, instructing him to build a temple atop of Mount Bongnae. There’s very little evidence to suggest this happened, but arguably there is also none to suggest it didn’t…

As what seems to happen with most temples in Korea, the temple has been damaged and rebuilt several times over the years. Sadly, it was largely destroyed during the Japanese invasion of Korea from 1592-1598. (If there was a temple that is, we are still unsure?!) After this, it remained abandoned for many years.

It was’t until the early 1930s, when the temple was built upon and re-established by a group of monks from Tongdosa. So, the majority of the buildings you see today largely date back to the beginning of the 20th century. Everything in the temple complex feels fairly new, but is all fashioned in a traditional style.

Originally named Bomun Temple, it was dedicated to the Goddess of compassion. Today, upon visiting, you can see the large and impressive statue of her which dominates the skyline above the temple.

The temple was them renamed in 1974 after the head monk at the time, Jeong-am, experienced a vision of the Goddess of mercy riding a dragon. Giving the temple the name we know it by now, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, which translates as ‘Dragon Palace Temple of the Sea’.

The temple is considered to be one of the most beautiful in South Korea. Rare in both its setting and the deities in which the temple is devoted to, it continues to captivate all those who visit, with stunning ocean views and the intricate detail and design of the temple complex.

A visit to the Temple

Visiting the temple is one of the best things to do in Busan. All in all I would say you need to allow at least an hour or two to visit the temple. There is no entrance fee to visit, but be sure to wear appropriate clothing. There’s no rules as such, but it is considered respectful temple-wear (and always appreciated) to wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.

12 Zodiac Sign statues

Once inside the complex, you’ll be greeted by a number of statues including the 12 Chinese zodiac signs and my particular favourite, a cat bench!

Pagoda

This impressive seven-storey Pagoda is situated at the end of the line of statues. At the base of the pagoda you’ll see a prayer spot beside a replica of a car wheel, this is a spot where people can pray for traffic safety and the avoidance of car accidents.

108 steps to reach the temple

It’s then time to descend the of the many steps (108 to be precise, which is an auspicious number in Buddhism, referring to the 108 earthly temptations). This will take you towards sea level where you’ll find the Sunrise Platform, and as its name suggests this is the perfect spot to watch the sun rise over the ocean horizon. It’s also where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the temple in all its glory!

Coin Divination

This area is a little bridge which stretches from one side of the complex to the other. From this bridge, you can spy a number of statues. Here people toss coins at the statues in the water below with varying success. In hopes to make a wish, it’s said that if your coin lands in one of the stone mugs then your wish will come true.

Golden Pigs

Rub them for good luck! Thought to bring you good fortune and wealth, you can give these cute little pigs a rub on the cheek and see for yourself.

Daeungjeon Main Hall

The main temple area, which was only built in 1970, is presided over by the central Daeungjeon Main Hall. You can visit the inside areas, all of which are intricately decorated and adorned with vibrant colours and detail, in fact the more you look the more you see!

Laughing Buddha

Right next to Daeungjeon Main Hall you’ll find a golden laughing buddha statue, which is a popular photo spot for a lot of tourists who visit the temple.

Similar to the golden pig statues, this laughing buddha is considered to be a symbol of good luck, happiness, and good fortune.

How to get there

The temple complex is free to visit. Open daily from 5am-7:30pm, it’s possible to watch the sunrise if you time it right! As mentioned, there are several food vendors just before you head in to the temple where you can grab a snack and bite to eat, they usually prefer payment in cash here.

From Busan: You can take the 1001 bus from directly in front of the main train station. This will take around an hour and ten minutes. You have to pay in exact change for the bus. From the stop, it’s then a ten-minute walk through a cherry blossom lined alleyway to reach the temple.

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