Haedong Yonggungsa's halls and arched stone bridge on rocky outcrops, with blurred surf in the foreground

Religious site · Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

A Buddhist temple perched on rocks at the edge of the sea on Busan's north-east coast

Explore on the map Plan a South Korea trip

Ambient sound · similar settingSurf on a sandy beach after sunset

Photo: Dmitry Voronov (@onthecrow) / Unsplash

Discover Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

Most Korean temples hide in the mountains, which makes Haedong Yonggungsa all the more striking. Its colourful halls, stone pagoda and statues are arranged across craggy rocks on Busan's north-eastern coast, with stairways, a small arched bridge and terraces leading down almost to the water.

The sound of the sea runs through every part of a visit. Pine trees frame views along the rugged shore, and on clear days the horizon stretches out across the East Sea. It is an active place of worship as well as one of Busan's most visited sights, and the mix of devotion and scenery is what makes it memorable.

Don’t miss

01Main halls and stone pagoda set on rocky outcrops directly above the sea
02A small arched stone bridge leading across to the temple buildings
03The large seaside statue of Haesu Gwaneum Daebul, the bodhisattva of compassion
04Coastal viewpoints over waves breaking on the rocks and the open East Sea
05Lantern displays around Buddha's Birthday, when the temple is at its most colourful

History & culture

The story of Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

The Korea Tourism Organization records that the temple was first founded in 1376, during the Goryeo dynasty, by the Buddhist teacher Naong; that early date is not universally accepted. The temple was destroyed during the Imjin War of the 1590s and rebuilt in the early 1930s by the monk Ungang of Tongdosa Temple.

In 1974 the monk Jeongam became abbot and led a major restoration. According to the temple's story, during a hundred-day prayer he dreamt of Gwaneum, the bodhisattva of compassion, rising to the sky on a dragon, and the temple's name, which refers to a dragon palace, reflects this. The temple honours Haesu Gwaneum Daebul, a seaside form of Gwaneum.

Local life & traditions

For Busan residents, Haedong Yonggungsa is a place to pray for good fortune, health and success in exams, and it is especially busy at New Year and on Buddha's Birthday. Visitors will see people leaving coins, lighting candles and bowing before statues. The temple is an active religious site, so a respectful attitude towards worshippers and monks matters as much as the views.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Walk down from the entrance through the path lined with statues, then take time to follow the terraces and stairs around the complex for different views of the halls against the sea. Many visitors pause to make a wish or light a candle, and you can watch quietly as worshippers bow and pray.

Because the temple opens very early, it is a popular place to watch the sun rise over the sea. Visiting on a weekday morning offers a calmer experience than weekend afternoons, when the paths become crowded.

When to go

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for exploring the stairs and rocks. Early mornings are best year-round, both for sunrise over the sea and for fewer visitors. Buddha's Birthday (usually in May) brings spectacular lanterns but very large crowds. Summer can be hot and humid, and stormy weather may make the rocks slippery.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Opening hours: 04:30-19:20, last admission 18:50; open all year Source: english.visitkorea.or.kr ↗
Admission: Admission (as published, Oct 2026): free Source: english.visitkorea.or.kr ↗
Address: 86 Yonggung-gil, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan Source: english.visitkorea.or.kr ↗
Facilities: Parking and restrooms available Source: english.visitkorea.or.kr ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

Dress modestly and keep voices low; this is an active temple.
Wear shoes with good grip, as the stairs and rocks can be uneven and slippery.
Arrive early in the morning for sunrise views and to avoid weekend crowds.
Do not photograph people while they are praying, and follow any signs restricting photography inside halls.
The nearest railway station is OSIRIA on the Korail Donghae Line; a taxi or local bus covers the last stretch.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Haedong Yonggungsa Temple: food, markets & places to stay

The temple is in Gijang-gun on Busan's north-east coast, beyond Haeundae. The OSIRIA area nearby has newer resort and shopping developments, and OSIRIA Station on the Korail Donghae Line is the closest rail stop. Haeundae's beach, hotels and restaurants are a short drive away.