If you are planning a trip to Busan and want to visit a place where the sea, cliffs, and traditional Korean temple scenery come together, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple should be high on your list. Unlike many Korean temples that are located deep in the mountains, Haedong Yonggungsa sits dramatically along the rocky coastline of Gijang, Busan. The sound of waves, the ocean breeze, stone steps, colorful temple buildings, and open sea views create one of the most memorable temple landscapes in Korea.

Haedong Yonggungsa is also widely known as a temple where people come to make wishes. From the Twelve Zodiac Animal Statues at the entrance to the 108 Longevity Stairs, Yongmun Bridge, Daeungjeon Hall, the Seawater Great Goddess Buddha, and the coastal viewing spots, the temple offers a short but very rich walking route.

It is especially popular as a sunrise destination. Many travelers visit early in the morning to see the sun rise over the East Sea behind the temple buildings. In 2026, Haedong Yonggungsa remains one of the best places to include in a Busan itinerary, especially when combined with Osiria Tourist Complex, Songjeong Beach, the National Fisheries Science Museum, Lotte World Adventure Busan, and Haeundae.

This guide covers the temple’s basic information, entrance hours, parking, public transportation, recommended walking route, photo spots, nearby attractions, and useful travel tips for visitors in 2026.

1. What Makes Haedong Yonggungsa Temple Special?

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is located at 86 Yonggung-gil, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan. The biggest difference between this temple and many other Korean temples is its seaside location. Instead of being hidden in a mountain valley, Haedong Yonggungsa is built along the coast, allowing visitors to enjoy ocean views throughout the temple grounds.

The name Haedong Yonggungsa carries the feeling of the sea, a dragon palace, and Buddhist faith. The temple buildings are placed along rocky seaside cliffs, and the Seawater Great Goddess Buddha overlooks the ocean. Even if you are not familiar with Korean Buddhism, the scenery alone makes the visit worthwhile.

Main reasons to visit Haedong Yonggungsa include:

It is one of Busan’s most scenic seaside temples.
Visitors can enjoy both temple culture and ocean views.
The temple is famous for sunrise scenery.
Key spots such as the 108 Longevity Stairs, Twelve Zodiac Animal Statues, and Yongmun Bridge are easy to visit in one route.
Admission is free.
It can be combined with Songjeong Beach, Osiria Tourist Complex, and Haeundae.
It is suitable for couples, families, senior travelers, and solo travelers.

As you enter the temple area, you will first see the Twelve Zodiac Animal Statues. Many visitors stop here to find the animal that represents their birth year and take photos. After passing the main gate, you will reach the 108 Longevity Stairs. As you go down the stairs, the sound of the waves becomes clearer, and soon the temple appears between the sea and the rocks. This first view is one of the most impressive moments of the visit.

Inside the temple grounds, visitors can continue to Daeungjeon Hall, Yonggungdan Shrine, the Seawater Great Goddess Buddha, the release pond area, and several ocean-view points. The temple is not extremely large, but because the scenery changes at every corner, it is best enjoyed slowly.

Since Haedong Yonggungsa is an active temple where people pray and worship, visitors should be respectful. Keep your voice low, avoid disturbing worshippers, and be careful when taking photos around prayer halls. The temple is famous as a tourist attraction, but it is also a sacred place.

👉 Visit Busan: Haedong Yonggungsa Temple Guide

2. 2026 Entrance Hours, Admission Fee & Parking Information

Before visiting Haedong Yonggungsa, it is important to check the entrance hours and parking situation. As of the latest available information for 2026, admission to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is free. This makes it an easy destination to add to a Busan travel route without worrying about entrance fees.

However, free admission does not mean that visitors can enter at any time. According to available official and tourism information, the temple opens very early in the morning. Some information lists the opening time from around 4:30 a.m., which makes it suitable for sunrise visits. However, closing times may differ depending on the source, season, and temple situation. If you plan to visit late in the afternoon or evening, it is best to check the official temple website or Busan tourism information before departure.

Basic visitor information:

Address: 86 Yonggung-gil, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan
Phone: 051-722-7744
Admission fee: Free
Opening time: Early morning access is available
Late afternoon visit: Check the latest closing time before visiting
Parking: Paid parking available near the temple entrance
Suggested visit duration: About 1 to 1.5 hours
Pets: Allowed under certain conditions, such as using a carrier or muzzle, depending on guidance

Parking is available near the entrance, but it can become very crowded on weekends, public holidays, vacation seasons, and sunrise days. If you are visiting by car, arriving early in the morning is the best choice. Travelers staying in Haeundae, Songjeong, or Gijang may also consider using public transportation or a taxi to avoid parking stress.

One important thing to note is that the parking lot is paid. The parking fee may change depending on the operator or on-site conditions. It is safer to think of the temple as “free admission, paid parking.” Checking a map app or recent visitor reviews before departure can also be helpful.

Haedong Yonggungsa has many stairs and slopes. The 108 Longevity Stairs lead down to the main temple area, and visitors need to climb more stairs to reach the Seawater Great Goddess Buddha. For travelers with strollers, wheelchairs, small children, or elderly family members, some areas may be difficult to access comfortably.

Useful items to bring:

Comfortable walking shoes
Drinking water
Hat or sun umbrella
Light jacket for windy coastal weather
Portable phone charger
Wrist strap for your phone or camera
Light raincoat on rainy days
Pet carrier or muzzle if visiting with a pet

👉 Haedong Yonggungsa Official Website

3. Recommended Walking Route & Best Photo Spots

Haedong Yonggungsa is not a very large temple, but it has many beautiful points along a compact route. If this is your first visit, knowing the basic walking order will help you enjoy the temple more comfortably. During busy hours, narrow stairs and paths can become crowded, so allow at least 1 to 1.5 hours if you want to take photos and enjoy the scenery slowly.

A recommended basic route is:

Entrance Food Street → Twelve Zodiac Animal Statues → Main Gate → 108 Longevity Stairs → Yongmun Bridge → Daeungjeon Hall → Seawater Great Goddess Buddha → Release Pond & Ocean View Points → Exit

At the entrance, you will find small shops selling snacks, drinks, and souvenirs. After passing this area, you will see the Twelve Zodiac Animal Statues. This is a popular photo spot where visitors often take pictures with their zodiac animal.

The first major photo spot is the middle section of the 108 Longevity Stairs. As you go down, you can see the temple rooftops, ocean, and rocky cliffs together. Since many visitors use this stairway, take photos quickly and avoid blocking the path for too long.

The second photo spot is Yongmun Bridge and the rocky coastal area. Yongmun Bridge is one of the symbolic places inside Haedong Yonggungsa. From this area, you can see waves crashing against the rocks below. On windy days, the sea can look especially powerful. However, visitors should never lean over railings or take risky poses for photos.

The third photo spot is around the Seawater Great Goddess Buddha. After climbing the stairs, visitors can enjoy a wide view of the temple and the sea. Morning light is often soft and beautiful here, making it a good time for photography.

The fourth photo spot is the release pond and coastal viewing area. This is where the temple’s identity as a seaside temple becomes especially clear. The ocean, rocks, and temple structures appear together in one frame, creating one of the best views of the visit.

Photo tips:

Visit in the morning
The temple is usually less crowded, and the sea often looks clearer.
Wear white, beige, or light blue clothing
These colors match well with the ocean, rocks, and traditional temple colors.
Be quick when taking photos on stairs
The stairs are narrow and busy, so avoid blocking other visitors.
Include the sea in your photos
Close-up photos of buildings are nice, but the ocean and cliffs are what make Haedong Yonggungsa special.
Be careful on rainy days
Stone stairs and coastal paths can become slippery, so comfortable non-slip shoes are strongly recommended.

The atmosphere of Haedong Yonggungsa changes greatly depending on the weather. On sunny days, the blue ocean and colorful temple buildings stand out beautifully. On cloudy days, the waves and rocks create a calm and dramatic mood. At sunrise, the temple becomes even more memorable as the sky slowly brightens over the sea.

4. How to Get There by Public Transportation & Travel Tips

Haedong Yonggungsa is located in Gijang, so it is not right in the center of Busan. From Busan Station or Nampo-dong, the journey may take some time. However, it is very convenient to combine with Haeundae, Songjeong, and Osiria.

One of the common public transportation routes is to use the Donghae Line and get off at Osiria Station. From Osiria Station Exit 1, visitors can transfer to a local bus and get off near “Yonggungsa Temple / National Fisheries Science Museum.” From the bus stop, it usually takes around 10 to 15 minutes on foot to reach the temple entrance.

Public transportation tips:

From Busan Station, using the subway and Donghae Line can be convenient.
From Haeundae, taking a bus or taxi may be easier.
A taxi from Osiria Station can save time.
On weekends, both buses and roads may be crowded.
For sunrise visits, public transportation may not operate early enough, so check taxi or car options.

If you are driving, enter “Haedong Yonggungsa” or “86 Yonggung-gil, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan” into your navigation app. During peak seasons, traffic near the parking lot entrance can be slow. If you plan to visit nearby attractions after the temple, keep your schedule flexible.

It is better not to rush your visit. Haedong Yonggungsa has more stairs than many travelers expect, and it is easy to spend extra time taking photos of the ocean. If you are visiting with parents or children, a comfortable route such as “Haedong Yonggungsa → café break → Songjeong Beach walk” can be more enjoyable than a packed schedule.

Recommended time by travel style:

Sunrise visit
Best for a quiet and special atmosphere. Be careful when walking in the dark.
Around 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
A good time for both sightseeing and photography. Usually less crowded than midday.
Midday to afternoon
This can be the busiest time. Parking, stairs, and photo spots may be crowded.
Late afternoon
The light can be soft and beautiful, but check the entrance closing time first.

If you are visiting with a pet, follow the temple’s guidance carefully. Since this is a crowded temple area with stairs and narrow paths, keep your pet close and avoid long routes if the area is busy.

👉 Korea Tourism Organization: Haedong Yonggungsa Travel Article

5. Nearby Places to Visit with Haedong Yonggungsa

Haedong Yonggungsa is worth visiting on its own, but it becomes even better when combined with nearby attractions. The Gijang and Osiria area has beaches, museums, shopping spots, theme parks, and scenic cafés, making it easy to build a half-day or full-day itinerary.

A simple half-day course is:

Haedong Yonggungsa → National Fisheries Science Museum → Osiria Coastal Walk → Songjeong Beach

This route is especially good for families. After enjoying the seaside temple, you can visit the National Fisheries Science Museum for indoor exhibits related to the sea. Then, finish with a relaxing walk or café visit around Songjeong Beach.

For shopping and theme park lovers, this route is also popular:

Haedong Yonggungsa → Lotte Premium Outlets Dongbusan → Lotte World Adventure Busan → Osiria Tourist Complex

This itinerary works well for families with children or travelers who enjoy shopping. However, it may be difficult to visit every place deeply in one day. A better plan is to visit Haedong Yonggungsa in the morning and choose one or two attractions in Osiria for the afternoon.

For couples, a more scenic coastal route is recommended:

Haedong Yonggungsa → Songjeong Beach Café → Cheongsapo or Haeundae Blue Line Park → Haeundae Night View

This route focuses on ocean scenery. You can enjoy the dramatic temple coastline in the morning, a relaxed beach café in Songjeong, and a more urban seaside atmosphere in Cheongsapo or Haeundae later in the day.

For a sunrise-focused itinerary:

Haedong Yonggungsa Sunrise → Breakfast in Gijang → Songjeong Beach Walk → Haeundae

A sunrise visit gives Haedong Yonggungsa a completely different atmosphere from daytime. The sound of waves, the quiet temple grounds, and the changing colors of the sky create a peaceful and memorable experience. Since shops may not be open early in the morning, bring warm clothing and a simple drink if needed.

Useful items for nearby travel:

Comfortable shoes
Drinking water
Light jacket or windbreaker
Sunscreen
Hat
Portable phone charger
Small flashlight or phone light for sunrise visits
Non-slip shoes on rainy days
Transportation card for public transit

If you have limited time, combining Haedong Yonggungsa with Songjeong Beach is enough for a satisfying trip. If you have a full day, adding Osiria Tourist Complex and Haeundae can make your Busan itinerary even more complete.

Q&A: Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

Q1. Is Haedong Yonggungsa Temple really free to enter?

Yes. As of the latest available information for 2026, admission to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is free. However, the parking lot is paid, and parking fees may change depending on on-site operation. Visitors arriving by car should prepare for separate parking costs.

Q2. What is the best time to visit Haedong Yonggungsa?

Morning is usually the best time to visit. It is often less crowded, and the ocean views are clearer. Sunrise is also a special time to visit, but visitors should be careful when walking on stairs and coastal paths in the dark. If you plan to visit late in the afternoon, check the latest closing time before going.

Q3. Is Haedong Yonggungsa suitable for parents or children?

Yes, but visitors should know that there are many stairs. The 108 Longevity Stairs, the route to the Seawater Great Goddess Buddha, and the coastal viewing areas may require more walking than expected. If you are visiting with parents or children, move slowly and pay close attention around stairs and railings.

Conclusion

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is one of the most unique and beautiful places to visit in Busan. Its location along the rocky coast of Gijang creates a powerful combination of temple architecture, ocean views, cliffs, waves, and peaceful Buddhist scenery. While the free admission is a nice advantage, the true value of the temple is the unforgettable atmosphere created by the sea and the temple together.

For a 2026 visit, check the latest entrance hours, parking details, and transportation options before you go. Morning visits are usually the most comfortable, while sunrise visits offer a more special and quiet experience. Since the temple has many stairs and coastal paths, comfortable shoes and a safe walking pace are important.

Haedong Yonggungsa can be easily combined with Songjeong Beach, the National Fisheries Science Museum, Osiria Tourist Complex, and Haeundae. If you want to experience Busan’s ocean in a deeper and more peaceful way, this seaside temple is a destination worth adding to your itinerary.

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Haedong Yonggungsa Temple 2026 Busan Travel Guide: Hours, Parking & Sunrise Tips