Haedong Yonggungsa Temple in Gijang, Busan, is open every day from 04:30 to 19:20, and the last entry is at 18:50. Admission is free. Official listings do not all show the same hours, so if your visit falls very early or late in the day, call the temple at +82-51-722-7744 before you set out.
If you drive, the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple parking lot charges a fee; ask about the rate on the same number. Without a car, the simplest route is the Donghae Line to Osiria Station, then bus 139 or express bus 1001.
What are the opening hours, and when is the last entry?
According to VISITKOREA, the temple is open 04:30–19:20 with last admission at 18:50, and it is open all year round. VisitBusan lists the same hours. If you walk in right at 18:50, you only have 30 minutes before the gates close at 19:20, so plan to arrive earlier if you want to see the whole site.
When to call ahead
Because the hours are not listed identically everywhere, call +82-51-722-7744 to confirm before an early-morning or last-minute visit, and ask about the parking fee on the same call. For help in English, the Korea travel hotline 1330 is another option.
The 04:30 opening makes the temple a good choice for an early look at the sea. At the far end of the grounds, a coastal walk leads to Sunrise Rock, and the path links with Haeparang-gil Course 1.
Temple halls and a white footbridge rising from the coastal rocks. 2010, Park Hye-min, CC BY-SA 3.0. Source Wikimedia Commons.
Is there an admission fee, and where do I park?
There is no admission fee; entry is free. VisitBusan lists the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple Parking Lot as charged, so call +82-51-722-7744 for the current rate before you drive.
The Korea Tourism Organization’s accessible-travel site, Barrier-free Travel (Korean), lists 5 accessible parking spaces. An accessible restroom is also available.
Key facts at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Daily 04:30–19:20, open all year |
| Last entry | 18:50 |
| Admission | Free |
| Parking | Haedong Yonggungsa Temple Parking Lot, charged; call for the rate |
| Accessible parking | 5 spaces |
| Phone | +82-51-722-7744 |
| Address | 86, Yonggung-gil, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan |
Can I bring my dog?
VisitBusan says pets may enter in a carrier or with a muzzle. The grounds are full of stairs and bridges, so keep your pet on a short lead and close by.
Stone zodiac figures, a monkey in front, standing under pine trees. 2012, Ken Eckert, CC BY-SA 4.0. Source Wikimedia Commons.
How do I get there by public transport?
VisitBusan lists three ways in: the Donghae Line to Osiria Station and a bus, Busan Metro Line 2 to Haeundae Station and a bus, or the Busan City Tour Bus from Busan Station. From Osiria, expect a walk of about 15 minutes after you get off the bus.
From Osiria Station (Donghae Line)
Leave Osiria Station by Exit 1 and take bus 139 or express bus 1001 from the Osiria Station stop. Get off at the “Yonggungsa·National Fisheries Research Institute” stop and walk about 15 minutes to the temple. It is a single transfer from the train.
From Haeundae Station (Line 2)
Leave Haeundae Station by Exit 7 and take bus 181, 100 or Haeundae 9, then get off at Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. This route works well if you are staying near Haeundae Beach.
By Busan City Tour Bus
Board the Red Line at Busan Station, transfer to the Haeundae Beach Bus (Blue Line), and get off at Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. It suits visitors who want to combine Haeundae and Gijang in one day.
The white Haesu Gwaneum Daebul statue, with visitors at its base. 2017, S099001, CC BY-SA 4.0. Source Wikimedia Commons.
What is the best order to walk around the temple?
VisitBusan suggests starting at the twelve zodiac statues, passing the Iljumun gate and the 108 steps, crossing Yongmungyo Bridge, then climbing the stairs beside the main hall to the Haesu Gwaneum Daebul statue. From there, the coastal walk continues to Sunrise Rock. Yongmungyo is known as the bridge where visitors toss coins and make a wish.
Easy-to-miss sights
Gijang County’s tourism page lists the Iljumun gate, the 16 Arhat statues, the reclining Buddha in Gwangmyeongjeon Hall, Hongryonggyo Bridge, and the 108 longevity steps. The sea views tend to grab your attention first, so keep the reclining Buddha and the Arhat statues in mind and look for them on purpose. The 108 steps go up and down, so take breaks if anyone in your group has sore knees.
A short history
According to VISITKOREA, the temple was founded in 1376 by the monk Naong, burned down during the Imjin War, and was rebuilt in the early 1930s by the monk Ungang of Tongdosa Temple. When the monk Jeongam became head monk in 1974, the temple took its current name. Its setting on rocks right at the water’s edge sets it apart from Korea’s mountain temples.
Daeungbojeon, the main hall, behind a stone balustrade with other halls around it. 2018, De-Shao Liu (Terry850324), CC BY-SA 4.0. Source Wikimedia Commons.
FAQ
Q. What time does Haedong Yonggungsa Temple open and close?
A. It is open daily 04:30–19:20, with last entry at 18:50. Listings vary, so call +82-51-722-7744 before you go.
Q. Is there an entrance fee?
A. No. Admission is free.
Q. Is parking free?
A. No. The Haedong Yonggungsa Temple Parking Lot is charged; call +82-51-722-7744 for the rate. There are 5 accessible parking spaces.
Q. How do I get there from Osiria Station?
A. Take Exit 1, ride bus 139 or express bus 1001 to the “Yonggungsa·National Fisheries Research Institute” stop, then walk about 15 minutes.
Sources
- VISITKOREA — hours, admission, history
- VisitBusan — address, transport, parking, pets
- KTO Barrier-free Travel (Korean) — accessible parking and facilities
- Gijang County Culture & Tourism (Korean) — free admission, nearby paid parking, temple sights
- Featured photo: Haedong Yonggungsa Temple at dusk, VaneTrz20 (2023), CC0, Wikimedia Commons
Leave a Reply