Visit seaside clifftop Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Busan, South Korea • 
Must Do
Must DoBusan, South Korea
Must Do
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Best months to visit
Apr, May, Jun
10°C – 18°C, april in busan brings mild and sunny weather, making it one of the most pleasant times to visit, high crowds, peak season
10°C – 18°C, april in busan brings mild and sunny weather, making it one of the most pleasant times to visit, high crowds, peak season
Walking required
Yes
Many stairs and uneven paths challenge wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
Many stairs and uneven paths challenge wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
Value for money
High
Free entry for stunning views and unique coastal temple experience.
Free entry for stunning views and unique coastal temple experience.
Highlights we curated for you
See what similar travellers think of this activity
C
Reviews from other travelers
Summarised by AI
Ocean Views
Couples loved the panoramic ocean views and beautiful temple architecture, perfect for photos.
Sunrise Serenity
Visiting at sunrise offered a truly magical and peaceful experience for two.
Unique Temple
A rare seaside temple, offering a memorable and spiritual visit away from the usual.
Heavy Crowds
Can get extremely crowded, making it hard for couples to find quiet moments.
Many Stairs
Be prepared for many steps; challenging if you're not wearing comfortable shoes.
Taxi Issues
Beware of fake taxi drivers outside; recommend using ride-hailing apps for safety.
Hours of operation
Monday
05:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Tuesday
05:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Wednesday
05:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Thursday
05:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Friday
05:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Saturday
05:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Sunday
05:00 AM - 07:00 PM
In-depth experience
May contain spoilers
Watch curated videos from fellow travellers for a glimpse of what to expect.
Experience captivating virtual tour of Haedong Yonggungsa Temple.
Join a duo on a visit to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple.
When to visit
We've analysed user reviews and geographical data, and identified the best and worst months to visit.
Month
Crowd Level
Weather
Availability
Our recommendation
May
MEDIUM
14-22°C
May in Busan marks the transition from late spring to early summer, offering generally pleasant and warm weather. There is abundant sunshine, but noticeable day-to-night temperature differences mean mornings and evenings can still be cool. It can also be breezy.
May in Busan marks the transition from late spring to early summer, offering generally pleasant and warm weather. There is abundant sunshine, but noticeable day-to-night temperature differences mean mornings and evenings can still be cool. It can also be breezy.
Open
The temple is open daily from approximately 05:00 to 19:00. It is built on a hillside with steep paths and stairs, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
The temple is open daily from approximately 05:00 to 19:00. It is built on a hillside with steep paths and stairs, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
Recommended
May is an excellent time to visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple due to the pleasant weather, which is ideal for outdoor activities and exploring the temple grounds. While it is considered peak season for Busan, the crowds at the temple might be more manageable compared to the summer months. Be prepared for temperature swings between day and night.
May is an excellent time to visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple due to the pleasant weather, which is ideal for outdoor activities and exploring the temple grounds. While it is considered peak season for Busan, the crowds at the temple might be more manageable compared to the summer months. Be prepared for temperature swings between day and night.
June
MEDIUM
19-25°C
June brings warm temperatures to Busan, marking the start of the summer rainy season. While conditions are generally pleasant for sightseeing, rain is common, and showers can be heavy. The weather is humid.
June brings warm temperatures to Busan, marking the start of the summer rainy season. While conditions are generally pleasant for sightseeing, rain is common, and showers can be heavy. The weather is humid.
Open
The temple is open daily from approximately 05:00 to 19:00. It is built on a hillside with steep paths and stairs, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
The temple is open daily from approximately 05:00 to 19:00. It is built on a hillside with steep paths and stairs, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
Recommended
June is a good time to visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, offering warm weather suitable for outdoor activities. However, visitors should be prepared for occasional heavy showers as it is part of the rainy season. Crowds are moderate but increasing as the summer season begins.
June is a good time to visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, offering warm weather suitable for outdoor activities. However, visitors should be prepared for occasional heavy showers as it is part of the rainy season. Crowds are moderate but increasing as the summer season begins.
July
HIGH
23-29°C
July is a warm to hot and muggy month in Busan, typically the wettest month of the year due to the monsoon season. Rainfall can be torrential, and it is generally the least sunny month.
July is a warm to hot and muggy month in Busan, typically the wettest month of the year due to the monsoon season. Rainfall can be torrential, and it is generally the least sunny month.
Open
The temple is open daily from approximately 05:00 to 19:00. It is built on a hillside with steep paths and stairs, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
The temple is open daily from approximately 05:00 to 19:00. It is built on a hillside with steep paths and stairs, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
Not recommended
Visiting Haedong Yonggungsa Temple in July means contending with hot, humid, and very wet weather, along with significant crowds. While it's peak beach season, outdoor sightseeing can be challenging due to the heat and heavy rainfall. Mornings tend to be drier, which might be a better time for a visit.
Visiting Haedong Yonggungsa Temple in July means contending with hot, humid, and very wet weather, along with significant crowds. While it's peak beach season, outdoor sightseeing can be challenging due to the heat and heavy rainfall. Mornings tend to be drier, which might be a better time for a visit.
August
HIGH
24-30°C
August is the hottest and most humid month in Busan, with frequent and intense showers as part of the rainy season. Conditions are generally muggy, making outdoor activities draining.
August is the hottest and most humid month in Busan, with frequent and intense showers as part of the rainy season. Conditions are generally muggy, making outdoor activities draining.
Open
The temple is open daily from approximately 05:00 to 19:00. It is built on a hillside with steep paths and stairs, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
The temple is open daily from approximately 05:00 to 19:00. It is built on a hillside with steep paths and stairs, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
Not recommended
August is generally not recommended for visiting Haedong Yonggungsa Temple due to the oppressive heat, extreme humidity, and very high crowd levels. While it's still peak beach season, outdoor sightseeing can be uncomfortable. Mornings might offer slightly better conditions before the heat and crowds intensify.
August is generally not recommended for visiting Haedong Yonggungsa Temple due to the oppressive heat, extreme humidity, and very high crowd levels. While it's still peak beach season, outdoor sightseeing can be uncomfortable. Mornings might offer slightly better conditions before the heat and crowds intensify.
How to get there
Bus
Recommended
From Haeundae Station (Busan Metro Line 2, Exit 7), take Bus 181, 100, 1001, or Haeundae-gu 9. Get off at the Yonggungsa Temple (용궁사) or National Institute of Fisheries Science (국립수산과학원) stop. From there, it's a 5-15 minute walk (approximately 40m-500m) to the temple entrance.
Car
Recommended
Drive to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. A paid parking lot is available on-site (e.g., ₩2,000 for 30 minutes, ₩500 for every 10 minutes after, max ₩20,000). From the parking lot, follow the line of shops and vendors to the temple entrance.
Taxi
Recommended
Taxis offer a direct and convenient route. From Haeundae Station or Beach, a taxi ride typically takes about 20-25 minutes and costs approximately ₩8,000-₩10,000. From downtown Busan, expect about a 30-minute ride costing around ₩20,000-₩30,000. Taxis can drop you close to the temple entrance.
Bike
Cycling routes are available, with the coastal route from Songjeongju to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple being relatively flat. However, sections from Haeundae to Songjeongju involve steep slopes. The final stretch from the main road to the temple also has some inclines.
Metro
Take Busan Metro Line 2 to Haeundae Station (Exit 7), then transfer to a local bus (181, 100, 1001, or Haeundae-gu 9) to the Yonggungsa Temple stop, followed by a 5-15 minute walk. Alternatively, take the Donghae Line to Osiria Station (Exit 1), then either walk for 25-30 minutes or take Bus 181 or 139 to the temple's vicinity.
Train
Take the Donghae Line to Osiria Station. From Osiria Station, you can walk for approximately 25-30 minutes or take local Bus 181 or 139 to the Yonggungsa Temple stop, followed by a short walk to the temple entrance.
Walking
From the nearest bus stops (Yonggungsa Temple stop), it's a 5-15 minute walk (40m-500m) to the temple entrance. From Osiria Station, it's about a 25-30 minute walk. A scenic coastal walk from Ananti Cove is approximately 25 minutes. The temple complex itself involves descending 108 steps.
Additional info
Here's what you need to know about this experience
Mobility
Wheelchair Accessible
Walking Required
Stairs Present
Seating Available
Flat Terrain
Hiking Required
Elevator Available
Mobility Scooter Friendly
Ramps Available
Pregnancy
Not suitable for pregnancy
Allowed during pregnancy
Pets
Pets not allowed
Driving
Driving License Required
Idp Required
