Haedong Yonggungsa is a Buddhist temple on the coast of Busan, South Korea, set on cliffs above the East Sea. Its Korean name is 해동 용궁사. The temple is at 86 Yonggung-gil, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, in the Gijang district of Busan Metropolitan City.
The temple was built in 1376. Few temples in Korea sit by the sea, and this one stands on rocky cliffs where the waves reach the shore below, so the setting is the first thing most visitors remember. The buildings are arranged along the rising ground, and the views out over the water change with the light and the weather.
What a visit offers
- Ocean views from the cliffs, which make the temple a good stop for anyone interested in coastal scenery.
- A quieter counterpoint to the city, since the temple lies some distance from central Busan.
- A place to see how a traditional temple can be built into a dramatic natural landscape.
Planning your trip
The temple is in Gijang, on the eastern edge of Busan, so it is best reached as a half-day outing that can be paired with other sights along the coast in the same district. Because the grounds are open to the sea and the paths follow the cliffs, comfortable shoes are a sensible choice. For current information, you can call the temple at +82-51-722-7744 before you go.
