Haedong Yonggungsa Temple: Hours, Access and Etiquette
Haedong Yonggungsa is free to enter and, according to VisitKorea, open daily from 04:30 to 19:20 with last admission at 18:50. From Haeundae Station on Busan Subway Line 2, ride bus 181 for roughly 35 to 50 minutes. Allow about an hour on site and wear shoes with grip for the 108 steps.
- Admission
- Free (VisitKorea)
- Hours
- 04:30 to 19:20, last entry 18:50, no rest days
- Getting there
- Line 2 to Haeundae, then bus 181, about 35 to 50 min
- Official site
- VisitKorea listing
What should I know before I arrive?
Hours and details checked October 29, 2026
Haedong Yonggungsa is a working Buddhist temple built on coastal rocks, not a viewpoint, so plan for stairs, sea spray and quiet manners. It stands at 86 Yonggung-gil, Gijang-gun, Busan, on the coast northeast of the city, which is unusual because most Korean temples sit in the mountains, as the VisitKorea listing notes.
- Worth knowing: Entry is free and the temple has no rest days, but the lower terraces are stone and can be damp from spray.
- A common mistake: Treating it as a quick stop between beaches. The bus ride from Haeundae alone is roughly 35 to 50 minutes each way, so give it a half day.
- Local tip: Search for it as 해동용궁사 in Naver Map or Kakao Map, because bus stops and routes can change. See our essential apps guide for the map apps that work best in Korea.
Visitor guides say the temple was founded in 1376, during the Goryeo dynasty, by the monk Naong Hyegeun. That date comes from a travel guide rather than the official page, so confirm it with the temple if it matters for your plans.
How do I get to Haedong Yonggungsa from Haeundae?
The simplest route is Busan Subway Line 2 to Haeundae Station, then bus 181 to the Yonggungsa stop; a taxi is faster but costs more. Busan Subway Line 2 serves Haeundae Station, and our Busan Metro guide explains fares and how to pay. Check the current network and fares on the Busan Transportation Corporation English site.
- Ride to Haeundae Station. Take Line 2 to Haeundae Station. Guides place the bus stop a short walk from Exit 7 (some also mention Exit 3).
- Board bus 181. Tap a T-money card. Guides report buses roughly every 15 to 20 minutes and a fare of about 1,550 won, but fares change, so confirm in your map app.
- Get off at the Yonggungsa stop. The ride takes about 35 to 50 minutes depending on traffic. Buses 100 and Haeundae 9 are also listed by guides citing Visit Busan.
- Walk to the entrance. From the stop it is roughly 700 m to 1 km along the approach road, past food stalls, before the stairs down to the temple.
A taxi from Haeundae takes about 20 to 25 minutes and, according to visitor guides, roughly 15,000 to 20,000 won on the meter, which can be worth sharing between two or more people. From Songjeong, guides describe the Donghae Line to Osiria Station, then bus 139 and about a 15-minute walk. These transport figures come from visitor guides, not an official timetable, so verify them in a live map app on the day.
What are the hours, cost and best time to go?
It is free, open from 04:30 to 19:20 every day, and calmest in the first hours after opening. Hours are from the VisitKorea listing; the temple's own site is yongkungsa.or.kr.
| Item | What to expect | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Opening hours | 04:30 to 19:20; last admission 18:50 | VisitKorea |
| Rest days | None listed | VisitKorea |
| Admission | Free | VisitKorea |
| Parking | Available (a small fee is reported by guides) | VisitKorea; visitor guide |
| Bus from Haeundae | Bus 181, about 35 to 50 min | Visitor guides |
| Time on site | About 1 hour | Visitor guides |
Guides recommend arriving early in the morning for fewer people, and warn that New Year's Day is the busiest day because of first-sunrise crowds. Because it is a coastal site, wind and rain can make the lower terraces slippery, so choose a clear day if you can.
How should I behave at the temple?
Dress modestly, keep your voice low, and ask before photographing anyone who is praying. This is an active place of worship, and the same courtesy applies as at any Korean temple. Our templestay guide covers the wider etiquette of Buddhist temples.
- Clothing: Cover shoulders and knees when you enter the main hall, according to visitor guides.
- Shoes: Remove them before stepping into the main hall (Daeungjeon). There is usually a rack outside.
- Noise and cameras: Keep noise down in the halls. Do not block worshippers with cameras, and look for signs, because some halls prohibit photos.
- Stairs: About 108 stone steps lead down; they can be uneven and wet, and there is no lift described, so wear shoes with grip.
Practical example: if you arrive at 07:00 on a weekday, you can walk down the steps while the lower terraces are quiet, photograph the sea views from the open areas, and head back up before tour groups arrive.
What can I combine with the visit?
Pair it with Haeundae or Songjeong for the rest of the day, and keep Jagalchi or Nampo for another day. The temple is far from the city centre, so a second distant stop adds a lot of transit time.
- Haeundae and Gwangalli: Return to the coast for beaches. Compare them in Haeundae vs Gwangalli.
- Songjeong: The Donghae Line connects Songjeong with the Osiria area near the temple, per guides citing Visit Busan.
- Your base: If you are still choosing where to stay, see First Time in Busan.
FAQ
Is Haedong Yonggungsa free to enter?
Yes. VisitKorea lists admission as free, and the temple is open year-round with no rest days. Parking is available, and a visitor guide reports a small parking fee for cars.
What time does Haedong Yonggungsa open and close?
VisitKorea lists 04:30 to 19:20, with last admission at 18:50. Hours can change, so check the temple's official site before you go.
How do I get to Haedong Yonggungsa from Haeundae?
Take Busan Subway Line 2 to Haeundae Station, walk to the bus stop near Exit 7 (or Exit 3) and board bus 181 to the Yonggungsa stop. Guides estimate 35 to 50 minutes depending on traffic. A taxi takes about 20 to 25 minutes.
How many steps are there at Haedong Yonggungsa?
Guides describe 108 stone steps down to the temple from road level. The way back up is the harder part, so wear shoes with grip.
Can I take photos inside the temple halls?
Photography is generally fine outdoors, but some halls prohibit it. Look for signs, avoid blocking worshippers and never photograph a ceremony without being sure it is allowed.
Official sources and useful links
Links open in a new tab. Hours and routes above can change; verify on these pages.
- VisitKorea: Haedong Yonggungsa Temple official listing with hours, free admission, address and parking
- Haedong Yonggungsa (temple website) the temple's own site, listed by VisitKorea, for announcements and events
- Visit Busan Busan's official tourism site with attractions and transport information
- Busan Transportation Corporation (English) subway lines, stations and fares for the ride to Haeundae
- Busan City: public transportation city guidance on buses and fares
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