This time, I want to share a story about Yonggungsa Temple.
1. Osi-ria
Osi-ria is a recently burgeoning area located in Busan, often referred to as the Eastern Busan Tourist Complex. In recent times, various places such as Lotte World and IKEA Outlet have emerged there. Additionally, it is close to Hilton and Ananti Cove, allowing visitors to explore the vicinity, with well-developed walking trails.
Recently, charming cafes and restaurants have been continuously popping up in the area. Now, it has become a major tourist destination bustling with people not only during weekends but also during weekdays, alongside Haeundae and Gwangalli.
2. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Location: 86 Yonggung-gil, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan
One of the beloved tourist spots in the Osi-ria tourist complex is Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. It is a temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Typically, when one thinks of temples, images of forests and trees in the mountains come to mind, but Yonggungsa Temple stands out for its proximity to the sea, which has made it famous. Established in the 1970s, it’s a relatively new temple.
It is said to have been originally built in 1376 during the Goryeo Dynasty under the reign of King Gongmin, destroyed during the Imjin War, and restored in 1970 (though there are conflicting accounts).
Due to its suitability for watching the sunrise along with the sea, it attracts many visitors, and the harmony between lanterns and the sea on Buddha’s Birthday is splendid. Consequently, it’s a must-visit temple for foreign tourists visiting Busan, and among my acquaintances, it’s a place they eagerly want to visit when they come to Busan.
3. Transportation
Before the development of the Osi-ria tourist complex, it was quite challenging to access without a car. Now, there are regular buses such as numbers 100, 139, and 181, as well as an express bus, number 1001, at the National Fisheries Science Museum Station, with intervals of around 10 to 20 minutes, which is not bad.
There is also Osi-ria Station on the Donghae Line, but it is not recommended as it takes about 35 to 40 minutes on foot.
4. Conclusion
I believe it’s definitely worth visiting when in Busan. On a good day, the harmonious scenery of the clear view and the temple is healing. However, accessibility is not great, and there are street vendors on the way from the parking lot to Yonggungsa Temple. Prices here are somewhat on the expensive side. Therefore, personally, I recommend having a meal before visiting Yonggungsa Temple and then taking a stroll around.
Additionally, there are eight recommended scenes at Yonggungsa Temple: Morning Sunrise, Nighttime Moon, Cloud Reflections, Sunset Ending, Everlasting Waves, Poetry and Scenery, Cherry Blossom Viewing, and Night Illumination