Haedong Yonggungsa Sea Temple & Haeundae Beach Walk

Haedong Yonggungsa is one of the most striking temples in Korea. Most Korean Buddhist temples stand in the mountains, but this one sits on a rocky headland on the coast of Busan, facing the East Sea, with waves breaking against the rocks below its halls. It was founded in the fourteenth century, destroyed during the Japanese invasions of the late sixteenth century, and rebuilt in 1930 and again in the 1970s.

The tour begins at 9:00 AM at Haeundae Station, where your temple guide meets you for the drive to Yonggungsa, around half an hour along the coast. Arriving in the morning means fewer visitors than at midday or on weekends. The temple is especially busy at dawn on the first day of the lunar new year, when many people come to pray for good luck.

From the entrance, a path leads through a corridor of statues of the twelve zodiac animals, then down a long stairway of stone steps towards the sea. The stairs, often referred to as the one hundred and eight steps, a number with significance in Buddhism, are lined with stone lanterns and carved dragons. Below, the main prayer hall, a shrine to the goddess of mercy, sits on the rocks with the sea at its feet.

Around the temple, several statues and shrines add to the atmosphere, including a giant golden Buddha, a stone pagoda, a shrine for prayers for exam success and another for children. Your guide explains the customs of Korean Buddhism, how to make an offering and what the symbols mean. Visitors are invited to make a wish by lighting a candle or tossing a coin.

The best views are from the terrace overlooking the sea, especially in the morning, when the sun rises over the waves. On a clear day, the coast stretches away in both directions. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom around the temple.

After the temple, the tour continues by bus or taxi to Haeundae Beach, one of the best-known beaches in Korea. Its long crescent of pale sand is backed by a line of high-rise buildings, hotels and restaurants, and in summer it is packed with visitors. In the off-season, it is quieter, and a walk along the sea front, past the Dongbaek Island promenade with views over the bay, is enjoyable. Nearby, Haeundae's market has street food such as fish cakes and hotteok, sweet filled pancakes.

The best times to visit are spring and autumn. Summer is hot and humid, with typhoons possible in late summer, and winter is cold but clear.

Dress modestly for the temple, wear comfortable shoes for the stairs, and be prepared to walk.

The tour lasts around five hours. A temple guide, transport between the temple and the beach, temple entry and the beach walk are included. Meals are not.