Amazing Temples You Can Go While Travel Busan, South Korea
In this article, we will share to you a little simple guide of temple in Busan that you can go and visit while travel Busan, South Korea. If you really excited and interested in finding a spiritual place or maybe you’re a buddhist that want to try and experience temple in every different country, then this article is for you. Make sure you read all of this information to get the most out of it.
Busan is one of the most famous destination for tourist, second to Seoul or sometimes third to Seoul and Jeju island. However, most likely you will prefer to visit Busan as you don’t need to pay for another plane ticket to get here, just use KTX from Seoul and you will directly arrive in Busan areas.
There is a lot of surprise that you will see in busan, as Busan is not just a place for those who love beautiful beach, but also a house of breathtaking temples for those who love it. Busan temples varied a lot, some of them are having an ocean view and exactly located facing the sea, and another are on the mountain with buddha statue carved into cliff walls.
Alright then, let’s stop talking about busan and all the temples variety locations, and let’s start to dive right into it.
Beomeosa Temple (범어사)
Beomeosa Temple is located on the eastern side of Geumjeongsan Mountain, a famous mountain in Busan. It was founded by monk Uisang in 678, the 18th year of King Munmu (r. 661-681) of the Silla Kingdom. It is one of the three most famous temples in the Yeongnam region, along with Haeinsa Temple and Tongdosa Temple.
Most of the original Beomeosa Temple site was lost during the Imjin War (1592-1598) but was restored in 1613 and has remained until now. Daeungjeon Hall is considered one of the most delicate and luxurious architectures of the Joseon dynasty.
Other important sites of the temple include Iljumun Gate, a three-story pagoda with four pillars built in the 9th century; pavilions, gates, and eleven hermitages. Beomeosa Temple also operates a templestay program for visitors to learn more about the Buddhist culture and discover oneself.
Useful Informations:
Hiking Course
Beomeosa Temple parking lot – Naewonam Hermitage – Godangbong Peak – Bukmun (North) Gate – Jeongsuam Hermitage – Sanseong Village (9 km, 2 hr 40 min)
Address: 250 Beomeosa-ro, Cheongnyongnopo-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan, South Korea
Phone: +82-51-508-3122
Website: Beomeo
How to get there:
[Taxi]
Approx. 5 min from Beomeosa Station (Busan Subway Line 1)
Seokbulsa Temple (석불사)
Seokbulsa is located on the side of Geumjeong Mountain. the walls of Seokbulsa temple complex are made of mountainous rock that and this temple boast of intricate carvings of Buddhist icon. The caves are dim and dark as it only lighted by candles and a little bit of sunlight that eventually creeps in through the entrance site.
If you don’t really enjoy sports, then you might reconsider to visit this temple as the journey to this temple will require some steep climbs. However, you will got a magnificent views once you get there.
Useful Informations:
Opening Hours: 7 AM – 4.30 PM
Address: 143-79 Mandeokgogae-gil, Mandeok 1(il)-dong, Buk-gu, 부산광역시 South Korea
Phone: +82 51-332-1690
Seonamsa Temple and Cheonamsa Temple
Seonamsa Temple is located in Busanjin-gu, Busan on Mt. Baekyangsan (642 m). There is some dispute as to when Seonamsa Temple was first built, but it’s estimated to have first been built during Later Silla (668-935 A.D.). According to one legend, Baekyangsa Temple was first established by the famed monk Wonhyo-daesa (617-686 A.D.) in 675 A.D. Originally, the temple was called Gyeongangsa Temple.
Before the 15th century, the temple was relocated to its current location and renamed Seonamsa Temple. In fact, it was renamed Seonamsa Temple in 1483 by the monk Gakcho. Seonamsa Temple, in English, means “Immortal Rock Temple.”
Seonamsa Temple is home to a handful of Busan Cultural Properties like a Joseon Dynasty Gwaebul (Large Buddhist Banner Painting). And it also participates in the popular Korean Temple Stay Program (in Korean).
Other than that, Seonamsa is located so close to Cheonansa, so its a good idea to visit both of them together. to be exact, it is located at the foot of it. This temple is not really one of the great temple you must visit, however it’s so close then you can just look around at it as you pass by from Seonamsa.
This temple is good for people who hate the crowd as this temple is not popular among the other temple in busan areas. Just follow the road down from Seonamsa pass a large school and turn left to the end of the road. Then you ca njust follow a trail that going down to the valley and you will see Cheonansa.
Useful Informations:
Address: Danggam 4(sa)-dong, Busan, South Korea
How to get there:
From the Dongui University subway stop, which is #222 on the line #2, you’ll need to take a taxi up to Seonamsa Temple. It should cost about 5,000 won, and the taxi ride should take about ten minutes.
Taejongsa Temple
Taejongsa is located on the slopes of a forested hill in Taejongdae Resort Park, a coastal park which occupies the southern end of Yeongdo (Yeong Island), a large island located south of the Busan city center and Busan Port.
Taejongdae resort park is actually one of the must visit attractions in Busan areas, famous both for locals and foreigners traveling to busan. Because the park is quite large, most people ride the “Danubi Train” (a cutely painted “train” on wheels pulled by a truck) on the 4.3-kilometer circular route around it, and Taejongsa is the third and final stop before returning to the park entrance.
Gumyeongsa temple is also located in Taejongdae Park near to Taejongsa temple, however, you can’t use the Danubi train to visit this temple as the train doesn’t stop at Gymnyeongsa. The most beautiful views of Taejongdae park is that the coastal views from the observation deck and also Yeongdo Lighthouse. Both of this will be the first and second stop of the Danubi Train.
Address: 119 Jeonmang-ro, Dongsam-dong, Yeongdo-gu, Busan, South Korea
Opening Hous: 09.00-18.00
Phone: +82 51-405-2626
Samgwangsa Temple (삼광사)
Samgwangsa Temple is the second temple of the Cheontae Order in Korean Buddhism. The temple nestled in the hillside of the Baegyangsan Mountain where the clear view of Busan city comes into sight.
Samgwangsa Temple is known to blend contemporary and traditional aspects of Buddhism harmoniously, and as a result, the temple is noted to have played an active role in modernizing Korean Buddhism as well as promoting Buddhism internationally and integrating the religion with popular culture.
The best time to visit Samgwangsa is during Buddha’s Birthday, when the entire temple is beautifully illuminated with colorful lanterns. However, usually it’s really crowded during this special event, so consider going in the early morning or late night to witness the temple in it’s fullness.
Useful Informations:
Address: 77 Choeupcheon-ro 43beon-gil, Choeup-dong, Busanjin-gu, Busan, South Korea
Phone:+82-51-808-7111
How to get there:
[Bus]
From Busan Station, walk to the bus stop in front of Exit 10 of Busan Station, take Bus No. 81 and get off at Samgwangsa Temple Entrance Bus Stop.
[Subway]
From Busan Station, take the subway and get off at Seomyeon Station (Busan Subway Line 1).
Walk to the bus stop in front of Medical Centre located opposite of the Lotte Department Store) to take Bus No. 15 and get off at Samgwangsa Temple Bus Stop.
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple (해동 용궁사)
If you only want to visit one temple as you travel Busan, then Haedong Yonggungsa is the one you want to choose.Haedong Yonggungsa is really different from the other temple in Busan areas as it is located on the coast overlooking the East Sea in South Korea.
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is unique in both its geographic location (it’s one of the few Korean temples built on the seaside) and its provenance. The temple was founded by Naong Hyegeun, a royal consultant who dreamed a sea god spoke to him and instructed him to build the temple to save the people of Korea from hardship.
This temple is referred also as The Water Temple for it’s breathtaking coastal views facing to it. This temple possibly one of the world’s most picturesque temples in the world. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple was built directly into the rocky outcroppings lining the East Sea.
You can reached this place via a wooden bridge. This temple was originally constructed in the 14th century, subsequently destroyed during the 16th century Imjin War with the Japanese, and then rebuilt in the 1970s.
Useful Informations:
Address: 86, Yonggung-gil, Gijang-gun, Busan
부산광역시 기장군 기장읍 용궁길 86
Opening Hours: 05 AM – Sunsets
Phone: +82-51-722-7744
How to get there:
[Subway + Bus]
Haeundae Station (Busan Subway Line 2), Exit 7.
Take Bus No. 181 and get off at Yonggungsa Temple Bus Stop.
Hongbeopsa Temple
Hongbeopsa is located in Geumjeong dugu-dong, Busan. This temple is a house to the largest buddha statue in all over south korea. The statue is 69 foot tall or around 21 metres, seated atop of 148 foot tall, or around 45 metres building, which just makes this bronze statue an icon and a great display afar off from this locations.
Other than that, this temple is also houses a tons various plants and flower species that also change by seasons. Other than that, you can see a dozens of Buddha statues, kimchi jars and lotus ponds all around it to make it a lot more like a meditation and temple stay experience. Talk about temple stay, they also offer you a temple stay program to experience a real buddhist life.
Useful Informations:
Address: 1220-1 Dugu-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 609-370, South Korea
Opening Hours: 06 AM – 24 PM
Phone: +82 51-508-0345
How to get there:
[Bus]
From Dong Seoul Bus Terminal, take a bus to Nopodong Intercity Bus Terminal.
From Nopodong Intercity Bus terminal, take a shuttle to the temple.
How do you think about Busan temple? Do you like to visit temples as you travel? Let us know in the comments section below!
