A temple on rocks, facing the sea? It's Haedong Yonggungsa in Busan.

After checking in, we took a short rest and then left for Haedong Yonggungsa  해동용궁사, a temple which is no doubt, unique of its kind. Besides a place for worship, what makes the temple unique and now a tourist must-go is that Yonggungsa temple sits on a rock facing the sea, whereas most temples in Korea are located in the mountains. 

At the entrance, you will see twelve signs of the (Chinese) zodiacs - Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. In the Chinese and Korean culture, each calendar year is marked by an animal, which is deemed to have specific characteristics that are shared by people born in a specific year. 

Legend had it that Buddha called all animals of the world when he was about to leave this world, but only twelve came. Buddha named each year after these twelve animals in the order they arrived. The rat arrived first and the ox came next, followed by the tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. Hence, they became the zodiacal animals we know today.

Further up, you'll see a Traffic Safety Prayer Pagoda, which road users pray to for safety.

Traffic Safety Prayer Pagoda

After descending 108 steps, the beauty of the temple can be seen.  The 108 steps in Buddhist temples symbolizes the journey to enlightenment, although some say 108 represents the hundred and eight agonies and suffering in mankind.

108 steps and stone lanterns

Halfway through the stairs, you can catch a glimpse of the magnificent and peaceful view already. From here, you can get some great pictures of Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. The white bridge (picture below) connects to the main temple, shrine hall, pagoda and Goddess of Mercy statue (via a separate flight of stairs).

As you’re crossing over the bridge, you can toss a coin into the turtle-shaped statues to make a wish. I tried, and failed. Sad. Not exactly an auspicious day for me. Heh!

Or you can climb down to the rock stones if you wish to take the picture from a different angle.

Sound of waves, peaceful on top of peaceful.

Golden Buddha

The Dragon King / King of Ocean

You will see a lot of Buddha statues in different sizes and colors around the temple, which devotees pray to so different blessing are bestowed upon them, for e.g. happiness, academic achievement, love, wealth, health, fertility, (there's a Buddha of Granting A Son statue, mm-hmm) etc.

Laughing Buddha

Guan Yin, Goddess of Mercy, known for her compassion and loving nature

If you’re in Busan, pay Yonggungsa temple a visit. It's breath-taking and undeniably, it is one of the most picturesque temples in all of Korea.

How to get here?

1. Alight at Haeundae Station (Busan Subway Line 2), and get out from Exit 7. 

2. Take Bus #181 and get off at the Yonggung National Fisheries Research 용궁사 국립수산 과학원 stop. When the bus announces ‘Yonggungsa’, it's time to alight. It takes about 20-25 minutes to get here from Haeundae station.

3. From the stop, walk approximately 15 minutes up the steep road.