Yonggungsa

Our first full day in Busan we took the morning to go see Yonggungsa Temple. Katrina read a lot of great things about it and heard it was one of the few temples on the water in Korea. It was pretty easy to get to. The temple itself was amazing and I'm glad we decided to go. If you are a foreigner who enjoys going to temples in Korea, sadly you've come to realize that once you have seen one, you have seen them all. There is really not much difference in design or appearance, unlike my experiences in Japan. Although there was not much difference in the design of this temple as well, the location completely made up for it. It was truly a unique experience. I hope you enjoy the pictures below.

(After you get off the bus take a right then a left. This is the first sign you'll see to Yonggungsa)


(Not sure if this is a turtle or what. Anyway, next sign you'll see.)


(Katrina with some scary statues)


(12 zodiac creatures - well, not quite all of them, but some. They line the entrance and there is a tiny sculpture park on the way in.)


(Myself and the rat - go 1984)


(I wanted to kiss in this picture but Katrina thought it was scandalous...)


(Interesting Golden entrance of sorts. I must admit, there were quite a few gates to walk through.)


(First sighting)


(A bit of a better view of the temple)


(Soooo you see that tiny bowl in the middle of the second pond... I tried to throw a few coins in without much luck. This is from a bridge that leads to the main temple area.)


(Great shot Katrina. I like the dragon with temple in background. Can you see the little figurines close to the dragon?)


(Can you see the little Buddhist action figures now?)


(Ok, how about now? I'm not sure the custom behind this practice but they were selling this tiny dolls on the way in. I'm not sure if it's good luck or what. If you know, please enlighten me.)


(A few dragons' heads on the temple)


(Panoramic shot with Katrina's camera from the Goddess of Mercy. Mom, Dad, and Mimi - if you hit the Control button -Ctrl - this picture should come up in a new window, larger, so you can get a better view.)


(Kids praying in front of a giant, fat, golden Buddha)


(Katrina and her piggies)


(An awesome outcropping right on the ocean with a place to pray)


(Closer view with temple in the background. The gray blob to the left of the temple is the Goddess of Mercy.)


(Same picture, with me. You can also see the bridge where we threw money.)


(Goddess of Mercy watching over everything, up on the hill. Notice the stone figures in the background.)


(Stone figures with some more of the Buddhist action figures below them)


(Katrina getting her good luck as we left)

Directions to Yonggungsa: Take the 181 bus outside Haeundae Subway Station on the beach side of the station. I know there are a few other places to catch the 181 but I'm not quite sure where. Anyway, once you get on, there is a Yonggungsa stop so listen. I believe it took about 30 to 40 minutes to get there.