How Do You Get to Beomeosa Temple in Busan, and Is It Free?

What Beomeosa is

Beomeosa (beomeo means "fish from heaven") is one of the head temples of the Jogye Order, Korea's largest Buddhist order, and is traditionally dated to 678, founded by the monk Uisang during the Silla period. Most of the current buildings were rebuilt after the temple burned during the Japanese invasions of the 1590s.

It is a working monastery, not a museum. You walk up through a series of gates, including the stone Iljumun (one-pillar gate), into terraced courtyards with the main hall, bell pavilion and smaller shrine halls, all painted in the green, red and blue dancheong patterns. Around Buddha's Birthday in spring the courtyards are hung with thousands of paper lanterns, and autumn foliage peaks in roughly late October to early November.

How to get to Beomeosa: Metro Line 1 and bus 90

• Metro: ride Busan Metro Line 1 (the orange line, which also serves Busan Station, Nampo and Seomyeon) north to Beomeosa Station. Use exit 5 or 7.

• Bus 90: walk a few minutes from the exit to the Samsin bus stop and take bus 90 up the hill, about a 10-minute ride. Get off at the last stop by the temple car park and ticket office area (signed as Beomeosa or Beomeosa Maepyoso). A T-money card works on both the metro and the bus.

• Walking: the road from the station to the temple is about 3 km and climbs steadily, so allow 40 to 50 minutes. Many people take the bus up and walk down.

• Taxi: a taxi from the station rank to the temple car park is a short ride and makes sense for a group of three or four.

Allow 1.5 to 2 hours for the temple itself. It pairs well with the far more crowded seaside Haedong Yonggungsa temple if you want two very different temples, although they are at opposite ends of the city, so do them on different half-days.

Admission and opening hours

Admission is free. Many Jogye Order temples used to charge a cultural-heritage viewing fee, and that fee was scrapped nationally in May 2023 with government funding replacing it. Older guidebooks may still quote a small charge. The temple's Seongbo Museum, which holds Buddhist paintings and sutras, is also listed as free but keeps its own shorter hours (Busan City lists 9 am to 5 pm, closed Mondays) and has had periods of closure.

The temple grounds open early and close around late afternoon; published hours vary between sources (roughly 8 am to 5 or 5:30 pm), and individual halls may close earlier or be closed during ceremonies. Arrive before 4 pm to see everything in daylight. Early morning on a weekday is the quietest time; weekends in lantern season and autumn are busy.

Combining Beomeosa with the Geumjeongsan fortress hike

Beomeosa sits at the foot of Geumjeongsan (801 m), whose ridge is lined by Geumjeongsanseong, the largest mountain fortress in Korea. A signed trail climbs from behind the temple to the fortress's North Gate (Bukmun); hikers report about 1 to 1.5 hours up on a steep, rocky path. From the North Gate you can continue along the walls toward the summit (Godangbong) or the East and South gates.

The easier option is the reverse: take Metro Line 1 to Oncheonjang, walk about 15 minutes to Geumgang Park, ride the Geumgang Park cable car up toward the South Gate, walk the ridge north past the East and North gates, and descend to Beomeosa for bus 90 and the metro home. Check the cable car's current fares and operating status before you go, and wear proper shoes: the descent to the temple is steep stone steps.

Temple stay at Beomeosa

Beomeosa runs an overnight temple stay open to foreigners, booked through the official Templestay site (eng.templestay.com). Programs typically include a simple room, temple meals, the early-morning service and a tea conversation or meditation session.

Recent reports put the relaxation-style program at about 70,000 won per adult per night and the more structured experience program at about 100,000 won, with dates opening roughly two months ahead. Prices and schedules change, so confirm on the Templestay site when you book.

Temple etiquette and what to wear

• Dress modestly: covered shoulders and knees are respectful, though there is no strict enforced dress code for day visitors. Our temple and shrine dress code guide covers Korea and Japan in more detail.

• Take your shoes off before entering any hall, and use the side doors; the central door of a hall is traditionally reserved for senior monks.

• Don't photograph monks or people praying without asking, and avoid photographing inside halls during services. Keep your voice down near the main hall.

• Don't step on the raised door thresholds, and walk around, not across, worshippers who are bowing.

Plan the rest of your stay with our 4 days in Busan itinerary.

Frequently asked questions