The temple hosts an annual Hydrangea Festival, typically occurring in late June or early July when the blooms are at peak density.
It is one of the few locations in Korea that maintains a diverse collection of imported hydrangea varieties.
The temple grounds contain sacred relics of Gautama Buddha gifted by the Sri Lankan government in the 1980s.
The location is situated along a ridge that overlooks the East Sea and the Korea Strait.
Monk Do-jeung, the founder, spent decades personally cultivating the garden to transform the temple surroundings.
Taejongsa is a Buddhist temple situated within the Taejongdae Resort Park on Yeongdo Island in Busan. It is widely recognized for its extensive hydrangea garden, which features thousands of bushes representing various global species. The temple was founded in 1983 by Monk Do-jeung. It serves as a spiritual site housing relics of the Buddha, including sarira brought from Sri Lanka. The temple grounds are integrated into the coastal forest landscape of the southern tip of the island. Visitors typically access the temple via the paths within the larger Taejongdae park complex. The temple structures follow traditional Korean architectural styles with ornate dancheong painting.
The central temple courtyard framed by the surrounding hydrangea bushes during the summer bloom.
Bring comfortable walking shoes as the temple is located on an incline within a larger park area.
Carry a light jacket as coastal winds from the Korea Strait can cause rapid temperature drops even in summer.
Visit on a weekday morning to avoid peak weekend crowds during the hydrangea blooming season.
Do not attempt to walk from the park entrance if you have limited mobility, as the incline is steep; use the provided park transport for the main ascent.
Dress modestly as it is a place of worship; remove hats and sunglasses when entering shrine buildings; maintain a quiet voice.
