Yonggungsa Temple on Yeongjongdo (Incheon): A Quiet Stop Near the Airport, With Photos (2026)

If you land at Incheon Airport and want something calmer than the city, Yeongjong Island has more than beaches. Yonggungsa is a small, old temple in the hills of the island’s northeast, and it makes an easy first stop on a Yeongjongdo day.

I visited on the morning of 9 October 2026, a public holiday (Hangul Day), and stayed about an hour. It was not crowded. The photos below were taken around 11:30 a.m., and the history comes from the signs I photographed. Where I could not confirm something, I say so.

What Yonggungsa is

The heritage signboard at the temple is in Korean and English and marks the temple as Incheon Tangible Cultural Heritage. Here is what it says, in my own words:

• The temple is said to have been founded in 670 by the monk Wonhyo, under the name Baegunsa (“Temple of White Clouds”). The sign adds that the exact date cannot be confirmed.
• It was later called Gudamsa, and was rebuilt in 1854 and renamed Yonggungsa (“Temple of Dragon Palace”) by order of Heungseon Daewongun, the prince regent during the early reign of King Gojong.
• The compound includes the Gwaneumjeon Hall, the Yonghwanggak and Chilseonggak shrines, the monks’ living quarters and a recently made Buddha statue, which the sign gives as 11 m high.
• A wooden plaque in front of the monks’ quarters is said to be written by Heungseon Daewongun, and the pillars of the Gwaneumjeon carry inscriptions by the calligrapher and photographer Kim Gyu-jin (1868–1933).
• Donor lists mention royal court women, which the sign takes as evidence of royal family support.

The signboard, with text in Korean and English. Photo: Yongwoo.

The sign also says the national heritage zone is a no-smoking area.

What to look at

The approach. A dirt path leads up through trees, and a trail map stands near the entrance.

The old tree. Near the main courtyard stands a very old tree, ringed by a low stone base and a rope fence, with strings of colorful paper lanterns around it. Kakao Map lists a “Yonggungsa zelkova” (용궁사 느티나무) at the same address, which fits what I saw, but I did not find a sign naming the species or its age.

The white Buddha statue. The thing that surprised me most was the large white statue standing on a stone platform at the top of a flight of steps. To me its face and the folds of its robe looked more Western than the East Asian Buddha images I am used to seeing. That is only my impression: the signboard does not describe the statue’s style. The sign does mention a recently made Buddha statue 11 m high, which is probably this one, though it does not point to it.

The bell pavilion. A traditional bell pavilion sits at the edge of the courtyard, with rows of colored lanterns behind it.

The main hall (Daeungbojeon). The hall faces an open gravel courtyard. Look up at the eaves: the painted patterns (dancheong) are worth a close-up.

An event on 24 October

A banner across the main hall announces a ceremony and mountain-temple concert to mark the fifth anniversary of the hall’s completion. According to the banner it takes place on Saturday, 24 October, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. I could not find a website to confirm it, so if you plan your visit around it, check with the temple first. Expect a busier, more ceremonial day than a normal weekday.

The Yeongjong Dullegil trail

A trail map from Incheon’s Yeongjong-gu office stands at the temple, with a “you are here” marker beside Yonggungsa on Baegunsan (255 m). It lists three courses:

Course	Name	Difficulty	Time	Length
1	Healthy Centenarian Path	Easy	1 h 20 min	5.6 km
2	Healing Sky Path	Hard	3 h 20 min	13 km
3	Healing Sea Path	Medium	3 h	12 km

I only photographed the sign, so I can’t tell you about trail conditions. The numbers above are the ones printed on it.

Getting there

• Address: 199-1 Unnam-ro, Yeongjong-gu, Incheon (Kakao Map: Yonggungsa).
• From Incheon Airport Terminal 1: Kakao Map’s public transport estimate on 10 October 2026 was 14.8 km and about 52 minutes. By car it is quicker, but I only timed the drive from my hotel (see below).
• From my hotel: I drove from a hotel on the eastern side of Yeongjongdo, and it took about 10 to 15 minutes.
• Cost: I paid nothing for entry and nothing for parking on 9 October 2026. Rules can change, so look at the signs when you arrive.
• Parking: a large open gravel area sits below the main courtyard.

If you land early and your hotel won’t take you yet, see our guide to bag delivery and storage options and our airport to Seoul guide.

Visiting etiquette

Yonggungsa is a working temple. Keep your voice low, dress modestly, and don’t photograph people who are praying or monks at work without asking. Follow the posted no-smoking rule.

Frequently asked questions

How long should I plan for Yonggungsa?

I stayed about an hour and it was not crowded, although that was a public-holiday morning and a busy day may differ. It is a small compound, so allow more time only if you plan to walk part of the Dullegil trail.

Is it close to Incheon Airport?

On Kakao Map it is 14.8 km and about 52 minutes by public transport from Terminal 1. Check live directions before you go, because routes and timetables change.

Can I combine it with the beaches?

Yes. Yonggungsa is on the eastern side of the island, and beaches such as Eulwangni and Wangsan are on the west coast, so a day on the island can run from the temple to the sunset.

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If you would like a second pair of eyes on a Korea itinerary, you can send it for a written review. Before you lock your plan, our 9-point itinerary checklist is a good place to start.

Written by Yongwoo, who lives in Seoul. Photos were taken at Yonggungsa on 9 October 2026. History, building names and dates come from the temple’s signboard; travel time comes from Kakao Map on 10 October 2026.