Samgwangsa Temple in Busan: lantern nights, what to see, and how to get there

Samgwangsa Temple is one of the easiest “wow” temples to visit in Busan—close to the city center, free to enter, and famous for turning into a glowing sea of lanterns around Buddha’s Birthday. Even outside festival season, it’s a large hillside complex with classic halls, peaceful courtyards, and a scenic location on the slopes of Baegyangsan Mountain.

Why visit Samgwangsa Temple ✨

1) It’s a big temple that still feels approachable

Samgwangsa is a substantial complex with multiple structures (including Daeungbojeon Hall and a Bell Pavilion) yet it’s still easy to explore in 60–90 minutes without needing a full day plan.

2) The lantern season is next-level 🏮

Visit Busan highlights the Lotus Lantern Festival here as a must-see around Buddha’s Birthday—thousands of colorful lanterns light up the temple grounds and the hillside approach.

3) It’s open late (really late)

VisitKorea lists Samgwangsa Temple as open 24 hours, which makes it perfect for a night visit when the lanterns are lit (and for photographers who want that calm, after-dark mood).

Quick facts (save this) ✅

What to see at Samgwangsa Temple 🧭

Daebotap Tower (the photogenic centerpiece)

VisitKorea notes the temple’s Daebotap Tower stands at 30 meters and enshrines Buddha’s relics brought from Tibet, Myanmar, and India—one of the details that makes Samgwangsa feel “different” from smaller neighborhood temples.

Main halls and courtyards (classic temple atmosphere)

Expect the core temple layout: main worship halls, gates, courtyards, and a bell pavilion—all set against a mountain slope that gives the place depth and great angles for photos.

Lantern tunnels and stairways (in season) 🏮📸

During the lantern period, the approach paths and sections of the complex become a lantern tunnel experience—best enjoyed after dark, when the lantern colors actually “pop.”

Best time to visit ⏱️🏮

For lantern vibes

• After sunset is the move (more dramatic, better photos).
• Go later in the evening if you want fewer people.

Important: festival dates change every year. As an example, Visit Busan lists a lantern event period in 2025 (Apr 12–May 6) for Samgwangsa’s lantern tunnel experience. Use that as a seasonal reference, not a permanent schedule.

For a calm temple walk

• Weekday mornings: quieter, softer light, easier to appreciate the architecture.
• Clear days: better mountain-and-city ambience.

How to get there 🚇🚌🚕

Samgwangsa is in Busanjin-gu, and the easiest “tourist-proof” plan is subway to Seomyeon + short bus ride.

Option A: Subway Line 2 → Village bus (recommended) 🚇🚌

Visit Busan provides a clear route:

1. Go to Seomyeon Station (Line 2), Exit 9
2. Find the bus stop opposite Young Kwang Book Store
3. Take Village Bus Busanjin-gu 15
4. Get off at Samgwangsa Temple

Option B: Regular buses (simple if you’re nearby) 🚌

Visit Busan also lists buses 44, 54, 63, 81, 133 to the entrance area, then walk up into the temple.

Option C: Taxi (best at night or in bad weather) 🚕

Taxi is ideal if you’re going after dark (or leaving late). Show the driver:

• 삼광사 (Samgwangsa)
• Address: 77 Choeupcheon-ro 43beon-gil, Busanjin-gu

Tickets / prices / cards 💳

• ✅ Temple entry: Free
• 🚌 Transport: normal metro/bus fares (use your local transit card).
• 🍢 Snacks/drinks: bring a little cash if you plan to buy quick street-style items nearby.

Optional: temple-stay style programs 🧘‍♂️🍵

If you want more than sightseeing, Samgwangsa lists structured programs (in Korean) that resemble “temple stay / temple experience” formats—day-type, relaxation-type, and experience-type—with example pricing shown on their site (e.g., day-type 30,000 KRW; relaxation-type 50,000 KRW).

For broader context, Korea’s nationwide “Templestay” program is described as a cultural experience to better understand Korean Buddhism and traditional culture (chanting, meditation, tea talk, temple meals, etc.).

✅ Practical tip: around lantern season, programs can be limited—if a temple-stay experience matters to your trip, check availability before you plan your day around it.

Tips & common mistakes ⚠️✅

Tips (what makes the visit better)

• 📸 Bring a small tripod (night lantern shots look way better stabilized).
• 🥾 Wear shoes with grip—temple slopes + steps + night lighting can be slippery.
• 🚇 Use public transport during lantern season: traffic and parking can get messy near popular night events (Visit Busan explicitly promotes transit directions).
• 🧭 Do a loop, then shoot: walk the complex first, then return to the best lantern corridor for photos.

Common mistakes

• ❌ Arriving at peak time (early evening) and expecting peaceful vibes.
• ❌ Skipping the upper areas: the best lantern density is often deeper inside.
• ❌ Treating it like a “5-minute stop.” Give it at least an hour—more if you’re shooting at night.

Easy add-on itinerary (half-day) 📍

This combo works well because Samgwangsa is relatively close to central Busan:

1. Late afternoon: Seomyeon area (shopping/food)
2. Sunset → evening: Samgwangsa Temple lantern walk
3. Optional: quick café stop back in Seomyeon

Use the Seomyeon Exit 9 → Village Bus 15 route to keep it simple.

FAQ ❓

Is Samgwangsa Temple free to enter?
Yes—VisitKorea and Visit Busan both list the fee as free.

Is Samgwangsa Temple really open 24 hours?
VisitKorea lists it as Open 24 hr (and open all year).

What’s the easiest way to get there?
Subway Line 2 to Seomyeon Station Exit 9, then Village Bus Busanjin-gu 15 to Samgwangsa.

When is the lantern festival?
It’s tied to Buddha’s Birthday season and varies yearly. Visit Busan shows one example period in 2025 (Apr 12–May 6) for the lantern event window.

Conclusion

Samgwangsa Temple is one of Busan’s best “high impact, low effort” temple visits: free entry, easy access from Seomyeon, and a lantern season that looks unreal at night. If you want a temple that feels lively and photogenic—without needing to leave the city—put Samgwangsa near the top of your Busan list.