It is said that it was founded by the Great Master Wonhyo in the 10th year (670) of King Munmu in Silla. It was reestablished by Regent Heungseon Daewongun in the 5th year of Cheoljong of Joseon (1854), and got its current name.
In front of the Yosaechae located at the entrance of Yonggungsa Temple, there is a piece written by Regent Heungseon Daewon called ‘Yonggungsa’.

The Gwaneumjeon Hall of Yonggungsa Temple was built as a Korean traditional gabled building with the shape of a man on the side of the roof, and on the pillars remain the four verse couplets written by Haegang Kim Gyujin. It is said that there was a Kannon statue carved from jade in the hall, but it was stolen during the Japanese occupation and the hall now houses a bronze one.

In front of Yonggungsa Gaeksa, there is a zelkova tree that is estimated to be 1,300 years old.
The Yonggungsa zelkova tree is Incheon City Monument No. 9 and is a huge tree with a height of 20m and a circumference of 5.63m and is also called the grandfather or grandmother tree.