Open left menu Ulsan. Open left menu Ulsan Entertainment and attractions in Ulsan
City: Ulsan
Region: Yeongnam
Population (with surrounding area): more than 1.2 million people
Square: 1056 sq. km.
Ulsan is a city located in South Korea, in the southeastern part of the country, near the Sea of Japan, 70 kilometers from Busan. It is the country's largest industrial city, located in the center of the Ulsan Industrial District. The headquarters of the international corporation Hyundai is located here.
Ulsan was an agricultural and commercial center and fishing port until 1962. Then quite a lot of plants and factories were built here. The main industries are heavy engineering, instrument making, shipbuilding, automotive, oil refining and others.
Ulsan is home to a shipyard and the world's largest automobile plant, both owned by Hyundai. In addition, Ulsan is famous as a city that was once the center of whaling in Korea, and the city next to which is the oldest lighthouse in Korea.
There are two such lighthouses in Korea: Ulgi and Gangjeolgot. Both of them are still in service, despite the fact that no more than eight percent of the total number of such lighthouses remain in South Korea. But each of them is original in its own way.
Gangjeolgod Lighthouse stands on a cape with the same name, at the very top of the hill. Based on its geographical location and the height of the area (plus its 17 meters), the lighthouse turns out to be the point in Korea where dawn comes first.
That is, if you climb onto the lighthouse (provided the weather permits), you can see the sun before all the people on the Korean Peninsula. This fact alone makes watching the sunrise a romantic adventure.
By the way, the relevant Korean ministry not long ago allowed tourists to visit serviced lighthouses. Now visitors have the opportunity to spend an amazing night with their loved ones and be the first to see the sunrise in Korea.
The oldest lighthouse in Korea was built in 1906, and currently it has two towers: a new one (24 m high) and an old one (6 m high). It is located in Ulgi Park (which means “outskirts of Ulsan”). It is a very popular tourist spot in the region.
A shelter for tourists called Songjuktan (“son” means pine, “zhuk” means bamboo) has been created in the lighthouse building. By the way, there are a lot of such plants in this park. This is a free shelter - at least it was free until recently - and there are very few rooms: only 6 rooms, which must be booked in advance.
Speaking about Ulsan, it is important to mention the large sandy and pebble Ilsan Beach with cool water, surrounded by wild flowers (its length is more than a kilometer). It is said that this beach was frequented by the Silla royal dynasty. This explains its name, translated as “king’s umbrella.”
Another famous beach in Ulsan is Jujeong. This is a healthy beach because it is covered with black pebbles, and walking on it is very good for your feet. Not far from the beach you can see a statue of a seated Buddha.
There is a legend about this that the statue was found by a local believer after Buddha himself appeared to him in one of his dreams. He was very wet from the heavy rain and silently cried out for help.
Ulsan from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Ulsan.
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Ulsan (Ulsan) is the pride of South Korea, the leading industrial center of the country, the headquarters of the Hyundai corporation, which owns the giant shipyard located here. Its presence, as well as the presence of an automobile and oil refinery in the city, does not mean at all that tourists have nothing to do here, but there are environmental problems. On the contrary, due to the proximity of the sea and a large number of green islands, Ulsan is considered one of the most recommended holiday destinations on the entire Korean Peninsula. And the entertainment program offered by the city in the form of visiting an endless amusement park, a beach with black pebbles, a museum and a whale sanctuary leaves neither adults nor children indifferent.
How to get to Ulsan
From Moscow Vnukovo, Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo to Ulsan there are only flights with transfers. Those departing from Sheremetyevo will spend the least amount of time in the sky: there - 14 hours, back - a little over 15. Transfer in Seoul, the airport will have to be changed. The choice of carriers is varied - from Russian Aeroflot and Es Seven to Korean, Asian, Vietnamese and Hainan Airlines, almost all flights are composite.
Residents of St. Petersburg will have to fly with two transfers, one of them in Moscow, the travel time is 16.5 hours there and 18.5 hours back.
A taxi from the airport to the city costs from 6,000 KRW. Prices on the page are as of November 2018.
Those who don't mind saving money and admiring South Korea from the ground can get to Ulsan from Seoul by train or bus. In the first case, the travel time will be a little more than 5 hours, departure from Seoul Station (378 Cheongpa-ro, Dongja-dong, Yongsan-gu). In the second - 4 hours 20 minutes, buses leave from Seoul Express Bus Terminal (Banpo 1(il)-dong, Seocho-gu).
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Transport
The million-plus city does not boast a large selection of types of public transport: there is no metro here yet, so you can only get around Ulsan by bus, taxi or rented car. Buses are divided into exclusively seated ("chvasok") and mixed type ("ilban"), in the former the price is correspondingly higher. Taxis also come in “luxury” and ordinary ones.
The cost of a trip around the city by taxi is 3000 KRW. At night and on holidays, an additional 20% may be charged above the tariff.
Only a very confident driver should rent a car here: the traffic is heavy, the signs are in Korean and English, traffic jams are common, and the fines are high.
Ulsan Hotels
Vacation homes are quite popular in Ulsan, but it’s a pity that almost all of them are located far from the center. But each room is a separate “apartment” with a kitchen, bed, living area, necessary accessories and free Wi-Fi. If you're lucky, you can rent this option for 50,000 KRW per day.
There are most motels in the city, almost all of them are in the center, with free parking; they charge from 60,000 KRW per night. But there are only two “five” hotels in Ulsan - the fashionable Lotte Hotel and the branded Hyundai Hotel, the price for a room in them starts from 123,000 KRW.
Cuisine and restaurants
The main gastronomic attraction of the city is seafood delicacies, especially whale meat. And although whaling has recently been banned here, mammals accidentally caught in the net are sent to the kitchen. This “delicacy” has a specific taste.
Restaurants and cafes (in the latter, fryers are installed directly on the tables) offer crabs, squid and raw fish heh, fans of a healthy lifestyle - vegetable salads "kimchi", meat eaters - bacon "samgyeopsal", chicken noodles "guksu" and blood sausage "sunde" " Those who believe that in this life you need to try everything do not disdain dishes made from dog meat. True, you will have to look for them.
A distinctive feature of Korean national cuisine is an unreal amount of spices, especially red pepper.
Like the rest of the country, Ulsan has a highly developed street food culture. They offer everything from fish-shaped buns and scrambled eggs to fish cakes, kebabs and silkworm larvae. The price for fast food is from 6,000 KRW, for dinner in a restaurant with alcohol for two - from 50,000 KRW.
Entertainment and attractions in Ulsan
Many attractions of the port city are in one way or another connected with the sea. The port itself, by the way, is worthy of being one of the first to visit - giant tankers and container ships of the main shipbuilder of the Korean Peninsula - the Hyundai Heavy Industries company - are moored here.
In the south of the city there is the oldest lighthouse “Ulgi” (155 Deungdae-ro, Ilsan-dong, Dong-gu), surrounded by a park of the same name (its other name is “Daewanam”). Its picturesque coniferous forests lead tourists straight to the sea with steep stairs. Even more famous is the Gangjeolgot Lighthouse (39-2 Ganjeolgot 1-gil, Seosaeng-myeon, Ulju-gun) - here residents and guests of Ulsan come to watch the sunrise first in all of South Korea.
You can learn more about the life of the majestic mammals at the Whale Museum (244, Jangsaengpogorae-ro, Maeam-dong, Nam-gu) or by going on a boat trip to the reserve - lucky ones see giants swimming past. A thousand and one entertainments are concentrated in the “Grand Park” (Singi-gil, Taehwa-dong, Jung-gu): a botanical garden, a rose garden, a zoo, a wishing stone, military equipment - it will take a whole day to see them all.
There are also beaches in Ulsan: the kilometer-long Ilsan is considered the favorite of the royal dynasty; you should walk around Jujong barefoot - the black pebbles, coupled with the sea air, will have a beneficial effect on your health.
Located 69 km north of Busan, in the center of the Ulsan industrial area. Square- 1,056.7 sq. km, population- 1.2 million people. In the past, the city was the center of the country's whaling industry. Up to 1962 Ulsan was a fishing port and center of agricultural trade.
Currently, mechanical engineering, automotive industry, oil refining industry, and shipbuilding are developed here. IN Ulsan You will not find outstanding ancient palaces and pagodas; this is a modern city, the heyday of which began in the 60s. Exactly at Ulsan is the headquarters of the world-famous automobile company Hyundai Heavy Industries, which built a large plant and shipyard in the city, giving a huge number of jobs to the townspeople. In addition to this, in Ulsan one of the largest oil refineries on the planet is located, owned by SK Energy, and in the port Ulsan Up to 100 large vessels can simultaneously moor.
Ulsan occupies a huge area (larger than the area of Seoul - 605.25 sq. km), but, as often happens in Korea, it is mainly occupied by mountains and forests, and buildings are scattered among them in small islands. Therefore, it can take quite a long time to travel from one area to another. The roads are ideal. Ulsan considered a city of rich people. The per capita income here is more than $90,000 per year, which is three times more than the average Korea.
Since 2003 Ulsan has a sister city in Russia - Tomsk.
Hyundai automobile plant. Industry
The company announced the start of construction of this plant, which was destined to become the world's largest automobile plant, in 1973. The company itself had already existed for 6 years by that time in close cooperation with Ford. Since 2006, Hyundai Motor has been considered the largest automobile manufacturing plant in the world. One could even say that this particular plant is the cornerstone of the South Korean automotive industry. It covers an area of 500 hectares, which is almost equal to 5 square kilometers. Every day five thousand six hundred new cars roll off the assembly line. The plant can produce one and a half million cars, minivans and SUVs per year. Thirty-four thousand employees work at the plant.
The plant is divided into five sites, each of which produces certain “its own” brands of cars. This is an autonomous, self-sufficient site for the production of cars. Of course, such a complex enterprise cannot do without the appropriate infrastructure to ensure its operation. The plant is equipped with a port where three ships can moor at the same time. This enterprise is a true flagship of the automotive industry in only South Korea, but also the whole world, makes sure that the environment suffers as little as possible from its activities: the plant is equipped with a whole separate factory that purifies wastewater before it enters the environment. The plant also has its own hospital and fire department.
The company also owns one of the largest shipyards in the world. The company is a world leader in the production of heavy equipment - 17% of the world production of ships, 30% of the world production of ship engines. The company is divided into 6 main divisions: shipbuilding (Shipbuilding), production of onshore equipment and engineering (Offshore & Engineering), production and installation of electrical equipment (Electro Electric Systems), Engine & Machinery, Industrial Plant & Engineering. The shipyard occupies an area of 7.2 million square meters with nine dry docks ranging in length from 170 to 672 meters. The main products are tankers for the transportation of oil, petroleum products and chemicals, liquefied natural gas, floating oil production systems, drilling ships, bulk carriers, container ships, vehicles for transporting vehicles, special purpose vessels, destroyers and submarines.
Attractions. Ulga Lighthouse
IN Ulsan there is a whale sanctuary, and there are also boat excursions. In front of the station building" Ulsan"there is an iron structure - a fountain that depicts a whale.
In the city center there is another attraction - a giant Ferris wheel. It was developed by order of LOTTE and installed on the roof of a seven-story shopping complex. The wheel can withstand hurricanes and earthquakes up to magnitude 9. The design is equipped with a unique neon illumination for 1200 control channels. In addition to air conditioning, the cabin equipment includes heated seats, telephone communication with the operator and much more. To prevent strong vibrations of the cabins during constant hurricanes, a patented Mir company magnetic damper. The total height of the wheel with the building is 109 meters. The project has a certificate TUV, Germany.
Talking about Ulsan It is necessary to mention the rocky beach of Cheonja, one of the most picturesque places on the eastern coast of the Korean Peninsula. The beach is considered healthy, as it is covered with black pebbles, walking on which is good for your feet. Not far from the beach there is a statue of a sitting Buddha. Legend has it that it was first found by a local believer after he saw a rain-soaked Buddha in a dream asking for help. Another sand and pebble beach
Ulsan is a young city; there are almost no ancient historical attractions in it. But this does not mean that tourists will be bored here. Ulsan proudly displays the Ulgi Lighthouse, one of the oldest in Korea. Once upon a time, on the site of the city there was a whaling village, and fifty ships with prey arrived a day. A museum and a themed village commemorate this illustrious past. And if you want solitude with nature, the uninhabited island of Seuldo will “play” the melody of the waves for you.
Whale Museum
In the past, whaling flourished in Ulsan. The port was a forward base where many whaling ships moored - up to 50 per day. But when the number of whales sharply decreased, environmentalists sounded the alarm, and this type of activity was banned in the 80s. In memory of the past, a whale museum was opened, and now it is an important attraction in Ulsan. Interestingly, it was built near an ancient whaling village. The Ulsan Whale Museum is the only one in Korea. It contains skeletons of whales, figures of giants, useful information, educational rooms for kids. There is a small petting zoo on one of the floors.
To the left of the museum building is the Whale Gallery. There is an 11-meter underwater tunnel and a dolphinarium. Tourists try to attend the feeding of the inhabitants of the aquarium, which takes place several times a day and is shown to spectators. To ensure safe viewing, up to a hundred people are allowed in. There is also a dolphin show that surprises the audience with breathtaking tricks.
Boat trip with whales
The taboo on catching giants has yielded results - today whales are again swimming past Ulsan. After the ban, there was a period of stagnation in the field of whale hunting and tourism, but with the advent of the museum and the assignment of the port to the status of a cultural zone of whales (1998), the city came to life. Do you want to look at the largest animals on Earth? Near the city there is a whale sanctuary where tourists go on boat trips. Tickets are sold at Changsaengpo Port.
The ship makes a three-hour journey along a specific route. If whales are spotted, the course is changed. But there is no guarantee that you will be able to see sea giants. For example, in the summer, 3 out of 10 trips get to see whales. But even if the humble animals are not on display, you can photograph the Ulsan Daegyo Bridge and watch the theatrical performances on the ship. The Whale Festival is held annually: boatmen present gifts to heaven, actors perform performances on the theme of whale and fishing in the prehistoric period. The event traditionally takes place at the end of spring.
Museum of Local Lore
The local museum will tell in detail about the life of people on the territory of today's Ulsan - from prehistoric times to the present day. The building has two floors: on the ground floor there is a reception desk, an exhibition gallery, and a museum store. On the second floor there is a historical gallery, a library, and an industrial history room. The museum is relatively new, operating since 2011. It is popular among tourists because it clearly tells about the history of the city and its inhabitants.
Ancient lighthouses near Ulsan
In Ulsan it is also worth seeing the ancient lighthouses: Ulgi and Kanjolgot. It is interesting that they are still maintained and functioning - there are less than 8% of the total number of such lighthouses in the country. The Ulgi lighthouse is venerable, more than a hundred years old. It was built by the Japanese back in 1906. Today, along with the ancient tower, there is a new one - 6 and 24 meters respectively. Tourists are accepted for an overnight stay - accommodation in the unusual Seongjuktan Hotel is free. True, there are only six rooms, so you need to worry about reservations in advance. The lighthouse itself is located on the territory of Ulgi Park.
The Kanjeolgot Lighthouse will give you a completely different feeling. What makes it unusual is its location: on a cape, on top of a hill. Considering the height of the structure (17 meters), it is worth watching the sunrise here. The sun can be greeted earlier than all other people who are on the Korean Peninsula. This makes watching the sunrise even more romantic. Recently, the Korean Ministry has allowed tourists to enter the vacant premises of working lighthouses. Thanks to this, you can spend an unusual night and be the first to see the sunrise in Korea.
Musical game of the sea: Seuldo
The list of places to see in Ulsan should include Seuldo Island. The island appears to tourists as a rock formation with numerous holes resembling a honeycomb. The name of this place can be compared to a breeze. The origin of the island's name is associated with the musical instrument "komungo". It’s worth coming here to hear the “voice” of Seuldo. Sea water enters holes in the rock and makes amazing sounds reminiscent of “komungo”. They are distributed throughout the island and are a unique phenomenon.
The island is also famous for its beautiful views. It is not difficult to get here, as it is connected by a breakwater and the section partially passes over the Syldoge Bridge. An ancient snow-white lighthouse vigilantly monitors the tranquility on the island. It was built in the 50s, and today it is inactive. The lighthouse occupies the center of the island, with a loudspeaker located at its lower part. A melody flows from the speaker to the communo. Benches are placed on the island so that people can enjoy the scenery and listen to the sound of the waves. Various types of fish live near Seuldo, which attracts fishermen.
Ilsan Beach: The Favorite Place of Kings
The city of Ulsan has the original Ilsan Beach made of sand and pebbles. It is quite long, more than a kilometer. It is believed that the beach was favored by members of the Silla royal dynasty. The name translated means “king’s umbrella”. Today, a completely different life reigns here: locals and tourists bask under the gentle sun, and a beach festival is held in mid-summer. The beach has showers and a camping area. Nearby there is a developed area with hotels, Taewanam Beach and Hwaamchu Lighthouse with an observation deck.
Devangam Park: large pine forest and “fallen dragon”
Devangam Park (Tevanam) is famous for its exotic trees. It is located in the city of Ulsan on the rocky coast of the southeastern part. Magnolias, camellias, apricots - you name it! There are especially a lot of pine trees, and they are quite old. Along a walking park alley surrounded by forest, you can go to the sea coast. The forest area is considered one of the largest in Korea. There are many strange stones and rocks on the shore. The road leads to the ancient lighthouse of Ulgi.
Another wonder of this place is the small Tevanam rock, shaped like a dragon. It is connected to the park by a bridge; after crossing it, guests get to the observation deck. The yellow-red color of the rock and the turquoise sea create an amazing combination. Sometimes this natural attraction is called Yeonchuam - the rock of the fallen dragon. Like, the monster can’t rise into the sky.
Exotic walk through the bamboo forest (Bamboo Grove)
Bamboo Grove is a new modern park along the river. Opposite the park area there are many cafes and restaurants. You can come here with the whole family - children will be happy to run along the paths through the bamboo grove. The river is home to fish and many waterfowl. There is a ferry, which can be used to get to the tower with a platform for viewing the surrounding area and a cafe. Bamboo Grove is part of a larger park where you can rent bicycles and Segways.
Grand Park in the center of Ulsan
The park in the city of Ulsan in South Korea appeared relatively recently - its construction was completed in 2006. It can be entered through the southern, eastern or central gates. Inside there is a bicycle rental service, a tram stop and a small shop. Mini markets near the entrance are the only place that sells food to visitors.
The park is quite spacious, each corner has its own atmosphere. There are playgrounds for children, a zoo, a butterfly museum, a water park, a botanical garden, a rose garden, and artificial ponds. It’s also worth finding the wishing stone. There are routes for walking. It will take a whole day to fully explore the Grand Park, as it is the largest urban park in Korea (36.4 sq. km).
You can make your introductory walk quick by renting a bicycle. They offer double bicycles for rent - this is convenient if someone in the group does not know how to ride. The large rose garden is a wonderful place for photo sessions. Roses bloom from late summer to early autumn. The Rose Festival is held annually. The park also contains military equipment (tanks and planes), and monuments to heroes who died during the Korean War.
Beach with black pebbles
In the city of Ulsan in South Korea there is an interesting beach - Jujeong. It has gained fame as a health destination: walking barefoot here is especially beneficial for health. The black pebbles strewn along the coast create a feeling of unreality and are mesmerizing. Nearby, Buddha sits proudly - a large statue about which legends are made. It is believed that the sculpture was discovered by a believer after a prophetic dream. In a dream, Buddha came to him and begged for help - he was very wet due to the rain. At the indicated place, a man discovered a statue. Since then, Buddha has been decorating the corner of Chujeong.
Features of a city by the sea
Ulsan will enchant you with its seascapes and its past. But the modern life of the port settlement also deserves attention. More than a million people live here. Ulsan has an unusual layout - industrial and residential areas are separated by forests and mountains. Industrial landscapes complement the impression of the beauty of nature.