With the global popularity of Korean dramas and K-pop, South Korea has become a must-visit country for travel bugs. The capital city of Seoul is the top destination for Korean enthusiasts, but if you’re looking to explore other regions of the country that have both urban and nature vibes to offer, then Ulsan could be your best bet. This industrial district is not only home to major companies like Hyundai, but also to natural sceneries and coastal beauties. It is also home to many parks, such as Daewangam Park, Ulsan Grand Park, and Taehwagang National Garden. If the city piques your interest, scroll down for the best things to do in Ulsan, South Korea, that will surely make the three-hour trip from Seoul worth it.
1. Take a therapeutic walk at Daewangam Park
Many urban travelers visit Ulsan to escape the concrete jungle. Daewangam Park ticks all the boxes for a relaxing nature trip that soothes the busy soul. This seaside park boasts many sights to explore, including a walking trail lined with greeneries such as magnolias, apricots, cherry blossoms, and pine trees, and the beautiful Ulgi Lighthouse that offers breath-taking views of the place. Visitors can also cross Daegwanggyo Bridge from the mainland, then stroll around Daewangam Island. This rock island, shaped like a dragon rising from the sea, is said to be the queen of King Munmu from the Silla Dynasty, who returned as a dragon to guard the East Sea after losing her husband in 681.
Daewangam Park
Address: 907 Ilsan-dong, Dong-gu, Ulsan, South Korea
Website: Daewangam Park
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
2. Have fun under the sun at Ilsan Beach
Close to Daewangam Park is Ilsan Beach, where you can cap off your therapeutic walk by sitting near the shore and soaking in some vitamin D and sea. Ilsan Beach is a 600-meter (1,969-feet) stretch of fine sand accompanied by shallow waters, which makes it an ideal spot for a quick and refreshing dip. Coconut trees, a rare sight in South Korea, are spread out everywhere, giving you that tropical vibe. If you’re up for some water activities, there are facilities around the beach that offer banana boat rides and water floaters for rent. You can even sing along with the waves at the restaurants and karaoke bars located within walking distance from the shore.
Ilsan Beach
Address: Ilsan-dong, Dong-gu, Ulsan, South Korea
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
3. Capture beautiful photos at Taehwagang National Garden
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Right in the heart of Ulsan is one of its local pride, Taehwagang National Garden. This beautiful and lush ecological park is the second national garden of Korea. What makes it enchanting is that it transforms every season. Flowering plants such as poppies and canola flowers bloom in the gardens during spring, migratory birds frolic by the riverside during summer, the fields turn golden brown during autumn, and lastly, the emerald green color of the towering bamboo trees at Simnidae Forest stand out in the white snowy atmosphere during winter. This local garden is also twice the size of Yeouido Park in Seoul, so there are plenty of sights to capture. You can head to Osan Manhoejeong Pavilion and Taehwagang Observatory, both of which offer picturesque views of the garden.
Taehwagang National Garden
Address: Singi-gil, Taehwa-dong, Jung-gu, Ulsan, South Korea
Website: Taehwagang National Garden
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
4. Learn about Ulsan's whaling history at Jangsaengpo Whale Culture Zone
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Jangsaengpo used to be Ulsan’s central whaling area before whaling was banned in 1986. Now, a massive complex stands on the site, showcasing the history and story of whales and other marine life for the curious minds, both young and old. Children can learn and play to their hearts’ content at the historical whale museum, the aquarium, the five-story playground, and the stereoscopic movie theater where visitors can watch 3D images of swimming whales. Meanwhile, adults can head to the sea and watch whales in action via the whale sea tour ship. Admission fees vary per facility, but everything is worth checking out.
Jangsaengpo Whale Culture Zone
Address: 244, Whale-ro, Jangsaengpo, Nam-gu, Ulsan, South Korea
Website: Jangsaengpo Whale Culture Zone
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 9am - 6pm (closed on Mon)
5. Make your own makgeolli at Boksoondoga Rice Winery
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Makgeolli is Korean rice wine that has been around for centuries. It is milky-white by color, and sweet and sour by taste. Its alcohol content is six to nine percent, which makes it the perfect alcohol for social drinking, especially when traveling. Although a little obscure as compared to the world-famous soju, makgeolli is one of the most consumed alcoholic beverages in South Korea. You can easily buy makgeolli from convenience stores, but nothing beats the taste of freshly brewed makgeolli made from your own fermentation in an authentic makgeolli winery. This activity is best experienced with friends and family, and you can try it out at Boksoondoga Rice Winery. You can also take home your own makgeolli as souvenirs.
Boksoondoga Rice Winery
Address: 48 Hyangsandong-gil, Sangbuk-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulsan, South Korea
Website: Boksoondoga Rice Winery
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)
6. Have a picnic at Ulsan Grand Park
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Ulsan Grand Park is the favorite place of city dwellers who wish to unwind in nature without leaving the city. There’s always something happening at Ulsan Grand Park as it is the go-to venue for festivals, parades, and shows. However, the main event that you should not miss is the Ulsan Grand Park Light Festival during winter. Here, you can witness the park covered in colorful light displays. If you want to explore the park on a regular day, an entire afternoon may not be enough. That’s because there are so many beautiful spaces to discover. The park has several walking trails, ponds, a swimming pool, and a rose garden, just to name a few. It is best to rent a bike and pedal your way around the biggest urban ecopark in the country.
Ulsan Grand Park
Address: 94 Daegongwon-ro, Ok-dong, Nam-gu, Ulsan, South Korea
Website: Ulsan Grand Park
Opening hours: 5am - 12am (daily)
Price: Free
7. Soak in some art and culture at Ulsan Museum
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
After your hearty picnic at Ulsan Grand Park, you can walk off the calories at the nearby Ulsan Museum. The modern architecture of the building is also the perfect palette cleanser after your nature exploration. In fact, the exterior alone is enough to impress you. Ulsan Museum offers two sections: the first floor caters to their special exhibits, and the second floor holds a permanent exhibit of Ulsan’s history and culture. The showcase is curated chronologically, starting from the very early prehistoric years of the country up to the years of economic and cultural progress after the Korean war. This visit will surely give you a deeper appreciation of how this beloved city came to be.
Ulsan Museum
Address: 277 Duwang-ro, Sinjeong 2(i)-dong, Nam-gu, Ulsan, South Korea
Website: Ulsan Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 9am - 6pm (closed on Mon)
Price: Free
8. Watch the sunrise at Ganjeolgot
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Ganjeolgot Cape is the best place to watch the sunrise in Ulsan as it is the spot where the sun rises the earliest. In fact, locals hold the New Year’s Sunrise Festival at Ganjeolgot to welcome and celebrate the first sunrise of the new year on December 31. This park is a little far from the city, but it’s definitely worth the drive. Its roads are lined with acacia trees and the air is filled with the salty scent of sea breeze. Aside from that, you can also strike a pose at the giant red and green wooden mailbox, listen to the relaxing sound of waves crashing into the rock formations, and get your morning coffee fix at the many beautiful cafes nearby.
Ganjeolgot
Address: Daesong-ri, Seosaeng-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulsan, South Korea
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)
Price: Free
9. Have a quiet time at Seoknamsa Temple
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Seoknamsa Temple is the right place to spend your quiet moments in Ulsan, and it only takes a 20-minute bus ride from Ulsan KTX Station. Seoknamsa Temple is not only rich in natural beauty and fresh air, but also in history. The temple grounds currently have 30 buildings, some of which are residential spaces for the Buddhist monks and nuns. A walk around the premise will leave you in awe due to the beautiful and intricate details of the pagodas, relics, and paintings that tell the story of the Buddhist way of life. Any time of the year is a good time to visit, but during the spring season, the temple grounds resemble a painting or a postcard with the colorful hues of the surrounding.
Seoknamsa Temple
Address: 1064 Deokhyeon-ri, Sangbuk-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulsan, South Korea
Website: Seoknamsa Temple
Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 1,700 KRW (1.51 USD)
10. Eat and shop at Youth Street
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
All that touring and exploring will surely make anyone hungry. Head over to Youth Street at Jung-gu district, the perfect place to satisfy anyone’s appetite for good food and retail therapy. Youth Street is located in the shopping district of Ulsan, surrounded by restaurants, cafes, gaming centers, and trendy shops where youngsters love to hang out. Strolling the walkway will make you feel the energy and vigor of being young. However, if you’re looking for some traditional Korean street food, Keunaegi Night Market is just nearby. You can have a variety of street food, such as classic egg bread, fish cakes, and oyster blade steak.
Youth Street
Address: Mannamui-geori, Jungang-dong, Jung-gu, Ulsan, South Korea
Appreciate the natural wonders of this metropolitan city
There are so many things to do in Ulsan that are both good for the soul and the mind. Whether you’re an urban dweller or a nature lover, there is always something for you to love in this city. This list is just the tip of the iceberg. Visit Ulsan soon, and discover the city yourself!
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