Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Ulsan, South Korea

Korea’s manufacturing hub along the East Sea contributes over 15% to the nation’s industrial production.

This extensive industrial complex near Ulsan’s port is home to the world’s third-largest oil refinery, alongside the largest shipyard and car assembly plant, operated by Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hyundai Motor Company, respectively.

While it may seem surprising, Ulsan also boasts a serene side, featuring a bamboo grove along the Taehwa River, a picturesque promontory park along the East Sea, and a tranquil sandy beach resort.

In the distance to the west, the Yeongnam Alps rise, with nine peaks exceeding 1,000 meters, concealing Buddhist temples and waterfalls amidst a landscape of reed fields and towering pine trees.

1. Daewangam Park

Extending into the East Sea, the scenic headland at Ilsan-dong is enveloped in woodland, culminating in a lighthouse positioned above striking rocky formations.

Daewangam Island resembles a dragon emerging from the ocean.

According to local lore, it is said to represent the wife of King Munmu of Silla, who perished at sea following his death in 681 and returned in dragon form to safeguard the East Sea.

The island is accessible via a metal bridge, topped with an observation platform that offers a view of Ulsan and its coastline.

A 600-meter path lined with ancient pines, apricot trees, magnolias, cherry trees, camellias, and forsythia leads from the park entrance to the lighthouse.

2. Ulsan Grand Park

Escape the urban environment for a few hours at this ecological park, established in 2006 on the western side of Nam-gu.

Planning for the park commenced a decade prior under the directive of Chey Tae-won, the billionaire chairman of SK Corporation, who initiated a fund to give back to the community of Ulsan.

Spanning 369 hectares, Ulsan Grand Park features a small water park, swimming pool, four ponds, petting zoo, outdoor stage, flowerbeds, and picnic areas.

Among the children’s playgrounds, there’s an engaging trampoline park, a nine-hole pitch-and-putt golf course, and a uniquely designed acupressure pathway for weary feet.

Bicycles are available for rent at all main entrances, with free rental for returns within one hour.

The park hosts numerous events in summer, with the highlight being the Rose Festival in May, featuring a captivating evening light show.

3. Taehwagang River Grand Park

This verdant corridor aligns the Taehwa River upstream of Ulsan’s industrial sector and is dotted with cafés, exercise areas, pavilions, and playgrounds.

Due to historical flooding, the banks of Taehwagang River Grand Park remain undeveloped, allowing for peaceful contemplation of the flowing water and the low mountains that delineate the river basin.

Along a scenic stretch between the Samho and Taehwa bridges, Taehwagang Simnidaebat features a lush bamboo grove established in the early 20th century to protect the riverbanks.

Bicycles are available for rent at the Jung-Gu Bicycle Cultural Center located near the main entrance, and from spring to autumn, a variety of flower festivals celebrate the blossoms, roses, and chrysanthemums.

4. Ilsan Beach

Ulsan’s industrial surroundings feel distant at this clam-shaped bay located on the seaward side of Ilsan-dong, sheltered by the headland of Daewangam Park.

Ilsan Beach features 600 meters of soft golden sand, where the gentle slope requires wading for quite some distance before the clear water becomes waist deep.

A new beachside amusement park recently opened, complementing the array of restaurants and cafés along the waterfront road.

In late July, the Ilsan Beach summer festival includes a volleyball tournament, live music, a raft-building competition, and a fireworks display.

5. Ulsan Hyundai Motors Plant

Advance arrangements through the company’s website will allow you to tour the world’s largest motor manufacturing facility.

This location is serviced by a dock capable of accommodating three 76,000-ton container ships concurrently, underscoring the vast scale of operations here.

Operating across five factories, this plant employs approximately 32,000 individuals and has an impressive production average of 5,800 vehicles daily.

Perhaps unexpectedly, the site is enveloped in lush greenery, evidenced by Hyundai’s planting of around 600,000 trees.

The facility also includes a test track equivalent to the size of 100 football fields, extending over 20 kilometers of road.

The tour commences at a visitor center that outlines Hyundai’s history and provides insights into the sophisticated production processes employed at the factories.

6. Jangsaengpo Whale Culture Village

From the 1890s until the prohibition of commercial whaling in 1986, Jangsaengpo served as the primary whaling port on the Korean Peninsula.

By the 1970s, a fleet of 20 whaling vessels operated here, supporting a community of 10,000 residents. This history is preserved at the Jangsaengpo Whale Culture Village, established in 2015, which features a historical village, a Whale Story Trail, and a Prehistoric Whale Experience Garden detailing the Bangudae Petroglyphs, a 7,000-year-old rock art site depicting marine life near Ulsan.

The Jangsaengpo Whale Museum represents the only institution of its kind in South Korea, showcasing rare artifacts from the whaling industry, including harpoons, whale-related products, models, and skeletons.

The museum also houses a 5D theater and features a whaling ship open for tours.

7. Whale-Watching Cruise

From April to October, a whale-watching cruise is available at the Jangsaengpo Whale Culture Village, departing from the local port.

To observe minke or gray whales, the optimal time for these three-hour excursions is from April to June, with daily departures except on Mondays and two trips offered on weekends.

These excursions venture up to 20 kilometers into the East Sea; while spotting minke whales may be challenging, common dolphins are frequently seen swimming in pods shortly after departure from the harbor.

For a more concise experience, a 90-minute coastline cruise allows guests to appreciate the impressive scale of the Ulsan Industrial Complex.

8. Ulsan Museum

This complimentary museum opened in 2011 adjacent to Ulsan Grand Park, featuring a striking modern structure surrounded by reflective pools.

With innovative exhibitions and numerous artifacts, the main display provides a fascinating timeline of Ulsan’s history.

This includes extensive information on whaling, shipbuilding, and automobile manufacturing, alongside displays on the Bangudae Petroglyphs and Buddhist temples that emerged around Ulsan during the Silla Kingdom.

Exhibition cases showcase prehistoric hand axes, temple bells, maps, ceramics, religious artifacts, and armament.

As the narrative progresses into contemporary history, you’ll discover the wide array of goods produced at the Ulsan Industrial Complex, such as the 1975 Hyundai Pony, the first mass-produced vehicle in South Korea.

Recently, the museum has featured high-quality temporary exhibitions, such as those highlighting Ancient Egyptian artifacts and the inventions of Thomas Edison.

9. Ganjeolgot

A scenic drive south of Ulsan leads to Ganjeolgot, renowned in Korea for being the first location to greet the sun along the eastern coast.

The rocky promontory, featuring a lighthouse, is a favored destination for gathering at dawn on New Year’s Day to witness the first sunrise of the year.

Year-round, visitors flock to Ganjeolgot to write their aspirations on postcards, depositing them in the second-largest post box globally.

A boardwalk spans the top of the promontory, showcasing a collection of sculptures and monuments near the lighthouse.

Among the various attractions, visitors will find a quaint replica windmill and the Drama House, constructed as a set for the Korean television series “Flames of Desire” in 2010 and now operating as a café and gallery.

10. Oegosan Onggi Village

Onggi, a traditional type of earthenware crafted in long tubular kilns, has a history in Korea that spans 5,000 years.

Available in a variety of shapes and sizes, Onggi pottery serves many traditional purposes, including as jugs for beverage service, vessels for transporting water, cookware for rice, and containers for fermenting kimchi, gochujang, and soy sauce.

In 1975, master potter Heo Deok-man established a workshop in Oegosan, located just south of Ulsan, with the purpose of preserving the onggi tradition.

This initiative attracted potters and artisans from across South Korea as the onggi industry saw a resurgence, later moderated by the rise of mass production.

It is estimated that more than half of Korea’s traditional earthenware originates from this locality.

The Ulsan Onggi Museum located here exhibits an impressive collection of expertly crafted pieces, including the world’s largest onggi pot, as recognized by Guinness World Records.

In October, the four-day Onggi Festival allows visitors to witness live demonstrations, create their own onggi, and enjoy pottery discounts of up to 50%.

11. Boksoondoga

While exploring the Yeongnam Alps, consider a visit to Sangbuk-myeon, home to an organic winery specializing in makgeolli, a traditional Korean rice wine.

Similar to champagne, makgeolli develops a fizz due to fermentation, characterized by its cloudy appearance from the sediment.

Boksoondoga produces its makgeolli using locally sourced rice, traditional Korean yeasts, and handmade onggi.

The flavor is rich and mild, and notably, unlike many other types of makgeolli, you do not need to stir the sediment before serving.

The winery features a showroom detailing the wine-making process and offers tours of the fermentation area and rice paddies.

A bottle of makgeolli from Boksoondoga presents an authentic souvenir or gift option.

12. Gajisan

Traveling north from Ulsan along National Route 24 leads you to Seoknamsa Temple, situated at the foot of Mount Gaji (Gajisan).

Originally established during the reign of Heondeok of Silla in the 9th century, the temple underwent restoration in the 17th century after the Japanese Invasions (1592-1598) and was again destroyed during the Korean War.

Several historic monuments remain, including a three-story pagoda dating back to the 9th century in front of the main hall.

Seoknamsa also serves as a gateway for well-marked trails leading to the peak with an elevation of 1,241 meters.

While hiking, you may encounter a makgeolli vendor present from spring to autumn, ready to offer a refreshing cup of rice wine.

The trail takes you through evergreen forests, thinning out as you approach the rugged limestone summit, making for a four-hour round-trip hike.

If you start early and wish to continue, a trail extends westward to the next peak, Unmunsan, via the Araetjae Pass.

13. Sinbulsan

Alongside Gajisan, Sinbulsan serves as another key hiking destination within the Yeongnam Alps.

Rising to 1,209 meters, the ascent is more gradual along a path known as the Ganwoljae Flame Grass Road, winding along the crest of the ridge.

Upon emerging from the forest, visitors are greeted by expansive fields of flame grass.

During late summer and autumn, the tops of the grass appear almost luminescent under the sun, creating a lovely rustling sound as the breeze passes through.

To protect these fields, pathways are elevated on boardwalks and wooden stairs, ensuring the climb to the summit of Sinbulsan is less strenuous.

14. Paraeso Falls

Located on the western slopes of Sinbulsan, Paraeso Falls is recognized as one of Ulsan’s “12 Scenic Sights.” The 15-meter waterfall is accessible within a 40-minute drive from Ulsan, with a parking area that charges a ₩1000 entrance fee per person.

From this point, a 1.5-kilometer riverside trail, abundant with avian and small mammal life (be on the lookout for chipmunks), leads to tranquil pools suitable for wading.

The waterfall itself cascades over rugged limestone into a large pool where swimming is prohibited, requiring an ascent up three wooden staircases to reach its base.

15. Ulsan Bridge Observatory

The most breathtaking views of the expansive Ulsan Industrial Complex can be found at Muryongsan in Ilsan-dong, a nearby mountain rising on the harbor’s eastern side.

As you traverse the trails, multiple wooden overlooks await discovery on the southwestern flank of this 452-meter peak; however, the most accessible is the modern Ulsan Bridge Observatory.

This location provides an impressive view of the Ulsan Harbor Bridge (constructed in 2015), the stunning suspension bridge that spans the mouth of the Taehwa River.

The observatory features an outdoor platform on its fourth floor, complete with a glazed area containing informational screens and displays highlighting significant landmarks and presenting Ulsan’s historical context.

The most optimal time to visit is after sunset, as the panorama transforms into an endless tapestry of lights.