Ulsan

Understand

Ulsan is a seaside metropolitan city in the southeast of Korea with a population of 1.2 million. The city is known for its whaling heritage and as the industrial heart of the country. Today the city lives in a Catch-22 situation; in some districts it is impossible to escape the industries. Although these industrial sites are breath-taking in scope, a testament to the achievement of man, they blight the landscape. On the other hand, the investment from these industries undeniably makes the city a better place to be. Ulsan was a World Cup 2002 host city.

Orientation Ulsan City is 70 km north of Busan, but also close to Gyeongju, Daegu and Pohang. Ulsan includes 4 wards ("Gu") and 1 county ("Gun"):

Buk-gu (북구; 北區) - The most northern the four Gu and rapidly developing due to the lack of pollution in the area. Dong-gu (동구; 東區) - The location of Bangeojin, Hyundai and a large amount of the city's ship building industry (including the largest ship-yard in the world). Jung-gu (중구; 中區) Nam-gu (남구; 南區) Ulju-gun (울주군; 蔚州郡) Samsandong, home of the Lotte and Hyundai department stores, can be considered the up-market district. Western fashion brands are available along with a number of western chain restaurants. The neon lit back streets yield a vibrant bar and restaurant culture. The Lotte Ferris wheel is also in this area next to the Lotte Cinema. Old down-town, Seongnamdong, is good for shopping at low, local prices (there are brand goods shops too however). It is the location of a small number of foreigner friendly/foreigner-run bars. Mugeodong, the home of Ulsan University, is the best place for the young, twenty-somethings wishing to eat, drink and party.

When to visit The best months tend to be from March through May before it gets too hot. Summer serves up a heavy sweat-inducing humidity along with prolonged rain showers mixed with the occasional typhoon. It remains warm until late October (cited by many to be the best month) at which point the weather turns cold. But it is not uncommon even in December to have warm spells with temperatures plummeting at night. Ulsan sees little snow due to its southerly position on the Korean peninsular - however that is not to say that snow can not fall. When it does fall, it can be heavy.

Getting there

By plane Ulsan has no international flights, so you have to get off at another airport in Korea. You can check out flights from three places: Seoul (Gimpo), Busan (Gimhae), and Jeju Island. Getting to Ulsan by plane from Incheon International Airport requires a transfer upon landing to Gimpo Airport, which can be done by either train (Arex) or Limousine bus. An easier option might be to take the KTX high speed train directly from Incheon International Airport to Ulsan (no changes required). The flight from Gimpo (operated by Korean Air and Asiana) takes about one hour. Weekday fares start at ₩62,000 rising to ₩71,000 at weekends. (The tourist information booth on the ground floor is a must before leaving the airport for great maps of the city and many leaflets on things to do. There is also literature on Gyeongju) Those wanting to get to and from Gyeongju usually pass through Ulsan airport too. A direct bus service to Gyeongju runs 4 times a day. Departures from Ulsan Airport are at 08:20 11:40 16:10 18:40. Departures from Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal, Platform No.5 are at 07:00, 10:10, 14:30, 17:20. Another option is to fly into Busan's Gimhae International Airport which is about an hour and a half away by bus. If you are flying in directly to Incheon International Airport, you can also take the bus from the airport directly to Ulsan. It leaves from stand 10C outside arrivals, costs approximately ₩40,000 one way and takes about five hours. If you get off at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, you can go to Ulsan by subway and bus. It takes about an hour and a half by subway after two transfers. There is a bus that goes directly into downtown Ulsan at the airport. One bus comes every 30 minutes and it's ₩9,000 one way.

By train

Ulsan has rail links with the rest of the country and it is possible to get to the city without too much trouble or waiting.

KTX KTX serves Ulsan directly. The train station is not in the city center, but to the west of the city in Eonyang. It is for further away from downtown than even the airport, however Ulsan City is accessible by bus from the station. The regular city buses (yellow and white) cost ₩1,150 when using cash, or ₩1,100 when using a transportation card, and are the cheapest, although not the most comfortable way or quickest to get to the city center. The 327, 337 and 807 all run to Samsan-dong, which is the downtown of Ulsan, while other routes stay outside of the city core. These buses do not use the expressway and even makes some stops that are somewhat out of the way, so they may take considerably

Getting around

Ulsan has an extensive public bus network with plans in place to build Light Rapid Transit system in the future. If staying in the city for any length of time then buying the transportation discount card makes economic sense. It will entitle the holder to a ₩50 discount on fares (₩200 discount on Chwaseok "seated" buses) and a free transfer between bus services if made within the hour. Upon exiting the first bus be sure to place the card over the box with an X and O to initiate the free transfer. The cards can be bought and refilled at the vendor shacks located next to any major bus stop in the city. Depending on design it should cost no more than ₩5,000. This does not include any credit which must be paid for in addition. One great feature is that it can be used on other city transport networks across the country.

By bus Getting around the city by bus is a lengthy and time-consuming process. The white express bus services alleviate this somewhat but are less frequent on the routes. The regular yellow city buses cost a flat ₩1,150 (₩1,150 by cash, ₩1,100 by prepaid bus card) regardless of your journey's destination. This makes long-distance bus travel economical, but for short trips not so much. Buses run until about 23:30 in the evening after this they start again early in the morning. Perhaps around 05:00 in some areas. The smaller blue buses only circuit the immediate local area many times a day. These cost ₩600 or more. Step onto the bus at the front with exact change if possible. Drivers do give change but nothing more than a few hundred won. To exit the bus press one of the red buttons for a stop and step off at the back. There's also a sightseeing bus service called Ulsan City Tour. Single-decker buses cost ₩5,000, and double-decker buses cost ₩10,000. Reservation is required for all routes. Homepage (English) Same day KTX ticket holders will get 10% discount.

By taxi Foreigners use taxis in the city frequently and almost always without problem. They're relatively cheap to use especially if the cost is shared among others. Once the bus stops running at night they are the only way to get from place to place over long distances. The minimum fare begins at ₩2,200 for the first 2 km and increases by ₩100 for every 144 m thereafter. Taking a taxi between midnight and 04:00 will mean an increase of 20% on the minimum fare. ₩2,460 being the new minimum, rising at ₩120 thereafter. After 04:00 passes the minimum fare immediately returns to ₩2,200. If your driver places it on the higher fare question this action or ask them to stop and get straight ou

See

Twelve Scenic Areas

Ulsan has designated Twelve Scenic Areas of interest to tourists visiting the city.

1 Mt Gaji (가지산), Geori-ro, Sangbuk-myeon, Ulju-gun (Bus: 807, 1713), ☏ +82 55-356-1915. Selected as one of the 100 Most Beautiful Mountains in Korea, Mt Gaji is the tallest mountain in Ulsan. There are well marked hiking trails up the mountain and are accessible from Seongnamsa Temple. Free. (updated Dec 2025) 2 Sunrise at Ganjeolgot (간절곶), 20-3 Daesong-ri, Seosaeng-myeon, Ulju-gun (From Ulsan Train Station (KTX), take a bus or taxi toward Seosaeng-myeon; the trip takes about 40 minutes by car. The park is located at the easternmost cape of the Korean peninsula, making it one of the earliest spots in East Asia to see the sunrise.). Open year-round, 24 hours. Ganjeolgot Cape is a famous sunrise-viewing spot on Korea’s east coast, located in Ulju, Ulsan. It is celebrated as the first place in Korea (and one of the earliest in East Asia) to see the sunrise due to its geographical position. The site features a lighthouse, a large mailbox symbolizing hope and good fortune, and landscaped walking areas overlooking the East Sea. Every New Year’s Day, thousands of visitors gather here to watch the first sunrise of the year, making it a culturally and spiritually meaningful destination. Free. 3 Black Pebble Beach at Gangdong and Jujeon Seashore (강동몽돌해변), 1650, Donghaean-ro, Buk-gu (Bus: 121, 137, 411, 421, 943), ☏ +82-2-1330. For those hoping for a view of the winter sea, or those longing for the engulfing embrace of the clear dark-blue waves crashing into huge rocks, Gangdong Pebble Beach is the place to be. The coastal road, with its beautiful scenery of the sea and mountains, is a popular driving route. With diverse attractions nearby, many vacationers are attracted to this beach in winter. 4 Daewangam Songnim (대왕암공원), 95, Deungdae-ro, Dong-gu (Bus: 102, 103, 104, 111, 112, 122, 123, 127, 133, 401, 1401), ☏ +82-52-209-3738. Daewangam Park is a seaside park located on the east coast. The park has a walking trail that passes by a forest of pine, cherry blossom trees, magnolias, camellias, apricots, and forsythia. This park is located at the end of the southeasternmost point facing the East Sea, and has a lighthouse that serves as a marker for fisherman and sailors out on the sea. The park is also home to Daewangam Rock that looks like a dragon rising up into the sky. It is connected to the mainland with an iron bridge and has an observation tower. (updated Dec 2025) 5 Naewonam Valley of Mt Daeun (대운산 내원암 계곡), 1301, Unhwa-ri, Onyang-eup (take the Sangdai

Do

Rock climbing Popular on Munsu Mountain, the tallest in the city. Over 100 sport routes are available from 5.8 up to 5.13

Hiking Ulsan is the gateway to Gayasan National Park and is accessible from Eonyang, a suburb of Ulsan. Take a bus to the Eonyang terminal and change for a bus heading to Seongnamsa. Hiking in the numerous mountains around the city is very popular, especially among the Koreans. Just about any wooded area will be flush with hiking trails. The city has a fabulous river park with walking, running and biking trails. Flowers are plentiful and make for pleasant journeys along the river.

Beaches 1 Ulsan Ilsan Beach (울산 일산해수욕장), 18, Haesuyokjang 10-gil, Dong-gu (1 kilometer north of Baneojin). Ilsan Beach is a fine-grained sandy beach that is 600 meters in length, 40-60 meters in width, and 26,000 ㎡ in total area. The water is relatively shallow at 1-2 meters in depth and holds an average temperature of around 21.2 degrees Celsius during the summer months. Every July, there is a beach festival. Ilsan Beach offers various amenities and is surrounded by accommodation facilities, allowing for a comfortable and pleasant stay. Nearby tourist attractions include Daewangam Park and Hwaam Boat Trail Mark Management Center, which has a lighthouse exhibition center and the highest lighthouse observatory in the area, giving visitors a wide-open view of Ulsanhang Harbor. Hyundai Heavy Industry is also located nearby. (updated Nov 2023) 2 Jinha Beach (진하해수욕장), Jinha-ri, Ulju-gun, ☏ +82 052-238-4351. 10:00 ~ 19:00. Jinha Beach is located 20 kilometers southeast of Ulsan and is a little slice of summer paradise measuring 1 kilometer in length and 300 meters in width. Like most beaches along the southern coast, the waters of Jinha are shallow, warm, and calm, making it a perfect place for swimming. The deep scent of the surrounding pine trees mixes with the sea breeze and gives the beach an intimate atmosphere despite its relatively large size. Camping is allowed in the pine woods and is free of charge. Simple shower booths and changing rooms are available for the convenience of the visitors. Freshwater river bathing is also available as the water from Hoeyagang River from Munsusan Mountain flows into the beach area. Near the beach is Ideokdo Island, which consists of two mid-ocean rocks, and Myeongseungdo Island, which can be reached on foot. The latter, in particular, is popular for its beautiful sunset and is famous as a great fishing spot for noraemi, flounder, and rockfish. Around 10 kilometers away is Ganjeolgot Lighthouse, which is in operatio

Eat

1 Ulsan Samsan Wheat Noodles (울산 삼산밀면 본점), 7, 125, Hyeop-ro, Nam-gu (울산 남구 화합로125번길 7) (Near Ulsan Express Bus Terminal), ☏ +82 0507-1317-6140. 10:30 ~ 20:30. It is a noodle that is only eaten in South Gyeongsang Province in Korea.It's a cool noodle called Milmyeon and you can taste the unique taste of Korea. ₩8,500. (updated Sep 2025) 2 Gyeongbokgung (경복궁), 595 Saneop-ro, Nam-gu (From Ulsan Station (KTX), taxi ~25–30 min to Samsan area; the restaurant is along Saneop-ro near the main commercial strip.), ☏ +82-507-1406-0794. 11:00–15:00, 17:00–23:00. A popular spot for premium hanjeongsik and charcoal-grilled beef, suitable for family or business meals. ₩20,000–60,000 (Korean set menus, galbi). (updated Oct 2025) 3 Sushi Kaiki (스시카이키), 5-10 Samsanjung-ro 84beon-gil, Nam-gu (From Ulsan Station, taxi to Samsan; the counter-only omakase is on a side lane off Samsanjung-ro.), ☏ +82-507-1407-4846. 18:00–21:30. Intimate Edomae-style omakase with reserved seatings; advance reservations essential. From ₩120,000 (dinner omakase). (updated Oct 2025) 4 Manjok (만족 울산대점), 5, Daehak-ro 108beon-gil, Nam-gu (From Ulsan Station, taxi to Ulsan University area; located on Daehak-ro 108beon-gil.), ☏ +82-52-998-5789. 16:00–02:00. Casual, value-friendly jokbal/bossam specialist popular in the college district. (updated Oct 2025) 5 Hamyangjip (함양집), 12, Jungang-ro 208beon-gil, Nam-gu (From Ulsan Station, taxi to downtown Nam-gu; the restaurant is off Jungang-ro.), ☏ +82-52-275-6947. 11:00–16:00, 17:00–21:00. Historic Korean restaurant (est. 1924) famous for traditional bibimbap and classic side dishes. ₩10,000–25,000 (traditional bibimbap, bulgogi). (updated Oct 2025) 6 Mimong (미몽), 14-1, Wangsaeng-ro, Nam-gu (from Ulsan Station, taxi to Wangsaeng-ro nightlife strip; venue is along the main road), ☏ +82-52-266-5520. Tu–Su 17:00–03:00. Late-night Japanese-style pub with small plates and drinks; a local favorite. ₩15,000–35,000. (updated Oct 2025) 7 OX Smoke & Broil (OX 스모크 앤 브로일), 231, Samsan-ro, Nam-gu (taxi to Samsan-ro corridor; the restaurant sits on the main avenue near cafes and bars), ☏ +82-52-267-8270. 11:00–22:00. Casual grill house for smoked and broiled meats with a lively atmosphere. ₩12,000–35,000. (updated Oct 2025) 8 Namaskar (나마스카르 삼산점), 11, Samsanjung-ro 48beon-gil, Nam-gu (from Ulsan Station, taxi to Samsanjung-ro; turn into 48beon-gil alley), ☏ +82-52-261-3362. 11:00–15:00, 17:00–22:00. Long-running Indian restaurant serving classic curries and tandoori in the Samsan area. ₩10,000–25,000. (updated Oct 2025) 9 Eonyang Giwa Bulgogi (언양 기와불고기), 86, Heonnyang-gil

Drink & nightlife

Bench Warmers (one block north and one block west of the clock tower ring, look on the right up a short alley for the sign). Great foreigner bar in Shinae (Old Downtown). They host a poker game on a weekly basis.

Sleep

Budget Located around the Taehwa River Station, there are numerous motels to choose from. Typically, these motels will cost anywhere from ₩40,000 to ₩60,000 depending on the time of year. Motel prices fluctuate depending on the season and what is going on in the city. If there is a festival on, you could pay more.

Mid-range Ulsan Hotel. A business-oriented hotel at Gongeoptap Rotary, very close to the Ulsan Grand Park.

Splurge Lotte Hotel. The most luxurious place to stay. It is in the center of the main downtown area, just steps away from various bars and shopping. The intercity and express bus terminals are within a few minutes walking distance. One drawback is the lack of food and drink options (two restaurants and no bars in the hotel), however the hotel's location does alleviate this being in the main downtown area with a decent selection of restaurants and bars within 5 minutes walking distance of the hotel. Hyundai Hotel. Another 5-star accommodation. It is in Dong-Gu, and unless you are visiting the Dong-Gu area, is very inconveniently located. (updated Sep 2024)

Go next

There are many other cities nearby that are cool to check out for a weekend tour.

Busan (부산, 釜山) is an hour away by bus from Samsandong. South Korea's second city, there's something for everyone there. Gyeongju (경주, 慶州) Ancient capital of the Silla Dynasty a short bus or train ride north. Home of Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto. It's an open-air museum and not to be missed. Daegu (대구, 大邱) Large city with its own unique sights to see. Pohang (포항, 浦項) Industrial grit and grim, but a marvelous beach, compact and eminently walkable downtown make this an alternative weekend break.