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| Ulsan Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Selling and drying fish near Ulsan Korea Selling and drying fish near Ulsan Korea Dia Ulsan is a metropolitan city in the southeast of Korea on the Sea of Japan. It is 70 kilometres north of Busan. Those who come to Ulsan are predominantly here to work for the large conglomerates or heavy industries (Hyundai Motors being one of the most notable) and to teach English as a foreign language. It is considered the industrial centre of the country with some guidebooks likening the city to Pittsburgh or Detroit in the USA. There is much truth in this view. Yet recently re-elected Mayor, Park-Maeng-woo, plans to establish an ‘Eco-polis’ based on the restoration of the Taewha river. In 2010 it will host World Environmental Day which should crown Ulsan's rebirth as an environmentally-friendly ecological city. |
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| There are a small number of appealing districts. 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-something’s wishing to eat, drink and party. There are twelve touristic 'scenic sights' to see in and around city that range from the natural to man-made. However none are world class or notable sites within Korea itself. Ilsan beach offers the best sand and sea in the city but is somewhat polluted and run down thanks to heavy industries becoming located closeby. Although, there are several great beaches just outside of Ulsan including one that is reknowned for windsurfing. For a city of 1.2 million there is no metro system, but an extensive bus network. It takes time to negotiate the city streets on these buses. Ulsan today then, lives in a catch 22 situation – in some districts it is impossible to escape the industries and while these industrial sites are breathe-taking in scope, a testament to the achievement of man, they blight the landscape. On the other hand, the investment from these industries makes the city an undeniably better place to be. Though people living there don’t wish to admit it, there is something likable about Ulsan. Perhaps it’s the industrial grit and grime, though this is doubtful. It might be the constant surprises, of beauty and happiness that peak out between this grit and grime that make it not such a bad place to be after all. Ulsan was a World Cup 2002 host city. _______Sights Edit This i James Saunders Ulsan may lack UNESCO world heritage sites but there are still a number of passably interesting places ranging from the usual scenic views to the modern, industrial and technological. Conveniently the sights have already been scouted and catalogued for us by the Ulsan tourist board. Known as the “twelve scenic areas of Ulsan” they are the best sights the city has to offer. Organized bus tours are available throughout the week and weekend. Mt. Gajisan offers views from the tallest mountain in Ulsan (at 1,240m) and is also the point of origin for the Taewagang River, which runs through the centre of the city. From the top of this mountain you can see the first sunrise each day in Korea. Ganjeolgot Point, allows you to see the earliest sunrise on the entire Northeast Asian continent, particularly popular on New Years Day. Mt. Sinbulsan, the second tallest mountain in Ulsan (at 1,209m) is the setting for a vast plain of reeds that billow in the wind. At fifteen metres and in an area of natural beauty Paraeso Waterfall is also a must see. Back towards the urban districts of the city Daewangam Pine Forest and Rock are perhaps the most popular and visited of every sight. It is said to be the final resting place of Queen Mummu of the Silla who became a guardian dragon rock upon death. The nearby pine forest is home to fifteen thousand trees. According to official Korean tourist literature it is the second most magnificent spot on the east coast of the country. Closer to the centre of town on the banks of the Taewagang are the Standing Rock and Bamboo Forest, a gathering place for migratory birds. There’s even a nod to the industrial might of the city as one of the sights is the Night View of the Ulsan Industrial Complex. From the summit of Mt. Muryongsan, the is a breathtaking vista likened by some to a sprinkle of gemstones. The modern, technological side of Ulsan gets a further nod with the Munsu Sports Complex. Centred around the soccer stadium built for the 2002 World Cup the whole area is a sprawling dedication to sports. To the visitor the main covered retail street in Seongnamdong may provide some interest, especially on a busy Saturday afternoon. It is a showcase of modern Korean fashion, culture and consumerism. It is also possible to go on tours of the Hyundai car/shipyards and SK Oil complexes. Contributors September 27, 2006 change by jimshady (4 points) [Add Sight] Ulgi Park, Daewangam Park and Daewangam Rock Edit This i photo by: James Saunders Located a short walk from Ilsan beach, clustered together and leading into one-another are Ulgi and Daewangam park along with Daewangam rock. These are must see sights for anyone travelling through or staying in Ulsan. Climbing the stairs viewable in the distance from the beach and walking along the alleyway past worn amusements, restaurants and sleeping Ajumma’s will bring out almost to the entrance of the park. A popular spot for families, couples and local tourists Ulgi park provides a bit of a get-away from the sound of industrial bustle. Not the sights more.. type: Landmarks World66 rating: [rate it] Munsu Sports Complex Edit This Munsu Stadium for Korea vs Togo (2006 World Cup) Munsu Stadium for Korea vs Togo (2006 World Cup) photo by: James Saunders Built right out on the western fringes of the city is the Munsu Sports Complex, incorporating the majestic and modern Munsu Stadium – home of the Ulsan Hyundai Tigers soccer team. It is a fifteen-minute walk from the student friendly and buzzing district of Mugeodong. The complex was built for the 2002 World Cup with the stadium’s design spec created to reflect Ulsan as an industrial city. Thus to some it should have a mechanic image. Yet at the same time these steel trusses imitate the natural whalebones of Ulsan Petroglyphs. To most though it’s just an more.. type: Public Buildings World66 rating: [rate it] Paraeso Waterfall Edit This i photo by: James Saunders Travelling high up in the Yeongnam Alps along a mountainous road that drops sheer and sharply into the valley at various times will eventually lead you to one of Ulsan’s twelve scenic sights, Pareso Waterfall. It is arguably the most beautiful and thought-provoking alongside Mt. Gajisan. If coming to the sight on public transport, give yourself a deserved pat on the back for making it – the journey is long, tiring and involves transfers. The few buses that will take you near to the waterfall are at most only two a day. Going by car might lead to an entirely different more.. type: Landmarks World66 rating: [rate it] _______History Edit This History in the making: Ulsan's industrial strength. History in the making: Ulsan's industrial strength. James Saunders Ulsan, not even a smudge in world history prior to 1972, has seen remarkable change and development in the decades following. The history of the city prior to this date is very unremarkable and decidedly average. Though its industrial and ship building roots go back many hundreds of years there was nothing particularly special about it – no technological, societal or cultural firsts. It found itself in a strategic location between the Korean peninsular and Japan with good natural harbours. Things were made here and sent elsewhere. They still are. Ulsan's history has also long been associated with whales. Whaling goes back thousands of years and at nearby Bangudae there are petroglyphs that suggest hunting as long ago as 8,000 years. Hunting did not begin in large numbers until the early 1900s when Russian fishermen arrived in the area. Under Japanese occupation it continued. After the end of World War Two, whales became a valuable source of food in a time of scarcity and hunger. Hunting continued until the International Whaling Commission introduced measures to stop it in 1986. Other events include Ulsan being the location of a major battle between warrior monks attempting to relive beleaguered citizen armies in the area fighting Japanese invasions (1592). Records dating from 1642 show the first seeds from which the city’s history became intertwined with shipbuilding. The Joseon dynasty ordered the first shipping complex to be built. During World War Two the area was a major industrial site for the Japanese thats infrastructure survived the war relatively intact. The following Korean War saw it avoid destruction too thanks to its position inside the Busan perimeter during the darkest days of the conflict. Searching locations for its modernization drive following the conclusion of fighting Ulsan was selected as one of the four possible sites for industrial development of the country by the Korean government. The current president of the time came from the Ulsan area, as did many other high-ranking bureaucrats. Thus with the help of several billion dollars worth of tax incentives and large low interest loans the location suddenly became very favourable for business start-up. And so came Hyundai. In 1972 it built the largest shipyard in the world followed closely by the largest automobile production facility. From 1968 to 1980 there was a 551% growth in the city’s population. And so today much of what we see in Ulsan has been built by the Hyundai Heavy Industries by receive government contracts or selling the equipment needed for such projects. Other companies came (petro-chemical services) turning the city into the industrial capital of the country. In the future this is what its history will be remembered for. ________Getting There Edit This The Beetle ferry service between Busan & Fukuoka. Those in Ulsan will come to know it and love it. The Beetle ferry service between Busan & Fukuoka. Those in Ulsan will come to know it and love it. James Saunders Ulsan is not a difficult city to get to or away from once you are in Korea. If you have time and your own mode of transport that is. The airport has no international flights and it is not possible to fly direct from Incheon Int’l upon landing. Thus almost all of those arriving into the city by air will have transferred to Gimpo airport in Seoul and flown down from there. It is possible to fly into Gimhae Int’l airport in Busan. A direct bus from outside the terminal can have you in Ulsan in just over an hour. Other than that getting to and from the city involves using a bus of some kind. Buses from all over the country arrive and depart from the Samsandong express bus terminal on an almost ‘shuttle service’ basis. Seoul is six hours away with good traffic. Trains are available, sprinkled throughout the day, but are only as fast as the bus service in some cases. However they are cheap and perhaps more comfortable only for the fact that they have toilets. The buses do not. It is possible to take the high-speed train service, the KTX, from Seoul to the city of Daegu and then transfer to a bus or train which will bring you into Ulsan. It will not reduce journey times too much but is an alternative some people do use. As for the roads, it has a fair share of modern expressways and highways that make getting here none too difficult from another city (by private means of course). Yet there are no ferry services despite the number port facilities available. By any means of transport then, getting to Ulsan can be a slow and time consuming thing if you are not flying. It is a situation that leaves many people scratching their heads. Especially after considering the size of the city, it’s population and the heavy industry present with funds to make the necessary improvements. Contributors August 27, 2006 change by jimshady (4 points) [Add Global transport mode] Getting here by air Edit This i photo by: James Saunders As Ulsan recieves no international flights it is only possible to arrive in the city via the air from two destinations - Seoul (Gimpo) and Jeju-do. Getting to Ulsan from Incheon Int’l Airport requires a transfer upon landing to Gimpo Airport. It is best to do this via the limousine bus service, which departs from in front of the main terminal at Incheon Int'l Airport every five minutes. The journey then takes about thirty five minutes. The fare is W6,000. Be sure to listen to the annoucements on the bus as it will inform you of which terminal you need for your more.. type: By Air World66 rating: [rate it] tel: 052 288 7011 url: ulsan.airport.co.kr address: 522 Songjeong-dong, Buk-Gu, Ulsan Metropolitan City. Getting here by train Edit This i photo by: James Saunders 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. As previously mentioned, there is no KTX service. Coming south from Seoul it is best to take the KTX to Dongdaegu and transfer to a regular train service from there. Alternatively ride the KTX all the way to Busan and then come north on a train or bus. Taking the slower and cheaper trains are also an option. From Seoul Station, the Saemaeul service departs twice a day taking five hours thirty minutes costing 36,900won. The Mugunghwa more.. type: By Rail World66 rating: [rate it] Getting here by road Edit This i photo by: James Saunders Getting to Ulsan by car is simple enough as Korea is relatively small and has a network of well developed roads. Be aware that the traffic lights take a long time to change. Patience is advised. From Seoul, Daejeon and Daegu, the fastest road that connects Seoul and Ulsan is the Gyeonbu Expressway. Take the Gyeongbu Expressway from Seoul to Busan and exit at Eonyang junction to reach Ulsan. From Gwangju, take the Namhae Expressway toward Busan and exit at Wonyang junction to reach Ulsan. From Chuncheon, take the Jungang Expressway toward Daegu. Then more.. type: By Road World66 rating: [rate it] Getting here by sea Edit This The Beetle ferry service between Busan & Fukuoka. Those in Ulsan will come to know it and love it. The Beetle ferry service between Busan & Fukuoka. Those in Ulsan will come to know it and love it. photo by: James Saunders There are no ferry services in Ulsan though some people do arrive via work on boats that make port at the shipyards. The nearest international ferry services for the general public are in Busan where they arrive from a whole host of places including China and Japan. It is very rare that anyone would actually want to come to Ulsan for the first time using these services. Many English teachers make use of the ferries in Busan for the E-2 visa run to Fukuoka in Japan. type: By Sea World66 rating: [rate it] _________Day Trips Edit This And not one Hobbit in sight. And not one Hobbit in sight. James Saunders Ulsan is blessed with a number of worthy day trips away from the city. Usually one day can only scratch the surface of the place as more often than not a whole weekend is needed to fully explore. Those looking for a big city trip with a combination of sights, shopping, food and nightlife need look no further than seventy kilometres south to Busan. Korea’s second city is an hour ride away from Samsandong by express bus. Arriving at the first subway stop on the orange line the whole of the city is at your disposal for day and night. Alternatively take the bus from Samsandong directly to Haeundae in Busan, the location Korea’s most famous beach resort. Join in a game of volleyball with the regular foreigner games that take place there. In the opposite direction, to the north, is a completely different day trip. Known as “the museum without walls”, Gyeongju offers ancient cultural experiences and history. There are temples, burial mounds, and of course stone ruins along with a number of traditional shows to enjoy. Gyeongju is also home of the famous Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto that are the grandest tourist and Buddhist pilgrimages in the whole of Korea. These sights are breath taking, especially with favourable weather conditions. Hiking is also an option on this trip with numerous mountains available to climb. Mount Namsam and Tomasan are two of note. The amusement park Gyeongju World is located this way, towards the exclusive Bomun lake resort. It makes for a fun filled excursion. Further north still, but no more than two hours away, is the city of Pohang. Its credentials bear many similarities with Ulsan (it is the home of the enormous industrial steel manufacturer POSCO) yet it presents a downtown area that is easily walk-able, with fresh, fine beaches and a nightlife dotted with US military personnel. From here it is possible to take ferries to Ulleungdo and then onto Dokdo. Heading west doesn’t bring you to much except a number of smaller sights to see that if put together into one trip can make for quite an enjoyable day - pottery villages, isolated temples and shrines, amethyst caves and rock art to name just a few. One of the new jewels in the crown to the west of the city is Aqua Fantasia. The brand new water park (complete with wave pool) offers great family fun in a clean, safe environment. Next door is Tongdosa Fantasia, a rather agreeable amusement park. Thus having Ulsan as a base to explore the surrounding area can be quite an advantageous situation to be in. If you’re not near the transportation hubs in the city to get you to and from these places then it will take time – but it is still very much worth the effort. [Add Day Trip] Seokguram Grotto Edit This And not one Hobbit in sight. And not one Hobbit in sight. photo by: James Saunders If you are visiting Bulguksa, adding Seokguram Grotto to a day’s itinerary requires little thought or effort. You’ll be glad you did. From Bulguksa Temple’s ticket booth (be sure you’re at the right one) the hiking trail snakes upwards into the distance, built with cobbled stones enclosed by forest either side. Animals squeak, squawk and rustle about their business as the smell of fresh pine quickly invades the nostrils. It certainly is pleasant enough with views (photographic opportunities) of the surrounding country. After about forty-five minutes more.. World66 rating: [rate it] Aqua Fantasia Edit This i photo by: James Saunders Tongdo Aqua Fantasia, a mere sixty minutes west of Ulsan, is an exciting, modern, and clean water park to make a leisurely day trip to. Opened this season it boasts a number of attractions in a stunning mountainside setting. Admission to Aqua Fantasia is a tolerable 32,000won for adults but once through the main entrance everything is paid for using your locker key that is initially charged with money (at the desk next to the changing rooms). It is an ingenious and convenient system that allows you to get on with having fun in the water without having to worry about more.. World66 rating: [rate it] url: www.fantasia.co.kr Bulguksa Temple Edit This Bulguksa Temple with the Jahamun gate in the background. Bulguksa Temple with the Jahamun gate in the background. photo by: James Saunders The most famous temple in Korea, Bulguksa, is ideally located a short distance from the Ulsan area that can be comfortably covered within a day. It’s difficult to fathom how one could be disappointed with the sight unless you are there with the tourist hoards. Visit off-season while the weather is still pleasant. Visit during the dead of winter when everything is encased in ice and the weak sunlight twinkles off the frost. It’s magical. It’s enchanting. It is the picture of the east you always had in your mind but never knew if it really existed. Bulguksa more.. World66 rating: [rate it] Haeundae Edit This Haeundae Beach at peak season. Haeundae Beach at peak season. photo by: James Saunders Haeundae, an hour and half away from Samsandong express bus terminal is an excellent day trip, serving up a prestigious golden sand beach, western shopping and eating opportunities along with some laidback café culture and sizzling nightlife. Situated in the city of Busan and stretching 1.55 km in a gently curving horseshoe shape it is Korea’s most famous beach. The golden sand - regrettably not always garbage free – is some of the best maintained in the entire country with ample space (off-peak) to sun-bathe, play sports and swim in the ocean. Be sure to visit more.. World66 rating: [rate it] Pohang Edit This Buk-Bu Beach, Pohang. Buk-Bu Beach, Pohang. photo by: James Saunders The city of Pohang is just within comfortable journey time for a day trip, though one could really spend a whole weekend exploring everything it has to offer. It’s a change of scenery, a change of people and a taste of what life is like in a city that shares similarities with Ulsan, yet with some subtle differences underneath. One of the main advantages it has over Ulsan is the fact that the downtown district is compact and easily covered on foot. It is like having Samsandong and Seongnamdong together, creating a shopping/entertainment lovers paradise. Arriving by more.. World66 rating: [rate it] url: www.ipohang.org Busan Aquarium Edit This i photo by: James Saunders The largest Aquarium in Korea is at Haeundae beach in Busan, once again a short journey from Ulsan. According to horribly out of date web literature it intended to be the premiere tourist attraction in Korea outside of Seoul by 2002. Four years on it is a claim that cannot be made. Further claims for a world class standard in customer service and exhibition design are disputable. What Busan Aquarium is however, is good clean family fun. And sometimes that’s all you want and need. With over 35,000 specimens to admire there’s a lot of things to see. From more.. World66 rating: [rate it] tel: 051-740-170 url: www.busanaquarium.com email: webmaster@busanaquarium.com ________Beaches Edit This i James Saunders Throughout the Ulsan metropolitan there are three main beaches and beach areas. Each differs quite substantially from the last and have their own distinct characteristics. Ilsan beach, in Bangeojin, offers the closest beach get-away to the downtown districts. Bizarrely it also has the only Subway Sandwich in the city which makes it a popular foreigner stop - for many it is the only reason to go there. Next to Ilsan is Ulgi park, Daewangam Rock and Pine forest (the latter is a scenic sight). It is a popular place with school children and couples looking for a slice of romance. On the southern edge of the metropolitan area is Jinha. This charming beach makes for an ideal get-away for the day, though the water may not be as clean as the tourist literature leads you to expect. An illuminated Myeongseondo Island at night makes for a great place to look out over with some food, drink and friends. The black pebble beach at Gangdon offers something completely different. Coupled with the Jujeon seashore (a scenic sight) there is a chance of some seclusion up and over the mountains. This beach is situated in the northeast outskirts of the city. Life at a Korean beach really differs to what westerners are used to. Arriving at a beach here can be likened to jumping into a big tub full of cultural differences all of which are spilling out over the sides. Koreans swim and play in the ocean fully clothed. They lie buried in the sand fully clothed in the belief that it is healthy to do such a thing. Koreans like to let firecrackers off as soon as dusk arrives. Koreans bring tents and feasts to make their stay a home-from-home. You will see Korean men topless in their Speedos, but you will rarely see Korean women wearing bikinis. The foreigners then, who wear less, are a constant source of amusement. Expect to be stared at if wearing a swimming costume that would back home be considered normal. Here it will be provocative, salacious and daring. It is all quite a sight for the uninitiated. Especially when you see a father passing on the art of using a firecracker to his 4-year-old. Most of the time it defies logic. It will make you realise how different out cultures really are. So the beaches in Ulsan are not that clean but offer a beach experience if you so desire one. Those looking for a better beach experience would be best looking south (once again) to Busan. Seongjong beach and the famous Haeundae beach are no more than an hour and thirty minutes away by bus from Samsandong express bus terminal. Contributors August 30, 2006 change by jimshady (4 points) [Add Beach] Ilsan Beach Edit This A wide shot of Ilsan Beach, that hides the lack of cleanliness somewhat. A wide shot of Ilsan Beach, that hides the lack of cleanliness somewhat. photo by: James Saunders Upon arriving in the area you may feel like you have just been deposited in some downmarket seaside resort. Walking down the main road towards the seafront this becomes even more apparent. There are a number of amusements almost all of which are heavily worn and dated. Small go-karts for children, test your strength machines and video games spit noise and colour at you from the side. It is not the cleanest beach one will ever visit. In fact, I continue to be horrified by the amount of rubbish that accumulates there. It puts me off playing sports for fear of stepping on more.. World66 rating: [rate it] Gangdong Beach Edit This i photo by: James Saunders The Jeongja coast, incorporating Jeongja Harbour and Gangdong Beach, out along the north-east coast of Ulsan captures “the essence of the winter sea”. It is ideal place for a windswept lonesome visit and/or private reflection time. You’ll find it hard to believe that the city is still so close. If you visit here looking for other beach type things you might be sorely disappointed. Jeongja Harbour with its coloured lighthouses provides a good base from which to explore the area. Be sure not to miss the fishing trawlers lined up that gives some impression more.. World66 rating: [rate it] Jinha Beach Edit This Myeongseondo Island, Jinha. Myeongseondo Island, Jinha. photo by: James Saunders Jinha Beach is situated in the far south of the Ulsan metropolitan area, away from the main urban centres but close to a number of sprawling, key, heavy industrial sites. Walking out onto the front for the first time you will be met by a long, but relatively narrow, crescent shaped beach which on the left points out to the small island of Myeongseondo. In summer it sits in the hazy mist like a forgotten treasure island. It is possible to wade out to it at low tide though you will usually see a number of sea women wading across at high tide too with fish and goods more.. World66 rating: [rate it] email: joshualynskey@hotmail.com ________Bars and Cafes Edit This For coffee, tea and a drink Ulsan will not leave you disappointed or dry. There are a number of excellent choices - both independent and chain - available throughout the city. The pick of the bunch tend to be located in or around the districts of Samsandong, Seongnamdong and Mugeodong though there are exceptions. If in Samsandong the Lotte and Hyundai department stores serve up tasty caffeine stimulants on their higher floors. There’s one just inside of the Lotte Cinema complex. Across the road at Hyundai there is now a Satarbucks coffee built into its ground floor with a Nero’s a short walk down the street from too. La Scala is an upmarket coffee joint with its own donuts a few blocks away also. In Mugeodong choose Da Vinci’s, a popular place with students from the nearby university. In this district it is best to dive in and discover a new one every time because there are so many. It is Seonamdong that has the most popular places with foreigners in the whole of the city. Holly’s Coffee in the prime of locations almost always has someone you know drinking coffee on the veranda (in summer). But it is J&J Coffee that steals the show in this district. Away down the side street beside Illy’s Coffee, one small block from Shigaetop, J&J does great drinks in beautifully designed premises. It is the best place for coffee and tea in all of Ulsan. Very soon Starbucks will be joining these, almost directly across from Holly’s Coffee. And of course Dunkin’ Donuts is everywhere if that is your preferred taste. As for bars in the city there is a mix of foreign owned and foreigner friendly establishments. Tucked away on second or third floors down a none-descript alley it can be difficult to find them at first. Foreigner operated Tombstone and Benchwarmers are the best places in the city to go, especially for western foods. For extra variety Bar Mckenzies and The Royal Anchor are foreigner friendly in Seongnamdong. If in Bangeojin head to the Korean Union, Ballentines, The Elephant and Castle all of which are locals for the British Engineers in the area. Samsandong has a handful of decent bars including Be-Bop Jazz (complete with live Jazz music) and Route 66. You may notice the Korean operated franchise Wa-Bar in every district. It is a western themed with a good atmosphere and usually good music. The food quality may be questionable but is an agreeable place to spend some time. For café’s and bars then Ulsan is blessed with some excellent outlets and that’s not even mentioning those that are yet to be discovered by foreigners. Contributors November 10, 2006 new by jimshady (4 points) [Add Bar] Bangojin Bar & Pub Edit This Check this link: http://www.pbase.com/gunnarhorpestad/ulsan_bar__pub World66 rating: [rate it] _________Things to do Edit This Cheongokdong Temple Cheongokdong Temple James Saunders After a short time in Ulsan when the most popular and easily accessible things have been discovered then comes the inevitable love affair with Busan. For some it is permanent resulting in a move to the city. Others react against it, preferring to have it as the city next door. And when this happens looking a little closer to home will reveal that Ulsan has things to do. Spread out and usually always a smaller version than on offer elsewhere Ulsan probably has it hidden somewhere. And if it doesn’t have it, with a little bit of motivation why not start it? It does have many of the same things you might find in any other city around the world – a whole host of box department stores to investigate and cinemas (of varying quality). But these things aside it is those specific to Ulsan that warrant some words. Those who love sports will be happy to know that there are two major teams fielding sides for soccer and basketball. Alas there is no baseball. The Ulsan Hyundai Tigers (Hyundai Horang-i) play at Munsu stadium. With a seating capacity of 44,474 and built for the 2002 world cup these days it sits eerily devoid of supporters on game day. Ulsan Mobis basketball team ply their trade near the Mega Mart. There is decent basketball on show, with a small number of foreign players to cheer for. It can be an enjoyable afternoon/evening out with a few friends in tow. Ulsan Grand Park is a cheap and ultimately positive experience for a day in any season. Hire bicycles, skateboard or rollerblade. Visit the petting zoo and butterfly house too. Play sports at any of the courts dotted along the way including Volly-Soccer that seems popular here. Those living out in Bangeojin have the finest pick of city’s facilities, thanks to the Hyundai Corporation. The Hyundai Arts Centre is a mecca for culture, western and otherwise. Theatre companies with plays and opera stop by with their very good shows. The only ice skating rink in the city is also located here along with opportunities to go ten-pin bowling. Further all of this is incredibly cheap (or free) thanks to subsidies. For the more adventurous there is indoor rock climbing in Bangeojin at two locations and at other selected spots (some indoor, some outdoor). There are a number of high quality artificial sports surfaces. For those staying a little longer, look into foreigner-organized sports. Ultimate Frisbee happens every Sunday down by the Taewha Hotel on the field and recently the foreigner football team, The Won Shot Wanderers, has restarted too. Ulsan doesn’t offer everything, but offer it does and anyone not living in or near Bangeojin, might well think that there is a lack of things to do. Thus with some aforementioned time, patience and dedication everything you can find it. And in turn the city might not lack so many things to do. Contributors November 01, 2006 new by jimshady (5 points) [Add Activity] Cheongokdong Edit This Cheongokdong Temple Cheongokdong Temple photo by: James Saunders On the extreme northern fringes of the city, past the airport and supermarket Homever (formerly the Carrefoure) is Cheongokdong. It’s attractions: a pleasant morning/afternoons hike followed by a visit to a Buddhist temple. The hike itself is none too difficult beginning in trees and bracken before breaking out onto the ridgeline and circling a deep valley. Unfortunately the industrial complex here spoils the view somewhat. Try to frame it out. Before a summit attempt be sure to stop at the rocky outcrop before things start to get rather steep. Sit out here with more.. type: Hiking World66 rating: [rate it] |
