Pohang

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 train or bus be sure to stop at any tourist information booth you find for excellent maps and guides to the city. You’ll find them an invaluable source of up-to-date information that offers far more than the Lonely Plant or Moon Guide currently available.

The train deposits you almost at the top of the downtown district. It is a wide, pedestrian street with an entire collection of familiar brand named stores. As with everywhere in Korea be sure to investigate the side streets for those extra little bits.

Do not miss “Can More” noticeable by its large green sign painted in bright fruit colours. It is Pohang’s equivalent of Red Mango.

A short walk from this area will bring you to Jukdo Market, a labyrinth of covered alley ways in which all kinds of wares are sold. Wander, get lost, and discover. Home can feel so far away.

Buk-bu beach makes for a good afternoon rest prior to a night out. It is (relatively) rubbish free having very fine sand combined with shallow water to wade in. On a lucky day you may see horses and be able to take a ride. Just like Ulsan though heavy industry is never too far away. Enjoying the view means enjoying a view of POSCO, the steel manufacturers.

Expect the few foreigner bars in Pohang to cater primarily for US Marines who are stationed on the outskirts of the city. Venture into Mindy’s or Beethoven’s (especially) prior to curfew time and you’ll be greeted by a little slice of the USA in Korea. These bars then go dead after curfew while the English teachers slowly appear out of the shadows to make up the numbers once more. It seems the two groups to not mix.

Other attractions of special note are the Hwanho Sunrise Park and Mt. Naeyeon with its twelve waterfalls, the latter being more difficult to reach from the city during a day trip.

Although Pohang has no sights that immediately grab your attention if you have a spare few days or empty weekend then going here will be a satisfying experience. You may come away with a renewed love for Ulsan.

Getting there: There are regular buses throughout the day from Samsandong express bus terminal. Going by train requires one change in Gyeongju. The journey time (including layover) is a little over two hours.

Ferries for Ulleungdo and Dokdo depart from here.