Sights

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.