| Strategically located in the centre
of East Asia, Ulsan lies on the southeast coast of the Korean Peninsula. Ulsan is one of
Korea’s large port cities with a number of harbours like Ulsan, Onsan and Bangeojin
that connect it to other parts of the continent. |
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Hills and mountains such as the Chunhwang,
Neundong, Shinbul, Chwiseo, Cheonseong and others surround Ulsan. The River Taehwa
traverses the city, leaving large fertile tracts on its way to Ulsan Bay. The entire area
is a scenic synthesis of green fields, wooded hills, rivers and sea.
Till the turn of the last century, Ulsan was one of
Korea’s major ports. Today, however, industry takes precedence over all other
commerce, though farming and fishing are other occupations. The hill regions lend
themselves to huge industries, and the Ulsan Industrial Complex sprawls along the
ports as they lie on the crescent Ulsan Bay. Industrial and manufacturing Goliaths
including Hyundai Motors, Ulsan Hyundai Heavy Industry which is the world’s leading
ship-building giant, Samsung, LG and others are the key players in the region.
Football culture is deep-rooted in Ulsan and there
are over 200 registered soccer clubs. The Ulsan Munsu Soccer Stadium built for the
World cup, has a seating capacity of 43,000.
Not just an industrial city
and trading port, Ulsan boasts of numerous historical and cultural attractions. Around
Ulsan, there are a number of stone relics in the form of boulders and petroglyphs. The Cheonjeon-ri
Petroglyphs date back to the Silla Kingdom and the Bangudae Boulder Petroglyphs
to the Stone Age. Inscriptions on the latter depict drawings of hunters, fishermen,
whales, sharks and other animal characters.
Another Silla Kingdom relic is the Mt Gaji
Seoknam Temple built in 824, with well preserved stupas and pagodas. The temple is now
used as a seminary for Buddhist nuns. The Seosaengpo Waeseong Fortress was built by
the Japanese in the late 16 th century.
Also worth visiting are the Amethyst Caves
and a massive field with fossils of dinosaur footprints. And while you are sightseeing,
look up the historical battle relics at Sosaengpo Harbour and Fort Ulsan-song.
Gyeongju, about 30 minutes drive outside
Ulsan, is a major tourist attraction featuring remarkably preserved relics of the Shilla
Kingdom. Gyeongju was the capital of the Shilla Kingdom and there are a number of
spectacular temples and other striking structures including the Bulguksa, Seogguram
Grotto, Anapji Pond, Cheonmachong and Cheomsongdae observatory.
Ulsan celebrates a fair share of festivals and
events, the most notable of which is the Cheoyong Cultural Festival held in
October. Folk shows, cultural events and the Cheoyong Mask Dance are part of the
festivities and people sport pictures of Cheoyong as a talisman toward off evil spirits.
There are plenty of dining and eating out
opportunities, especially for seafood. Charboiled seasoned beef and raw fish are a
speciality and people actually make trips to Ulsan to sample the amazing cuisine.
Getting there: Ulsan is 410 km southeast of
the capital and is connected to Seoul and Jeju by air. Airport Limousine Buses will take
you from the airport to the city centre. There are good expressways and highways
traversing Ulsan and it takes about five and a half hours to get here by road or rail from
Seoul. Within the city, buses and taxis are available to take you around.
Accommodation: From five star luxury and
deluxe hotels to motels, inns, dormitories and homestays, Ulsan has it all.
For detailed country & visitor information, see
South Korea. |
