Ulsan Travel Guide

 
by Tongdosa
  •   Off The Beaten Path
    by Tongdosa
  • Ulsan and the Taehwa River
      Ulsan and the Taehwa River
    by Buttercup7
  • Back Alley archery
      Back Alley archery
    by bpacker
  •   Ulsan
    by Tongdosa
  • View from my apartment
      View from my apartment
    by DSwede

Explore Ulsan

Things to Do  

Gyeongju (aka Kyongju)

Gyeongju (aka Kyongju), Ulsan

 DSwede Says:  Kyongju was a ruling seat of the part of the old empire, with some nice parks and historic sites. Having worked in Ulsan for several months, I have found my way to Kyongju many times. Among the highlights was Anapji (original name of Imhaejeon), a temple built around an... 

Shopping, dining or drinking in Mugoedong

Shopping, dining or drinking in Mugoedong, Ulsan

 DSwede Says:  This is the university area of Ulsan. There will be many students and young professionals out. There are countless boutiques, restaurants, bars, PC-bongs, etc. You can find almost everything here either in the stores or being sold on the street vendors. 

Girimsa Temple

Girimsa Temple, Ulsan

 DSwede Says:  Went to Girimsa Temple, which was very nice. It wasn’t as large as Bulgoksa, but was cleaner, kept up and in a beautiful mountain valley. If the time of year is to your advantage, the mountains and temple have many cherry blossoms that bloom. 

Hotels  

Lotte Hotel Ulsan

 1 Review and 51 Opinions  Simply the best hotel in Ulsan that has western amenities. I've stayed in a few hotels around Ulsan... 

Hyundai

 23 Opinions

Hotels  

Lotte Hotel: Lotte Hotel

Lotte Hotel: Lotte Hotel, Ulsan

 wolink Says:  It was a pleasant stay in the Lotte Hotel. The breakfast was excellent, also the rooms where very good.We have also a very good diner in this Hotel. Pool, Gym, GolfFrom the resterant t the top of the Hotel a great view over the city 

Restaurants  

Namaskar: The Best Indian (& Nepalese) in Ulsan

Namaskar: The Best Indian (& Nepalese) in Ulsan, Ulsan

 DSwede Says:  For a long time, there was only one Indian restaurant in Ulsan. Many locals were dissapointed and stopped frequenting it as often since they reduced the menu and raised the prices. In all honesty, we all but stopped going to it.But thankfully somebody knew our plight and... 

Indo Yohang: The original Indian rest in Ulsan

Indo Yohang: The original Indian rest in Ulsan, Ulsan

 DSwede Says:  While there are countless Indian restaurants in Seoul and a couple in Busan, there are very few of decent quality anywhere else in Korea.Indo Yohang is a small venue, with approximately 8 tables. It has a small menu, but all the items are very good quality. The owners are... 

Kebabistan: Authentic Turkish

Kebabistan: Authentic Turkish, Ulsan

 DSwede Says:  While obviously there are many restaurants in Ulsan, there are very few non-Korean restaurants to choose from. Many of them come and go because the local Koreans do not frequent them enough to keep them profitable.An exception to that rule is Kebabistan. It serves Turkish... 

Chai: Great authentic Chinese

Chai: Great authentic Chinese, Ulsan

 DSwede Says:  Arguably the most authentic Chinese food I've had while living in Korea.The restaurant opened in early 2008, but quickly built up a reputation as a quality establishment. The decorations are not over done, but that's just what you want. You want the attention to be paid to... 

Red House: Nice place and test the Sandwich

Red House: Nice place and test the Sandwich, Ulsan

 jhaffner Says:  The people is friendly and the service is good. If you eat in the lunch time, be early. If yoy are comming some few minuts over 12, you have to wait for a time before you get your food. For Lunch you have to try the sandwich 

Bright Cell: Western food (Steak, Fish&chips, Mexican, Italian)

Bright Cell: Western food (Steak, Fish&chips, Mexican, Italian), Ulsan

 hiddink Says:  The restaurant serves different kind of food. From T-bone steak, Fish&Chips to Mexican and Italian food.Also as a bar this place has a good ambience. Music clips on big screen TV and also sports are shown for the local foreigners. Almost everything. 

Nightlife  

Benchwarmers and Tombstone: Where everybody knows your name

Benchwarmers and Tombstone: Where everybody knows your name, Ulsan

 Buttercup7 Says:  These are the two main bars for foreign teachers (and some brave Korean teachers) in Ulsan. Great food, great atmosphere. Large screen TVs and foosball at each, Tombstone has a pool table, Bench has darts. Bench has open mic every Wednesday night, which is great fun. They're... 

Royal Anchor & Benchwarmers: Oldtown Hangout

Royal Anchor & Benchwarmers: Oldtown Hangout, Ulsan

 DSwede Says:  Again, bars in Ulsan come and go, almost as fast as the typical teachers who come here. Just when one is starting to quiet down, another is picking up. Wait a few months and the ebb and flow may change again.Royal Anchor was the place to be several years ago and has recently... 

W Garden, Golden Eagle, Beat: Meeting ex-pats in Ulsan (Samsan)

W Garden, Golden Eagle, Beat: Meeting ex-pats in Ulsan (Samsan), Ulsan

 DSwede Says:  Bars in Ulsan come and go like the seasons. Even those that survive more than a year or two go through cycles of popularity.In and around Samsan-dong (the neighborhood near the Lotte Hotel), there are a couple of bars that expats frequent. Obviously if you've ever been to... 

Benchwarmers and Tombstone: Where you want nobody to know your name...

Benchwarmers and Tombstone: Where you want nobody to know your name..., Ulsan

 niball Says:  Benchwarmers and Tombstone: Where you want nobody to know your name..Both these places are incredible lame. Old, run-down may be a great place if you're a teacher or something alike.If your are out for fun in Ulsan, go to some korean clubs or bars in old downtown or the new... 

Acid Bar: Where It's At

Acid Bar: Where It's At, Ulsan

 ScarlettKeating Says:  Acid Bar is the new place to be if you're an expat living in Ulsan. Located near the Gonguptop (sp?) Rotary and across from 'Bobos' (spot the gawdy neon red signage), it's a large basement club with bar, dance floor, big comfy chairs and a nori-bang room. The bar staff never... 

Transportation  

To/from Ulsan (from Gimhae and other places)

To/from Ulsan (from Gimhae and other places), Ulsan

 DSwede Says:  Busan's Gimhae Airport: there is an express bus to/from downtown Ulsan. Ulsan's stop for Gimhae airport is under the bridge, by the river adjacent to Taehwa Hotel (see picture). Cost is 7400KRW one-way. You must buy the ticket at the vending office next to the bus stop.... 

Bus to Donghae, Busan and Beyoung

Bus to Donghae, Busan and Beyoung, Ulsan

 bpacker Says:  The inter-city and express bus terminals are just next to each other. So if you need to take a bus to Gyeongju, take the express bus . If you need to go to Donghae and beyound, take the inter-city bus terminal. I took a bus from here to Sokcho and it took me about 7 hours... 

Shopping  

Mugeo-dong area market: Shop the street markets
DSwede profile photo

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

DSwede 1654 reviews
Mugeo-dong at night

This is not a 'shop', but more of a bunch of small streets with many shops and vendors. It is opposite the university, so there will be many people during most hours. The fashions and food will be popular with the younger crowds, but that does not mean that only the young can enjoy it here.

At night, this is a popular place to go for dinner and drinks too.

What to buy: You can buy just about anything from quality dinners to fried fish on a stick, CD's, shoes, clothes (might not fit most westerners), electronics, etc.

What to pay: In the stores, pay posted price. On the street, you can haggle.

Written Jul 10, 2007

Address: Mudeo-dong

Was this review helpful?

Tourist Traps  

Ulsan beach
Rob47 profile photo

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Rob47 360 reviews

It is a seaside resort and Ulsan beach looks ok but you will notice that people do not go in the sea.
This is because sewage outlet goes straight into the sea here. What a shame !

Unique Suggestions: Enjoy the walk up the hill and look around the stalls.Some nice bars with good views over the small bay.

Fun Alternatives: Drive along the coast to other beaches which are clean.

Updated Jul 2, 2003

Was this review helpful?

Off The Beaten Path  

Munsusa and Munsusan
Tongdosa profile photo
Tongdosa 3 reviews
the tall staircase
1 more image

Take a taxi from Mugodong to Munsusan and enjoy a nice day in the countryside 5,000W. There is a bus stop at the highway but I don't remember the schedule or the name of the stop, so a good way to get back to the city for 1,000W.

Although it is very close to Ulsan you can get away from most of the noise out here. The temple here is a great for its size. Walk through the temple area and you can try and get a coin to stick to a flat granite rock. The belief is if your soul is pure it'll stick. I cheat and dip mine in candlewax, although I have gotten it to work 2 times.

To really get off the beaten path take a left down a dirt path when you see the tall staircase. If you follow this path you'll have to cross a small path to see a cave shrine. Many mountain climbers use this path to get to their climbing area. There are 4 tombstones to those who've died climbing there. (If you are a large or uncordinated person I suggest you not take this short detour) Also don't take this detour if you're afraid of heights. Once you've seen the shrine you have to take the same way back.

Updated Dec 27, 2010

Related to:
 Hiking and Walking
 Mountain Climbing
 Photography

Was this review helpful?

Comments

Map of Ulsan