Ulsan Sightseeing Guide

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.