10 Best Natural Wonders in Ulsan

Gajisan sits at an altitude of 1,241 meters above sea level, making it the highest mountain among the 9 peaks of the Yeongnam Alps. Many visit this mountain throughout the year for its beautiful sunrise, but it’s a good idea to plan a wintertime vacation as it’s one of few places in Ulsan where you can tread on snow. Hiking the summit takes about 3 hours (round trip), but well worth it for the spectacular scenery.

The mountain has many notable rocky spots with their own legends, such as Beteulbawi, Ttanbawi, and Ssalbawi. East of the mountain is Seongnamsa Temple, which dates back to the Silla Kingdom. The site has several relics, including a stupa and a 3-storey stone pagoda.

Ganjeolgot Cape is one of the best sunrise-watching spots in Ulsan, along with Pohang’s Homigot and Gangneung's Jeongdongjin. In fact, this cape is where you can see the rising sun around 1 minute earlier than Homigot and 5 minutes earlier than Jeongdongjin. The sun actually rises the earliest in wintertime, especially on 1 January. As a result, Ganjeolgot is a popular site for many to welcome the new year.

It is said that on a clear day, the light from the white lighthouse, which has served as a guide for ships for over a century since 1920, can be seen even 48 km away. In the park lies the Hope Mailbox, which is more than twice as tall as a typical adult. If you write a postcard and put it in the mailbox, it will actually be delivered to your destination. For a day trip, enjoy a cup of coffee at a cool cafe along with a beautiful view out the window, and, if you wish to watch the sunrise, camp out at a camping ground to spend a night and enjoy the wait until the red sun rises over the horizon.

Daewangam Pine Forest is a beautiful beach where hundred-year-old huge pine trees exude rich scents. It holds a mystical legend that the queen of Munmu, the king of Silla who accomplished unification of the Three States, died and later became a patriotic dragon before being buried underneath a rock in Ulsan. After walking past a forest of 15,000 pine trees and a suspension bridge, you will reach Daewangam. The rock itself and the waves that crash into it create a nice panorama.

As you walk along a trail with the pine trees above you like a roof, the scent of pine inhaled through your nose soon spread throughout your body. The 303-metre-long suspension bridge is safe to accommodate 1,285 adults walking over it at the same time but the bridge wobbles and, also, you can watch the sea way below through a wired net beneath you, which makes it so thrilling that will make your legs shake. Many people have visited the park ever since the opening of the suspension bridge and, whenever you walk over the rocks and take pictures, make sure to be careful and not to lose your footing.

Sinbulsan Falls Natural Recreation Forest, which can accommodate up to 1,000 people every day, features an abundant quantity and a variety of species of trees to attract many campers. Unique-shaped rocks and diverse trees seemingly hold the ancient mysteries and help you experience true healing by nature. Its 41 lodging facilities and 17 camping grounds accept only a limited number of people and the forest is divided into upper and lower parts to make it less crowded and more pleasant.

Here, you can learn about nature and forests through various programs, so it is a perfect learning site for children. Of course, nature is a lifelong friend, so adults can learn a thing or two as well. Become a simple being in the midst of a green forest and clear water and spend a time of true recovery while enjoying a forest bath. Making a reservation in advance is mandatory, and it is so popular that campers are drawn by lot on weekends and during peak seasons, so make sure to plan your trip ahead of time.

Jujeon Pebble Beach is a relaxing beach where black pebbles, which are rarely seen on the East Coast, form a 1.5-km-long seafront. These pebbles usually come flooding into the beach at high tide before returning to where they were at low tide.

Cafes and restaurants offer great views of this unique beach and gorgeous sea. It is also a great place for camping, thanks to a huge carpark. You can retire for the night to the sound of uniformly and gently crashing waves.

Ganwoljae is a popular pass that represents the Yeongnam Alps. Every fall, a large number of people visit to watch silver grass that flutter in the wind, and the field of silver grass that reflects the sunshine is so fantastic that you will not regret the visit even if you don't like places with crowds of people. The photos are very beautiful as well, which is why it is widely loved by people of all ages and genders.

The trail, which stretches some 13 km for a round trip, is a little bit too much for a novice to finish, but the slope is not steep so you can even find children on a diligent hike. The side where a deer farm is located is a bit more flat, so make sure to choose a course based on your ability in hiking. At the 900-metre-high peak, a stone pagoda stands, and this is a great place to take a selfie to prove your successful climb up to the top. Eating cup ramen has become a necessary part of a hike in Ganwoljae. If you wish to enjoy the Yeongnam Alps without having to climb a tall mountain, make sure to visit Ganwoljae in the fall. If you are looking for a quiet, peaceful atmosphere, we recommend you to avoid the month of October.

Ilsan Beach spans 600 meters, curving gradually like a half moon in Ulsan. It’s a natural spot that offers both laidback and energetic activities. Waves are gentle thanks to its topography that curls in like an earthen pot, which is why there is no difficulty in sea bathing and water sports even for novice swimmers. As you sit on the beach made of fine sand and gaze out at the sea, the Daewangam Rock forest trail, which is basically a breakwater made by nature, unfolds before you like a painting.

The excitement for those who love thrilling experiences cannot be left out as well. When you ride an extreme boat, speed boat or banana boat to scud over the waters, the overflowing adrenaline will be too much to handle. If you are with your family, try a family boat or picnic boat. The time you spend on the sea in a quiet, relaxing manner will present you with great joy. At one of the restaurants or cafes located along the coastal road, you will be able to quench your hunger or thirst after hours of playing in the water, which will make your day even more satisfactory.

Sinbulsan, boasting an altitude of 1,159 meters, is the second tallest mountain followed by Gajisan, the highest peak of Yeongnam Alps. The name, Sinbulsan, means a mountain where spirits practice Buddhism. As the name suggests, miraculous energy is felt on a foggy day. The path through Ganwoljae has a gentle slope but is longer whereas the other path is steep, so choose whichever you like. If you climb the steep trail, be careful at the Dinosaur Ridge that often sees accidents. The view of the silver grass field you see at the top will be quite a spectacle.

Mountains in Korea exude different appeals from one season to the next and they all have their own seasons when they are the most beautiful. For Sinbulsan, it is late fall when silver grass, maple leaves and the beauty of the mountain are at their climax. If you're lucky, you may find flying squirrels, which are Natural Monument No. 328, or perhaps wildcats, martens, weasels and raccoons, which are Level 2 endangered species. They will all add more excitement to hiking. Fill your fall Instagram with photos of the silver grass.