Learning ancestors wisdom through onggi pottery | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Located in Ulju-gun, Ulsan, Ganjeolgot is the place where the sun rises first on the Korean Peninsula, making it a representative spot visited by many every New Year's Day to witness the sunrise. Here, the sun rises about 1 minute earlier than at Pohang Homigot and about 5 minutes earlier than at Gangneung Jeongdongjin. One of Ganjeolgot's symbols, the Ganjeolgot Lighthouse, is a historic lighthouse built in the 1920s during the Japanese colonial period. It is now loved as a great walking course and photo spot as it blends with the surrounding park. The white lighthouse standing tall against the blue sea makes the scenery of Ganjeolgot even more impressive. Another special attraction here is the world's largest wish mailbox. Postcards put in it are actually delivered anywhere nationwide, and free postcards are distributed at Ganjeolgot Haeolje (Uljugun specialty product store), offering tourists precious memories. The Ganjeolgot area boasts beauty throughout the four seasons with rapeseed flower fields, peculiar rocks, and dense pine forests. Nearby attractions include Jinha Beach, the most crowded summer beach in Ulsan, Seosaengpo Waeseong, Nasabongsudae, and Onyandonggi Village, making for a variety of sights to enjoy. The wide-open horizon, early morning sunlight, and tranquil lighthouse scenery combined make Ganjeolgot a travel destination everyone should visit at least once.

Jinha Beach, located in Jinha-ri, Seosaeng-myeon, Ulju-gun in the southern part of Ulsan, is the best beach in Ulsan. Driving north along National Road 31, which runs closely along the coast, you can see the Ganjeolgot Lighthouse jutting out into the sea, and beyond that, Jinha Beach stretches out. Thanks to its terrain slightly facing north, avoiding the dark blue waves of the East Sea, even large waves slow down and relax here. A fine white sandy beach extends for about 2 km, and with suitable water temperature, it is a perfect summer resort attracting visitors from all over the country. Behind the beach, a dense pine forest provides deep shade. It is a perfect resting place to catch your breath after swimming. It is an ideal spot for family outings with beautiful islands like Ideokdo, consisting of two sea rocks, and Myeongseondo, covered with pine forests, as well as a shallow bathing area and pine groves. ◎ Travel information to experience the charm of Korean Wave - This beach was where Seoha and Doyun, and Jium and Chowon walked side by side in the drama . This place is one of Ulsan's representative summer resorts, boasting a fantastic view combining blue sea, pine forest, and Myeongseondo island. At night, it is also popular as a night view spot where colorful media art such as tiger and waterfall, and lights illuminating Myeongseondo glitter.

Seosaengpo Waeseong is a typical Japanese-style fortress built of stone under the command of the Japanese general Kato Kiyomasa from July 1592 to 1593, at the beginning of the Imjin War in Seonjo 25 (1592) to Seonjo 26 (1593). It was called Bonghwa Waeseong because it communicated with Jukdo Waeseong, Busan Waeseong, Ulsan Waeseong, and Bonghwa. The main fortress is located at the top of a mountain 200m above sea level, with the second and third fortresses extending downward. The fortress wall is 4.2 km long, 6 m high, and inclined at an angle of 15 degrees, which is a distinctive feature, and the overall shape of the fortress is rectangular. Although built by the Japanese army, it was later used by Joseon as well, and except for some damage to the south gate, the rest remains in its original state, serving as important material for the study of late 16th-century Japanese castle architecture. In Seonjo 27 (1594), Saint Samyeong visited here four times to negotiate peace but failed. In Seonjo 31 (1598), with the help of Ming general Ma Gui, the fortress was recaptured, and a memorial hall called Changpyo-dang was built for 53 loyal subjects who died fighting the Japanese a year later; however, it was destroyed during the Japanese colonial period, and only a sign remains now. Currently, it is one of Ulsan’s cherry blossom spots and is a 15-minute walk from Jinha Beach.

Oegosan Onggi Village in Ulju-gun, Ulsan Metropolitan City, produces over 50% of the onggi pottery nationwide in Korea, the only country in the world producing onggi. It is the largest traditional folk onggi village preserving the wisdom and tradition of ancestors. Pottery production began here in the 1950s, and the village became known as an ideal place for onggi making. From the 1960s to 1970s, over 350 onggi artisans gathered from across Korea to produce pottery that was exported domestically and internationally, including to the USA and Japan. In the 1980s, the village flourished, attracting foreign ceramic artists. However, industrialization led to reduced demand and less interest in traditional onggi culture, and today about 40 of the 128 households continue the onggi craft. Current residents produce onggi and various products blending ancient and modern tastes. The village began forming in 1957 when potter Heo Deok-man settled there, creating a unique village harmonized by pottery. Oegosan Onggi Village produces over 50% of the nation’s onggi, and its Onggi Museum displays the world's largest onggi listed in the Guinness Book. The annual Ulsan Onggi Festival offers various experiences and events. Facilities such as the Onggi Academy Hall, Fermentation Academy Hall, and Ulju Folk Museum are also available.