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The stone stairways and gate of Bulguksa temple in Gyeongju under a blue sky

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Plan your day · Ulsan

How long are you ashore in Ulsan?

Pick your hours and get a finished day, every step timed from the gangway and back.

Photo: Basile Morin / CC BY-SA 4.0
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PORT OF JAPAN — Port Day Sheet
Ulsan

Shore plans, timed from our estimates · port-of-japan.com/ulsan/ · Checked

Finished days

Your day in Ulsan, hour by hour

Pick the one that fits your call. Times count from the moment you step off, and every plan is back on board an hour before all-aboard.

Taehwagang bamboo forest, Ulsan
Photo: Mobius6 / CC BY-SA 4.0
For a 5.5-hour call or longer · 3 hr 30 min door to door

The bamboo forest and Daewangam Park

A short call, or a morning when the line’s Gyeongju coach is not for you

Fits a 5.5-hour stop with nothing to add (off the ship 30 minutes after arrival, back at the gangway an hour before all-aboard). A longer call gives you the extra time; on this one, do not add a stop.

  1. +0:00
    Taxi booked through the ship to the Taehwagang National Garden (~20 min)

    Show “태화강국가정원 십리대숲”

  2. +0:20
    Simnidaebat, the bamboo forest along the river

    Free, always open, flat

  3. +1:30
    Taxi to Daewangam Park (~25 min, 16.7 km)

    Our estimate

  4. +2:00
    The pine walk, the Daewangam rocks and the suspension bridge

    Bridge 09:00–18:00, last entry 17:40

  5. +3:15
    Taxi back to the port (~15 min)

    Show the berth name the ship gave you

  6. +3:30
    Back at the gangway

Running late? Bridge closed (Seollal or Chuseok day, the second Tuesday of the month, or weather)? The park and the rocks stay open. Rain? Go to the Gyeongju National Museum instead, 65 minutes away.

Transport spend: three taxis of about ₩11,000–14,000, ₩18,000–23,000 and ₩10,000–13,000 on the meter, our estimates. Both places free. Full route, map and photos

Bulguksa, Gyeongju
Photo: Basile Morin / CC BY-SA 4.0
For a 7-hour call or longer · 5 hr door to door

Bulguksa and the Gyeongju National Museum

A 7-hour call; the temple and the gold crowns

Fits a 7-hour stop with nothing to add (off the ship 30 minutes after arrival, back at the gangway an hour before all-aboard). A longer call gives you the extra time; on this one, do not add a stop.

  1. +0:00
    Taxi to Bulguksa (~55 min, 35.4 km)

    ₩31,000–40,000 on the meter, our estimate; show “경주 불국사”

  2. +1:00
    Bulguksa: the stairways, the two pagodas and the halls

    Free, from 09:00; last entry 18:00 Mar–Sep

  3. +2:15
    Taxi to the Gyeongju National Museum (~25 min)
  4. +2:40
    Gold crowns and the Bell of King Seongdeok

    Free, 10:00–18:00

  5. +3:45
    Taxi back to the port (~65 min, 49.2 km)

    Our estimate

  6. +4:50
    Back at the gangway

Running late? Short of time at Bulguksa? Skip the museum and go straight back: about 55 minutes.

Transport spend: about ₩31,000–40,000 out, ₩13,000 between, ₩43,000–55,000 back on the meter, our estimates. Both sights free. Full route, map and photos

The Bell of King Seongdeok at the Gyeongju National Museum
Photo: Bernard Gagnon / CC0
For a 9.5-hour call or longer · 7 hr 30 min door to door

Gyeongju in a day: Bulguksa, the museum, Daereungwon and Cheomseongdae

A full expedition day, if you skip the line’s coach

Fits a 9.5-hour stop with nothing to add (off the ship 30 minutes after arrival, back at the gangway an hour before all-aboard). A longer call gives you the extra time; on this one, do not add a stop.

Bulguksa, Gyeongju
BulguksaPhoto: Basile Morin / CC BY-SA 4.0
Taxi to Daereungwon, Ulsan
Taxi to DaereungwonPhoto: wizdata / CC0
Daereungwon and Cheonmachong, Gyeongju
Daereungwon and inside CheonmachongPhoto: Basile Morin / CC BY-SA 4.0
Hwangnidan-gil and Hwangnam-ppang, Gyeongju
Hwangnidan-gilPhoto: Seefooddiet / CC BY-SA 4.0
Cheomseongdae, Gyeongju
Walk to CheomseongdaePhoto: Basile Morin / CC BY-SA 4.0
  1. +0:00
    Taxi to Bulguksa (~55 min)

    Book the car through the ship the evening before

  2. +1:00
    Bulguksa

    Free; open daily from 09:00

  3. +2:15
    Taxi to the Gyeongju National Museum (~25 min)

    Opens 10:00

  4. +2:45
    Gold crowns and the Bell of King Seongdeok

    Free

  5. +3:45
    Taxi to Daereungwon (~6 min); ssambap lunch on the street by the wall

    Shop hours not published

  6. +4:45
    Daereungwon and inside Cheonmachong

    Park free; Cheonmachong ₩3,000

  7. +5:30
    Hwangnidan-gil: a box of Hwangnam-ppang for the ship
  8. +6:00
    Walk to Cheomseongdae (~15 min, our estimate)

    Free

  9. +6:30
    Taxi back to the port (~65 min, 49.3 km)

    Our estimate; leave Gyeongju at least 75 min before you must be at the gangway

  10. +7:35
    Back at the gangway

Running late? Cut Cheomseongdae and Hwangnidan-gil and take the taxi from Daereungwon. Rain? See the rain plan.

Transport spend: about ₩100,000–130,000 in taxis for the day on the meter, our estimate; a car and driver booked through the ship may be cheaper. Cheonmachong ₩3,000; everything else free. Ssambap lunch not priced. Full route, map and photos

The museum and the inside of a royal tomb, Ulsan
Photo: wizdata / CC0
Rainy day · 5 hr 30 min door to door

The museum and the inside of a royal tomb

Rain; the museum and the inside of a royal tomb are under cover

Fits a 7.5-hour stop with nothing to add (off the ship 30 minutes after arrival, back at the gangway an hour before all-aboard). A longer call gives you the extra time; on this one, do not add a stop.

The Bell of King Seongdeok at the Gyeongju National Museum
The Silla galleries and the gold crownsPhoto: Bernard Gagnon / CC0
Daereungwon and Cheonmachong, Gyeongju
Inside CheonmachongPhoto: Basile Morin / CC BY-SA 4.0
  1. +0:00
    Taxi to the Gyeongju National Museum (~65 min, 42.5 km)

    Opens 10:00; free. Leave the ship at about 08:55 or later: an 08:30 start reaches the door at 09:35, 25 minutes before it opens

  2. +1:10
    The Silla galleries and the gold crowns

    Indoors

  3. +2:40
    Taxi to Daereungwon (~6 min); ssambap lunch indoors
  4. +3:40
    Inside Cheonmachong

    ₩3,000; the one tomb you can enter

  5. +4:15
    Taxi back to the port (~70 min)

    Our estimate

  6. +5:25
    Back at the gangway

Running late? Heavy rain on the road? Stay in Ulsan: the ship’s lounge beats an hour each way in traffic.

Transport spend: about ₩37,000–48,000 out, ₩6,000 between, ₩43,000–55,000 back on the meter, our estimates. Cheonmachong ₩3,000; museum free. Full route, map and photos

What you can do

What fits your hours in Ulsan

Everything here is a round trip from the gangway. The half hour to get off and the hour before all-aboard are already set aside. Tap what you want.

Bulguksa, GyeongjuSee · 3h 5m round trip

Bulguksa

The head temple of Silla Buddhism on the slopes of Tohamsan, a World Heritage site with Seokguram grotto above it. Stone stairways climb to the gate; the Dabotap and Seokgatap pagodas stand in the main court. Free since 4 May 2023, open every day from 09:00, last entry 18:00 from March to September. In the weeks before Buddha’s Birthday the courtyards are hung with lanterns.

~3hSee the detail
Daereungwon and Cheonmachong, GyeongjuSee · 3h 20m round trip

Daereungwon and Cheonmachong

Some twenty great grass-covered royal tombs of Silla in the middle of Gyeongju. Cheonmachong is the one you can enter: it held a gold crown and the painted flying horse that gives it its name, shown in replica inside. The park is free, 09:00–22:00; Cheonmachong is ₩3,000. Hwangnidan-gil and Cheomseongdae are beside it, and so is lunch: the Korea Tourism Organization names the street along the tombs’ wall as Gyeongju’s ssambap alley, rice in leaf wraps with grilled fish or pork and soybean stew, usually sold for two or more. Shop hours are not published; bring won.

~3.5hSee the detail
The Bell of King Seongdeok at the Gyeongju National MuseumSee · 3h 10m round trip

Gyeongju National Museum

The real gold crowns from the Silla tombs, and outside the Bell of King Seongdeok, cast in 771. Free, 10:00–18:00, last entry 17:30; closed only on 1 January, Seollal and Chuseok, with the galleries shut on the second Monday of March, June, September and December. The indoor half of a wet day.

~3hSee the detail
Cheomseongdae, GyeongjuSee · 2h 55m round trip

Cheomseongdae

The stone observatory of the 7th century, a bottle-shaped tower of granite in the open fields beside the tombs. Free, 09:00–22:00 in summer, open every day. Ten minutes is enough; it belongs on the walk from Daereungwon, not on a trip of its own.

~3hSee the detail
Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, GyeongjuSee · 3h round trip

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond

The rebuilt pavilions of the Silla crown prince’s palace, standing over their pond. ₩3,000, 09:00–22:00, last entry 21:30, open every day. It is famous lit up after dark; on a port day you see it by daylight, a few minutes from the museum.

~3hSee the detail
Taehwagang bamboo forest, UlsanSee · 1h 35m round trip

Taehwagang bamboo forest

Simnidaebat, about 4 km of bamboo along the Taehwa River in the Taehwagang National Garden. Free and always open, flat paths; one section is lit from sunset to 22:00. Heritage Expeditions’ guests walked here before sailing in 2024. The best short outing from the ship.

~1.5hSee the detail
Daewangam Park, UlsanSee · 1h 35m round trip

Daewangam Park

A pine wood on the headland ending in granite sea stacks, joined by a footbridge, and a 303 m suspension bridge over the water. The park is free and always open; the bridge runs 09:00–18:00, last entry 17:40, and shuts on the second Tuesday of each month, on the day of Seollal and of Chuseok, and in bad weather.

~1.5hSee the detail
Hwangnidan-gil and Hwangnam-ppang, GyeongjuDo · 3h 20m round trip

Hwangnidan-gil and Hwangnam-ppang

The street of 1960s and 70s houses turned into cafés and small shops beside the tombs. The thing to carry back is Hwangnam-ppang, Gyeongju bread: a thin bun round sweet red-bean paste, named after this quarter and baked here since 1939. Shop hours are not published.

~3.5hSee the detail
Ulsan Petroglyph Museum and the Bangucheon petroglyphs, UlsanSee · 2h 40m round trip

Ulsan Petroglyph Museum and the Bangucheon petroglyphs

Whales, hunters and deer cut into the cliffs of the Bangucheon thousands of years ago, inscribed as a World Heritage site on 12 July 2025. The museum stands between the two rock faces, 2.3 km apart, and is free; it closes on Mondays (10 May and 7 June 2027). A free city bus links it with both rocks Wednesday to Sunday, 09:50–17:50, eight runs a day.

~2.5hSee the detail

Round trips are counted from the gangway and include getting back. Two stops in the same direction overlap, so a real day usually comes in under the total you see, never over it.

Every ride from this berth

Getting around Ulsan

Every port
TAXI

Bulguksa, Gyeongju

₩31,000–40,000 (each way on the meter, our estimate; Ulsan tariff ₩4,500 for 2 km, ₩100 per 125 m or per 30 seconds in slow traffic. A taxi leaving Ulsan for Gyeongju may add an out-of-city surcharge, rate not confirmed, so the meter can read more)No taxi rank at a cargo quay is published; book through the shipPay the driver
How to get there
  1. Taxi called to the ship (ask at reception the evening before): 35.4 km, about 55 min in practice, about 45 min without traffic — our estimates. Show “경주 불국사”
  2. Bulguksa: free, entry until 18:00 March–September, 17:30 in October, open every day
  3. On to the Gyeongju National Museum, 13 km, about 25 min, or back to the port

Card payment in taxis is not confirmed; carry won. For a whole Gyeongju day, agree a price for the car and driver through the ship rather than three metered rides.

Today's times in Google MapsGoogle Maps gives no walking or driving directions in Korea: Kakao Map · Naver Map app · 경주 불국사
TAXI

Daereungwon, Cheomseongdae and the national museum

About ₩43,000–55,000 each way on the meter, our estimate, before any out-of-city surcharge (not confirmed) · Daereungwon free, Cheonmachong ₩3,000, Cheomseongdae free, museum freeDaereungwon 09:00–22:00 · museum 10:00–18:00 · Cheomseongdae 09:00–22:00 in summerPay the driver
How to get there
  1. Taxi from the ship: 49.9 km, about 70 min to Daereungwon; the museum is 42.5 km, about 65 min — our estimates
  2. The three are within 2.4 km of each other: Daereungwon to the museum about 6 min by taxi
  3. Cheomseongdae stands in the open fields beside Daereungwon

Leave Gyeongju at least 75 minutes before you need to be at the gangway.

Today's times in Google MapsKakao Map · Naver Map app · 경주 대릉원
TAXI

Taehwagang National Garden (Simnidaebat bamboo forest)

About ₩11,000–14,000 each way on the meter, our estimateAlways open; the lit “Eunhasu-gil” section from sunset to 22:00Pay the driver
How to get there
  1. Taxi from the ship: 9.9 km, about 20 min — our estimate
  2. About 4 km of bamboo along the river; always open, free
  3. Back the same way, or on to Daewangam Park

The walk Heritage Expeditions’ guests took before sailing in 2024. Flat paths.

Today's times in Google MapsKakao Map · Naver Map app · 태화강국가정원 십리대숲
TAXI

Daewangam Park and the suspension bridge

About ₩10,000–13,000 each way on the meter, our estimate · park and bridge freePark always open; bridge shut on the second Tuesday of each month, on the day of Seollal and of Chuseok, and in bad weatherPay the driver
How to get there
  1. Taxi from the ship: 9.0 km, about 15 min — our estimate
  2. Pine walk to the rocks of Daewangam, linked by a footbridge
  3. The 303 m sea suspension bridge: 09:00–18:00, last entry 17:40

Rocky paths and steps near the sea.

Today's times in Google MapsKakao Map · Naver Map app · 대왕암공원
The one rule: be back on board 60 minutes before all-aboard — every day above already banks it. Phones auto-switch to local time, but all-aboard runs on ship time. Check the daily programme's clock, not your lock screen. More to pick from on the Ulsan guide and the Top 10.

Checked · Researched, not yet visited · travel times are our map estimates · Takumi Yamada

MY SHIP DAY — fill this in before you walk off
Ship
Date
Docked at (berth)
All-aboard (SHIP time)
My deadline = all-aboard − 60 min
Last shuttle back

Phones auto-switch to local time; all-aboard runs on ship time. Write both if they differ.

GETTING AROUND — the facts that don't change by day (today's times: ship's programme or Google Maps)

Bulguksa, Gyeongju: ① Taxi called to the ship (ask at reception the evening before): 35.4 km, about 55 min in practice, about 45 min without traffic — our estimates. Show “경주 불국사” ② Bulguksa: free, entry until 18:00 March–September, 17:30 in October, open every day ③ On to the Gyeongju National Museum, 13 km, about 25 min, or back to the port Fare ₩31,000–40,000 (each way on the meter, our estimate; Ulsan tariff ₩4,500 for 2 km, ₩100 per 125 m or per 30 seconds in slow traffic. A taxi leaving Ulsan for Gyeongju may add an out-of-city surcharge, rate not confirmed, so the meter can read more). No taxi rank at a cargo quay is published; book through the ship.

Daereungwon, Cheomseongdae and the national museum: ① Taxi from the ship: 49.9 km, about 70 min to Daereungwon; the museum is 42.5 km, about 65 min — our estimates ② The three are within 2.4 km of each other: Daereungwon to the museum about 6 min by taxi ③ Cheomseongdae stands in the open fields beside Daereungwon Fare About ₩43,000–55,000 each way on the meter, our estimate, before any out-of-city surcharge (not confirmed) · Daereungwon free, Cheonmachong ₩3,000, Cheomseongdae free, museum free. Daereungwon 09:00–22:00 · museum 10:00–18:00 · Cheomseongdae 09:00–22:00 in summer.

Taehwagang National Garden (Simnidaebat bamboo forest): ① Taxi from the ship: 9.9 km, about 20 min — our estimate ② About 4 km of bamboo along the river; always open, free ③ Back the same way, or on to Daewangam Park Fare About ₩11,000–14,000 each way on the meter, our estimate. Always open; the lit “Eunhasu-gil” section from sunset to 22:00.

Daewangam Park and the suspension bridge: ① Taxi from the ship: 9.0 km, about 15 min — our estimate ② Pine walk to the rocks of Daewangam, linked by a footbridge ③ The 303 m sea suspension bridge: 09:00–18:00, last entry 17:40 Fare About ₩10,000–13,000 each way on the meter, our estimate · park and bridge free. Park always open; bridge shut on the second Tuesday of each month, on the day of Seollal and of Chuseok, and in bad weather.

SHOW THIS TO A TAXI DRIVER

Ulsan has no cruise terminal and the berth changes per call: ask the ship to write your berth in Korean, and show it with this line.

Ulsan Port, Main Port (Nam-gu), the cruise ship울산항 본항 크루즈선 부두
Gyeongju National Museum국립경주박물관
Cheomseongdae첨성대
Daewangam Park대왕암공원
Ulsan Petroglyph Museum and the Bangucheon petroglyphs울산암각화박물관

Point at a line. Taxis are metered.

The one rule: be back on board 60 minutes before all-aboard — every plan above already banks it. · Free guide: port-of-japan.com/ulsan/ · By Takumi Yamada, Tokyo, Japan
Everything in one pageThe complete Ulsan guide: berth, into town, your hours, tours that fitOpen the complete guide →