Ulleungdo

Ulleungdo is an island to the east of the Korean peninsula, part of North Gyeongsang province in South Korea.

Ulleungdo is the main island in Ulleung-gun (鬱陵郡), a county on the east coast of Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea. The county consists of 44 annexed islands including Bondo, Dokdo, Jukdo, and Gwaneumdo on Ulleungdo on the East Sea. Ulleungdo is a volcanic rock region with a coastline of 64.43 km in length. In the center of the island, Seongseongbong (984 m) rises, and there is a Nari Basin formed by the depression of the caldera crater. It is rich in natural resources such as columnar joints, strange rock formations, spring water, and primeval forest, and 39 kinds of special plants and 6 kinds of plants are designated as natural monuments. It is a rare maritime climate in Korea, with a small daily temperature difference and a lot of snow. Specialty products include squid, pumpkin syrup, wild vegetables, and Ulleung Yakso. The county office is located in Ulleung-eup, and the administrative district is 1 eup and 2 myeon.

Ulleungdo's first ever airport is scheduled for completion around 2025, but for time being access is only possible by ferries, operated by Dae-A Express and Seaspovill. Your port choices are Gangneung and Mukho in Gangwon, Pohang in North Gyeongsang. The Mukho Ferry Terminal is in the city of Donghae. There are one or two boats a day. The fare for the Gangneung ferries "Sea Star" is ₩48,000 each way, the other ferries being slightly more expensive.

There are local mini-buses that carry about a dozen passengers at a time. They depart from Dodong Port, the administrative area of the island, then split into different routes; one goes up to the north side while another runs into the center and the other takes to the south. There is a bus between Dodong-ri to Jeodong-ri every 30 minutes. For the latest timetable tourist information should have the most up-to-date schedule. As of November 2011, the basic fare is ₩1,000 to travel between Dodong and Jeodong. All other fares are ₩1,500. Bear in mind that buses do stop running a lot earlier than on the mainland (last buses depart before 20:00), as it is difficult to get a taxi at night unless you are in Dodong or Jeodong.

Since convenient transportation is scarce, taxis may be a good option to get around the island. You can catch them at the Dodong Port when you get off the boat. A taxi ride around the island should cost you around ₩80,000 to ₩90,000 a day. There is also the option to rent a car although knowing someone who speaks the language would be a big plus.

Rich in tourist attractions, Ulleungdo will not leave you wanting for things to see.

1 Nari 'Bunji' Basin (나리분지), Nari-gil, Buk-myeon (From Dodong Port (Ulleungdo), take a local bus or taxi heading toward the center of the island; the route goes uphill toward Seonginbong, and the basin lies north of Seonginbong accessible via the Nari Basin parking lot and trail.). 00:00–24:00. Nari ‘Bunji’ Basin is the largest flat caldera basin on Ulleungdo, formed by volcanic collapse beneath Seonginbong. It is the only extensive plain on the island and supports settlements and cultivation of medicinal and other plants. Traditional “tumakjip” houses are still seen there, built in distinctive styles integrating local materials. The basin is surrounded by ridges and steep slopes, giving it a sheltered, enclosed feel. It is a popular hiking destination and offers a contrast between its gentle interior and the rugged terrain above. Free.

Jugam Mongdol Beach (죽암몽돌해변), Buk-myeon (From Dodong Port (Ulleungdo), take a bus or taxi toward Buk-myeon and follow road signs toward Jugam; the beach lies along the Ulleung Island coastal route). 00:00–24:00. Jugam Mongdol Beach is a pebble beach on Ulleungdo, where sand is absent and the shoreline is composed entirely of rounded stones. It spans roughly 500 m in length and about 20 m in width. The waves and rocky coastline have smoothed the pebbles over time, creating an aesthetic black pebble seashore. Nearby natural attractions include the Samseonam (Three Fairy Rocks) and views toward Gwaneumdo Island. The beach is open year-round and draws visitors for its rugged coastal beauty and serene atmosphere. Free.

2 Songgot-bong (송곳봉), Chusan-ri, Buk-myeon (From Ulleungdo’s Dodong Port, take a bus or taxi northward toward Chusan-ri; follow the coastal road until you see signs for the trail to Songgot-bong near the cliffs.). 00:00–24:00. Songgot-bong is a sharp, pointed peak on the northwestern coast of Ulleungdo known for its dramatic cliffside appearance. Its name literally means “awl peak,” reflecting its needle-like silhouette rising from the sea. The summit offers sweeping views of the East Sea and the island’s rugged coastline. Hikers often approach via coastal trails and paths that skirt cliffs and rock formations. Songgot-bong is also recognized as a geosite within the Ulleungdo-Dokdo Global Geopark. Free.

3 Jukdo Island.

4 Dokdo Museum (독도 박물관), 90-17 Yaksujeot-gil, Ulleung-eup, ☏ +82 54-790-6597. 09:00-18:00. To mark the 50th anniversary of liberation in 1995, Ulleung-gun provided the site, and the Samsung Cultural Foundation built the building was based on data collected and donated by Lee Jong-hak at home and abroad for more than 30 years. It was opened as the only territorial museum in Korea on August 8, 1997 by adding materials such as the remains of the late leader Hong Soon-chil and the Dokdo Guards' Solidarity and the Blue Dog Cultivation Group (updated Sep 2024)

Tours. Ferry and bus tours are available. The bus tour costs around ₩15,000 and last about 4 hours. But the timetables vary depending on the company. Contact Ulleungdo Tourism at +82 54-791-0066 for more information. The high speed ferry takes about 2 hours to go around the island. There are two to four rides daily. For the exact times contact the Ferry Association at +82 54-791-4477.

Yaksu Park. Directly translated, 'yak' means medicine and 'su' means water. The mineral spring is supposed to have healing properties. It is a short 10 minute walk from the ferry terminal and is also where you can find the Dokdo Museum and ride the cable car.

Cable car ride. This is a must-do activity. From the car you can get a panoramic view of the island. It goes up to the nearby Manghyang Peak and on a clear day, you can see Dokdo.

Seonginbong. The large mountain in the middle of the island. At the foot lies rare plants found only there. It is a good 5 to 6 hour (coming and going) hike from Dodong-ri or a similar 5 hour hike back to the Nari 'Bunji' Basin.

Dodong Lighthouse (also called the Haengnam lighthouse) (north of the Dodong Port). On a clear day you can see Dokdo from the top. You can have a leisurely one hour walk up a staircase from the ferry terminal.

Dokdo Observation Platform. Here you'll get a great view of Dodong from above, and the southern parts of the island. The island of Dokdo is also visible on a clear day. You can see the platform when you arrive at Dodong harbor. To get here, take the cable car (₩7,000 return) from the Dokdo Museum.

Taehahyangmok Tourist Monorail.

Some of the food items that are unique to the island are honghap bap, seasoned rice with mussels; sanchae bibimbap, rice mixed with sprouts and roots found natively'; yakso bulgogi, barbequed beef that was raised on herbs and vegetables growing on the island. Other food items special to Ulleungdo include the cuttlefish and the hobak yeott (squash candy).

Most of the restaurants in Dodong-ri are clustered in the same small area. It is a couple of minutes passed the information center then on the straight road towards Jeodong-ri. Here are two that serve the specialty dishes at decent prices.

Ulleung Yakso Sutbul Garden, ☏ +82 54-791-0990. 08:00 to midnight in the peak season. Offers yakso bulgogi and honghap bab. ₩6,000 to ₩15,000.

99 Sikdang, ☏ +82 54-791-2287. Here you will find ojing-eo bulgogi (spicy grilled squid mixed with veggies) and another island specialty, taggaebibap (shellfish with rice). ₩9,000 to ₩14,000.

The island is strewn with different types of housing for tourists. You'll have motels, minbaks or pension houses that rent out equipped rooms, tourist hotels, etc. Dodong Port is where everything meets; this is the end and starting point for the transport vehicles.

If you're looking for something cheaper, you could try camping for free at Naessujeon and Sadong-ri. There are toilets and showers at both places. To get to the camping area at Sadong-ri, ask for a taxi ride to Dong-A Resort in Sadong and walk down to the water from there.You can easily taxi, hitch or walk back to Dodong from the camping area in Sadong. It's about a 45 minute walk.

Ulleung Marina Tourist Hotel (About 10 minutes out of Dodong, in the mountainside.), ☏ +82 54-791-0020. ₩70,000.

Chusan Ilga Pension (Right below Mt. Songgotsan in Chusan-ri, Buk-myeon, the other side of Dodong-ri. It's between two steep mountain faces on a cliff overlooking the ocean and a great view of the Elephant Rock.), ☏ +82 54-791-7788. ₩60,000.

Seonginbong Motel (Right by the marina at Dodong), ☏ +82 54-791-2677. ₩40,000.

For more information on all of these sites, you can contact the Ulleung Tourist Office at +82 54-790-6465. Operators should be able to communicate in English as well. If not, there's always the trusty +82-54-1330 that have operators speaking English, Japanese and Chinese.

The hotly disputed islets of Dokdo can be reached from Ulleungdo.