Ulleungdo is a small volcanic island located in the eastern part of the Korean peninsula. Being a volcanic island with the incidence of twice eruptions, the island is incomplete in its landform. You can still see the evidence of eruptions in the place. A major part of the island is submerged within the sea, and the part above water is in the form of a mountain. The sloping landform also has a river basin. All this cumulatively caused the flourishing of natural flora and fauna on the island.
Best Time To Visit Ulleungdo Island
The climate on the island is generally subtle and moderate except for winters. The average temperature of the place is around twelve degrees Celsius, but it goes down up to one degree Celsius in January. So it would be ideal to visit Ulleungdo any time of the year except for January. The summers here are warm and comfortable. The island is usually covered by fog due to its topography, so make sure to carry warm clothes.
How To Get There?
Ulleungdo is covered by water from all sides and is devoid of an airport. So the only means to reach the island is through waterways. The ferry is the commonly opted mode by the visitors to the island. Nearby ports from which you can reach Uleungdo are Pohang and Mukho. It takes approximately three hours to reach the island from either of the ports.
How To Travel Around On The Island?
The Dodong port is the official headquarters of the island. It is also the place where the visitors reach the island first. Some minibuses start from this port and take up three different major routes, namely north, south and the east. These minibusses have several stops in between and are the cheapest way to travel around the island. But these buses might not be available all the time, and taxis can come as a huge rescue. You can hire a taxi for an entire day and roam around different parts of the island. The plus point of taking up a taxi is that you can travel at your own pace and you will have a local person, the taxi driver, along to overcome the language barrier during the shopping.
Things To See in Ulleungdo Island
Nari Bunji basin
It is a flat basin located to the north of Seonginbong. The tourists visit this place to learn about the medicinal cultivations that the locals make on the banks. So if you are keen on knowing about medicinal plants, make sure to visit the Nari basin when in Uleungdo.
Bongnae falls
It is a twenty-five-meter-high waterfall. Being surrounded by the fog, the waterfall looks dreamy. It is the only source of drinking water for the locals there. You can also see Punghyeol, which is a natural air vent from Bongnae falls.
Jugam Mongdol beach
Though located a bit far from the Dodong port, the Jugam Mongdol beach is worth the travel. Overlooking the crystal clear water, the beach also has amazing scenic views.
Dokdo Museum
Dokdo museum has the compilation of Independence records of Korea. So if you wish to delve into some Korean history, the Dokdo museum is a must-visit.
Songgotsan
This is a mountain located partially inside the water. Its cliffs arise from within the water. The place has excellent scenic beauty.
What To Do On The Island
Travel around
There are two primary modes to look around the city, the ferry and the bus. Buses have a specified timetable they run and takes approximately five hours to provide a full tour of the island. The ferry, on the other hand, offers a two-hour tour.
Visit Yaksu Park
Also called the medicinal water park, the Yaksu is known to have medicinal properties. It is believed the water here can heal the ailments. To reach Yaksu, walk for around ten minutes from the ferry terminal.
Try the cable car ride
The cable car ride is a famous adventure on the island. The tourists make it a point to at least take up the ride once during the visit to the island. The car has glass panes that enable you to view the entire island from above.
Go to Seonginbong
Seonginbong is a mountain located amidst the island. It is a great hike from Dodongri, which takes about five hours to complete, both the ways combined. The foot of the mountain is house to rare plants found exclusively there. So if you are fond of hiking or are intrigued by the plants and wish to explore them, Seonginbong is an excellent place to be.
Visit the Dodong Lighthouse
The Dodong lighthouse is located to the north of Dodong port. You can climb up the stairway of the lighthouse to the top. The view from the top is mesmerizing. Dokdo can be viewed from the top of the lighthouse.
Sightseeing at Dokdo Observation Platform
The Dokdo observation platform is located at a high altitude. It is visible from the Dodong port. You can get a view of the whole island from the observation platform if the climate is devoid of fog. To reach the platform, you need to take a cable car ride.
Delicacies To Relish
Being surrounded by water bodies, Ulleungdo Island is famous for its seafood, and most of their cuisine is primarily comprised of seafood. 99 Sikdang is a famous place on the island where the locals and the tourists regularly visit to relish the food. The specialty of 99 Sikdang is grilled squids and vegetables. They also serve shellfish along with rice which is another lip-smacking combination. Yonggong Raw fish restaurant offers the best raw fish platter you have ever tasted. They serve the fresh fish platter with soju which you can enjoy basking at the sight of an infinite ocean.
Stay
The island offers varied stay options to choose from. You can select a motel or rent out a room or tourist hotel to rest in. Tourists who wish to camp can stay back at Naessujeon or Sadong-ri where refreshment areas are built.
Don’t forget to check out these other South Korea travel posts:
- Top Things to Do in Suncheon Bay
- Breakfast In Seoul: Tasty and Scrumptious Options
- Stairway to Heaven Cafes in South Korea
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