A Special Family Getaway in Ulsan

Original source: blog.naver.com

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This was the first time my family spent a night at a hotel in Ulsan, even though we live here.

Most of my family resides in Ulsan, and places like Daewangam Park, Ilsan Beach, and Seoldo are just a short trip away. Because of this, we never really thought about experiencing a proper getaway.

This Chuseok was different.

"Let's have a staycation in Ulsan!" was the enthusiastic agreement from my family, ranging from ages 5 to 85.

We decided to enjoy the sea view in Dong-gu, have delicious food, and relax at a hotel for one night. We named it the 'Exciting Dong-gu Family Trip' for Chuseok.

We booked a room at T Hotel, located right in front of Ilsan Beach, a month in advance. The hotel is relatively new and offers ocean views from every room, making it a popular choice for family trips.

Even on this day before the holiday, the hotel was fully booked, with the lobby bustling with people waiting to check in.

We arrived early and received our room assignment number: 2.

We hoped for a high floor with a corner suite that offered a great view. With our number in hand, we were ready to start our leisurely adventure in Dong-gu.

Our large family of twelve headed to a nearby restaurant. The warm spicy fish stew and generous portions of steamed fish set the perfect festive mood.

“Eat up!” “Try this too!”

Sharing a meal with many people makes the food taste even better. After eating, we settled at a large bakery café with a view of the sea.

As three generations enjoyed coffee together, we felt like travelers.

We parked the car at the hotel and walked to Daewangam Park, strolling alongside the sea before entering the pine forest.

We climbed stairs and crossed a suspension bridge. Though our walking speeds varied from a five-year-old to an octogenarian, our destination was the same.

The purple flowers that had adorned the path in summer were now a memory, replaced by the autumn blooms of red spider lilies.

“Stand here! Let's take a photo!”

Camera shutters clicked from all around.

The sea pines, resilient against the sea breeze for countless years, caught our attention just as much as the flowers. Their thick bark resembled an artistic turtle shell.

After our walk, we returned to the hotel just in time for our room assignment. The wait for number 2 was worth it.

We opened the door to our corner suite on the 19th floor and gasped in awe.

“Wow, look at the sea!”

From our window, the expansive view of the sea in front of Ilsan Beach was breathtaking.

Even though we had booked multiple rooms, family members gradually gathered in our corner-view room. We took photos by the window, chatted on the sofa, and the kids ran around.

Seeing the familiar Ulsan sea from the 19th floor felt entirely different, as if we were in a Southeast Asian resort.

We enjoyed a hearty dinner at a nearby shabu-shabu restaurant. The proximity of restaurants, cafes, beaches, and walking paths made it convenient for our large family.

After dinner, the day was not over. The most memorable moments of our trip happened at night.

At the hotel outdoor lounge, we watched the moon rise before the full moon of Chuseok.

We ventured outside again. The beach at night had a completely different atmosphere compared to during the day.

The lights from the beach reflected on the water, and the distant city lights sparkled.

I took off my shoes and walked barefoot on the soft sand, listening to the sound of the waves as we strolled along the night sea.

We heard music from somewhere—it was a busking performance.

We paused to listen to the song, surrounded by moonlight, waves, music, and family.

We didn't need to travel far to feel like we were on a getaway. This was a romantic Chuseok night for our family.

The next morning, we headed to Seoldo early. The stars of autumn Seoldo were undoubtedly the pampas grass and the goldenrod.

We parked near the best photo spots and took some pictures.

As the wind blew, the pampas swayed silver, and the goldenrod glimmered in autumn hues.

After taking photos, we moved to the public parking lot at Seoldo.

While some family members ordered sashimi for lunch, we enjoyed coffee at a lovely café.

Timing is crucial for a large family trip. We moved a little earlier than others and made reservations for meals in advance.

This strategy paid off during our trip.

While we leisurely enjoyed coffee and strolled through Seoldo, the surroundings quickly changed as lunchtime approached.

Cars lined up, and tourists flooded in. Suddenly, the parking lot was full!

“We’re glad we arrived early,” everyone agreed.

Seoldo has a beautiful name. The sound of waves crashing through the holes in the rocks is said to resemble a harp.

Walking along the breakwater, the crashing waves and sea breeze brushed against our faces. The scenery of the white Seoldo lighthouse and breakwater turned every photo into a postcard.

We enjoyed searching for filming locations of popular dramas. In Ulsan, we encountered images and stories of whales at various spots along the breakwater.

After experiencing the sea through the pines at Daewangam Park the day before, walking into the heart of the sea at Seoldo felt like a whole new adventure.

Even though it was the same sea in Dong-gu, each view was distinct.

We realized again that Ulsan has coastal scenery that rivals any European seaside city.

The way we celebrate holidays is also changing. More people are choosing to travel together, relax at nearby hotels, and enjoy meals at popular restaurants rather than spending the day cooking at home.

Our family joined this new holiday trend early.

What made this trip special was that family members from ages 5 to 85 could all participate together.

The hotel and the sea were exciting playgrounds for the kids, while it offered much-needed relaxation for the adults. The younger generation enjoyed cafes and photo spots, while the elders cherished their time by the sea with family.

We walked the flower path at Daewangam Park, gazed at the sea from the 19th-floor room, and walked barefoot on Ilsan Beach under the moonlight.

The next day, we took photos among the pampas grass and listened to the sounds of the waves at Seoldo.

We didn’t travel far; it was a one-night, two-day trip from Ulsan to Ulsan.

Yet everyone returned with the faces of those who had truly traveled.

The distance of travel didn’t matter; what mattered was who we walked with.

This Chuseok, our family enjoyed the sea, the moon, and plenty of laughter in Dong-gu, Ulsan.

We might just do it again for the next holiday.