Exploring Ulsan's Historic District in Spring
Hello! I'm Heo Eun-sun, a blogger from Ulsan.
As we move past the middle of March, spring is noticeably blossoming throughout the city. Various spring flowers, including plum blossoms, are beginning to bloom, adding a touch of brightness to March.
Seongnam-dong, the original downtown of Ulsan, used to be the bustling center of commerce in the city. Although it has become quieter now, it is a charming place for a walk, as you can encounter traces of Ulsan's history in its alleys.
Today, I've prepared a travel itinerary to explore Ulsan's original downtown. You can feel the arrival of spring while strolling through the streets welcomed by Ulsan's character, Ulsan Big Baby, making it a perfect course for a half-day date or outing.
Ulsan Big Baby, the representative character of Jung-gu, is found in various fun expressions and colorful concepts, making it a beloved character nationwide. There’s even a Big Baby House in Seongnam-dong!
At the clock tower intersection, Big Baby stands in a station worker’s outfit, checking tickets.
Walking past the clock tower leads you to Culture Street, which is wide enough for a pleasant stroll. This area often hosts various events and festivals.
While walking along Culture Street, you will encounter impressive sculptures, including works themed around coffee, and get a glimpse of the history of Seongnam-dong.
We shouldn't miss the stories of the tea houses that flourished with literature and romance in the past. Although there are still many cafes in Seongnam-dong, the culture, atmosphere, and sentiment have changed significantly over the years.
If you continue walking towards the Ulsan Museum of Art, you can find a spring letter from the poet Seo Deok-chul, representing Ulsan. Reading or humming this poem in spring could be a delightful privilege of the season.
As I entered a small alley nearby, I found the Ddokddak-gil, but I chose to head towards the Ulsan Museum of Art instead.
The museum is changing exhibits in March, so I decided to skip the visit and head to the Dongheon and Naeah next to it. I highly recommend visiting Ulsan's Dongheon and Naeah in March.
This tranquil place blooms with Cornelian cherry, plum blossoms, and camellias in spring. Unlike the bustling crowds, it offers a peaceful environment to appreciate spring.
This year, the plum blossoms and yellow Cornelian cherry flowers welcomed me once again.
Under the pavilion, seniors are engrossed in a game of Go, unaware of the spring unfolding around them.
If you wish to experience the serene history and culture while spending time in the present, make sure to visit this place.
In the front yard of the G-shaped tiled roof, a tall camellia tree is already adorned with red flowers. While the native camellias are just preparing to bloom, this place seems warm enough for the flowers to blossom early.
As I continue my journey, I encounter two notable figures from Ulsan: poet Seo Deok-chul and singer Go Bok-soo. I head towards Go Bok-soo-gil to explore the musical life of this iconic figure in popular music.
As I walk through the alleys, I find myself in front of the Go Bok-soo Music Hall, where I can learn more about the singer who comforted the hearts of many with his hit songs.
The Ddokddak-gil naturally connects with Go Bok-soo-gil, so it doesn't matter which path you take first.
Though the alley is narrow, it is welcoming with murals, evoking memories of the houses that once lined these streets.
There are many photo zones where you can pause to take pictures, so I recommend capturing some moments with the beautiful murals.
Walking through Jung-gu, you may notice places that were once hospitals now transformed into cafes, allowing those who remember the past to feel the changes in the landscape.
Encounters with Ulsan Big Baby throughout the original downtown make this trip even more enjoyable.
In the area around the current Newcore building, various themed streets have formed. Jungang Market remains vibrant, surrounded by plenty of food options.
After strolling through the original downtown, I treated myself to a warm bowl of kalguksu at a long-standing restaurant that has been serving delicious food for years.
Across from Youth Street, the Jungang Market arcade hosts a youth night market, offering unique food options for those visiting in the evening.
Since I ventured out to Seongnam-dong, I took my time exploring Youth Street, where there are many claw machine stores. I stopped by for some fun and ended my downtown journey with a delicious coffee.
Surprisingly, there are many attractions and activities in Seongnam-dong's original downtown! Why not enjoy a unique trip where the past and present coexist on this beautiful spring day?
Source :https://blog.naver.com/ulsan_nuri/224217981632
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