Welcoming the New Year at Ulsan's Sunrise Event
Every year, Ulsan, known for its beautiful sunrise spots like Ganjeolgot, hosts various New Year's sunrise events across different regions.
Personally, I find myself at one of Ulsan's sunrise locations on New Year's Day, celebrating with many others.
This year, I attended the sunrise event at the Whale Culture Special Zone in Jangsaengpo, Nam-gu.
Unlike previous years, the location for this year's event was changed. Traditionally, the sunrise celebration took place at the Whale Culture Square behind the Whale Culture Village. This year, however, the event was held at the parking lot next to the Whale Museum.
Before I left, I was a bit uncertain about the new location. Some visitors, unaware of the change, mistakenly went to the Whale Culture Square and had to rush to the parking lot.
Upon arriving an hour before sunrise, I was surprised to see the parking lot nearly full. With so many sunrise spots in Ulsan, this location felt less crowded, which is why I chose it this year.
I parked a bit further away, and if I hadn't walked, I would have struggled to find parking. The turnout was impressive.
As I checked the time upon arrival, I noticed there was still about an hour until sunrise, yet the event was already bustling with people.
A large wall was filled with wishes from attendees, and the citizen rest area was packed with people waiting for the sunrise while escaping the cold.
One booth that stood out was the free rice cake soup distribution, which received overwhelming love from the citizens.
Typically, free rice cake soup is served after the sunrise event, but this year it started before the event began, keeping the flow of visitors constant.
I also enjoyed the warm soup, making the wait for the first sunrise of the year quite pleasant. By the time the sun rose, all the soup had been served.
As I warmed up with the soup, the first day of the New Year began to brighten. Those who attended the 2026 sunrise event would remember how chilly it was that morning. If I hadn’t prepared for the cold, it might have been quite uncomfortable.
However, the cold weather made the first light of the New Year truly spectacular, with the sunrise illuminating the sky over the East Sea.
As the darkness faded, the main sunrise event commenced, with the sound of traditional drums filling the air, enhancing the anticipation for the first sunrise.
The stage gradually lit up in red hues, creating a vibrant atmosphere that heightened the excitement for the sunrise.
As the countdown to sunrise drew near, a captivating calligraphy performance unfolded, which, despite its calm nature, was moving to watch.
The clear sky made it feel like the stage itself was a canvas for the performance.
After the calligraphy performance concluded, I moved to the Whale Culture Village Square, the highest point in Jangsaengpo, to watch the sunrise.
Many people were already gathered at the viewpoint, eagerly waiting for the first sunrise.
Finally, the first sunrise of 2026 appeared. As it rose, everyone raised their smartphones to capture the moment, marking the beginning of the year.
I took a moment to record my plans and resolutions alongside the sunrise. As I left the viewpoint, everyone exchanged warm greetings and well wishes, ushering in 2026.
2026 is the Year of the Red Horse, symbolizing passion, dynamic energy, and strength. I sincerely wish for everyone visiting Ulsan to experience significant growth and change this year. Happy New Year!
Source :https://blog.naver.com/ulsan_nuri/224151669697
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