[WEEKEND GETAWAY] It's not too late to get out in the snow at remote Ulleung Island

K-campus

Published: 10 Feb. 2023, 09:04 Updated: 17 Mar. 2023, 14:09

[WEEKEND GETAWAY] It's not too late to get out in the snow at remote Ulleung Island

The stunning landscape at Ulleung Island is worth visiting during the winter time. [BAEK JONG-HYUN]

Two kinds of people emerge every winter: Homebodies and determined adventurers. Ulleung Island is definitely for the latter group.

Ulleung Island is a volcanic island located 120 kilometers [75 miles] off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula, famous for its beautiful landscape during the winter. Heavy snow landed on Ulleung Island on Jan. 24, making the view even more miraculous.

Ulleung Island is often associated with the Dokdo islets as they are close to each other. Being one of the snowiest places in Korea, the rocky and adventurous paths crisscrossing the island is a challenge for visitors. However laborious it may be to get around the snowy terrain, the view proves more than worth it in the end. You get to ski or camp in the white mountains, not to mention building igloos with real snow.

If you are someone that leans to winter trips or activities in spite of the harsh weather, the following is a list of recommendations for a trip to Ulleung Island, including tips on transportation, places to visit and where to eat.

Ulleung Cruise

Ulleung Cruise arrives at the port for the passengers to board. [ULLEUNG CRUISE]

The trip to Ulleung Island is notoriously difficult, with only one way to get there: Ferry.

Embarking from any of the four ports that lead to the island — Pohang, Hupo, Gangneung and Mukho Port — will still be setting off on a three-hour journey. Unsurprisingly, traveling in the winter only makes it harder. Not only does the wind and the waves make the boat ride turbulent, but also the number of tourists visiting the island drops, often delaying and canceling boarding plans.

Only those who are strong-minded will make it to the end of the trip, as some might give up even before the ships are back on track and some might get trapped on the island until the ships can get back to the mainland.

Although the trip to the island may seem hard, Ulleung Cruise, operating since November 2020, makes it easier for visitors to get there. Ulleung Cruise can carry up to 1,200 passengers and 200 vehicles, connecting Youngilman Port, Pohang, to Sadonghang Port, Ulleung.

“Typically, fast boats could sail only under wave height of 3 meters [10 feet], but Ulleung Cruise can travel through waves 5-meters high,” said Park Young-in, manager of Ulleung Cruise. “Before Ulleung Cruise, we had to cancel trips of over 100 days per year, but we have more days filled in now.” Park added.

Since Ulleung Cruise has been in service, more people have started to show up in the island even during the winter season. Stores reopened welcoming tourists to the marketplace. Around 440,000 visitors came to Ulleung Island last year.

Overnight trips are possible, and the ferry that takes you across the East Sea to the island is not an old-fashioned boat in poor condition prone to make you seasick. It’s fancy, has warm showers, double rooms and a breakfast service.

Ulleung: 785-27 Ulleungsunhwan-ro Ulleung-eup, Ulleung-gun, North Gyeongsang
Pohang: 151 Yeongilmanhang-ro Heunghae-eup, Buk District, Pohang, North Gyeongsang
Business Hours: Leaves Ulleung Port at 12:30 p.m., Leaves Pohang Port at 11:50 p.m., Check the website or contact the company via phone call for details depending on weather conditions
Admission Fee: 803,000 won for Royal Suite Room (2 persons), 403,000 won for double room, 101,500- 121,500 won for 4-person room, 76,500-81,500 won for 6-person room, 66,500 won for multi-person room. Check the website for discount options.
Phone number: 1533-3370
Website: http://www.ulcruise.co.kr/www/flight

Nari Basin

A traveler enjoys Nordic skiing across Nari Basin. [BAEK JONG-HYUN]

With a heavy snowfall of 75 centimeters [30 inches] on Jan. 24 this year, Ulleung Island turned into a winter wonderland for visitors who managed to make their way to Nari Basin. Nari Basin is the snowiest spot on Ulleung Island, a caldera of Seonginbong Peak. The peak captivates the eyes of visitors with white snow as far as the eye can see.

If you visit, stop by the Ulla Winter Picnic event, held until Feb. 28. Visitors can try building igloos and try out Nordic Skating. Children can build their own snowmen and you can also enjoy sledding from the highest slope in Nari Basin.

Visitors can rent equipment for Nordic skiing, including legwear and ski poles. Transportation is free for those using the shuttle bus that operates between Cheonbu bus stop and Nari Basin. Campsite and camping equipment are also free of charge.

Its also worth taking photos of snow creations and the Ulla balloon that is 17-meters [56 feet] tall. Ulla is the name of the island's gorilla mascot, derived from combination of Ulleung and gorilla. Its head resembles the shape of Songgot Peak in Ulleung Island.

“Nari Basin is the one-and-only place in Korea to enjoy Nordic skiing on real snow,” said Choi Hee-chan, head of the Ulleung Island Climbing Club.

Nari-gil, Buk-myeon, Ulleung-gun, North Gyeongsang
Ulla Winter Picnic: Jan. 1- Feb. 28
Phone number for transportation: 054) 791-8000
Website for Ulla Winter Picnic: http://www.ulcruise.co.kr/www/center/event/proceeding?mode=view&idx=214

Café zhot & Café Ulla

Cafe Zhot serves special items inspired by local foods. [BAEK JONG-HYUN]

The island is understandably proud of its seafood, including raw fish, sea mussels, squid and shrimp. Innovative cafes featuring modern menus with these specialties are major attractions for tourists in Ulleung these days.

Cafe zhot (read as “Cafe Leu” in Korean) is a great way to try out creative pastries, such as Dokdo Shrimp bread, with chocolate in the head and cheese in the tail. The filling of the dough consists of shrimp, offering a delicious mixture of salty and sweet. It features unique beverages as well, such as bujikkaengi (a green vegetable grown in Ulleung Island) latte, bujikkaengi waffle and gorose (Korean maple tree syrup) latte.

Cafe Ulla, located in Kosmos Resort, offered items inspired by local ingredients of the region. You can try out the Ulleung Salt Latte and Ulla Marshmallow Chocolate if you have a sweet tooth.

For those looking for local meals, try out bibimbap (mixed rice, fresh vegetables and meat) and namul (seasoned plants or leaves) served together in a bowl at Narichon Sikdang, Sannamul Sikdang, Yayeongjang Sikdang or Neulpureun Sanjang. These four restaurants are located near Nari Basin and focus on the traditional taste of bibimbap with Ulleung-based namul. If you are up for traditional drinks, go for ssikkeopdegi-sul (traditional alcohol made with herbs and healthy root plants) and get the original taste of Ulleung.

Cafe zhot
@zh_otcoffee
2160 Ulleungsunhwan-ro Seo-myeon, Ulleung-gun, North Gyeongsang
Business Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Last order at 8:30 p.m.)
Phone number: 010-2363-0065

Cafe Ulla
@official.ulla
88-13 Chusan-gil Buk-myeon, Ulleung-gun, North Gyeongsang
Business Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Last order at 5:00 p.m.)
Phone number: 054) 791-7790
Website: https://www.thekosmos.co.kr/ulla

Ulleung Yerimwon

A visitor looks at the blossoms of camellia trees in Ulleung Yerimwon. [BAEK JONG-HYUN]

Ulleung Yerimwon is a small orchard privately run by the owner since 2006. This garden displays 300 bonsai plants that live in Ulleung Island. Thanks to the camellia and plum trees that bloom in the winter, visitors can see the beautiful color contrast between the white snow and the vivid flowers.

There is an observatory, located in walking distance from the center of the orchard, that offers a cliff view of the Northern coast of the sea. You can spot Korean calligraphy while walking around, with letters carefully carved onto sculpted rocks. All the sculptures were created by the owner.

2746-24 Ulleungsunhwan-ro Buk-myeon, Ulleung-gun, North Gyeongsang
Business Hours: 8:00 a.m. – Sunset (Entrance allowed until one hour before closing)
Admission Fee: 5,000 won for adults, 4,000 won for students and free for children of 3 and under.
Group visit (40 or more) receive a 1,000-won discount.
Phone number: 054) 791-9922
Website: http://www.xn--ox2bsd960bcuayd.kr/index.html

BY BAEK JONG-HYUN, KIM DONG-EUN [kim.dongeun@joongang.co.kr]