Ulleungdo

Around South Korea there are several picturesque islands , one of them is Ulleung (Ulleung). Europeans call it Even. It has a volcanic origin and is washed by the Sea of ​​Japan. This area is famous for its rich history and unique nature, which attract tourists from all over the world.

general information

The island is home to about 10,000 people. Mostly they live in the village of Todon, which is also a port, and are engaged in tourism and fishing. Ulleungdo refers to the province of Gyeongsangbuk-do, and its total area is 73.15 square meters. km.

Historical background

Archaeologists say that this land was inhabited as far back as the 1st century. BC. True, for the first time the island was mentioned in 512 in the Chronicle of the Samghuk Sagi, when it was won by General Lee Sa Boo. The composition of South Korea Ulleungdo came in 930 after the annexation of the State of Korea. Considerable distance from the mainland made the island easily accessible to pirate hordes of Japanese and Jurchen. They looted houses and killed local residents, so the rulers of the Joseon Dynasty decided that Ulleungdo should remain uninhabited. This policy lasted until 1881.

Geography

The island was formed about 90 million years ago as a result of the eruption of an underwater volcano, which raised the land to the surface. The area has an almost perfect round shape with protruding capes. The total circumference of Ulleungdo is 56.5 km, and the length of the coast is 9.5 km. The relief here is mountainous, the banks are steep and covered with many steep slopes. The highest point reaches 984 m above sea level and is called Soninbong (Seonginbang).

Weather in Ulleungdo

This is dominated by a subtropical marine climate, which determines warmer weather than on the mainland. The average annual air temperature is + 17 ° C, and the humidity is 1900 mm.

The hottest month on the island is August. The mercury column at this time is kept at + 27 ° C. The lowest temperature is observed in January and equals -1 ° C. Most often rain falls in July and September, the norm of precipitation is 171 mm. In February and March there is quite dry weather (72 mm).

Attractions in Ulleungdo

The island belongs to the center of the country's tourism industry, it has a unique flora and fauna. Thanks to the rocky volcanic soil, trees do not grow here. Ulleungdo is dominated by herbaceous and shrubby plants, the total number of which exceeds 180 species.

The fauna is represented by insects and sea birds - cormorants, gulls and petrels. They nest all over the island, but especially a lot on the seashore. In coastal waters, live a variety of crabs and commercial fish species.

During the tour of the island of Ulleungo, tourists can visit attractions such as:

Usually, pleasure boats take tourists around Ulleungdo. Guides tell legends about unique rock formations. The island also has a tourist route running through the mountains and along the coast. Here you can go fishing or admire the sunset, which impresses tourists with a variety of colors and picturesqueness.

Where to stay?

If you wish to spend a few days on the island, then you can stay in the following hotels :

  1. La Perouse Resort - the modern hotel has a karaoke, a mini golf course and a garden. The staff speaks Korean and English.
  2. Camelia Hotel - the establishment provides double and family rooms. Visitors can make use of the storage room and free private parking.
  3. Shinheung Hotel - here services are provided for people with disabilities, there is an elevator and internet.
  4. Seun Hotel offers non-smoking rooms. The apartment has a private bathroom with bath amenities and a tea / coffee maker.
  5. Beach On Hotel - In the hotel there is a conference room, business center, vending machines and a common lounge, and there is also a restaurant serving buffet meals.

Where to eat?

There are several catering establishments on the island of Ulleungdo, which serve traditional Korean dishes and a variety of seafood. The most famous of them are:

How to get there?

Getting to Ulleungdo from mainland Korea is most convenient on a ferry or boat. They depart early in the morning from the cities of Gangneung and Pohang . On average, the road to one side takes 3 hours, but the time depends on the weather conditions and water transport . The berths are located in the port of Todon and on the east coast of the island. Currently, the airport is being built here, which will carry out domestic transportation throughout the country.