At a glance
| Dates | Expected Sep/Oct 2027Not announced as of 19 October 2026. The last three editions ran Thursday to Sunday on 26–29 September 2024, 25–28 September 2025 and 15–18 October 2026, so late September to mid-October 2027 is most likely, but the month has changed often (May in 2023, October in 2022, July in 2018). The 2026 dates were public by 30 July 2026, and the 2025 timing ('end of September') by early August 2025. |
|---|---|
| Next edition | 2027: Not announced as of 19 October 2026. The last three editions ran Thursday to Sunday on 26–29 September 2024, 25–28 September 2025 and 15–18 October 2026, so late September to mid-October 2027 is most likely, but the month has changed often (May in 2023, October in 2022, July in 2018). The 2026 dates were public by 30 July 2026, and the 2025 timing ('end of September') by early August 2025. |
| Admission | Free for everyone (KTO, 2026). The zone's permanent attractions charge separately: Whale Museum ₩1,000–₩2,000, Whale Ecology Experience Hall ₩3,000–₩5,000, Ulsanham ship ₩1,000, Whale Culture Village ₩3,000, monorail ₩11,000 adult and teen and ₩7,000 child, whale-watching cruise ₩20,000 adult and ₩10,000 child.Admission: Free · Shuttle bus from Taehwagang Station: Free (2026 prices) |
| Venue | Jangsaengpo Whale Culture Special Zone울산광역시 남구 장생포고래로 244 (매암동) |
| Nearest station | Taehwagang Station (태화강역), Korail Donghae Line (KTX-Eum, ITX-Maeum, Mugunghwa)Not walkable: in 2026 a free festival shuttle ran every 30 minutes from the station plaza to Jangsaengpo (journey time not published); otherwise take a taxi or city bus |
| From Seoul | about 3 h · KTX + BusLeave from Cheongnyangni Station · One-way fare from ₩48,800 · Same-night return is tightFull route · Festivals by travel time from Seoul |
| Organizer | Ulsan Nam-gu Office (host); run by the Whale Culture Foundation울산광역시 남구청 (주최) · 고래문화재단 (주관) |
| Usual timing | Four days, Thursday to Sunday, in late September or mid-October in recent years: 26–29 September 2024, 25–28 September 2025 and 15–18 October 2026. The month has moved before: the festival was held in spring until 2017, on 5–8 July in 2018, on 13–16 October in 2022 after a pandemic break, and on 11–14 May in 2023. Browse September / October festivals. |
| First held | 1995 |
| Last checked | 19 October 2026Checked against 32 sources · See sources |
What it is like
Jangsaengpo, on the harbour in Ulsan's Nam-gu district, was South Korea's whaling base until the International Whaling Commission's ban on commercial whaling in 1986. The town then turned to whale culture and marine ecology instead. On 25 July 2008 it became the country's first, and still its only, whale culture special zone, and Nam-gu has since extended that status to 2028. The festival began in 1995 and has run every year apart from a break during the pandemic: the 2022 edition was the first in three years. It used to be held each spring; in 2012 it took place on 26–29 April on the Taehwa River banks as well as in Jangsaengpo. Since 2018 the date has moved several times (see the typical window). Each edition now runs for four days, Thursday to Sunday, across the special zone. Expect a main stage with opening and closing ceremonies, fireworks over the waterfront, musical galas and concerts, and a whale parade. In 2026 about 1,000 volunteer performers, clubs and residents took part in the parade, and it moved to the final day. Children get their own stages, bubble and magic shows, contests, stamp tours, AR games and an AI experience zone, and there are food zones, food trucks and a flea market of local small businesses. The festival is free; Nam-gu hosts it and the Whale Culture Foundation runs it. The zone also has permanent sites on the same grounds: the Jangsaengpo Whale Museum, the Whale Ecology Experience Hall (described by KTO as Korea's first dolphin aquarium), the Ulsanham warship, the Whale Culture Village and a monorail loop with harbour and bridge views. A whale-watching cruise sails from Jangsaengpo. Newer additions include 'Jangsaengpo Light', media art projected onto four 19 m oil tanks, and the Whales Kart track. Honest caveats: the month changes from year to year, and the 2027 dates are unknown. Programmes run in Korean. The festival website could not be opened, so there is no hour-by-hour timetable for 2026. The zone's museums close on Mondays. Jangsaengpo is a bus or taxi ride from Ulsan's railway stations. In 2026 the gateway was Taehwagang Station downtown. The last KTX-Eum back to Seoul's Cheongnyangni leaves there at 17:07 on weekdays and 18:11 at weekends, so an evening visit means a late KTX from Ulsan Station or a night in Ulsan.
Highlights
- Free four-day festival in Korea's only whale culture special zone; the 30th edition ran Thursday 15 to Sunday 18 October 2026, 10:00–21:00
- A whale parade on the final day, with about 1,000 volunteer performers, clubs and residents in 2026, and fireworks over the waterfront on the opening and closing nights
- Children's and family programmes: a morning kids' stage, a participatory musical, magic and bubble shows, family dance and song contests, a five-mission stamp tour and an AR 'Find the Whale' game
- Main-stage concerts: a musical gala, an orchestra concert, world folk performances and a guest US Army band
- Whale-watching cruise from Jangsaengpo: 3 hours, ₩20,000 adult and ₩10,000 child, sailing 14:00–17:00 Tuesday to Sunday in September and October
- Permanent sites on the same grounds: the Whale Museum (₩1,000–₩2,000), the Whale Ecology Experience Hall with dolphins (₩3,000–₩5,000), the Whale Culture Village (₩3,000) and a sea-view monorail (₩11,000 adult)
- 'Jangsaengpo Light', evening media art projected onto four 19 m oil tanks, running since August 2025
Who it suits. Best for families with children, who get kids' stages, contests and hands-on zones, plus dolphins and whale skeletons in the permanent museums, and for travellers in Ulsan or on the southeast coast between Busan and Gyeongju who want a harbour festival with a parade and fireworks. Less suited to visitors who need English-language programmes, or who want to return to Seoul late on the same day without a long transfer to Ulsan's KTX station.
Getting there
From Seoul
Two rail routes. (1) KTX-Eum from Cheongnyangni to Taehwagang Station (태화강역), Ulsan's downtown station: about 11 trains a day in autumn 2026, taking 2 h 54 m–3 h 19 m for ₩48,800 standard class (ITX-Maeum about 4 h 35 m, ₩35,600). In 2026 the festival's welcome gate was on the station plaza, with a free shuttle every 30 minutes to Jangsaengpo. (2) KTX from Seoul Station to Ulsan Station (울산역): 33–34 trains a day, 2 h 07 m–3 h 04 m, ₩48,400 standard class (₩48,000 on KTX-Sancheon). Ulsan Station is on the city's outskirts; a free festival shuttle ran from it in 2024, but the 2026 sources mention only Taehwagang. Since the 1 September 2026 KTX–SRT merger, all these trains are booked in Korail's apps and English site. Shuttle, city-bus and taxi times to Jangsaengpo were not verified.
From Busan
Trains from Bujeon Station to Taehwagang Station: about 21 a day in autumn 2026 (KTX-Eum, ITX-Maeum and Mugunghwa), taking 42 minutes to 1 h 08 m; standard fares ₩8,400 (KTX-Eum), ₩6,100 (ITX-Maeum) and ₩4,100 (Mugunghwa). Then use the festival shuttle or a taxi from Taehwagang to Jangsaengpo. Check the last train back to Bujeon in the Korail app (코레일+) or at the station before the festival day.
Last leg from Taehwagang Station
Korail Donghae Line (KTX-Eum, ITX-Maeum, Mugunghwa). Not walkable: in 2026 a free festival shuttle ran every 30 minutes from the station plaza to Jangsaengpo (journey time not published); otherwise take a taxi or city bus
Festival shuttle
2026: free shuttle buses every 30 minutes between Taehwagang Station and the festival on all four days. 2024: free shuttles on four routes, from KTX Ulsan Station, Okdong public car park, Munsu Sports Park and Nam-gu Office, plus an on-site loop. 2023: four free routes, including a direct route to Taehwagang Station, and a circular bus.
Getting home
In autumn 2026 the last KTX-Eum from Taehwagang to Cheongnyangni left in the late afternoon or early evening, while KTX trains from Ulsan Station to Seoul Station ran until later in the evening, so for an evening visit Ulsan Station is the better bet. Ulsan Station is on the city's outskirts, so leave Jangsaengpo well ahead; staying the night in Ulsan is easier. Check the last train in the Korail app (코레일+) or at the station before the festival day.
Parking
Festival parking was set up in temporary car parks: about 3,337 spaces at seven sites in 2024 (including the special zone's car park) and 2,970 spaces at seven sites in 2023, with free shuttles from the outer car parks. The special zone has its own car park. 2026 parking details were not found.
How to switch Naver Map and Kakao Map to English
Google Maps shows train, subway and bus routes in Korea but not walking or driving directions yet, so for the walk from the station Naver Map or Kakao Map is more reliable.
Before you go
1330 · Travel hotline
The Korea Tourism Organization’s helpline answers in English, Japanese and Chinese around the clock, and in several other languages from 08:00 to 19:00. Dial 1330 from a Korean phone, or +82-2-1330 from a phone registered abroad.
112 / 119 · Emergencies
112 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance. Both are free from any phone. Police on 112 can add an English or Chinese interpreter to the call.
T-money card
Buy one at a convenience store such as GS25, CU or 7-Eleven and top it up there with cash. It pays for subways and buses in most cities, and for most taxis.
Maps
Use Naver Map or Kakao Map for walking and bus directions; Google Maps does not yet give walking directions in Korea. Both apps can be switched to English. Naver Map: Menu (≡) → Settings → Language (Japanese and Chinese also available). Kakao Map: Menu (≡) → Settings → App settings → Language. If the option is missing, change your phone’s language and reopen the app. Small shop names and some reviews stay in Korean.
Trains and buses
Book trains on Korail’s English site and express buses on Kobus. Holiday weekends sell out first.
Checked 18 October 2026.
Tickets, prices and practical details
| Item | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Admission | Free | Free for everyone per KTO and the festival's 2026 publicity |
| Shuttle bus from Taehwagang Station | Free | Free, every 30 minutes on all four days |
- Booking
- No booking is needed for the festival. Book the whale-watching cruise by phone (052-226-1901~2) or on the special zone's website, whalecity.kr; ask about the monorail on 052-266-2621. Whether festival contests and workshops needed sign-up was not published on the pages opened.
- English on site
- No English-language programme is documented; stage shows and contests are in Korean. Nam-gu put out an English press release inviting international travellers to the 2026 edition.
- Crowds
- Busy: about 300,000 people came over the four days in 2023, and evening concerts in 2024 drew about 7,000 on a weekday night and over 10,000 the next night. No 2026 total had been published.
- Best time to go
- The opening (Thursday) or closing (Sunday) night for the fireworks, and the final day for the whale parade (2026). Come in the morning with children for the kids' stage, and before 17:30 if you also want the museums, which stop selling tickets then.
- What to bring
- A warm layer for evenings on the harbour in autumn, comfortable shoes for a spread-out site, and a transit card or taxi app for the trip back to the station.
Editions
| Year | Dates | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not announced as of 19 October 2026. The last three editions ran Thursday to Sunday on 26–29 September 2024, 25–28 September 2025 and 15–18 October 2026, so late September to mid-October 2027 is most likely, but the month has changed often (May in 2023, October in 2022, July in 2018). The 2026 dates were public by 30 July 2026, and the 2025 timing ('end of September') by early August 2025. | expected | This would be the 31st edition. No reason for the changing months was given in the sources opened. |
| 2026 | 15–18 Oct 2026 | ended | Across the special zone: the Jangsaengpo multipurpose ground held the whale experience plaza, with the Whale Theatre (고래극장) main stage, Shrimp Plaza (새우마당), a busking zone and the flea market; the archive exhibition was at Jangsaengpo Culture Warehouse. KTO's address is 244 Jangsaengpogorae-ro, Maeam-dong, Nam-gu. |
| 2025 | 25–28 Sep 2025 | ended | Jangsaengpo Whale Culture Special Zone, Nam-gu. |
| 2024 | 26–29 Sep 2024 | ended | Across the special zone, with the main stage at Jangsaengmadang. About 3,337 parking spaces in seven temporary car parks; free shuttles on four routes (KTX Ulsan Station, Okdong public car park, Munsu Sports Park and Nam-gu Office) plus an on-site loop. |
Nearby
- Jangsaengpo Whale Museum (장생포고래박물관) — On site. Whale skeletons, whaling tools and the history of Korean whaling; 09:00–18:00, closed Mondays; ₩1,000–₩2,000
- Whale Ecology Experience Hall (고래생태체험관) — About 45 m. Dolphin aquarium, described by KTO as Korea's first; 09:00–18:00, closed Mondays; ₩3,000–₩5,000
- Jangsaengpo Whale Sea Cruise (장생포 고래바다여행선) — About 40 m. Whale-watching cruise, 3 hours, ₩20,000 adult and ₩10,000 child; also shorter coastal tours; April–November, closed Mondays
- Jangsaengpo Monorail (장생포 모노레일) — Starts at the Whale Museum. Loop from the Whale Museum past the Whale Culture Village with views of the coast, Ulsan Bridge and the industrial complex; ₩11,000 adult and teen, ₩7,000 child; closed Mondays
- Jangsaengpo Whale Culture Village (장생포 고래문화마을). Whale-town village with nostalgia experiences (old-style snacks and school-uniform dress-up in 2022); 09:00–18:00, closed Mondays; ₩3,000. Jangsaengpo's hydrangea festival is held here in June
- Ulsan Jung-gu Heritage Night (울산 중구 국가유산야행) — About 8 km (straight line). Free three-evening heritage festival at Ulsan Dongheon and the Byeongyeongseong army fortress in Jung-gu's old town; 23–25 October 2026, 17:00–22:00
Questions travelers ask
When is the Ulsan Whale Festival 2027?
Not announced as of 19 October 2026. Recent editions ran Thursday to Sunday on 26–29 September 2024, 25–28 September 2025 and 15–18 October 2026, so late September to mid-October 2027 is most likely, but the month has changed often. The 2026 dates were public by late July.
When was the 2026 festival?
The 30th Ulsan Whale Festival ran from Thursday 15 to Sunday 18 October 2026, 10:00–21:00, at the Jangsaengpo Whale Culture Special Zone in Nam-gu, Ulsan. It has ended.
Is it free?
Yes, the festival is free for everyone. The permanent attractions in the zone charge separately: Whale Museum ₩1,000–₩2,000, Whale Ecology Experience Hall ₩3,000–₩5,000, Whale Culture Village ₩3,000, monorail ₩11,000 for adults and the whale-watching cruise ₩20,000 for adults.
How do I get there from Seoul?
Take a KTX-Eum from Cheongnyangni to Taehwagang Station (2 h 54 m–3 h 19 m, ₩48,800), where a free festival shuttle ran every 30 minutes in 2026. Or take a KTX from Seoul Station to Ulsan Station (2 h 07 m–3 h 04 m, ₩48,400); that station is on the city's outskirts, so continue by taxi or bus.
Can I visit as a day trip from Seoul?
Only with an early start: the trip is about 3 hours each way. In autumn 2026 the last KTX-Eum from Taehwagang to Cheongnyangni left in the late afternoon or early evening; KTX trains from Ulsan Station to Seoul Station run later, but the station is far from Jangsaengpo. Check the last train in the Korail app (코레일+) before the festival day.
How do I get there from Busan?
Trains run from Bujeon Station to Taehwagang Station 21 times a day, taking 42 minutes to 1 h 08 m for ₩4,100–₩8,400. From Taehwagang, use the festival shuttle or a taxi to Jangsaengpo.
Can I go whale watching?
Yes, the Jangsaengpo whale-watching cruise sails from April to November. The 3-hour trip costs ₩20,000 for adults and ₩10,000 for children; in September and October it leaves at 14:00, Tuesday to Sunday. Book by phone or at whalecity.kr.
Are the whale museums open on Mondays?
No. The Whale Museum, the Whale Ecology Experience Hall, the Ulsanham ship and the Whale Culture Village open 09:00–18:00 (last tickets 17:30) and close every Monday and on the days of Seollal and Chuseok. The festival itself runs Thursday to Sunday.
Why does the festival move between months?
The sources opened give no reason. It was a spring festival until 2017, moved to July in 2018, paused during the pandemic, and has since run in October (2022), May (2023), late September (2024 and 2025) and mid-October (2026).
Sources and verification
Facts checked
19 October 2026, against the sources listed below.
This page is desk research from the sources below, not a firsthand report of the 2027 edition. Confidence in the current facts: medium.
- KTO tourist data — 울산고래축제 (ktriptips mirror, contentId 553263)kto — 30th edition 15–18 Oct 2026; 10:00–21:00; free; 장생포 고래문화특구, 장생포고래로 244 (매암동); coordinates 35.5031615/129.3808069; host 남구청, organizer 고래문화재단; 052-270-9324; ulsanwhale.com; theme, slogan and programme (300-person chorus, fireworks, parade, AI/AR zone, archive, 고래밥상, flea market, Taehwagang gate); museum 5 m, cruise 38 m, ecology hall 43 m
- 여기유 festival directory — 울산고래축제 (2026)other — 15 (Thu)–18 (Sun) Oct 2026, 30th, 10:00–21:00, free, ended; theme 고래의 초대, 서른살 파티!, slogan 함께할 고래; 남구청 / 고래문화재단; 052-270-9324; 300-person chorus, fireworks, parade, night party, orchestra, kids stage, musical gala, world folk, US Army band, family contests, whale rider challenge, lanterns, stamp tour, AI/AR zone, archive at the Culture Warehouse, food zone, flea market
- Newsis 2026-07-30 — 30주년 울산고래축제 10월 15~18일 개최…체류·참여형 변신news — 30th edition 15–18 Oct 2026; main venue Jangsaengpo multipurpose ground; Taehwagang Station Square gateway, shuttle every 30 minutes; busking there from 2 Oct; parade of about 1,000 volunteers moved from day 3 to day 4 (formerly residents of Nam-gu's 14 dong); flea market of about 50 small businesses; fewer star singers, Ulsan artists at the closing
- News1 2026-07-30 — 울산 남구, 울산고래축제 준비 돌입…체류형·참여형으로 전환news — 30th Ulsan Whale Festival in 2026 organised by Ulsan Nam-gu; planning report meeting on 30 July 2026 chaired by district head 임현철; shift to a stay-and-take-part format; Whale Culture Foundation 30th-anniversary archive exhibition
- Reportera 2026-10-03 — 과거 포경 기지가 30년 만에 연 성대한 생일잔치 (30th Ulsan Whale Festival)news — 15–18 Oct 2026; free for everyone; Nam-gu Office and Whale Culture Foundation; 052-270-9324; WAVE CONCERT, musical gala, world folk, Spartan Band, robot-human circus, character parade; Whale Kids Festa (morning), 'The Whale's Request' at Shrimp Plaza, magic and bubble shows; dance and song contests; five-mission tour, AR game; night party; food zones, flea markets; Taehwagang welcome gate
- Ulsan Nam-gu press release via PR Newswire (Thailand Business News), 8 Oct 2026 — Ulsan Whale Festival 30th editionnews — Nam-gu release: 30th edition 15–18 Oct 2026; parade on the final day; fireworks on opening and closing nights; free shuttle every 30 minutes from Taehwagang Station all four days; Whales Kart 1.05 km, up to 40 km/h; Goraedeung-gil 135 m; Jangsaengpo Light; 1986 whaling ban; only whale culture zone since 2008; invitation to international travellers
- World Journal 2026-10-12 — 蔚山鯨魚節迎來30週年 長生浦轉型為生態旅遊勝地 (Nam-gu PR Newswire release, Chinese)news — Chinese (traditional) names 蔚山鯨魚節 and 長生浦鯨魚文化特區; 第30屆, 15–18 Oct; free shuttle from Taehwagang Station every 30 minutes
- Seoul Shinmun 2025-09-22 — 포경 넘어선 '빛의 캔버스'… 장생포에서 '고래의 꿈' 만나요news — 29th edition 25–28 Sep 2025 at Jangsaengpo Whale Culture Special Zone, organised by Nam-gu; 28th edition held in September 2024; main stage, Shrimp Theatre and Whale Plaza programmes; flea market 10:00–21:00 daily; AI painter robot; 2.4 m, 60 kg robot 'Titan'; Jangsaengpo Light media façade on four 19 m SK oil tanks, permanent since 22 Aug; Korea's only whale festival
- Newsis 2025-08-06 — 울산 장생포 고래문화특구 지정 기간 2028년까지 연장news — Special zone designated 25 July 2008 as Korea's first whale-themed special zone, extended to 2028; 2025 festival at the end of September; Whales Fantasium rooftop swing trial-run during the festival; Jangsaengpo Light trial from August
- Financial News 2024-09-25 — '울산고래축제' 개막.. 장생포 고래 특구 '들썩들썩'news — 28th edition 26–29 Sep 2024 (four days); theme 장생포의 꿈! 울산의 희망!; Whale Culture Foundation; opening 26 Sep 19:00, musical gala 27 Sep 20:30, parade and DJ party 28 Sep 20:00 with about 1,000 people from 14 neighbourhoods, closing 29 Sep 19:00 with La Poem; 3,337 temporary parking spaces at seven sites; free shuttles
- Newsis 2024-09-10 — '장생포의 꿈! 울산의 희망!' 2024 울산고래축제 26일 개막news — 28th edition, 26–29 Sep 2024; opening at Jangsaengmadang 19:00; gala 20:30; parade of about 1,000 over roughly 1 km from 20:00; closing 19:00; free shuttles on four routes (KTX Ulsan Station, Okdong car park, Munsu Sports Park, Nam-gu Office) plus a loop; about 3,337 spaces in seven lots; Monet media show, art market, screenings; stamp tour, contests
- Newsis 2024-09-29 — 밤에도 뜨거웠던 장생포…울산고래축제 폐막news — Held 26–29 Sep 2024; media stage of about 150 m (LED and hologram); about 7,000 at the day-1 concert and over 10,000 at the day-2 musical gala; parade of over 1,000; Whaleland theme park; 17 food booths priced about ₩5,000–12,000 on reusable tableware; waste down nearly 80% on the previous year
- NewsSeoul 2023-05-14 — 남구, '도약하는 장생포'… 2023 울산고래축제 열기로 후끈news — 2023 edition 11–14 May 2023 (four days) at the special zone; about 300,000 visitors; four free shuttle routes including a direct route to Taehwagang Station, and a circular bus; seven car parks with 2,970 spaces
- Seoul Shinmun 2022-10-12 — 어게인 장생포!… 울산 고래축제 내일 개막news — 26th edition 13–16 Oct 2022, the first in three years because of COVID-19; opening 13 Oct 19:00 with fireworks; Whale Culture Village nostalgia experiences; named a promising national festival four years running from 2011 and a culture and tourism festival in 2019
- Seoul Shinmun 2018-07-04 — 어서와 울산고래축제 여름엔 처음이지?news — 2018 edition 5–8 July 2018, the first summer edition; previously held every spring
- Seoul Shinmun 2012-04-10 — 울산고래축제 구경 오세요news — 2012 edition 26–29 April 2012 on the Taehwa River banks and in Jangsaengpo; Whale Culture Foundation launched in October 2011
- Weekly Kyunghyang 2018-08-20 — '고래 특구' 장생포항 사실상 개점휴업news — The Ulsan Whale Festival began in 1995 and has been held every year since; IWC ban on commercial whaling in 1986
- KTO tourist data — 장생포고래문화특구 (ktriptips mirror, contentId 3495467)kto — Whale Museum, Whale Ecology Experience Hall (Korea's first dolphin aquarium), Ulsanham and Whale Culture Village 09:00–18:00, tickets until 17:30; monorail 10:00–18:00; Culture Warehouse 10:00–21:00; closed every Monday and on Seollal and Chuseok days; parking available; phone 052-256-3601~2; whalecity.kr
- KTO tourist data — 장생포 고래바다여행선 (ktriptips mirror, contentId 769495)kto — Whale-watching cruise ₩20,000 adult, ₩10,000 child (individual); coastal tour ₩15,000/₩7,000; whale watching 3 hours, April–November, Sep–Oct 14:00–17:00, Tuesday–Sunday April–October, weekends only in November; closed Mondays and Seollal/Chuseok days; booking by phone 052-226-1901~2 or whalecity.kr; first ship July 2009
- KTO tourist data — 장생포 모노레일 (ktriptips mirror, contentId 2638479)kto — Monorail ₩11,000 adult/teen, ₩7,000 child; weekdays 10:00–18:30, weekends 10:00–20:00; closed Mondays and Seollal/Chuseok days; loop from the whale museum past the Whale Culture Village with views of the coast, Ulsan Bridge and industrial complex; 052-266-2621; facility fees: Whale Museum ₩1,000–2,000, Whale Ecology Experience Hall ₩3,000–5,000, Ulsanham ₩1,000, Whale Culture Village ₩3,000
- Jaegyeong Ilbo 2026-06-28 — 10일간 30만 홀린 장생포 수국 축제, 142억 경제 효과news — 5th Jangsaengpo Hydrangea Festival, 19–28 June 2026, in the Whale Culture Village area, about 300,000 visitors; new whale cart up to 40 km/h
- Cheongnyangni → Taehwagang train timetable, 7–13 Oct 2026 (third-party mirror of the MOLIT/data.go.kr national timetable feed, page last modified 2026-10-07)other — 11 trains a day (12 on 10 Oct); first KTX-Eum 701 at 05:40, last KTX-Eum 717 at 19:00 (arr 22:06); KTX-Eum 2 h 54 m (781, weekends) to 3 h 19 m, standard ₩48,800; ITX-Maeum 4 h 33 m–4 h 35 m, ₩35,600
- Taehwagang → Cheongnyangni train timetable, 13–19 Oct 2026 (third-party mirror of the MOLIT/data.go.kr national timetable feed, page last modified 2026-10-13)other — 10 trains a day (11 on 17–18 Oct); last KTX-Eum 718 at 17:07 (arr 20:15) on 13–16 and 19 Oct; on 17–18 Oct KTX-Eum 782 at 18:11 (arr 21:13); standard ₩48,800
- Bujeon → Taehwagang train timetable, 19–25 Oct 2026 (third-party mirror of the MOLIT/data.go.kr national timetable feed, page last modified 2026-10-19)other — 21 trains a day (22 on 24–25 Oct): KTX-Eum, ITX-Maeum and Mugunghwa; first 05:11, last 19:40; 42 minutes to 1 h 08 m; standard ₩8,400 KTX-Eum, ₩6,100 ITX-Maeum, ₩4,100 Mugunghwa
- Taehwagang → Bujeon train timetable, 29 Sep–5 Oct 2026 (third-party mirror of the MOLIT/data.go.kr national timetable feed, page last modified 2026-09-29)other — 22 trains a day (23 on 3–4 Oct); late departures 21:46 KTX-Eum 756 (arr 22:29), 22:08 KTX-Eum 717 (arr 22:54), 22:39 ITX-Maeum 1843 (arr 23:37); 42 minutes to 1 h 10 m
- Seoul Station → Ulsan train timetable, 19–23 Oct 2026 (third-party mirror of the MOLIT/data.go.kr national timetable feed, page last modified 2026-10-19)other — 33 departures a day on 19–22 Oct and 34 on 23 Oct; first KTX 1 at 05:13 (arr 07:27), last KTX 83 at 22:28 (arr 00:41); journeys 2 h 07 m (KTX-Sancheon 51) to 3 h 00 m, 3 h 04 m on 23 Oct; standard fare KTX ₩48,400, KTX-Sancheon ₩48,000
- Ulsan → Seoul Station train timetable, 18–24 Oct 2026 (third-party mirror of the MOLIT/data.go.kr national timetable feed, page last modified 2026-10-18)other — 30–31 trains a day; evening departures every day 18–23 Oct: 20:01 KTX 70 (arr 22:21), 20:46 KTX 72 (arr 23:06), 21:03 KTX 74 (arr 23:23), 22:23 KTX 82 (arr 00:27); standard fare ₩48,400; the 24 Oct table was cut off and 25 Oct not listed
- The Korea Times 2010-10-05 — Ulsan KTX stationnews — The KTX station was built on the outskirts of Ulsan and named Ulsan Station; the old downtown Ulsan Station was renamed Taehwagang (Taehwa River) Station
- Korail press release: 코레일-에스알 9월 1일 하나로…안전 최우선, 더 편리한 고속철도의 시작 (31 Aug 2026)official — Integration and integrated running from 1 Sep 2026; KTX and SRT merged into KTX; average KTX fare cut about 10%; Suseo-axis seats up about 30%; 5% mileage; Korail+ app (Korail Talk + SRT app) launched 3 Aug
- Hankyung: 9월 1일부터 서울~부산 KTX 5만4400원…운임 평균 10% 인하 (31 Aug 2026)news — KTX and SRT run as KTX from 1 Sep; former SRT trainsets renamed KTX-Sancheon; Seoul–Busan ₩59,800→₩54,400, Yongsan–Gwangju Songjeong ₩46,800→₩42,000; Suseo seats +30%; booking unified in Korail+
- Korail Tickets (English booking site)official — English booking site; letskorail.com redirected to korail.com; Suseo is in the KTX station list; language menu has English, Japanese, Chinese (simplified/traditional), Vietnamese, Thai and Indonesian
- KTO TourAPI listing 울산 중구 국가유산야행 (contentId 3017778)kto — Nearby: Ulsan Jung-gu Heritage Night 23–25 Oct 2026, 17:00–22:00, free, at 울산동헌 및 내아 and 경상좌도 병영성; coordinates 35.5577/129.3203 (about 8 km in a straight line from the festival's KTO point 35.5032/129.3808)
What we could not confirm
- The festival website (ulsanwhale.com) and the special zone's site (whalecity.kr) could not be opened, so there is no hour-by-hour 2026 timetable, no 2026 parking plan and no word on whether contests and workshops needed sign-up.
- No 2026 closing report or visitor total had been found as of 19 October 2026, the day after the festival ended.
- 2027 dates and even the month are unknown; no source opened explains why the festival moved between spring, July, May, September and October.
- Admission and daily hours for 2024 and 2025 were not stated in the sources opened (the 2026 edition was free, 10:00–21:00).
- The shuttle journey time from Taehwagang Station, regular city-bus routes to Jangsaengpo, and taxi times from Taehwagang or Ulsan Station were not verified. The Donghae Line metro trains between Busan and Taehwagang were not checked.
- Monorail hours conflict: KTO's special-zone listing gives 10:00–18:00, the monorail's own KTO listing gives 10:00–18:30 on weekdays and 10:00–20:00 at weekends.
- Which ages or groups the ₩1,000–₩2,000 (museum) and ₩3,000–₩5,000 (ecology hall) fee ranges apply to was not given.
- First year 1995 comes from a 2018 Weekly Kyunghyang article. It fits the edition numbers (26th in 2022 after a three-year break, 28th in 2024, 30th in 2026), but the organizer's own history page was not read. The 2023 edition's number was not stated.
- Official Japanese name not found. The traditional Chinese name 蔚山鯨魚節 is from Nam-gu's Chinese PR Newswire release; the simplified form 蔚山鲸鱼节 is a character conversion of it, not seen on an official page.
- Rail frequencies, journey times and fares are from a third-party mirror of the national timetable feed for October 2026; the timetable may change before the 2027 edition.
- Getting there from Incheon Airport was not researched; restrooms, accessibility, rain policy and pet rules were not published.
- The KTO contentId 553263 listing was read through the ktriptips mirror; the festival is not in the site's TourAPI snapshot (listed.json), which holds only current and upcoming events.
- Last train back on the festival date under the timetable in force that day (Taehwagang to Cheongnyangni and to Bujeon, Ulsan Station to Seoul Station).
Changes: 2026-10-19 — Added to the site: fact-first record (dates, hours, prices, getting there, sources). · 2026-10-19 — Added a photograph from the Korea Tourism Organization (Korea Tourism Content Lab), KOGL Type 1. · 2026-10-20 — ITX-Maeum spelling. · 2026-10-21 — Transport: removed the October 2026 train and bus clock times (a new Korail timetable starts on 1 Nov 2026); journey times, frequencies and fares kept, with a reminder to check the last train or bus before the festival day.
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