[Joyongjun's Travel Journey] Walking Above Hupo Sea Into the Sky

Denggisan Skywalk Walking Over the Sea
‘Hot Place’ Jukbyeon Coastal Sky Rail
Seasonal Snow Crab and Red Crab, Tasting the Flavor
Variety Show ‘Baeknyeon Sonnim’ Revived Through Murals

Deunggi Mountain Skywalk

Is there any place better than the East Coast to look back on the past year and look forward to the coming new year? Among them, the charm of Uljin, Gyeongbuk, with its blue sea, blue forest, and blue sky, is all about the color blue. However, not a single shade of blue is the same. Even the same sea shows different depths of blue every day. There is a place where you can enjoy the diverse shades of blue that Uljin holds all at once. It is the Deunggisanskywalk in Hupo. First introduced in 2018, the Deunggisanskywalk is 135 meters long and was the longest skywalk in Korea at the time, attracting much attention. However, as local governments fiercely competed to install skywalks, it lost its title long ago. Now, let's head to Uljin Deunggisanskywalk, perfect for a December trip.

Skywalk Viewed from the Sky

Walking from Hupo Port toward the East Coast, a structure standing tall in the distance catches the eye. At 20 meters high, just looking up at it is dizzying. Unlike other skywalks that protrude toward the sea only in some sections along the coastline, this structure extends straight toward the sea from the start, doubling the thrill.

To prevent floor contamination, visitors must wear shoe covers to enter the Deunggisanskywalk (except children). This is to maintain the clarity of the reinforced glass floor that offers a clear view beneath. After passing the wooden floor at the entrance, a 57-meter-long reinforced glass section begins. The transparent floor reflects the rolling waves so vividly that it’s hard to tell whether the path leads into the sea or rises into the sky. The skywalk is about 2 meters wide, allowing visitors to fully feel the sea breeze. Entry is restricted when strong winds exceed 9 m/s.

About halfway along the skywalk, the Hupo Gatbawi information board draws attention. It explains, "If there is Gatbawi in Palgongsan on land, there is Hupo Gatbawi in the sea. One wish is sure to come true." The rock, which has granted villagers’ various wishes over many years, was once a well-developed tourist spot with an observatory and pavilion. With the skywalk built right beside it, it has regained its original appearance. Looking down at Gatbawi surrounded by dazzling sunlight reflections, a wish stirs?to live simply as oneself, just like that beautiful rock.

Hupo Port is visible behind Deunggi Skywalk.

Transparent glass skywalk floor

At the end of the Deunggisanskywalk, a mysterious sculpture catches the eye. It represents Seonmyo Nangja, who loved Uisang Daesa. According to legend, Seonmyo threw herself into the sea for the man she loved and became a dragon. She watches over the sea route to ensure Uisang Daesa’s safe return to Silla and appears to help whenever he is in danger. Between the powerful currents of the East Sea, Seonmyo Nangja, half dragon and half beautiful woman, welcomes visitors with an endlessly compassionate smile from the legend. The Deunggisanskywalk operates from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during winter (November to February) with no admission fee and is open year-round.

The exit of the Deunggisanskywalk leads to a suspension bridge (swaying bridge). Crossing the swaying suspension bridge reveals Deunggisan, named because flags were traditionally planted during the day to mark the location and bonfires lit at night to guide ships. Deunggisan (64m) is low but held an extremely important position for those navigating the sea route. The Hupo Lighthouse, first lit here in 1968, shines its light up to 35 km. It is also the closest lighthouse to Ulleungdo.

East Coast Uljin Coastal Road

The mural wall of the village where the filming of Baeknyeon Sonnim took place in Hupo Port

The lighthouse you encounter at Deunggisan is not only the Hupo Lighthouse. At Hupo Deunggisan (Lighthouse) Park, models of representative lighthouses from around the world have been created and installed. You can see Cordouan, built in 1611 and the oldest lighthouse in France, registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site; the Pharos of Egypt, known as the world’s first lighthouse; Bremerhaven in Germany, with its striking red brick reminiscent of a medieval Gothic church; and Bell Rock in Scotland, reborn as a star guiding ships through notorious reefs. Climb the Bell Rock Lighthouse, used as an observatory, and take in the expansive view of the Uljin sea.

On one side of the park stands the Uljin Hupori Neolithic Site Museum. In 1983, a collective burial site was discovered at the top of Deunggisan, where bones of over 40 people were excavated from a natural pit about 4 meters in diameter. Although no pottery was found, about 180 stone axes were unearthed. These stone axes were used to cover human bones during funerals, and such finds of funeral-related stone axes are rare. Inside the museum, the excavation process and Neolithic lifestyle have been recreated.

Since the Deunggisanskywalk was built, Hupori has become nationally famous after appearing on the popular variety show "Baeknyeon Sonnim" (Hundred-Year Guest). Thanks to this, a mural village themed on the show was created. The murals feature the elderly residents of Hupori, beloved by viewers for their simple yet cheerful storytelling. The drama "You and I," filmed here, and warm hometown scenes that remain in someone's memories fill the old walls.

The hottest Jukbyeon Sky Rail in Uljin

Coastal road extending along the sea

Sea Scenery Encountered on the Coastal Road

These days, the hottest attraction in Uljin might be the Jukbyeon Coastal Sky Rail. It is a monorail running along the Jukbyeon coast, famous for the drama "Into the Storm" filming location and the "Heart Beach." The rail is installed up to 11 meters high, offering a great view of the turquoise sea and bizarre rock formations that were previously unseen.

The monorail runs at a speed similar to walking, allowing visitors to leisurely enjoy all the shades of blue in Uljin.

If you are with children, the National Marine Science Museum is recommended. As the name suggests, it explores the secrets of the vast sea using scientific principles. Through various experiences, visitors can understand how the sea affects our daily lives, including climate and food. It especially educates about the serious issue of marine litter through games, which is important for future generations. The underwater observatory at the end of the 393-meter-long Badamajung-gil 393, with a depth of 7 meters, makes the living sea feel real.

◆Travel Notes

▲Getting There=Getting to Uljin is a long journey. From Gangneung on the Yeongdong Expressway, you can take the Donghae Expressway and then Route 7 to reach Hupo-eup. Alternatively, from the Seoul metropolitan area, using the Sangju-Yeongdeok Expressway is the fastest way to Hupo Port. Taking the Jungang Expressway, exiting at Punggi IC, and following Route 36 through Yeongju and Bonghwa leads to Uljin Seomyeon. Passing Bulyoung Valley from there brings you to Hupo Port.

▲Food=There are many good restaurants around Jukbyeon and Hupo Port. Among them, Wangdolhoesusan (pictured) is famous for steamed snow crab and red snow crab cooked in a cauldron. The owner's generous hospitality and honesty are the secrets to its loyal customers. Clam stew and grilled dishes are also popular. Mangyangjeong Hoetjip, located below Mangyangjeong, serves delicious seafood kalguksu, and several restaurants in Jukbyeon Port offer tasty gomchiguk (fish stew).

▲Attractions=There are many places to see, including the Hupo-Manghyangjeong coastal road, Wangpicheon Ecological Trail, Deokgu Hot Springs, Baegam Hot Springs, Bulyoungsa Temple, Wolsongjeong Pavilion, Seongryugul Cave, Geumgangsong Ecopark, Lee Hyun-se Manhwa Street, and the Freshwater Fish Ecological Experience Center.