Ulsan City Ignites Tourism Engine Along the Rails... Increased Semi-High-Speed Train Services at Taehwagang Station

Additional KTX-Eum Services Between Cheongnyangni and Taehwagang, Gangneung and Taehwagang Starting December 30
Establishment of Open Tourism Information Center and Operation of Double-Decker City Tour Buses

Ulsan City announced that starting from December 30, the operation of semi-high-speed trains stopping at Taehwagang Station will be expanded, improving rail accessibility. In line with this, the city will continue its efforts from last year to attract more tourists by introducing transportation options connecting tourist attractions and developing tourism programs.

According to the city, the number of KTX-Eum services between Cheongnyangni and Taehwagang Station will be tripled from 6 to 18 daily. Additionally, on the Taehwagang-Gangneung section, which opened in January and is currently served by ITX-Ma-eumi, six new KTX-Eum services will be newly introduced.

Previously, the Jungang Line KTX-Eum did not stop at Bukulsan Station and Namchang Station, but now some trains will make stops at these stations, improving transportation convenience for visitors. This enhanced connectivity between the Seoul metropolitan area, Chungbuk, Gyeongbuk, the central inland region, and Ulsan is expected to stimulate the local economy.

Accordingly, Ulsan City plans to expand three policies implemented last year in preparation for the introduction of semi-high-speed trains: increasing transportation options connecting tourist attractions, promoting tourism through smart tourism online platforms, and intensifying focused marketing for Ulsan tourism, all aimed at improving visitor convenience.

▲First, to expand transportation options connecting tourist attractions-mainly city tour buses and tourist taxis-Ulsan will add two eco-friendly double-decker city tour buses in the second half of the year, and will enhance the enjoyment of these services through various events.

Convenient tourist taxis will continue to operate flexibly in durations of two hours (20,000 won), four hours (40,000 won), and eight hours (80,000 won), making it easy and convenient to travel around Ulsan. The tourist information center at Taehwagang Station will be expanded into an open tourism information center accessible to both domestic and international tourists, including those with limited mobility, with completion scheduled for the first half of next year.

For small groups of tourists, including those with limited mobility, if they reserve an accessible van at least three days in advance through the Taehwagang Station or the official website, they can conveniently travel from the station to any tourist destination throughout Ulsan.

▲Promotion using intelligent (smart) tourism online platforms will also be strengthened. The city will promote the increased semi-high-speed train services at Taehwagang Station through the Ulsan Tourism website and the smart tourism online platform "Wasseoul Ulsan," and install app promotion banner ads at Taehwagang Station.

▲To intensify Ulsan tourism marketing, the city will actively promote the expanded metropolitan rail services during next year’s Ulsan tourism policy briefing, offer special support for product development and incentives to travel agencies operating train tour packages, and continue to advertise Ulsan tourism using outdoor media at Cheongnyangni and Gangneung stations.

This year, the East Coast Tourism Promotion Council (Ulsan, Busan, Gyeongbuk, Gangwon) operated a total of four train-linked tourism products (East Coast themed tourism trains). Next year, the city plans to further expand rail-based wide-area tourism connections, reflecting the increased semi-high-speed train services at Taehwagang Station.

Additionally, Ulsan will develop and promote a variety of rail travel programs in cooperation with nearby cities through the Haeoreum Alliance and the Southeast Region (Busan, Ulsan, Gyeongnam) Regional Tourism Organization.

With some Jungang Line KTX-Eum trains now stopping at Bukulsan Station and Namchang Station, which previously were not served, the city will collaborate with relevant departments and travel agencies to develop related tourism products.

Furthermore, Ulsan plans to operate pop-up stores selling local tourism souvenirs at major stations, including Cheongnyangni, Gangneung, Taehwagang, and Bujeon, to attract the attention of tourists.

An Ulsan city official stated, "With the introduction of KTX-Eum at Taehwagang Station, Busan, Ulsan, Gyeongbuk, and Gangwon will be connected as a one-day living zone, boosting tourism demand and serving as a major driver for local community development. We will do our best to make Ulsan a great city for tourism by expanding transportation connections and promoting the city through various channels."