Gangdong Hwaam Columnar Joint, Where Flower-Patterned Cross-Sections Meet Reclining Lava Columns
The Gangdong Hwaam Columnar Joint stretches for about 200 meters along the coast of Sanha-dong, Buk-gu, Ulsan. This geological landscape was formed when basaltic lava cooled approximately 20 million years ago. Since admission fees and the latest public-transit walking routes have not been confirmed in official information, practical travel details have been organized using Taehwagang Station or Ulsan Intercity & Express Bus Terminal as starting points.
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Ulsan Monument No. 42, Created by Lava Approximately 20 Million Years Ago
Gangdong Hwaam Columnar Joint is an outdoor geological landscape located along the coast of Hwaam Village, 952-1 Sanha-dong, Buk-gu, Ulsan Metropolitan City. It is designated Ulsan Monument No. 42 and is introduced as one of Ulsan's 12 Scenic Views.
Approximately 20 million years ago, during the Tertiary Period of the Cenozoic Era, basaltic magma erupted, cooled, and solidified. As its volume contracted, column-shaped cracks formed. It is introduced as the oldest columnar joint formation along Korea's east coast, and its academic value is also noted.
Rocks Split into Flower Patterns, Like the Name Hwaam Village
The name Hwaam Village uses the characters for flower and rock, and is introduced as originating from the columnar joints' cross-sections resembling flower patterns. The columns may have hexagonal or triangular cross-sections.
Both vertical and horizontal columnar joints can be seen here. In particular, Hwaam Columnar Joint is characterized by columns lying horizontally rather than rising vertically toward the sky. From some angles, the rocks also appear to have been stacked horizontally or vertically like timber.
Expand Your View 200 m Along the Coast and 150 m Out to Sea
The columnar joints extend for approximately 200 m along the coast. The columns have an average length of about 20 m, and the longest cross-section is described as approximately 50 cm along the diagonal.
A rocky island of columnar joints can also be seen in the sea, about 150 m from the beach. Rather than looking only at the nearby coastal rocks, take in the seaward scenery as well to capture the rocks spread out at various angles and the spray created as waves crash against them in a single view.
Do Not Go Down to the Rock Edge Even on Calm-Wave Days
You can admire the cross-sections of the columnar joints up close, but visitors are warned that dangerous situations may occur on days with rough waves. The more clearly white breakers and spray are visible, the safer it is to avoid approaching wet rock edges and the immediate shoreline.
No official information was found regarding photography restrictions, separate restricted-access areas, or cash-only payment. Therefore, do not treat this as a place for climbing onto rocks or moving forcefully along the shoreline; instead, plan to take photographs from safe points where observation is possible.
An Outdoor Attraction Open Year-Round, but Admission Fees and Visiting Hours Differ
Ulsan Tourism's official information lists the operating schedule as open year-round. It is presented as an outdoor attraction viewed from the coast rather than a facility requiring passage through an indoor ticket office, and no separate admission fee is listed in official or public information.
For telephone inquiries, Ulsan Tourism's main number is 052-229-2000, while inquiries about the Gangdong Coast are directed to 052-241-7752. The Korea Tourism Organization lists an additional inquiry number, 052-229-6350, and the 1330 Korea Travel Hotline supports Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese.
From Taehwagang Station and the Intercity Express Bus Terminal to Hwaam Bus Stop
The recommended route from Taehwagang Station is to take bus 714, 715, or 1127, transfer to bus 411 at Hakseong Park, and get off at Hwaam Bus Stop. From Ulsan Intercity Express Bus Terminal, the suggested route is to take bus 714 or 246, transfer to bus 411 at Hakseong Park, and get off at Hwaam Bus Stop.
This route information and the directions to get off at Hwaam Bus Stop are based on 2013 materials. As of 2026, the current service frequency, stop locations, and latest walking distance and route from Hwaam Bus Stop to the columnar joints have not been confirmed. Travelers unfamiliar with Korean geography may find it practical to show the driver or call 1330 with both “Hwaam Columnar Joint” and “Hwaam Bus Stop” before boarding.
Park at Gangdongsanha Public Parking Lot 2 and Head Toward the Coast
Parking facilities are available, and the location specified in the official information is Gangdongsanha Public Parking Lot 2. The address is 1598 Donghaean-ro, Buk-gu, Ulsan Metropolitan City; the Gangdong Coast information lists the same road-name address.
In 2016 materials from Buk-gu, Ulsan, Hwaam 1 Parking Lot was recorded at 956-2 Sanha-dong, with free operation and 37 spaces, while Hwaam 2 Parking Lot was recorded at 957-4 Sanha-dong, with free operation and 25 spaces. Because this information dates from 2016, current fees and the number of parking spaces cannot be assumed, but it helps visitors understand the locations and historical capacity of the two lots in advance.
Combine Gangdong Mongdol Beach and Jeongja Port into a One-Day Coastal Route
Walking down along the beach from Hwaam Columnar Joint leads to Gangdong Mongdol Beach. Gangdong Mongdol Beach is introduced as a field of rounded, smooth pebble stones, allowing visitors to continue exploring the coastal geological landscape in contrast with the angular rocks of the columnar joints.
A coastal road continues from Gangdong through Jeongja Port to Jujeon, and the route from Gangdong Coast to Jujeon Coast is introduced as a driving course. Travel courses including Jeongja Port and Gangdong Mongdol Beach are also available, so travelers who find public-transport transfers burdensome can combine the Gangdong coastal destinations into one itinerary.
Rest at Hwaam Senior Citizens' Center and the Pavilion, and Prepare a Leash for Pets
Hwaam Senior Citizens' Center and a pavilion are located to the left of the columnar-joint entrance. Rather than expecting a long walking course or an indoor exhibition hall, visitors should think of this as a short outdoor visit involving a brief rest at the pavilion while looking at the coastal rocks and the rocky island in the sea.
Ulsan Tourism's official information states that separate men's and women's restrooms are available and that pets may accompany visitors if kept on a leash. According to the official information, the entrance has a step, and an accessible entrance for people with disabilities is available, but it has not been separately confirmed whether the entire coastal viewing route can be used with a wheelchair or stroller.
Addresses, Map Details, and Safety Information to Prepare for Your First Visit
For navigation, you can use “Around 952-1 Sanha-dong, Buk-gu, Ulsan Metropolitan City” or the coordinates 35.634807° N, 129.442913° E. Set the parking destination to “Gangdongsanha Public Parking Lot 2,” 1598 Donghaean-ro, Buk-gu, Ulsan Metropolitan City.
The official website is Ulsan Tourism at https://tour.ulsan.go.kr, and the attraction is open year-round. Since the recommended visit duration, latest bus intervals, walking distance, and availability of English information or an audio guide were not found in public information, this destination is better suited to an itinerary that checks the weather and wave conditions first than to a visit planned around a timetable like that of a paid exhibition hall.
Before You Go
- Address
- Around 952-1 Sanha-dong, Buk-gu, Ulsan Metropolitan City
- Hours
- Open year-round
- Closed
- Open year-round
- Admission
- No separate admission fee was found in official or public information
- Phone
- 052-229-2000
- Official site
- https://tour.ulsan.go.kr
- Transport
- Taehwagang Station (714, 715, 1127) → transfer at Hakseong Park (411) → get off at Hwaam Bus Stop; Ulsan Intercity Express Bus Terminal (714, 246) → transfer at Hakseong Park (411) → get off at Hwaam Bus Stop
- Parking
- Public parking available: Gangdongsanha Public Parking Lot 2, 1598 Donghaean-ro, Buk-gu, Ulsan Metropolitan City
- Accessibility
- According to the official information, the entrance has a step, and an accessible entrance for people with disabilities is available. Accessibility of the entire coastal viewing route for wheelchairs and strollers has not been separately confirmed.
The information above is based on the time of writing. Check the official information again before visiting.
Places
Nearby Attractions 3
-
1
Gangdong Mongdol BeachA beach where you can enjoy the view of smooth, rounded pebbles and the East Sea. -
2
Jeongja PortA harbor where you can take a stroll while enjoying the Whale Lighthouse and the scenery of a fishing port. -
3
Dangsa Marine Fishing ParkA place where you can enjoy fishing and coastal scenery along a seaside promenade.
Food & Dining 3
-
4
Jeongja Snow Crab Direct Sales RestaurantA restaurant where you can enjoy snow crab and seafood at Jeongja Port. -
5
Busan HoetjipA sashimi restaurant where you can enjoy flathead flounder sashimi, snow crab, and other seafood. -
6
Yujeongho Captain's RestaurantA restaurant where you can enjoy wild-caught flounder sashimi and snow crab.
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