The Broad Rocks and Jakcheonjeong Pavilion at Ulsan’s Jakgwaecheon Stream, Sculpted by Water from Mt. Ganwolsan

The Site Where Water Descending from 1,083 m Ganwol Mountain Formed the “Wine Cup Rock”

Jakgwaecheon is a stream that originates from Ganwol Mountain in the Yeongnam Alps (1,083 m above sea level) and flows toward Gyodong-ri, Samnam-eup, Ulju-gun. It flows southeast, joins Sangcheoncheon, continues into the Namcheon–Taehwagang water system, and eventually reaches the East Sea.

The name comes from the rounded pools that the current carved into the broad bedrock over many years, resembling wine cups set out on the rock. The Joseon-era geographical texts Gyonamji and Ulsan Eupji also recorded the broad rocks here as a landscape resembling a jade plate spread out on the ground.

Jakcheonjeong and the Joseon Scholars’ Summer Retreats Revealed by Rock Inscriptions

Jakcheonjeong is the name of a pavilion beside Jakgwaecheon, while the valley itself is also widely known as Jakcheonjeong Valley. The Ulsan Metropolitan City Photo Database classifies Jakcheonjeong as a city-designated heritage site and preserves photographs taken in 1989.

Inscriptions and names left by old literary figures have been passed down on the valley’s broad rocks. This provides a clue to the area’s local history: it was not merely a place for playing in the water, but also a place where people escaped the heat and shared poetry and refined pastimes.

Free Valley Access Starting at 94-6 Deung-eok Alps-ro

The listed address is 94-6 Deung-eok Alps-ro, Samnam-eup, Ulju-gun, Ulsan Metropolitan City, while the address for Jakcheonjeong Valley used in tourism information is 133 Deung-eok Alps-ro. The coordinates are 35.548912, 129.106509, making this a useful reference point for accessing the Jakcheonjeong area and Sunam Cherry Blossom Road.

Jakgwaecheon is listed as open at all times year-round, with free admission. Since it is not a tourist attraction requiring passage through a separate ticket booth, allow 1–2 hours for combining time in the valley with a walk, or 2–3 hours if also visiting the cherry blossom road and Jakcheonjeong.

• Hours: Open at all times
• Closed: Open year-round
• Admission: Free
• Tourism inquiries: Ulju-gun Tourism Division 052-204-0336
• Managing agency contact: Ulju-gun Office 052-204-2346

Traveling Approximately 6 km from KTX Ulsan Station Toward Jakcheonjeong

The official driving route from KTX Ulsan Station to Jakcheonjeong Starlight Campground departs from Ulsan Station, follows Eonyang-ro and Bangudae-ro, turns right at the Jakcheonjeong entrance, and continues along Jakgwae-ro for approximately 2.02 km. The total route is approximately 6 km, making it convenient to travel from the station by taxi or private car.

Bus Ulju 03 operates from Jakcheonjeong Multipurpose Plaza. From the direction of Ulsan Station, bus 328 can be used to reach stops toward Sangbuk-myeon and Baenaegol, but it is safest to check the Ulsan city bus real-time information on the day of departure for the final bus and service intervals to Jakcheonjeong.

• Nearest railway hub: KTX Ulsan Station
• Bus serving Jakcheonjeong: Ulju 03
• Route connecting with Ulsan Station: 328
• Car access: Head toward Jakgwae-ro from the Jakcheonjeong entrance

Parking at Jakcheonjeong Multipurpose Plaza and Temporary Parking During Cherry Blossom Season

The Jakcheonjeong area has a main parking lot beside the multipurpose plaza, and temporary parking has operated in the past near the entrance to Sunam Cherry Blossom Road during cherry blossom season. Restrooms near Jakcheonjeong Stadium and the parking area have also been listed as available facilities.

Tourism data lists Jakgwaecheon as having parking for 2,000 vehicles and a capacity of 200,000 visitors. However, these figures come from tourism-site data from 2021, so during the cherry blossom festival and the summer peak season, it is better to look first for designated spaces near the multipurpose plaza and stadium rather than stopping along the roadside.

Cherry Blossom Roads in Late March and Water Activities in July–August: Different Ways to Enjoy the Same Valley

Jakcheonjeong’s Sunam Cherry Blossom Road is a springtime cherry blossom attraction that follows the banks of Jakgwaecheon. Ulju-gun held the 2nd Jakcheonjeong Cherry Blossom Festival in 2019, and the area remains particularly busy during the recent cherry blossom seasons, when separate notices are issued about use of the main parking lot, temporary parking, and restrooms.

In summer, the valley stream flowing over the white bedrock becomes the main attraction. The broad, flat rocks can be extremely slippery when wet, so water sandals or slip-resistant shoes are recommended. As a general rule, do not enter the edges of the rocks or areas with strong currents immediately after rainfall.

• Spring: Walk along Sunam Cherry Blossom Road and visit Jakcheonjeong
• Summer: Wading in the valley and relaxing by the water
• What to bring: Slip-resistant shoes, a change of clothes, and garbage bags
• Caution: Wet broad rocks and valley water after heavy rain

An Overnight Route Leading to Jakcheonjeong Moonlight and Starlight Campgrounds

There are Jakcheonjeong Moonlight Campground and Jakcheonjeong Starlight Campground around the valley. The address of Moonlight Campground is 1230-2 Gyodong-ri, Samnam-eup, Ulju-gun, and the address of Starlight Campground is 320 Jasujeong-ro, Sangbuk-myeon, Ulju-gun. Ulju-gun’s camping information lists their telephone numbers as 052-264-0501 and 052-254-7720, respectively.

Starlight Campground is introduced as being divided into a space developed along Jakgwaecheon and camping areas near a pine forest. Some information also states that it has 45 camping sites beside Jakcheonjeong Valley. Campground accommodation is separate from the valley’s free admission, so check site reservations, fees, and check-in rules by date on Ulju-gun’s official camping website.

Why to Prepare for Stairs and Wet Rocks Rather Than Wheelchair or Stroller Access

The route down to Jakcheonjeong Valley includes stairs and sloped approaches, while the main waterside scenery lies on natural bedrock. Therefore, even though wheelchair and stroller users can reach the level areas around the multipurpose plaza and parking lot, access close to the valley rocks is highly limited.

Pets are listed as permitted throughout the entire area, but they must be kept on a leash and owners must bring supplies for disposing of waste. No dedicated foreign-language information system on site has been confirmed, so overseas visitors may find it practical to save “Jakcheonjeong Valley” or “Jakgwaecheon” on their map and contact the Ulju-gun Tourism Division at 052-204-0336.