Ulsan Sinhwa Village, Where Whale Murals and Migrants’ Stories Remain
Ulsan Sinhwa Village is a community-based art space featuring whale murals and sculptures added to a village created by residents who migrated there during the development of the Ulsan Industrial Complex in the 1960s. It is open year-round with no closing days, and can be reached from Ulsan Station by transferring to buses 5001 and 226.
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The Sinhwa Village Myth Created by Maeam-dong Residents in the 1960s
Sinhwa Village was established as a settlement for industrial-complex migrants who lost their homes when the Ulsan Industrial Complex was formed in the 1960s. A 2023 report explains that the village was created when residents of Maeam-dong, whose land was incorporated into the industrial-complex site during the development of the Ulsan Industrial Complex, relocated to the Yaeum-dong area.
The name “Sinhwa” contains the meaning “Let us unite anew and live well.” Therefore, it is important to understand first that this was not a space planned as a tourist attraction from the beginning, but a residential area where people who relocated during the expansion of the industrial city of Ulsan continued their lives.
26 Landscapes Transformed by 10 Artists in 2010
After Sinhwa Village was selected as a filming location for the movie <The Bicycle Searching for a Whale>, some alleys were developed as mural spaces. Later, after being selected for the 2010 Village Art Project hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Nam-gu, Ulsan, and local artists transformed the village.
According to a report dated January 16, 2011, the project lasted about one year and involved 10 artists. A total of 26 artworks were installed throughout the village, including 2 installation artworks, 5 three-dimensional works, 1 relief, 2 LED reliefs, and 11 murals.
From the Large Entrance Sculpture to 12 Themed Alleys
A large sculpture symbolizing the space stands at the village entrance, while murals on different themes continue through the inner alleys. A 2013 field review introduced Sinhwa Village as having been developed around 12 themes and recorded that a village map had also been installed at the entrance.
Ulsan’s identity as a whale city is reflected in the whale murals and sculptures. Because brightly colored and humorous images have been incorporated into the walls and alleys of a living residential space, visitors should keep in mind that residents’ actual homes and routes are present as well, rather than simply taking quick photos of the artworks.
Community-Involved Art at the Sinhwa Artists’ Village
Inside the village is the Sinhwa Artists’ Village, whose official address is 15 Yeocheon-ro 80beon-gil, Nam-gu, Ulsan. It is introduced as a space where creative school programs with residents, a residency for local artists, and an exhibition hall are operated.
The listed activities include creative school programs, a New Artists Academy, and cultural lectures. The contact number for the Sinhwa Artists’ Village is 052-709-3033, and the contact number for village tourism information is 052-276-9677. A 2013 field review advised visitors to contact the site in advance if they wanted explanations of the artworks.
Traveling from Ulsan Station via Routes 5001 and 226
Travelers arriving in Ulsan for the first time can follow the official directions: take Route 5001 from Ulsan Station, then transfer to Route 226 at City Hall Front. From Taehwagang Station, visitors are advised to use city buses. The stops near the Sinhwa Artists’ Village are “Sinhwa Village” and “In Front of Ulsan Beon-gae Market.”
City bus routes operating in the area include 216, 206, 235, 236, 266, 226, 246, 406, 412, and 427. Since the official information does not specify bus intervals or walking times from the stops to the alleys, it is safer to compare the village map with the address after getting off the bus.
Alleys Open Year-Round, but Respect for Residents’ Daily Lives Is Essential
Sinhwa Village is listed as open at all times, with no holidays throughout the year. No separate admission fee appears to be listed for viewing the village and murals. Rather than being a tourist facility with a dedicated ticket office, it is a place where visitors walk through residential alleys.
Tourism information lists parking facilities and restrooms as available, but the parking fee could not be confirmed. Since residents live here, even visitors’ murmuring can become noise, as mentioned in a 2013 field review. Do not enter private property or the interiors of homes. Whether photography is prohibited, whether English guidance is available, and whether an audio guide is offered could not be confirmed in publicly available materials.
Distinguish Between the Two Addresses and Prepare Before Visiting
The address of Sinhwa Village is 18 Yeocheon-ro 80beon-gil, Nam-gu, Ulsan, while the official address of the Sinhwa Artists’ Village is 15 on the same street. Because map apps may display the two addresses differently, it is best to enter “Sinhwa Village” as the destination when looking for the mural alleys and “Sinhwa Artists’ Village” when looking for the exhibition hall or program space.
No standard viewing time is specified for a general walk through the alleys, although some materials state that visits based on an art docent program take about one hour. Stroller rental is unavailable, and publicly available materials do not provide detailed information on wheelchair access, slopes, or stairs in the alleys. Travelers using mobility aids may therefore find it more practical to plan a shorter route with a companion.
Visitor Etiquette to Remember Before the Whale Murals
Artists from the fields of painting, sculpture, poetry, and planning participated in the village’s artworks, and an alley themed around music is also introduced. After viewing the large sculpture at the entrance and the whale artworks, do not occupy the alleys broadly; step aside for residents and take photographs without obstructing passage.
The site is introduced as an “open-air museum,” but it is not a place where visitors can touch or enter every work up close as they might in an indoor museum. The operation of being open at all times more closely means walking through the alleys of a residential area, while using the Sinhwa Artists’ Village programs and exhibition hall requires a separate telephone inquiry from simply walking around the village.
Before You Go
- Address
- 18 Yeocheon-ro 80beon-gil, Nam-gu, Ulsan; official address of the Sinhwa Artists’ Village: 15 Yeocheon-ro 80beon-gil, Nam-gu, Ulsan
- Hours
- Open at all times
- Closed
- Open year-round
- Admission
- No separate admission fee appears to be listed for viewing the village and murals
- Phone
- 052-276-9677; Sinhwa Artists’ Village: 052-709-3033
- Official site
- https://www.uwcf.or.kr/namguart/intro/intro5_3
- Transport
- Nearby stops: Sinhwa Village, In Front of Ulsan Beon-gae Market. City buses 216, 206, 235, 236, 266, 226, 246, 406, 412, and 427. From Ulsan Station, take Route 5001 and transfer to Route 226 at City Hall Front.
- Parking
- Parking facilities are listed as available. The parking fee could not be confirmed.
- Time needed
- About 1 hour according to reviews and tourism information (based on the art docent viewing program)
- Accessibility
- No stroller rental. Wheelchair accessibility and detailed information about slopes, stairs, and other access conditions could not be confirmed in publicly available materials.
The information above is accurate as of the time of writing. Check the official information again before visiting.
Places
Nearby Attractions 3
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1
Seonam Lake ParkStroll along the lake and enjoy seasonal flowers and family-friendly play facilities. -
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Ulsan Grand ParkEnjoy nature in the city as you stroll through expansive green spaces, gardens, and walking trails. -
3
Jangsaengpo Whale Culture VillageExplore themed spaces recreating the old alleys of Jangsaengpo and everyday life during the whaling era.
Food & Dining 3
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