The Taehwa River runs 47.54 kilometers long and drains an area of 643.96 square kilometers. Originated from nearby Gaji Mountain and Baekun Mountain, the streams that form the river pass 57 tributaries, merge in Ulsan, and finally flow out into the East Sea. That’s why the Taehwa River is called the lifeline of Ulsan. Twenty-five years ago, however, the river did not play its part well. The water quality was so bad that it couldn’t even be used for agriculture. With Ulsan being the nation’s leading industrial city, the river had to pay the price. It was a dire situation. The city began banning the inflow of industrial waste into the river, built a sewage treatment plant, and removed illegal fishing facilities. For years, citizens, organizations, and businesses joined hands to purify the river and the surrounding areas. The continued management and maintenance works helped the water quality of the lifeline to reach the top level. Now that the water is clean, salmons, sweetfish, and daces have returned. The river is also home to otters.

Around the Taehwa River, a local garden was built to create a space where people can take a walk and experience the diverse features of local gardens. Over 1.5 million visitors travel to Ulsan each year to check out this first Korean waterside ecological park. Good news arrived at the local garden this past July, as it was designated as the second national garden of Korea, after Suncheon Bay National Garden. It officially became “Taehwagang National Garden.”

The national garden is largely divided into Taehwa District and Samho District. At 531,000 square meters in size, the Taehwa district is 2.3 times larger than Seoul’s Yeouido Park. The garden is surrounded by flowering plants such as canola flowers and forage barley. It has a performance stage, streamlet, bamboo eco center, and trails. Simni Bamboo Grove, the most famous place in Taehwagang National Garden, is also located in the Taehwa district. Visitors can spend time taking pictures in the designated photo zones in the butterfly eco center, gourd tunnel, and other themed gardens.

Simni Bamboo Grove is where most of the Taehwa River visitors head to first. What’s visible to the eye though is only a small portion. The actual bamboo colony is bigger and denser, reaching 4 kilometers in length beginning in the west of the Taehwa Garden, encompassing Samho in the north and Taehwaru in the south.

This area was frequently flooded in the past, resulting in agricultural losses. During the Japanese colonial era, residents in the area planted bamboo plants in the river banks to prevent flooding, and that was the beginning of the bamboo forest. It was designated as one of the top 20 ecological tourist sites in Korea, and since the official garden was formed, various seasonal events have been taking place around the grove.

Ulsan is not just an industrial city. It’s a charming destination for tourists. There are many places worth visiting, other than the Taehwagang National Garden. Jangsaengpo Whale Culture Village offers a whale museum, aquarium, and eco activity hall. Daewangam Park has a legend that the Queen of Munmu who was lost at sea, after the death of King Munmu during the Silla Dynasty, became a guardian dragon buried under daewangam, meaning the Great King Rock.

After wrapping up the tour schedule in Ulsan, how about staying a night at LOTTE HOTEL ULSAN and enjoying its premium spa service and relaxation? LOTTE HOTELS & RESORTS operates two units in the city, LOTTE HOTEL ULSAN and LOTTE City Hotel Ulsan. LOTTE HOTEL ULSAN is the only five-star hotel in the city and has Club Floors between the 19th floor and 23rd floor for its business and VIP guests. Luxurious suites and residential rooms, along with Club Lounge services, make LOTTE HOTEL ULSAN a true first-rate hotel.

To celebrate the designation of the Taehwagang garden as the second national garden, LOTTE HOTEL ULSAN is offering a promotion. Available until the end of October, the promotion includes Deluxe Suite Room reservations with a room-only option and a bed-and-breakfast option. It takes about 15 minutes from the hotel to the Taehwagang National Garden by car, making it easy to visit the scenic area whenever you want.

LOTTE HOTEL ULSAN has a Whale Character Room that provides a bedding, towels, and other fabric items with a whale-themed design. The Whale Character Room Signature Package will be available until the end of November. In consideration of families with children, the room is equipped with two double beds, and recently renovated. You can check out Ulsan’s famous Whale Culture Village.