Nowadays the small South Korean city of Ulsan is known for its picturesque beach landscapes, quaint coastal cliffs and ancient lighthouses where you can stay and enjoy the colorful sunrises and sunsets. However, the main attraction of this city is the huge ancient port of Jangsaengpo, whose docks accommodate up to a hundred large ships. This is where the most popular tourist attractions are located. Among them is the modern Jangsaengpo Whale Museum which was opened in 2005.

The history of whaling in these places goes back to the second millennium BC. It is proved by the ancient rock carvings found in Bangudae. The cravings depict 60 images of whales and the process of hunting them. The first whaling base was opened in the port in 1899. The city of Ulsan is considered to be the «cradle» of whaling in Korea. In 1986, hunting was officially prohibited by law due to a significant reduction in the whale population. So, all the working tools, equipment and trophies formed the basis of the modern museum collection of artifacts. It took around 20 years to make the amazing collection of 250 exhibits and to open the unique Korean museum of whaling.

The museum occupies an area of about 7,000 square meters. There you can see more than 1,800 exhibits: life-size models of whaling ships and different types of whales, real skeletons and bones of whales and cetacean mammals. Pay special attention to the most valuable item of the museum – the whalebone.

A special exhibition is devoted to gray whales which are included in the Red List. There you can learn about the life and evolution of these fantastic giants and about how they were hunted at different times. Moreover, you will have an opportunity to see the photos of those years and documentaries about whales in a modern 4D theater.