The record of over 10,000 cumulative visitors to Ulsan Rising Port represents a symbolic milestone, signaling that Ulsan’s cultural tourism content has entered a new phase. Operated by the Ulsan Museum, the Urban Air Mobility experience facility has surpassed 10,000 total participants in just over seven months since its launch, attracting steady interest from both local residents and tourists.
Ulsan Rising Port began operations in May 2025 on the first floor of the Ulsan Museum as an immersive, experience-based exhibition facility. Built on virtual reality technology, the attraction allows visitors to board a simulated Urban Air Mobility aircraft and view Ulsan’s major landmarks from the air, including Taehwagang National Garden, the Bangudae Petroglyphs, and Daewangam Park. With flight-like perspectives and realistic sound effects, participants are able to experience Ulsan’s natural scenery, history, and tourism resources in a vivid and three-dimensional way.
According to the Ulsan Museum, as of January 11, 2026, cumulative visitor numbers at Ulsan Rising Port reached 10,421. Starting with approximately 1,200 visitors in its first month of operation in May 2025, attendance steadily increased to 4,600 in July and 8,900 by October. With the winter school holiday season driving an increase in visits from children and teenagers, demand for the experience is expected to remain stable in the near term.
 [The Korean Today] Red Dot Design Award Yearbook © 정소영 기자 |
The key factors behind Ulsan Rising Port surpassing 10,000 visitors include its high level of immersion and differentiated content. Rather than simply watching videos, visitors experience the sensation of boarding an Urban Air Mobility vehicle, while Ulsan’s tourist attractions are presented as a continuous narrative journey. The 10,000th visitor, a tourist from outside the region who participated on December 27, shared that the experience left a strong impression due to its outstanding visuals and sense of realism encountered unexpectedly during a trip to Ulsan.
The Ulsan Museum explained that the popularity of Ulsan Rising Port is generating synergy with the adjacent Children’s Museum and ongoing special exhibitions. In particular, exhibitions launched in late December have contributed to an increase in family visitors, which has also boosted overall museum attendance. The milestone of 10,000 cumulative visitors highlights not only the success of a single attraction, but also the strengthening of the Ulsan Museum’s role as a comprehensive cultural complex.
Alongside this achievement, Ulsan Rising Port has also gained international recognition in the field of design. Recently, the museum received the main prize certificate and yearbook materials from the Red Dot Design Award, one of the world’s three most prestigious design awards, held in Germany. To commemorate the honor, the Ulsan Museum plans to install a commemorative plaque at the entrance and host a traveling exhibition of the Red Dot Design Award yearbook at locations including the Ulsan City Hall Book Lounge and the museum library. The yearbook features Ulsan Rising Port alongside outstanding design works from around the world and highlights the latest global design trends, which are expected to attract strong public interest.
The milestone of surpassing 10,000 cumulative visitors also reflects Ulsan’s broader direction toward integrating future mobility technologies with cultural tourism. The Ulsan Museum plans to further enhance operational efficiency and expand the range of experiences available. In addition to existing content focused on Taehwagang National Garden and the Bangudae Petroglyphs, the museum is considering the development of new experiential content linked to Ulsan’s industrial history and regional cultural heritage.
Visitor convenience has also played an important role in sustaining attendance. Ulsan Rising Port operates from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays and weekends, excluding Mondays, which are designated as regular closing days. Admission fees are set at 10,000 won for adults and 5,000 won for children and teenagers, with a 50 percent discount offered to Ulsan residents, senior citizens aged 65 and over, and residents of Sunrise Alliance cities. Detailed operational information is available on the official Ulsan City website at https://www.ulsan.go.kr
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An official from the Ulsan Museum stated that surpassing 10,000 cumulative visitors is particularly meaningful as it reflects the continuous expansion of engaging content for museum visitors. The museum plans to further strengthen experiential exhibitions and cultural programs so that it can continue to serve as a key gateway and hub for tourism in Ulsan. This achievement is expected to remain a representative example of the strong potential created when Ulsan’s natural assets, historical heritage, and advanced technologies come together.
[ By Soyoung Jeong | Ulsan Gangbuk | ulsangangbuk@thekoreantoday.com ]
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