Ulsan U-Macha (Ulsan Carriage)
A Unique Eco-Friendly Ride Through Taehwagang National Garden & Ulsan Grand Park
#UlsanMacha #TaehwagangNationalGarden #UlsanGrandPark #UlsanTravel #ThingsToDoInUlsan #UlsanTourism #WassUpUlsan #UlsanExperience
Hello, this is Hidori 😊
Recently, while taking a walk in Ulsan’s parks, you might notice a rather unusual sight.
A carriage slowly moving through the park paths.
At first glance it looks like a traditional horse carriage, but if you look closer, you’ll notice something different.
The Ulsan Macha (U-Macha) is actually an electric-powered eco-friendly tourist carriage.
You can often see it quietly passing through Taehwagang National Garden or Ulsan Grand Park, offering visitors a relaxing way to explore the parks.
It was introduced as a new tourism experience designed especially for visitors exploring Ulsan.
🚃 A New Tourist Mobility Experience in Ulsan
The Ulsan city government recently launched official operations of U-Macha in two major parks.
Rather than being just transportation, the ride is more like a slow sightseeing experience, allowing passengers to enjoy the scenery while moving comfortably through the park.
What makes it even more interesting is that the vehicle was developed locally in Ulsan.
A self-driving technology company called KAR, located in the Gilcheon Industrial Complex in Ulju-gun, handled the vehicle design, engineering, and battery system.
The official model name is U-Macha.
Although the exact battery capacity hasn’t been publicly detailed, it’s more than enough to cover the routes in both parks. Charging is done using standard 220V power, and the vehicle is designed to be waterproof for safe outdoor operation.
The exterior also uses eco-friendly birch wood, and the carriage is equipped with its own collision safety system.
📍 Where to Ride Ulsan Macha
Currently, there are two boarding locations.
① Taehwagang National Garden U-Macha
📍 Address
10 Neutinamu-gil, Jung-gu, Ulsan
The route here covers about 4 km and passes through key garden landscapes including:
- Bamboo forest paths
- Flower gardens
- Riverside scenery along the Taehwagang River
Many visitors find the boarding area easy to locate because it sits along the main road near the garden entrance.
② Ulsan Grand Park U-Macha
📍 Address
317 Duwang-ro, Nam-gu, Ulsan
At Ulsan Grand Park, the route extends about 6.1 km.
Since the park is extremely large, walking through the entire area can take quite a long time. The U-Macha ride provides a comfortable way to explore the main sections of the park.
⏰ Operating Hours
- Operating time: 10:00 – 17:40
- Interval: every 20 minutes
- Closed: Mondays
One ride lasts approximately 40 minutes.
You can also check schedules through the 왔어울산 (WassUp Ulsan) tourism app.
💰 Ticket Prices
- 10,000 KRW per person
- 30,000 KRW for a full carriage (family use)
50% Discount
- Ulsan residents
- Seniors (65+)
- Military personnel
- Multi-child families
- Low-income households
- People with disabilities and guardians
- Single-parent families
- Multicultural families
- North Korean defectors
Free Admission
- National merit recipients
Discount eligibility requires proof documents.
🌿 What Makes U-Macha Special
Unlike typical tourist trains found in other destinations, U-Macha has a few unique features.
✔ Seating positioned about 2 meters above ground, offering a wider view of the park
✔ Fully open design for a spacious and refreshing experience
✔ Very quiet electric motor operation
Most tourist vehicles use electric motors these days, but this one is noticeably quiet—almost no motor noise or wheel sound.
The carriage uses a leaf spring suspension system, which I initially thought might feel rough. Surprisingly, the ride comfort was quite good.
There’s also no “electric car jerkiness,” so even elderly passengers can ride comfortably.
🎙️ Guided Tour During the Ride
One of the best parts of the experience is the live narration from a guide.
During the ride, the guide shares stories about:
- The history of Taehwagang National Garden
- Ulsan’s ecology and natural environment
- The development of Ulsan Grand Park
- The city’s industrial and cultural background
Instead of simply circling the park, it feels like traveling through Ulsan’s story.
For visitors coming to Ulsan for the first time, it’s actually a great introduction to the city.
🚜 Production & Scale
Currently, Ulsan operates 15 carriages:
- 8 at Taehwagang National Garden
- 7 at Ulsan Grand Park
Most of the vehicles are hand-built, and each one reportedly takes about a year to produce.
The estimated production cost per carriage is around 60–70 million KRW.
✨ Final Thoughts
The Ulsan Macha offers a surprisingly enjoyable experience during a park visit.
It’s especially recommended for:
✔ Visitors who want a comfortable way to explore Taehwagang National Garden
✔ Families enjoying Ulsan Grand Park
✔ Travelers with children
✔ Visitors walking with elderly family members
If you’re planning a trip to Ulsan, taking a slow ride through the park on the U-Macha might just become one of the most memorable parts of your trip.