Recent Posts, Posted by Matt in ALL DESTINATIONS,Jeju,Nature,UNESCO Sites, 5 Comments

Jeju Island’s Seongsan Ilchulbong Sunrise Peak

Mention Jeju Island to your Korean friends and you’ll see their faces soften with affection for it. Sometimes called “Korea’s Hawai’i,” Jeju Island’s relative isolation is why its culture and even its language are different from the mainland. In fact, there’s archaeological evidence that the ancient kingdom of Tamna (탐라국) was actively trading with mainland Korea, Han China and Japan as early as the first century AD.

From Korea’s Amazing Jeju Island

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As was discussed on an earlier post about climbing Jeju Island‘s Hallasan mountain (한라산), volcanoes are a very important part of Jeju Island’s history. In addition to Hallasan are 360 parasitic volcanoes (oreum) that have, over the millennia, periodically let off steam.

From Korea’s Amazing Jeju Island

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Probably the most famous among them is Jeju Island’s Seongsan Ilchulbong (성산일출봉), which is also known as Sunrise Peak. The striking archetypal tuff cone was formed by hydrovolcanic eruptions about 5,000 years ago. Today, the 182 meter cone forms a conspicuous peninsula on Jeju Island’s eastern edge. The volcanic cone is 600-meters wide and 90 meters tall. Its crater is lined with 99 rocky spires that resemble a crown or castle walls.

From Korea’s Amazing Jeju Island

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The north and southeast sides of Jeju Island’s Seongsan Ilchulbong feature dramatic cliffs. The northwest slope, however, is a grassy field that connects the crater to Seongsan Village (성산마을). In the spring, the area fills with bright yellow rapeseed flowers and is perfect for horseback riding. “Seongsan” literally means “fortress mountain”, and if you take an early morning hike to see the spectacular sunrise between the naturally-formed turrets, I think you’ll agree that the place deserves its name.

From Korea’s Amazing Jeju Island

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But don’t just take my word for it. Last year, Jeju Island’s Seongsan Ilchulbong, Hallasan mountain and Jeju’s extensive network of lava tubes became Korea’s first UNESCO Natural World Heritage site. The distinction is shared by just 173 other places around the world, and has served to boost international interest and travel to the island.. .

For your information…

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	1 hour before sunrise until 20:00 (winter) and 21:00 (summer). Closed during inclement weather		Admission: W2,000 (Adults); W1,000 (Youth and Children)		064-710-6655~6
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	Jeju-do Seogwipo-si Seongsan-eup Ilchul-ro 284-12		From Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal, take a direct bus for Seongsan and get off at Seongsall-ipgu (2.5 hours). From the stop it is a 1 km. walk		website
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Jeju Island's Sunrise PeakHappy New Year!