VISIT JEJU

Seopjikoji is a promontory jutting off from Jeju’s eastern coast, offering a stunning view along the coast set against the gorgeous backdrop of Seongsan Ilchulbong. Seopjikoji offers a number of the quintessential elements of Jeju scenery, with the white sands of Sinyang Beach where the promontory meets the main coast, the canola fields stretching across its plains and hilltops, the Jeju ponies leisurely grazing, the beautiful rocky cliffs, and the towering Seondolbawi Rock, a feature appearing in Jeju legends. 

Unlike other areas of the coast in Jeju, the shore is composed of red volcanic ash called “scoria,” and unique rock formations emerge at low tide, creating a singular display of natural stonework unlike anything seen elsewhere. 

We recommend coming here for a nighttime stroll on hot summer nights. As the daytime heat subsides to the cool of evening, gentle lights illuminate the trail, blending with the chirping of crickets to create the perfect romantic ambiance. The stones carry a different sort of mystique under the night sky, with the lights of boats floating on the darkened sea adding an extra layer of thrill.

“Seopji” refers to a place that has produced many talented individuals, and “Koji” is a term for a promontory jutting out from the land into the sea in the Jeju dialect of Korean.

A lighthouse built of volcanic rock sits on a hill, and nearby rests a beacon tower used during the Joseon Dynasty to warn of Japanese raiders. The well-preserved, circular beacon stands 4 meters high and is approximately 9 meters in width and length. 

From a scientific perspective, Seopjikoji serves as an excellent observation site for the central portion of a volcanic crater, the product of an eruption of magma. The promontory is formed from an accumulation of scoria ejected from the volcanic vent, while Seondolbawi Rock is what is known as a “volcanic neck,” formed from magma that solidified in the vent. The entire area stimulates the imagination, allowing you to picture how volcanic activity gave birth to the land around you.

Seondolbawi Rock has a rather melancholy legend associated with it. 

The youngest son of the Dragon King of the East Sea fell desperately in love with an angel who descended from the heavens, but was unable to marry her as he failed to demonstrate sufficient devotion over 100 days. Drowning in grief, he waited for the angel to once more descend to him from the sky, and was eventually turned to stone in that very spot. Due to this tragic romance, it is said that couples who pledge their love in front of Seondolbawi Rock before getting married will be blessed with exceptionally capable children.