VISIT JEJU

Unlike other oreums (volcanic cones) in Jeju, Seongsan Ilchulbong is a tuff cone, formed by an underwater eruption of magma. When the hot magma met the cold seawater, it caused the volcanic ash to retain a great deal of moisture, becoming stickier than normal and forming multiple layers that accumulated into Seongsan Ilchulbong.

The layers of sediment closer to the water have been eroded by the waves and currents, resulting in the steep slopes seen today. At the time the cone formed, it was on its own separate island, cut off from the main island of Jeju, but a path gradually connecting it to the main island began to appear during low tide, composed of sand and gravel. In 1940, a road was built to fully connect Seongsan Ilchulbong to Jeju Island.

Seongsang Ilchulbong is home to a walking trail divided into both free and paid sections. The paid trail goes all the way up to the summit of Seongsan Ilchulbong, attracting many hikers even with the admission fee. The free trail is made up of gentler slopes, ideal for a casual stroll by the sea. We advise you to consider your own preferences and conditioning before choosing the trail that’s right for you.

A crater spanning about 80,000 pyeong (approximately 264,000 square meters) spreads out from the summit, shaped like a bowl and filled with a grassy field of silver grass and other species. Surrounding the crater are 99 smaller rocky peaks. The overall appearance evokes the image of a massive fortress, giving it the name “Seongsan (Castle Mountain),” while the spectacular sunrises the cone enjoys have earned it the name “Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak).”

According to legend, if Seongsan Ilchulbong had instead possessed a full 100 peaks, Jeju would currently be overrun by fierce animals such as tigers and lions. However, since the cone has only 99 peaks, missing the mark by one single peak, the island is home to neither tigers nor lions.

Seongsan Ilchulbong has also played host to a painful piece of Jeju’s history. 

In 1943, the Japanese army dug 24 cave fortifications along the coastal cliffs of Ilchulbong and hid a stockpile of bombs and torpedoes inside. Ultimately, they were defeated before they were able to effectively make use of this arsenal. These caves were later used as changing rooms for local female divers. Furthermore, many civilians lost their lives during the Jeju 4·3 Uprising along “Teojinmok” (meaning “the path that opens at low tide”), the passage that connects Seongsan Ilchulbong to Jeju Island, as well as in the surrounding areas, including Umutgae.

A steep staircase leads up to the summit of Seongsan Ilchulbong, taking about 20 minutes, though most visitors end up quite out of breath by the time they reach the top.  

The view from the summit possesses a grandeur that cannot be found on any other oreum in Jeju, with the wide crater spreading out before and the expansive ocean lying beyond. The sunrise as seen from this summit has long been considered the pinnacle of Jeju “10 Sights,” and the Seongsan Sunrise Festival is now held here every December 31 to welcome in the first sunrise of the new year.

Seongsan Ilchulbong was considered a local monument before being officially recognized as a Natural Monument on July 19, 2000, then subsequently designated as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site on July 2, 2007 for its stunning views and unique geological value. It was also certified as a UNESCO Global Geopark in October 2010, and was selected as one of Korea’s top natural eco-tourism spots in 2011. It was then selected as one of the top tourism spots in Korea in 2020 through a national vote by the Korean Tourism Organization.

The UNESCO World Natural Heritage Center has created a tourism itinerary centered around Seongsan Ilchulbong. Titled “Seongsan: A 2-Day Tour,” this itinerary also includes Odori and the nearby island Udo, giving tourists the opportunity to experience its true essence, in addition to eight other attractions, including a program where grasses in the wide pasture found within the crater of Ilchulbong are used to make eco-friendly animal figures, allowing participants to have fun discovering hidden designs and creating special memories. 

▲ ① Seongsan Ilchulbong Visitor Center

▲ ② Horse Riding (near Ojeonggae Olle Course) (left), ③ Thank You and Welcome (right)

▲ ④ Our Beautiful Land! The Korean Peninsula (left), ⑤ Welcome! (right)

▲ ⑥ It’s Me, Dolhareubang! Let’s Have Some Fun. (left), ⑦ Perfect for Playing and Running Around (Dogs, Cows, Horses) (right)

▲ ⑧ Rolling in the Ocean on a Full Stomach