Seongsan Ilchulbong, Jeju Island

Seongsan Ilchulbong literally translated to Chinese is 城山日出峰 or the Sunrise Peak of Seongsan. It is situated at the eastern tip of Jeju Island and is one of the favourite places of the tourists. Formed by hydrovolcanic eruptions in shallow seabed, the geology is unique and the scenery is spectacular. This area was designated as a natural monument in year 2000 and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2007.

Many come early well before sunrise, trek the trails and hike to the peak to see the sunrise. But on the day of our visit on 30 April 2023, the trial to the peak was closed for visitors. Weather on the day of our visit was perfect and we felt very comfortable with a jacket on. Spring from March to May is reckoned to be the best time to visit Jeju. By early summer in June, weather would become hot and humid and the temperature might soar to 80 degrees F come August.

Well built and well maintained footpath with sturdy
handrail that leads to the bay below.

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Geologists who come here would be fascinated by the unique geologic formation and the stone outcrops formed by the volcanic eruptions in shallow water millions of years ago. A signboard gives a brief description of how such unique formation was formed. 

Tephra (fragments of rocks ejected from volcanic eruptions) ejected from a vent rise up into the air by pyroclastic surge and then fall back to the ground. Deposits of these pyroclastic surges then move along the ground surface like a desert sandstorm. Once cooled, the formations show planar, inclined, wavy or U-shaped beddings as what we see at the bay.

One cannot fully appreciate the uniqueness of
Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone until it is seen from the air.
Photo downloaded from Wikipedia.

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Jeju Island is known for a special group of women called the Haenyeo woman divers who dive to gather abalones, sea urchins, octopus, seaweed etc for a living. They dive 10m without the aid of oxygen masks. These women are a dying breed. Nearly 90% are over the age of 60 and many are in their eighties. Korea is still very much a patriarchal society where men dominate in politics, works and homes. Woman's duty is to stay at home and produce sons. Hence, becoming a haenyeo is not viewed very positively.

Photo of Haenyeo women downloaded from

thisiskoreatours.com.

Visitors can savour raw oysters, sea urchins,

octopus etc sold at the shops at the bay.

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After ascending from the bay, we trekked for a short distance northward to reach another small peak. There, we had a glimpse of another small island, the Udo Island to the east of Jeju Island.