K-Travel | March.27.2024
A Volcano Designated as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site: Seongsan Ilchulbong
Are you curious about the mountain with a concave, 🥣bowl-like shape that seems to float above the sea? That mountain, which immediately evokes the grandeur of nature at first sight, is none other than Seongsan Ilchulbong.💚
Unlike other oreums in Jeju Island, Seongsan Ilchulbong is a hydrovolcanic cone that was naturally formed by the underwater eruption of magma.🌋
Let's explore more about Seongsan Ilchulbong, a masterpiece created by nature, which has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.🧐
The Meaning of Seongsan Ilchulbong
The crater, with its concave, bowl-like shape covering an area of 80,000 pyeong (approximately 263,707 square meters or 65.2 acres), is named Seongsan, meaning “Castle Mountain” due to its resemblance to a grand fortress. The peak received its name, Ilchulbong, or "Sunrise Peak", because of the spectacular view of the sunrise from this location.✏️📋
Seongsan Ilchulbong is particularly famous for its breathtaking sunrises viewed from the summit, as well as the stunning seascape that lies beyond, making it the top 🌅sunrise vewing spot in Jeju!😎
A Marvel of Nature Rising from the Sea
Seongsan Ilchulbong is like a masterpiece of nature’s mystery, formed by volcanic activity beneath the sea. The hot magma expelled during volcanic eruptions met the cold seawater, resulting in layers of volcanic ash accumulating to create what we now see as Seongsan Ilchulbong.
But how did this layered volcano come to have such steep slopes?
The reason lies in the sedimentary layers around the sea being eroded and sculpted by waves and currents, leading to the steep appearance we observe today.🌊
Moreover, although Seongsan Ilchulbong is now connected to the mainland, it was initially an island inaccessible from the land. Over time, however, sand and gravel gradually accumulated, forming a path that connected it to the mainland!🌿
Shall we check out Seongsan Ilchulbong through a drone?
A Volcano Designated as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site
Seongsan Ilchulbong, known for its overwhelming charisma that captivates with the grandeur and greatness of nature🌿, is a volcano that has earned recognition as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.🏆
Originally protected as a natural monument in 2000, it was its remarkable landscape and geological significance that led to its designation as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in 2007.
Seongsan Ilchulbong has continued to be acknowledged for its natural value, subsequently being certified as a UNESCO Global Geopark and selected as one of the Top 12 Korean Tourism Guinness Records.
✅2000: Designated as a Natural Monument
✅2007: Inscribed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site
✅2010: Certified as a UNESCO Global Geopark
✅2012: Selected as one of the Top 12 Korean Tourism Guinness Records
Among the Premier Sunrise Spots in Jeju Island
When it comes to selecting the prime location for sunrise🌅 views in Jeju Island, Seongsan Ilchulbong stands out without question.
©Visit Jeju-Udobong
Ascending its steep stairway🥾, one reaches the summit's expansive crater, offering a vista of Udo Island afar and the vast sea beyond. This scenery invokes a profound sense of grandeur and the intrinsic value of nature. The spectacle of the sunrise over this panorama is the quintessence of the tourist experience here.🥹
A visit to Jeju Island grants the unique opportunity to witness an unparalleled sunrise spectacle, ensuring memorable moments.
Annually, on December 31st, the Seongsan Sunrise Festival is held, presenting an ideal occasion for a visit.
The Encounter of Seongsan Ilchulbong and Canola Flowers
If you're looking to capture magnificent photos📷 with Seongsan Ilchulbong as the backdrop, 🌸springtime visits are highly recommended. Descending the coastal road from Seongsan Ilchulbong, you will find the Seongsan canola fields, where, come spring, you can take splendid photos with Seongsan Ilchulbong amidst the blooming yellow canola flowers🌼.🤳
Seongsan Ilchulbong in Every Season
What does Seongsan Ilchulbong look like across the different seasons?😘
🌼Spring
You can encounter a feast of yellow canola flowersflowers blooming around Seongsan Ilchulbong.☺️
🌞Summer
The cool, expansive sea and the spectacular view of Seongsan Ilchulbong blend harmoniously.
🍁Autumn
Seongsan Ilchulbong, awash in red, is an ideal tourist spot, perfect for hiking in the season's prime.🥾
❄️Winter
The grandeur of Seongsan Ilchulbong and the snowy landscape combine to offer a stunning scene.☃️