Visitors can watch beautiful sunrises at Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak). It is one of the most scenic landmarks of Jeju Island and a UNESCO World Natural Heritage. / Korea Times Photos by Shim Hyun-chul



By Shim Hyun-chul
Staff Reporter

JEJU ― This years marks the first anniversary of Jeju Island's designation as a World Natural Heritage, the first ever in South Korea.

At the 31st UNESCO World Heritage Committee summit held in New Zealand on June 27, 2007, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature unanimously voted to include Jeju.

Located south of the Korean peninsula, Jeju's landscape is dominated by 386 peaks on the slopes of Mt. Halla and dotted with solidified molten rock cones. Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak) is a prime example of a lava cone and is not only scenic, but also scientifically valuable. Ever since being named a World Natural Heritage, the tropical island has welcomed an increasing number of tourists and scientists from near and far.

Seongsan Ilchulbong is located on the eastern coast of Jeju. Believed to be a holy spot for prayer, this beautiful area is one of the landmarks of the island and should not be missed.

The name Seongsan, meaning ``castle hill'' in Korean, comes from its sloping form resembling a grand castle. It is the perfect spot to watch the sunrise, and is thus called Seongsan Ilchulbong (sunrise). Originally, Seongsan was a small islet off Jeju Island, but a 1.5-kilometer long, 500-meter wide reef provides a bridge.

The structure is a lava cone created by a submarine volcanic eruption some 5,000 years ago. It measures 377,872 square meters and stands 182 meters above sea level. Its round crater measures 450 meters (latitudinal) and 350 meter (longitudinal) and 99 big and small rocks mark the circumference, giving it a crown-like appearance. The crater is 90 meters deep and its appearance varies from season to season and depending on where you stand.

It takes about 25 minutes to get to Seongsan Ilchulbong, and along the way you can see many flora that are designated as national treasures. Visiting hours from November to February begin an hour before sunrise until 8 p.m. and from March to October until 9 p.m. For more information, visit Jeju Special Self-Governing Province or call (064) 783-0959.

shim@koreatimes.co.kr