Seongsan Ilchulbong

Introducing Seongsan Ilchulbong

Seongsan-ri (Fortress Mountain Village) is at the extreme eastern tip of Jejudo, at the foot of the spectacular, extinct volcano Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak; 784 0959; adult/youth & child W2000/1000; before sunrise-sunset). The summit (182m) is shaped like a punchbowl, though there’s no crater lake here because the volcanic rock is so porous. The crater is a forested Lost World ringed by jagged rocks and the sides of the mountain plunge vertically into the surf. It is one of Jejudo’s most impressive sights.

Climbing to the summit only takes 20 minutes and doing it in time to catch the sunrise is a life-affirming journey for many Koreans – expect plenty of company on the trail. To do the sunrise expedition, you’ll have to spend the night in Seongsan-ri. The path is clear, but if you’re concerned you can carry a torch. Not an early riser? It’s also a popular daytime hike.

Over to the left, small speedboats (per trip W10, 000) can whisk you out to sea for another perspective on Ilchulbong.

On Seongsanpo seafront you can see haenyeo, Jejudo’s famous female divers. A group of haenyeo, middle-aged or older, goes out on a boat every morning to dive for seafood and seaweed. Please don’t take photographs without their permission.

Mr Park at Sea Life Scuba (; 782 1150; Seongsanpo; 7am-6pm) speaks some English and can take you diving inside underwater caves and around coral reefs. A day trip with two dives costs US$200, including a guide and allequipment.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009