Main Image Credit: Wikipedia
Why visit Seongsan Ilchulbong in Jeju Island? Also known as Sunrise Peak, the Seongsan Ilchulbong tuff cone is a massive crater that was formed by volcanic eruptions under the sea thousands of years ago. Seongsan Ilchulbong peak is also South Korea’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as a top attraction in Jeju Island.
Muslims traveling to Jeju Island will be able to locate a few Halal restaurants in Jeju Island - while some restaurants serve Halal food even though they are not Halal certified, there are several seafood or vegetarian options to consider. While there are no mosques in Jeju Island, prayer rooms or multi-faith rooms can be found in hotels and at the Jeju Islamic Centre.
It is very rewarding to reach the Seongsan Ilchulbong peak and experience the magnificent landscape where a grass-covered hill is surrounded by the ocean. The view from the top of Seongsan Ilchulbong is where you can catch the beautiful Jeju sunrise which is why the crater is also known as Sunrise Peak. The Seongsan Ilchulbong sunset is just as spectacular in a unique surrounding.
The Seongsan Ilchulbong weather is pretty good, but it can get very cold during winter and quite hot during summer – always check the weather conditions since the Jeju sunrise and sunset are best viewed on clear days. Seongsan Ilchulbong winter will be colder and the Seongsan Ilchulbong peak is usually surrounded by mist but is still quite beautiful.
Some of the top things to do in Jeju Island include hiking up Jeju Island's Seongsan Ilchulbong hiking trails. While it might be the only way to reach Seongsan Ilchulbong peak, the gorgeous scenery definitely makes up for it. There is a neat hiking trail complete with steps and handrails so it won’t be over-tiring or a tough trail either. A Seongsan Ilchulbong hike will usually take about 20 minutes if you don’t make too many stops – if not perhaps about 40 minutes.
Paying a visit to the Seongsan Ilchulbong tuff cone is where you will see the Jeju Woman Divers performance usually at 1:30 and 3:00 pm. The Haenyeo have been around since the 17th century and are an important part of Jeju Island. They will produce a harvest of freshly caught seafood that they will try to sell to visitors who have come to see the performance.
When visiting Seongsan Ilchulbong peak, don’t miss out on taking a drive to Seongeup Folk Village that is located at the base of Mount Halla. This traditional Korean village consists of traditional houses, stone monuments and Confucian shrines that have been part of the village for generations. The village has always been an important part of Jeju Island culture where native plays, crafts and food are of great cultural value.
After a visit to Seongsan Ilchulbong, Manjanggul Cave is an ideal place to stop in the area. Located at the eastern end of Jeju Island, the Manjanggul Cave is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site that consists of a unique lava tunnel and geological features such as stalagmites that have been created by flowing lava. Tourists can venture out only into 1km of the tunnel where the ‘Stone Turtle’ rock formation can be seen too.
Contact190
Love the pictures! Do check out our post on Seongsan Ilchulbong as well! Happy Travels Everyone! Tom & Kate, 2bearbear.com