Jeju World Natural Heritage tour course 1 | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Sangumburi is a natural monument and a crater with a circumference of over 2 km. Although there are about 360 parasitic volcanoes distributed on Jeju Island, all other volcanoes except Sangumburi have crater shapes like inverted bowls, and Sangumburi crater is the only one on Jeju Island where an explosion occurred without the eruption of lava or volcanic ash, blowing away the rocks there and leaving only the hole. This type of volcano is called a Maar, and it is the only one in Korea and very rare worldwide. Especially, the bottom of Sangumburi has many crevices, so water seeps entirely, creating a unique plant ecosystem inside the crater. Temperate and subtropical zones form according to the internal height of the crater, with various distributions depending on sunlight intensity and duration. For example, the north cliff, which receives good sunlight, forms a subtropical zone with evergreen broadleaf trees such as Castanopsis, Machilus, Quercus variabilis, and Persea. Below them grow rare plants like Goodyera and native species such as Rhododendron brachycarpum and winter strawberry. On the south cliff, which has less sunlight, temperate deciduous forests form with Quercus acutissima, Carpinus, Cornus, Acer, and Pinus densiflora. Moreover, the site contains well-preserved and spectacular colonies of Euonymus japonicus, Sangsang colonies, Jeju Arundinaria colonies, Adonis amurensis colonies, and Anemone flaccida colonies, which have high academic research value. Additionally, it is famous as a habitat for mammals like roe deer and badgers, as well as birds and reptiles. In spring, clouds form at the crater bottom creating a mystical ascent appearance, and with natural flowers such as Korean aster, gentian, and spiraea, Sangumburi shows mystery and beauty to visitors throughout the year.

루게릭병으로 인해 거동조차 불편했던 몸으로 옛 삼달초등학교를 직접 다듬고 손질해서 멋진 갤러리로 탈바꿈시킨 사진작가 고 김영갑씨의 열정과 제주도의 고요와 평화를 담은 그의 작품을 감상할 수 있다. 바람처럼 제주도의 겉모습만 훑고 떠나는 관광객들은 좀체 느껴보기 어려운, 제주도의 아름다운 속살이 그의 작품 속에 고스란히 드러나 있다. 오름, 초원, 바다, 안개, 바람, 하늘, 그리고 왠지 모를 쓸쓸함까지 제주도에 존재하는 모든 것을 그의 사진 속에서 찾아볼 수 있다.

Seongsan Haeoreum Restaurant is located at the entrance of Seongsan Ilchulbong and has been introduced as a famous restaurant on several TV programs, making it a popular stop for tourists visiting around Seongsan Ilchulbong. Although there are many restaurants named Haeoreum in Jeju, this place specializes mainly in seafood dishes. The popular galchi-jorim (braised cutlassfish) features a spicy sauce that soaks well into the plump fish, making additional side dishes unnecessary. The chewy octopus and various seafood in the seafood ramyun, along with the bibimbap topped generously with sea urchin roe, give off a rich ocean aroma. Nearby famous tourist spots include Seopjikoji, Seongeup Folk Village, Jeju Herb Garden, Bijarim, and Manjanggul.

Seongsan Ilchulbong, standing 180m above sea level, is a volcanic cone formed by an underwater volcanic explosion about 5,000 years ago among many craters in Jeju Island. The explosion occurs when lava mixes with water, breaking the lava into fine volcanic ash that accumulates around the crater in a conical shape. Originally a volcanic island, sand and gravel gathered between the island and Shinyang Beach, connecting it to the land. At the top of Ilchulbong is a crater 600m in diameter, 90m above sea level at the base, covering an area of 214,400㎡. From ancient times, the sunrise view from the peak has been regarded as the best among Jeju’s ten scenic spots of Yeongju. The sunrise soaring fiercely from the horizon beyond the rolling blue sea colors the entire ocean and captivates viewers, naturally inspiring admiration.