SEONGSAN ILCHULBONG
Seongsan Ilchulbong also known as Seongsan Sunrise Peak is located on Jeju Island. It was formed by underwater volcanic activities that erupted about 5,000 years ago. The end result formed a natural bowl that is rich in 200 types of vegetation such as giant angelica and silver grass. In addition, It is also home to a variety of wild animals. In 2000, it was designated as Natural Monument No. 420 by the South Korean government as part of their natural heritage system. Internationally, it was recognized by UNESCO and added to the World Natural Heritage List on July 2, 2007.
Before coming to Jeju, I didn’t have any idea about Seongsan Ilchulbong. My cousin, G, is the one who prepared our itinerary and we just need to follow him. Upon arriving at Jeju International Airport, we rented a car to go to our Airbnb near the landmark. That night we talked about waking up early to see the sunrise at Seongsan Ilchulbong but the next day we ended up leaving late so we didn’t see the sunrise.
CLIMBING SUNRISE PEAK
From afar, the huge feature of Seongsan Ilchulbong was bestowed upon us. It was in silhouette as the sun shined in our direction blocking the details of the peak. On our arrival, I was astonished by its unique shape, and got me excited to climb to its peak. If you are wondering if it can be climbed easily, yes it can. There were a lot of tourists and based on my observation, the majority of them were old people. Going up is not a problem because stairs were built for everyone can climb with ease. As we were nearing the peak, the view of the city and sea started to show and it was amazing. The wind was also blowing, giving us a chilly feel which I really liked.
After a few minutes, we arrived at the peak and saw the bowl-like feature of Seongsan. I thought the peak was barren but upon seeing it, it is rich in vegetation. The view could have been more amazing if we watched the sunrise there but alas, we prioritized breakfast and that didn’t happen. haha.
On our way down we proceeded to Seongsan Park which shows a different but beautiful perspective of Seongsan Ilchulbong and the view of Umutgae Coast. We spent some time there feeling the wind blow upon us and appreciating the breathtaking view. We ended our Ilchulbong tour by having ice cream from the store near the entrance.
If you are visiting Jeju, make sure to include Seongsan Ilchulbong in your destinations list and you’ll never regret it. Cheers!
WANT TO KNOW MORE DESTINATIONS IN JEJU ISLAND? CHECK MY SOUTH KOREA: JEJU ISLAND & SEOUL TRAVEL BLOG!
REMINDERS/GUIDES/TIPS
LOCATION:
- 284-12, Ilchul-ro, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Island, South Korea
HOW TO GET THERE:
a. TOURIST SHUTTLE BUS:
- Ride Bus no. 810 which circles the east side of the island which is known for its beautiful volcanic cones, or oreums.
b. CITY BUS:
- For travelers and tourists, taking the intercity bus is a better option. Bus No. 201 runs every 15~30 minutes (Jeju Bus Terminal – Seongsan Ilchulbong – Seogwipo Bus Terminal)
- Get off at Seongsalliipgu bus stop and walk towards Seongsan Ilchulbong.
c. CAR RENTAL:
- Rent a car via KLOOK JEJU CAR RENTALS.
d. TRAVEL TOURS (include round-trip transfers, lunch, and admission tickets):
RATES :
- Admission Fee (Adults): ₩2,000
- Admission Fee (Teenagers and children): ₩1,000
- Admission Fee (For a group of 10 or more people): ₩1,600 for Adults and ₩800 for teenagers and children
ACCOMMODATIONS:
POWER PACK:
CHECK OUT THESE DISCOUNTED/PROMO RATES FROM KLOOK:
- Aqua Planet Jeju Ticket (Foreigners Only)
- Gimnyeong Yacht Cruise Tour in Jeju
- Nanta Show Ticket in Jeju
- Jeju K-Pop & K-Drama Day Tour
- Starry Night Photoshoot Experience in Jeju
CONNECT:
- Contact Numbers: (+82) 064-783-0959
NOTES:
- OPERATING HOURS: WEEKDAY – 07:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M.; WEEKEND – 07:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M.
- FACILITIES: Public Parking, Cash Payment, Credit Card Payment, Restrooms, Free WiFi, Convenience Store, Beverage Stand, Guidance and Information Facilities, Alarm and Evacuation Facilities, Maternity Facilities
- The best time to visit is during the spring and summer and of course, before sunrise.
- Bring a flashlight or use your phone to light your way up if you are climbing before sunrise.
- There are pavilions and benches along the trail.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
- Bring water and snacks.
©CHASEJASE
