Seongsan Ilchulbong

Seongsan Ilchulbong is one of the best spots on Jeju Island to watch the sun rise over the ocean. Every morning, visitors and locals gather on “Sunrise Peak” to admire the dramatic views across the island as dawn streaks the horizon with an ever-changing kaleidoscope of pastel hues.

This ancient volcano was formed under the sea hundreds of thousands of years ago. At around 182 metres high, it’s a relatively easy climb to the crater. The journey there and back will take an hour or so, but it’s tempting to spend much longer to appreciate the views and enjoy the ambience of this natural wonder.

The summit is reached via a well-kept path that winds up the north-west face of the volcano. As you climb, look out for the unusual rock formations that spiral up its slopes. The crater cone provides a perfect habitat for some rare plants, including species of fern and orchid that are not commonly found elsewhere. In spring, the mountain is surrounded by a vibrant yellow carpet of rapeseed fields.

The crater is an impressive sight in its own right, measuring around 600 metres in width. Take a seat at the side of the crater to ponder the magnitude of the volcanic explosion that created this vast rock from deep within the bowels of the earth. As you make your descent, see if you can spot any “Haenyeo”, the famous female abalone divers of Jeju Island, practising their traditional art. Often they will hold their breath for as long as two minutes while they search beneath the water for the tasty shellfish that are the main ingredient in the island’s speciality, abalone porridge.

Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak is a 90-minute bus journey from Jeju City and the gates open an hour before sunrise each day, allowing plenty of time to climb up to the crater and bag the best viewing positions. The path is open all year round except in bad weather, so check with the locals before setting out if in doubt.