VOL.52
May 2019
Trip ____ Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak
Spring Picnic on Jeju Island Accompanied
by Drones
Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak
Jeju Island is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Korea for both domestic and international tourists, and one of the best spots on the island is Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak. This peak was originally created by volcanic activities in the sea about 5,000 years ago. This terrain is named Seongsan, which means “castle mountain”, because it looks like a magnificent castle, and it is the first site in Korea registered as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In this beautiful spring season, dubbed as the queen of all seasons, we would like to invite you to this world-famous landmark: Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak.
Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak © Jeju Tourism Organization
Picturesque scenery of Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak viewed from the coastline
How Did Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak Come into Being?
Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak looks just like a gigantic castle that rises high from the deep blue sea. On the summit of the peak is a huge crater, where many tourists gather to catch the magnificent sight of the sunrise and exclaim with admiration at its overwhelming scenery. The beauty of the scenery provided by Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak cannot be praised enough, but if you know something about the secrets regarding its creation and growth, its geological value and the greatness of nature will be even better appreciated.
Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, also dubbed as the sunrise volcanic cone (oreum), is a hydrovolcanic edifice unlike other oreums in the island. The hydrovolcanic edifice is created when magma is ejected underwater.e When hot magma ejected during volcanic activities meets cold seawater, the corresponding volcanic ash becomes highly moisturized and thus viscous, and the ash forms into stacks of layers. This is how the peak was created. Waves and currents then eroded the sedimentary layers adjacent to the sea, forming its slopes into the current steep shape. When created, the peak was separated from Jeju Island, but with adjacent sand and gravel piling up, a passage that connected the peak to the mainland (Jeju Island) only at low tide was formed, and the passage was developed into a road in 1940; it completely connects the peak to the island today.
In recognition of its magnificent scenery, Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak was designated as a natural monument in 2000 and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2007, attracting millions of tourists every year. With the recent blooming of Yuchae flowers, more tourists are visiting this place to make special memories.
Hydrovolcanic Edifice
A volcanic edifice that is created with the ash ejected when magma or lava is quenched by water
Scenery of Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak and sunrise viewed from Seongsan area © Studio Kenn
Beautiful but Painful History of Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak
Even though it was early in the morning, the peak area was already full of tourists who were waiting to see the sunrise. The peak, harmoniously mingling with the sun rising from the ocean, made a picturesque scene. After enjoying the sunrise, we were headed to the ticket office to climb the peak. It takes about 30 minutes at most to reach the summit from the ticket office, and the round trip takes about 50 minutes to 1 hour. The slope is a bit steep, but the summit is not that high, and there are two rest areas available on the way to the top, and thus parents may also climb with their children. You may find some tourists climbing while holding children in their arms.
At the summit, you will find a crater with an area of 80,000 pyeong. It has a concave shape and thus looks like a bowl, in which various grasses, such as silver grass, grow. The first part of its name, Seongsan, is said to have been made because the peak looks like a gigantic castle, while the latter part of its name, Ilchulbong, indicates that the peak provides magnificent sunrise scenery. These descriptions are not exaggerations.
With its beautiful scenery, Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak has become a major tourist destination that cannot be missed on Jeju Island, but it is worth noting that it has a sad history as well. The passage that connected the peak to the island was called Teojinmog, which means that the passage is only open at low tide. Around this passage and the Umutgae area of Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, 467 civilians were killed by a punitive expedition during the Jeju 4.3 Uprising. There are no traces left there; only the 4.3 uprising monument stands, alone, on one side of the road.
Operating Time
07:00AM – 8:00PM
(Ticketing till 7:00PM)
Entrance Fee
2,000 won for adults and 1,000 won for adolescents and children
Magnificent scenery of Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak captured by drones
Make Sure to Check This out before Flying Drones
While shooting photos, one may naturally become curious about an angle that has not been attempted so far. The height of the camera is mostly determined by the height of the photographer, or a ladder if applicable. Taking a photo from a plane while looking down also makes no significant difference. Simply put, even though the location of the photographer may change changed, photos are still taken from the viewpoint of the photographer. If a drone is used, however, this is not the case. Using a drone, photos are taken by a camera that is carried by a drone instead of a photographer.
As late as ten years ago, it was inconceivable to take photos using a drone. With advances of drone technology, however, lightweight and affordable drones have become commonplace. Unfortunately, laws and regulations governing the use of drones have been strengthened, and thus there are many restrictions on taking photos using drones. Therefore, photography using drones requires thorough preparation. For example, it is necessary to check in advance how far a drone can fly or hover continuously, and extra batteries need to be prepared. The most important factor is the weather of the day. Rain must be avoided, and the wind speed must not exceed the proper level. Also, the transmission status of the receiver and camera need to be checked.
Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak area is not a flight control area, but a flock of tourists comes to visit this bustling tourist destination, and therefore prior approval must be obtained for drone photography. First, access OneStop, a webpage where you can obtain flight approval. Second, take out a one-day insurance policy to protect other people and your drone from any incidents that might occur during its operation in the bustling tourist destination. Third, carry your drone license with you for a safe flight. The maximum number of drones that can fly at the same time is also set quite low because drones can be damaged during flight, and such accidents could result in injuries. Please contact the management office of Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak for a preliminary consultation.
The scenery of Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak area as captured by drones is breathtaking. Of course, it is impossible to stand and look around at the same vantage point where my drone was hovering to capture the very scene that I am now looking at through the monitor; but the indirect experience given by the drone is sufficiently satisfactory. Even though it was quite a short flight, in which only two packs of batteries were used, the trip was deeply touching in that the scenery of Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak could be captured and appreciated from different points of view. Just looking at Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, one of the best tourist attractions in Jeju, makes us feel relaxed and calm down. Why don’t you come and enjoy the spring sun, cool refreshing wind, high and clear sky, and deep blue sea here in Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak?
Information
- Seongsan-ri, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
- 82 - 64 - 710 - 7923
Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak