Seongsan Ilchulbong is a hydromagmatic volcano on Jeju Island, different from other peaks on the island. When it erupted during volcanic activity, the hot magma met the cold seawater, causing the volcanic ash to retain a significant amount of moisture and become sticky. This ash layered and accumulated to form Seongsan Ilchulbong.
The sedimentary layers near the sea were eroded by waves and currents, giving them the steep appearance we see today. When it first formed, it was an isolated island separate from the Jeju mainland. However, as sand and gravel accumulated around it, a path was formed during low tide that connected it to the mainland. By 1940, a road was constructed, seamlessly connecting it to the mainland.
Upon reaching the summit, you can see a crater that spans over 80,000 square meters. The crater, shaped like a bowl, is home to vegetation such as reeds. Surrounding the crater are 99 rocky peaks. This formation resembled a large fortress, hence the name 'Seongsan', and the breathtaking sight of the rising sun led to the addition of 'Ilchulbong', meaning 'Sunrise Peak'.
According to legend, if there had been 100 peaks at Seongsan Ilchulbong, then fierce animals like tigers or lions would have roamed Jeju. However, since there's one peak short, making it 99, no such animals exist there.
Seongsan Ilchulbong also holds a painful history of Jeju. In 1943, the Japanese army fortified this area by digging 24 tunnels in the cliffs of Ilchulbong. They hid bombs and torpedoes in these tunnels in preparation for warfare but never used them effectively before their defeat. These tunnels were later used as changing rooms for female divers. The path connecting Seongsan Ilchulbong and the mainland, known as 'Teojinmok' since it opened during low tide, witnessed many civilians losing their lives at the hands of suppression forces during the April 3rd Uprising.
The steep stairway to the summit of Seongsan Ilchulbong can be challenging, but in about 20 minutes, one can reach the top. From the summit, the vast crater and the ocean view beyond offer a majestic panorama, unparalleled by other peaks in Jeju. The sunrise view from the top has been considered the best among Jeju's scenic sights, and every December 31st, the Seongsan Sunrise Festival is held.
Seongsan Ilchulbong, originally managed as a provincial monument, was designated as a natural monument on July 19, 2000. Recognized for its outstanding landscape and geological value, it was enlisted as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site on July 2, 2007. Additionally, in October 2010, it was certified as a UNESCO Global Geopark. It was also selected as South Korea's top ecological tourist attraction in 2011 and was listed in Korea's Guinness attractions in December 2012.
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