Seongsan Ilchulbong with the best viewpoint of sunrise in Jeju Island (성산일출봉)

 

 Jeju Island, which has a different attraction from Seoul, is one of my favorite area in Korea. I used to visit Jeju Island 3~4 times a year to walk along the Olle trail. Jeju Island has many things to see, such as Mt. Halla, beautiful sea, various oreum (Jeju Island is called the "Oreum kingdom" because there are 368 kinds of oreum. It is a peak made from volcanic eruptions.) and so on. 

 Among them, I will introduce today is Seongsan Ilchulbong with the best viewpoint of sunrise in the southeastern part of Jeju Island. 

 

 The details of Seongsan Ilchulbong can be checked in Wikipedia as below.

Seongsan Ilchulbong - Wikipedia

Seongsan Ilchulbong with the best viewpoint of sunrise in Jeju Island (성산일출봉)

- Address: 1, Seongsan-ri, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do

 

- Tel: (+82)064-783-0959

 

- Operating time: October to February Everyday 7:30~19:00, Closed on the first Monday of every month (ticketing closing 17:50 / You can enter without buying a ticket before 7:30 am) / March to September Everyday 7:00~20:00, Closed on the first Monday of every month (ticketing closing 19:00 / You can enter without buying a ticket before 7 am)

 

- Entrance fee: Adult KRW 5000 (Group KRW 4000) / Student KRW 2500 (Group KRW 2000) 

 

- How to get there: By bus 201, 211, 212, 295, 721-2, 721-3, 722-1, 722-2, 111, 112 

 

- Video of Seongsan Ilchulbong with the best viewpoint of sunrise in Jeju Island:

 

Seongsan Ilchulbong

 Seongsan Ilchulbong is one of the most famous tourist places in Jeju Island and it is a very beautiful place so I highly recommend you to visit it.

 

 My friend and I got up early in the morning to see the sunrise at Seongsan Ilchulbong. We checked online one day before that the sunrise was expected around 6 am. It is difficult to use public transportation to go to Seongsan Ilchulbong in the early morning. It is also difficult to use taxis unless you book in advance. We rented a car and traveled to Jeju Island at this time so we drove the car and arrived at Seongsan Ilchulbong around 5:30. It was before the ticket office opened so we didn't have to pay the admission fee. 

 

 It was summer but the weather was so chilly that it felt cold without a jacket. My body got warmer as I walked, but I think I would better take my jacket with me to avoid catching a cold.  

 

 It takes about 25~30 minutes to get to the observatory where you can see the sunrise from the entrance of Seongsan Ilchulbong. Walking slowly along the steep road, I gradually woke up. Many people were walking along the same path as me even though it was dark dawn that I couldn't see in front of me. I walked up the stairs relying solely on the flash on my phone. 

 

 

 When we arrived at the observatory, many people were already waiting to see the sunrise. Many people making memories sitting side by side in wooden decks, taking videos or pictures. We couldn't see the sunrise clearly because of the clouds, but the sunrise we see on that day was fantastic. 

 

 

 After sunrise, many clouds were disappeared so I could see the scenery of beautiful Jeju Island better. If I didn't have the next schedule, I wanted to sit in a chair here all day and enjoy the scenery of Jeju Island. It was a scene that I wanted to see forever. I could see Mt. Halla because the weather was nice and clear. 

 

 

 I took dozens of pictures at the same time but I wasn't satisfied with it, so I also took a video. I was happy that the sound of the wind was recorded vividly with a beautiful scene together. 

 

 

 The way up to the observatory felt so difficult and long but the way down so easy. 

 

 

 I went to Seongsan Ilchulbong to watch the sunrise so I couldn't see the women diver performance but if you are going to visit in the afternoon here, I recommend you watch that performance. If you pay an admission fee of Seongsan Ilchulbong, you can enjoy it for free. They perform at 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm twice a day.

 

 And there are things to enjoy to ride a boat (A course KRW 10000, B course KRW 20000) or horse (KRW 5000) in Seongsan Ilchulbong but I don't recommend much. This is because Seongsan Ilchulbong that you see at Gwangchigi beach is much better than see while riding a boat. 

 

 

 Gwangchigi beach is about 10 minutes walk from Seongsan Ilchulbong, so if you plan to visit Seongsan Ilchulbong, you should visit Gwangchigi beach too. I like Seongsan Ilchulbong which I see from Gwangchigi beach the most. I usually buy coffee from one of the cafes on my way to Gwangchigi beach from Seongsan Ilchulbong, or from a truck cafe on Gwangchigi beach and enjoy the scenery for a long time with a cup of coffee. I am so happy when I stay there. I think that happiness can be obtained from trivial things and it seems true. 

 

 

 I recorded the sunrise on my iPhone, but I checked it later and it was not in good condition. But I want to share that moment with you as below. 

 

 I hope this information that I leave here will help you a little bit so that you guys can make good memories in Korea. 

 

 

I recommend this place for those who:

- like nature

- want to experience fun outdoor activities

- have a plan to travel to Jeju Island

- want to see the sunrise

- want to visit a place with a great view

 

* If you have any questions or need any help regarding the trip to Korea, please send me a message. I am always ready to help you. I hope everyone who visits Korea makes many good memories of Korea. You can search my chatting room in Telegram messenger t.me/welcometokorea