One of the three god’s mountains

I headed to Mara Provincial Marine Park to circuit the coastline. This was only a three kilometre trail running along the high cliffs above the East China Sea. I hoped for a better view of its highest point.

An unexpected encounter

As I headed towards a hike to Mt Songaksan, I spotted a group of women climbing into the back of a pick up truck and knew what I was witnessing — the Haenyeo.

Sites of Korea’s dark tourism

During the Joseon period, smoke signal stations and beacon mounds were used to transmit urgent political or military news by smoke or torchlight. These stations were built on hills where there had once been additional stations roughly six kilometres to the east and west of Sagye-ri’s station.

Sanbangulsa Grotto

Jeju Island’s Sanbangsan Mountain was a large lava dome formed about 800 000 years ago that rose 395 metres above sea level. I hoped to climb this mountain, but the steps only went up 150 metres to the Sanbangulsa Grotto.

Sanbangsan Bomusa Temple

The location of this temple was part way up Mt Sanbangsan on the south-western end of Jeju Island. The view of the coastline was stunning and a welcomed cool breeze washed over me. Despite feeling hot, almost everyone else wore jackets.

The other side of the mountain

There were two trails — one to Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak summit that I had already climbed with a $5 entrance fee, and a free trail. I headed to the latter.

Cheonjiyeon Falls

Jeju’s Seogwipo had a second waterfall that may not have been as dramatic as Jeongbank Falls, but the setting was more picturesque. High cliffs enclosed the valley where lush vegetation fringed the clear waters from Sombancheon River.

Jeju’s Jeongbang Falls

Within Seogwipo City along the waterfront on the southern coast of Jeju Island was Jeongbang Waterfall, claimed to be the only waterfall in Asia to plummet directly into the sea.