Seongsan Ilchulbong is a tuff cone on Jeju's east coast and a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. From the summit you get a 360-degree panorama, especially at sunrise, and the return climb takes about an hour, easy enough for families, couples and older travellers.
- Elevation: 182 m
- Coordinates: 33.46, 126.94
- Address: 284-12 Ilchul-ro, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju
- Admission: Adults 5,000 won; teenagers and children 2,500 won
- Hours: May to August 4:30 to 20:00; March to April and September to October 5:00 to 19:00; November to February 6:00 to 18:00 (last tickets one hour before closing)
- Closed: First Monday of every month (the next day if that Monday is a public holiday)
- Time needed: 1 to 2 hours
Why go
- UNESCO World Natural Heritage (2007)
- A tuff cone formed by an eruption about 5,000 years ago
- A summit crater about 600 m across and 90 m deep
- Jeju’s top sunrise spot
- A haenyeo (women divers) demonstration on the coast below
Best time
For sunrise, arrive about an hour beforehand: the climb to the summit takes 20 to 40 minutes. Opening times change by season (from 4:30 in summer to 6:00 in winter), so check against that day's sunrise. Early morning and late afternoon are less crowded, and weekends are much busier than weekdays.
Getting there
- From Jeju-si: about 1 hour 30 minutes by car
- From Seogwipo: about 1 hour by car
- By bus: from Jeju Bus Terminal to the Seongsan Ilchulbong entrance, about 1 hour 30 minutes
Nearby
- Udo: 15 minutes by ferry from Seongsan Port
- Seopjikoji: 10 minutes by car
- Gwangchigi Beach: 5 minutes on foot
- Seongsan food stalls: black pork and cutlassfish soup
- Aqua Planet Jeju: 15 minutes by car
Tips
- Wear comfortable shoes; the stairs are steep and some sections are slippery.
- Bring water, a hat and strong sunscreen.
- Fog and strong wind are possible at sunrise, so layer up.
- Parking is free; on busy weekends it fills, so use the Seongsan Port public car park and walk.
- The haenyeo demonstration is held once a day at 14:00 on Umutgae coast, free with an Ilchulbong ticket; it may be cancelled or shortened in bad weather (call +82-64-783-0959).
- Combine it with Udo: Ilchulbong in the morning, then the ferry from Seongsan Port to Udo in the afternoon.
FAQ
How much is admission?
Adults 5,000 won; teenagers and children 2,500 won.
When does it open for sunrise?
It opens at 4:30 from May to August, 5:00 in March, April, September and October, and 6:00 from November to February. Sunrise is around 5:30 in summer and around 7:40 in winter; arrive about an hour early to reach the top in time.
Is it ever closed?
Yes, on the first Monday of every month (the next day if that Monday is a public holiday).
Where do I catch the ferry to Udo?
From Seongsan Port, right next to Ilchulbong. Ilchulbong in the morning and Udo in the afternoon is a popular day.
When is the haenyeo demonstration?
Once a day at 14:00 on the Umutgae coast below the peak, free with an Ilchulbong ticket, weather permitting. Seafood is sold afterwards.
Is there accommodation nearby?
Seongsan-eup has pensions and guesthouses. Staying the night before makes a sunrise visit easier; from Jeju-si or Seogwipo it is a 1 to 1.5 hour drive.
Sources
- VISITKOREA: Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone · Korea Tourism Organization · accessed 2026-10-30
- Visit Jeju · Jeju Tourism Organization · accessed 2026-10-30
Weather controls, fares, hours and ferry services change often on Jeju, so check official information before you go.
Information was checked against the official sources listed above. Opening hours, fees and fares can change; please confirm with the venue or operator before you visit.