Site

Jeju, UNESCO world natural heritage site

• Report rights infringement
• published: 04 Oct 2016
• views: 60

Jeju, Korea's largest resort island. It's the only place in Korea listed as a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO. Our Kim Hyesung was there to check out its beauty in the perfect autumn weather. Korea's southern island of Jeju is well-known for its emerald colored beaches. An island created after undersea volcanic eruptions two million years ago, Jeju boasts a unique landscape of volcanic cones and tuff rings. Also known as "The island of the Gods," Jeju Island, visited by over ten million tourists a year, is the only place in the world to have won triple crowns from UNESCO in the area of natural science -- a biosphere reserve in 2002, World Natural Heritage in 2007 and a global geopark in 2010. I went to explore the seven-kilometer long Manjanggul Lava Tube, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site recognized for its outstanding geological value. "These lava tubes were formed by the basalt lava from the Geomunoreum volcano 200 to 300 thousand years ago, when lava flowed down to the coast some 13 kilometers away." And Hallasan Mountain, the tallest mountain in Korea. As I climb, I felt like I'm in the movie "Avatar", surrounded by wild, tall plant species. Mount Hallasan is rich in bio-diversity, home to 4,000 animal and 1,800 plant species thanks to its high altitude and its sharply varying temperatures from the bottom to the mountain peak. And you can see hawk-moths, dancing from flower to flower, as if in a peaceful paradise. Mount Hallasan is 1,950 meters high, and it takes about five hours to reach its peak. I found a group of tourists at the peak taking pictures to capture the moment. Between 1,000 to 5,000 tourists a day come here to see the spectacular view. "I heard that the Halla Mountain was one of the world heritage of Jeju Island, so very good option to come here, very beautiful." At the summit is Baekrokdam, an elliptical volcano with a diameter of 700 meters. Here we have the lake crater Baekrokdam. Sometimes filled with water and sometimes not. But thanks to recent rain, we got to see the great view Clouds shroud the lake against the backdrop of green mountain slopes and a flock of crows flying high, combining for a truly breathtaking view. On my last day, I went to see the sunrise from Seongsan Ilchulbong, a volcanic tuff cone famous for its sunrise view. The clouds gave way to daybreak and the mesmerizing sun roused the sleeping island. The sides of the tuff cone have been eroded by waves, making the rocks nearly perpendicular to the surface. A destination of different colors, Jeju is not only the treasure of Korea but also a heritage of the world. Kim Hyesung, Arirang News, Jeju. Visit ‘Arirang News’ Official Pages Facebook(NEWS): http://www.facebook.com/newsarirang Homepage: http://www.arirang.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/arirangtv Twitter: http://twitter.com/arirangworld Instagram: http://instagram.com/arirangworld