Hiking Sunrise Peak (Seongsan Ilchulbong): An Icon of Jeju Island, Korea

Hiking Sunrise Peak (Seongsan Ilchulbong), a UNESCO Jeju Korea landmark, tops most lists of things to do in Jeju Island.

And, as a crater that emerged from the depths of the ocean during a volcanic eruption 100,000 or so years ago, with striking deep blue ocean views, vibrant greenery coating majestic black lava rock, and world-famous Haenyeo divers—it’s no wonder why.

In our years teaching English abroad on Jeju Island, Korea, we’ve learned everything you need to know about climbing Sunrise Peak, known locally as Seongsan Ilchulbong.

We’ve even scouted out a budget hotel near Sunrise Peak so you can catch the sunrise.

Whether you’re planning a morning climb to watch the sunrise over the ocean, or an afternoon climb around the time the Haenyeo divers will be working, our guide will make the most of your visit to this stunning landmark.

If you’re looking for the top things to do in Jeju Island, Korea, Sunrise Peak will not disappoint.

After all, Koreans love Jeju Island!

Before You Go

• Download the Korean Naver app to plan out directions
• Read our guide on how to score the cheapest flights
• Book your flight to Korea
• Arrange your rental car or airport pickup
• Search for discounted hotel stay or vacation rental
• Protect your travel plans with trip insurance
• Check phone plan for international data or get eSIMs for Korea
• Review our carry-on packing list 
• Learn everything you need to know about traveling through airport security
• Pack the right travel cameras and comfortable travel clothes

Why Do Koreans Love Jeju?

Home to some of the top natural sites in the country, Jeju Island, Korea has the most beautiful beaches in the Korea, such as Sagye Beach and more hidden beaches.

Jeju Island also has the highest point of Korea, Hallasan Mountain.

The stunning volcanic landscape of Jeju Island, Korea has lead to the creation of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes.

Here’s our guide to climbing Sunrise Peak (Seongsan Ilchulbong) on Jeju Island, Korea:

Click on the photo above for the cheapest flights Jeju Island

Sunrise Peak: An Icon of Jeju Island, Korea

Shots of the magnificent green-coated crater of Sunrise Peak have come to epitomize Jeju Island itself.

This 182-meter high tuff cone is one of the best-preserved of its kind in the world.

In fact, there are are no other known cones of this type in the world with such a perfect structure so close to the ocean.

The 600-meter diameter crater of Seongsan Ilchulbong, said to resemble a crown, has been perfectly preserved, leading to its UNESCO designation and status as an icon of Jeju Island, Korea.

Booking.com

The Paths Up and Down Seongsan Ilchulbong

Visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Seongsan Ilchulbong

As such a well-known attraction on Jeju Island, Korea, Sunrise Peak has been well-developed for tourism.

The path to the top consists mostly of steep stairs, but it is not a very difficult climb.

It is only about a 20-minute walk from the park entrance to the top.

On your way up you can take in beautiful views of Jeju’s coastline, Hallasan, and numerous small oreums (small volcanoes) that dot Jeju’s eastern side.

Booking.com

Top of Sunrise Peak

The top of Sunrise Peak has a wide seating area where you can watch the sunrise or simply marvel at the amazing view before you. With the perfect Jeju Island weather in spring or fall, you’ll have a majestic scene to view at the top of Seongsan Ilchulbong.

Click the photo above to find the cheapest rental cars for Jeju, Korea

Black Sand Jeju Beach at Sunrise Peak

A the base of the beautifully rugged cliff of Sunrise Peak is a fantastic black-sand beach.

This beach is one of the best places to enjoy the view of Sunrise Peak from up close, and one of our favorite things to do in Jeju Island, Korea. 

At Seongsan Ilchulbong’s black sand beach, you can sample fresh-caught seafood right there on the rocks after it is plucked from the sea by haenyeo divers.

Wash down that sea cucumber with a stiff soju, if you need to! (Or head over to the craft beer Magpie Brewery for some unique Korean craft beer).

Haenyeo Divers at the Black Sand Jeju Beach

At the black sand beach at Sunrise Peak’s base, you can also watch a performance of Jeju Island haenyeo, (sea women), who dive into the sea without tanks to collect the bounty of the sea.

Haenyeo diving takes place at Sunrise Peak’s black sand beach at 1:30 pm and 3 pm.

Famous throughout Korea, these elderly women divers are representative of Jeju’s matriarchal past.  In the past, women held important roles as heads of families, and it is fascinating to watch the members of this fast-dwindling tradition.

Korea’s Most Famous Sunrise

The peak of Seongsan Ilchulbong is heralded as one of the most spectacular places in all of Korea to view the sunrise, and certainly one of the top things to do in Jeju Island, Korea.

Thousands of people visit Sunrise Peak on Cheju-do (Jeju Island) each year to behold the sun making its glorious entrance over the misty east sea.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by RENNY + BENNY 🌏 Travel & Food (@televisionofnomads)

Watching the Sunrise from Sunrise Peak Jeju

If you want to see the sunrise from Sunrise Peak, you’ll probably need to spend the night in the town of Seongsan-ri at the foot of the peak. 

This small town has numerous hotels and restaurants catering to the 3 million people who visit Sunrise Peak each year.

For a budget option, we recommend the Yellow Submarine Guesthouse right near the base of Seongsan Ilchulbong.

The entrance to Sunrise Peak Park is a quick 5-minute walk from the town center.

After your climb, you can sample local delicacies including Jeju black pork and jeonbukjuk (abalone porridge), as well as other Korean foods. You’ll even find a delicious Seongsan-ri Fish and Chips restaurant.

When to Visit Sunrise Peak?

While Sunrise Peak is beautiful year-round, we can’ really recommend a visit in the winter.

Even though the Jeju weather in the winter is milder than mainland Korea, the peak will still be brown, and the weather will be cold and often cloudy and windy.

Spring and fall are the best times to visit Sunrise Peak, with the best Jeju Island weather.

If you visit in spring, you can see Sunrise Peak with fields of yellow canola flowers, which makes quite a spectacle, and the mild Jeju weather will be a refreshing complement to the view.

Very close to Sunrise Peak is the ferry port to go to Udo Island, which is one of our top suggested spring things to do in Jeju Island, and together they can make a lovely day trip.

It can get quite hot if you climb up in the humid heat of summer.

How to Get to Sunrise Peak (Seongsan Ilchulbong)

From Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal: Take the 710 bus to the Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak) Entrance stop (1 hr 40 minutes). Every 20-25 minutes from 6:15 AM to 9PM.

From Seogwipo Intercity Bus Terminal: Take the eastbound 701 bus to the Ilchulbong Entrance Stop (2 hrs 12 minutes). Every 15-20 minutes from 5:40 AM to 8:50 PM.

We’ve listed the Jeju bus routes you can use to get to Seongsan Ilchulbong. However, we highly recommend renting a car as Jeju Island is quite big, and the bus can be slow and tedious (it can take up to 2 hours to go from one side of the island to the other when taking the bus).

Find the cheapest Jeju rental cars.

Hotels in Jeju Island Near Seongsan Ilchulbong

For a budget hotel in Jeju Island near Sunrise Peak, the Yellow Submarine Guesthouse is a fantastic option.

Check out our full hotel review of the Yellow Submarine Guesthouse for more information.

If you’re not planning on seeing the sunrise at Sunrise Peak, you may find it more convenient to stay in Jeju City, and drive a rental car to the crater. Here are the best deals on hotels on Jeju Island.

Booking.com

Sunrise Peak, one of Jeju Island’s true icons, is a must-see for your Jeju Island Korea itinerary. Come marvel at one of the world’s most well-preserved tuff rings in some marvelous Jeju Island weather! Even if you don’t watch the sunrise, the natural wonder of Seongsan Ilchulbong is still an amazing place to visit, with scenic views in all directions.

Like this post?

Share it on Pinterest by hovering over one of the pictures below and clicking the red “Pin It” button!

You Might Also Appreciate…

More Jeju Posts

• Craft Beer on Jeju Island, South Korea: Inside the Brewery Tour at Magpie Brewing Co.
• Sagye Beach, South Korea: Best Beach in Jeju Island for a Mt. Sanbangsan View
• At the Foot of Sunrise Peak: Yellow Submarine Guesthouse on Jeju Island
• Spring in Korea: 2 Korean Cherry Blossom Sites in Jeju City
• The Fun (& Wet?) Side of Teaching English Abroad
• O’Sulloc Tea Museum and Green Tea Fields: Jeju Island, South Korea
• Hallasan Mountain: The Ultimate Guide to Hiking South Korea’s Tallest Mountain
• Sand, Sea, and Jeju-Si: Iho Beach on Jeju Island, South Korea
• (Shark?!) for the Soul: Willala Fish and Chips on Jeju Island
• The Jeju Island Winter That Shut Down the “Hawaii of Korea”
• The Zesty Truth of Jeju Tangerine Picking: Jeju Island, South Korea

Travel Tips

• Essential Cameras for Every Traveler
• What I’ve Learned from Traveling to 25 Countries
• Travel Hack: Do a Cheap Flight Search Like a Pro
• Best Travel Drone Bag: Backpacking with a DJI Phantom

Where is your favorite place to watch the sunrise?

Tell us in a comment below!