Sangumburi Crater in Jeju

Jeju or Jejudo which was previously known as Cheju is an island off the southern coast of South Korea. It is the largest island of Korea and is its only self governing province. The island’s claim to fame is its identity as Korea’s honeymoon island as it attracts a substantial number of domestic tourists from in and around Korea. These days Jeju has started attracting quite a number of Tourists from across the world as well. This self governing province is quite popular especially because of its comparatively warm climate, sandy beaches and the picturesque 1950 meter tall Mt. Halla.

One of Jeju’s many tourist attractions is the Sangumburi Crater. It is the crater of an extinct volcano. Unlike its counterparts Halla-san and Songsan Ilch'ubong, the Sangumburi Crater exploded quickly, but did not spew much lava and did not form a very obvious looking surrounding cone. This phenomenon is called maru in Korean, and as Sangumburi Crater is the only one of its kind in the country it has been named as a Natural Monument.

The Sangumburi Crater is located on the southeastern region of Jeju-si, and is a flat crater, about 650 meters wide, 100 meters deep, and 2,070 meters in circumference. Its almost perfectly hemispherical hollow makes it look like a man-made circular stadium. The crater is very rich in its flora and fauna.

On its northern side, Nandaeseong vegetation such as red-thorn trees, magnolia trees as well as rare winter strawberries grow in abundance. The southern portion of the crater is characterized by the growth of Ondaerim vegetation such as evergreens, maples, and mountain strawberry trees. Because of the crater’s rich and abundant vegetation especially of rare plants and trees in such a limited space, this place is very popular with botanists and scientists as well.

Tourists are allowed to walk around the perimeter of the crater though the rest of the area is private property and is cordoned off. One is not allowed to go down inside the crater either. A neatly paved walk way leads from the parking area to the viewing area which has a small pavilion and several viewing points. Around the crater grounds are numerous grave sites created in typical Jeju tradition: a wide, trapezoidal stone wall surrounding the burial mound.

This fascination tourist site is a must visit! Do drop by!