Jeju Island as One of the World Natural Heritage
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The first time I knew about Jeju Island was in 2011, when it became a contestant from South Korea in New Seven Wonders of Nature Global Festival. Back then, my home country, Indonesia, had also nominated Komodo Island as the contestant. These two islands then become the provisional New Seven Wonders of Nature with the five others. It is said that Jeju Island has been chosen as the second most beautiful scenery around the world and get a recognition as one of the world natural heritage by UNESCO. In consequence of a sense of rivalry in New Seven Wonders Festival, since then I have the curiosity in how Jeju Island’s wonders can attract people from all over the world to come. What are the island practically have to make people come? How great is its landscape and how unique is Jeju indigenous way of life? At that time I just have a thought, how is the feel of exploring the island directly?
Luckily, a chance came for me to visit Jeju Island on August 16-18th, 2013. Still prepared with some curious thoughts, my adventure time in Jeju Island had finally begun. On the first day, we went to Mt. Sanbangsan which region are consists of several altars of prayer for honor, for life, for love and for a good health. Mt. Sanbangsan is well known for its auspicious topography, resembling a hen sitting on golden eggs. My impression against the Mt. Sanbangsan: I think it is a great place where we can feel both of mountainous and sea scenic landscaping while sense the spirituality at the same time.
Figure 1. Mt. Sanbangsan and its surrounding areas
Figure 2. Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff were run along the coastline
Jusangjeolli Cliff is not the only one trail in Jeju Island which has such a wonderful and fascinating landscapes showed both mountainous and sea scenic landscaping. There is also a trail called Seopjikoji which seemed to divide its region by wide savanna most on the left side and sea on its right side. In this place we can also see a retro chapel and lighthouse tower, makes the scenic ambience to be more dramatic.
Figure 3. Seopjikoji with its savanna, retro chapel and lighthouse tower
Our adventure then take us to the Manjanggul lava tubes which is designated as one of the World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2007 and it is become the 2nd UNESCO TRIPLE CROWN after Mt. Hallasan. The existing formation was caused by the eruption of Geomunoreum which then forming tunnels on the ground known as lava tubes. When we observed the rocky wall, the ancient lava flow had been clearly visible on the wall. The underground cave in Manjanggul lava tubes features some unusual rock formation.
Has become the 3rd of UNESCO TRIPLE CROWN and certified as the world geopark, here is Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone (Sunrise Peak). It is a peninsula rock like a crown called tuff that compress the volcanic mass. Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone famous for its magnificent view of the rising sun that can be seen from its peak. When I was there, though I did not do a tracking until the up of the tuff, I can feel the sense of landscaping from this place that makes it certified as the world geopark.
Figure 4. Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone, the one of world geopark in Jeju Island
After exploring that hidden treasure of natural landscapes beneath the very surface of Jeju Island, I wonder how are their traditional community live and have deal with their natural environment. Actually, the expected answer is somehow lied on Seongeup Folk Village. In this traditional village that showed the actual tradisional housing of Jeju traditional community, it can be encluded that Jeju traditional community still have kind of local wisdom applied in their daily life and they tend to maintain their traditional cultures and customs until nowadays.
Figure 5. Jeju traditional house in Seongeup Folk Village
As a result of several direct observing, exploring and adventuring, from my point of view, I implied that Jeju Island deserves to be the one of the World Natural Heritage and get the UNESCO TRIPLE CROWN in UNESCO natural science area. Jeju Island not only an island with fascinating landscapes, but also an island which concern to maintain its traditional cultures and customs in daily life. It thanks to this UOS International Summer School II, I can learn such an important lesson, especially about Jeju Island as the one of South Korea pride.
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