Page 193 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

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Jeju: South Korea’s Premier

Island Geotourism Destination

Kyung Sik Woo, Young Kwan Sohn and Lisa M. King

Introduction
Koreans have been attracted to mountains, rivers,
hot springs and coastlines for spiritual rejuvenation
and the provision of material needs for hundreds
of generations (Huh et al, 2008). With a population
of about 48.5 million people (OECD, 2009),
natural places to relax, recreate and emotionally
revive are becoming ever more important to
Koreans. Today, one of the most highly sought-
after holiday destinations in the country is Jeju
Island, located off the southernmost tip of the
Republic of Korea (Figure 11.1). Jeju holds a very
special place in the minds of most Koreans as an
idyllic island paradise famous for its natural
features, favourable climate, citrus fruit, woman
divers, and its cultural and historical sites. In
addition to its well known natural attractions,
tourists can shop, visit museums, botanical gardens,
aquariums and bonsai parks or enjoy a variety of
recreational activities including water sports, golf
courses and festivals (Khan and Su, 2003) – all on Figure 11.1 Location of Jeju Island
and around a shield volcano.
This chapter describes the volcanic origins of Volcanic origins
Jeju Island and its principal geotourism attractions
– Mt Hallasan, Seongsan Ilchulbong tuff cone, Jeju Island, also known as Cheju, is one of the few
Sangumburi crater, Sanbangsan lava dome, shield volcanoes in the world created over a hot
Yongmeori coast, and Manjang Cave (belonging spot on a stationary continental plate. The island
to the Geomunoreum lava tube system). It then has the typical shield volcano morphology
introduces the reader to tourism on the island and characterized by an overall gentle topography and
reflects on the current status and future of an elliptical shape (Figure 11.2; Park et al, 2000).
geotourism to Jeju Island. Dark-coloured (basaltic) to light-coloured

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