9,000-year-old primeval garden in Jeju opens for 4 days

Jeju Island has a unique and impressive volcanic terrain.

After 17 years of being recognized by UNESCO as a world natural heritage, the Geomun Oreum lava trail on Jeju Island (South Korea) will open to visitors for free for 4 days, from June 28 to July 1.

According to Hani, Jeju Volcanic Island and its lava tube system was the first Korean site to be recognized by UNESCO as a world natural heritage site in 2007. The Jeju Island Heritage Area includes the Hallasan Mountain Nature Reserve with its unique volcanic terrain, Seongsan Sunrise Peak, and the Geomun Oreum lava tube system that flows from the rocky gorge all the way to the sea.

The Geomun Oreum lava tube system is estimated to have formed about 9,000 years ago. It is a typical group of lava tubes formed after multiple volcanic eruptions, starting from Geomun Oreum in Seonheul-ri, Jocheon-eup, Jeju-si and flowing along the northeastern coast of Jeju Island, 14 km away.

The system consists of 10 caves: Utsanjeongul Cave, Buk Oreum Cave, Daerim Cave, Bengdwigul Cave, Seonheul Sujik Cave, Manjanggul Cave, Gimnyeong Cave, Yongcheon Cave, Dangcheomul Cave and Namjimi Cave.

Geomun Oreum Lava Trail is a place that is not normally open to visitors for conservation purposes. Walking along the 6km long path, visitors can see the thousands of years old pristine primeval forest, admire the towering ancient trees, and enjoy the fresh, cool air in the green space of summer. Among the dense bushes, you can see a wind tunnel covered with moss and mushrooms, which is the location of the charcoal kiln that was once exploited by the people.

Visitors will cross a cool green forest that is more than 9,000 years old.

During the 4 days of the opening, anyone can visit for free from 9am to 2pm without reservation. For the convenience of visitors, there is a shuttle bus to the World Natural Heritage Center every 20 minutes.

During this time, you can also visit Sara Oreum volcanic lake, explore Seongsan Ilchulbong at night for free, watch art performances, and receive a free stamp.

The Jeju UNESCO Exhibition Hall in Seonheul-ri will host an exhibition titled "Journey to the Past of World Heritage" until July 15.

"We planned to allow people to experience the world heritage in a new way. Through this event, we hope to link Jeju tourism with the world heritage, and make efforts to widely promote the value of Jeju's world heritage," said Kim Hee-chan, head of the Jeju World Heritage Center.

TB (according to Znews)

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