Sangumburi Crater: Unique from every angle

An important note on Jeju’s updated bus system and this blog post

From August 2017, Jeju Island implemented a new city and intercity bus system. It increased the number of buses in service, while simplifying the routes, fees and numbering system.

Consequently, the contents of this previously published blog post may have changed. We therefore would kindly request that you consult this page for new bus maps in English on VisitJeju.net, and this page on our blog for a chart of the old and new bus route numbers.

If you read Korean, then the province’s official bus system website is a useful and up-to-date resource. We hope you’ll enjoy your travels on Jeju Island!

If you watch Jeju Island-related blogs or social network feeds, you’ll have noticed that these days everyone seems to be standing in and around some long, golden brown grass.

This is pampas grass and it is indeed very commonly found around Jeju Island, especially in the late fall, early winter season.

There are several places which are famous for their expansive, beautiful views of the island’s pampas grass – but perhaps none more so than Sangumburi Crater in Gyorae Village, Jocheon-eup, Jeju City. It’s along the 1112 Bijarim Road (which we’ve written about in the past.)

This is a 460,000m2 site is designated Natural Monument No. 263 and given its beauty and uniqueness, understandably attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. I’ve been there at least four times, and it’s always got something new to see or experience… especially when you go at different times of day and in different seasons.

Over 400 species of wild plants, birds and other animals thrive in this protected environment. No one is allowed into the center of the crater, which is a scientific treasure trove of native species whose habitat is now rather small due to human development.

Did you know?

At 2,000 meters in circumference, Sangumburi is comparable to Baeknokdam Crater at the peak of Hallasan Mountain.

If you look closely, in the far distance Seongsan Sunrise Peak is visible on the far east side of the island. It was definitely a clear day!

We were very lucky to catch Sangumburi on a magnificent day, with its view of Hallasan Mountain and even Seongsan Sunrise Peak far off to the East. The photos pretty much speak for themselves.