Jeju · Area guide

Seongsan & Udo

성산·우도

Sunrise from Seongsan Ilchulbong, then the 10-minute ferry to Udo.

Seongsan Ilchulbong rising above the grass at its foot. Photo: Bernard Gagnon · CC0 1.0. Photo credits

The short answer

Stay in Seongsan for the sunrise. Seongsan Ilchulbong, the tuff cone that rose from a shallow sea, is part of Jeju's UNESCO World Natural Heritage listing, and the sunrise from its crater rim is one of the Ten Scenic Views of Jeju. From May to August the gate opens at 04:30, and the paid trail to the summit takes 30 to 40 minutes, VisitJeju says. Sleep at its foot and you walk there in the dark; stay anywhere else and you drive.

The second reason is Udo, the island shaped like a reclining cow. Ferries leave Seongsan Port and Jongdal Port, and the crossing takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Seopjikoji's cape, Gwangchigi Beach and Aqua Planet Jeju are on the same stretch of coast. The trade-off is distance: Seongsan is the far east of the island, about 41 km from the airport in a straight line, and express bus 111 is the direct ride.

Best for

Sunrise at Seongsan Ilchulbong
A day on Udo
The east coast and its oreums
Seopjikoji and spring canola fields
Families at Aqua Planet Jeju

Think twice if

Short trips with an early flight home
Nightlife and city restaurants
Hallasan summit days

Getting here

Stations and lines
Station	Lines
Seongsan Port	Express bus 111 (airport, via Songdang) · Intercity buses 212 (Jeju Bus Terminal), 295 (Seogwipo Bus Terminal) · Ferries to Udo
Seongsan Ilchulbong	Intercity bus 201 (Jeju Bus Terminal–east coast–Seogwipo Bus Terminal)
Daecheon Transit Center	Express buses 111, 121, 122 · Tourist shuttle 810 (oreums of the east)

From Jeju International Airport

Express bus 111 runs from the airport to Seongsan Port via Daecheon-dong and Songdang. Seongsan is about 41 km from the airport in a straight line, the far east of the island, so with an evening landing a night in Jeju City first and the bus out in the morning is the calmer plan.

From Jeju City

Intercity bus 201 leaves Jeju Bus Terminal along the east coast road to Seongsan Ilchulbong and on to Seogwipo Bus Terminal, and 212 runs to Seongsan Port by Beonyeong-ro through Daecheon-dong and Susan.

From Seogwipo

Take 201 up the east coast to Seongsan Ilchulbong, or 295 via Gasi-ri and Sinsan-ri to Seongsan Port, both from Seogwipo Bus Terminal.

To Udo

Ferries cross from Seongsan Port and Jongdal Port in about 10 to 15 minutes; sailings vary with the season, the weather and the route, VisitJeju says, so check the last ferry back on the day. The island is about 3.8 km long and 17 km round: three to four hours on foot, less by bicycle.

On your doorstep

Seongsan Ilchulbong A tuff cone with a crater about 600 m across, Natural Monument No. 420 since 2000 and part of the UNESCO listing since 2007. Open 06:00–18:00 from November to February, 05:00–19:00 in March, April, September and October, and 04:30–20:00 from May to August; closed on the first Monday of each month.
Udo An island about 3.8 km long, 10 to 15 minutes by ferry. Geommeolle Beach, Udobong Peak, the rhodolith beach and Hagosudong Beach are the classic stops.
Seongsan Port The ferry port for Udo, with sightseeing cruises past the cliffs of Seongsanpo, and a sunset spot before the crossing.
Seopjikoji A cape with Seongsan Ilchulbong behind it, Sinyang Beach's sand, canola flowers in spring and the red volcanic 'songi' of Bulgeunoreum. Open all year.
Gwangchigi Beach A natural beach with Seongsan Ilchulbong and lava formations in one view, a sunrise spot with canola flowers in spring. Open at all times.
Aqua Planet Jeju A large aquarium on Seopjikoji-ro with 28,000 animals of around 500 species. Open 09:30–18:00, ticket sales to 17:00.
Jeju Haenyeo Museum The museum of Jeju's women divers, first recorded in 1629, up the coast in Gujwa-eup. Open 09:00–18:00, closed on the first Monday of each month.
Umutgae Beach The free section of the Seongsan Ilchulbong trails, a gentler walk to the shore beside the peak.

One easy day from here

Dawn Seongsan Ilchulbong at opening for the sunrise from the crater rim, 30 to 40 minutes up.
Morning The ferry from Seongsan Port to Udo, then Udobong and Geommeolle Beach by bicycle.
Afternoon Back across for Seopjikoji and Sinyang Beach, or Aqua Planet Jeju on a rainy day.
Evening Sunset at Seongsan Port, or Gwangchigi Beach with the peak in view.

Before you book

Avoid the first Monday of the month for the sunrise: Seongsan Ilchulbong closes that day, and the next day when it falls on a public holiday.
Check the opening time for your month: 04:30 from May to August, 05:00 in spring and autumn, 06:00 from November to February.
Check the last ferry back from Udo on the day: VisitJeju says sailings vary with the season, the weather and the route.
Stay within walking distance of the peak for the sunrise: VisitJeju says Jeju's buses generally start at around 06:00, later than the summer gate.

Questions visitors ask

Where should I stay for the Seongsan Ilchulbong sunrise?

In Seongsan itself, within walking distance of the peak. From May to August the gate opens at 04:30, and Jeju's buses generally start at around 06:00, VisitJeju says, so a bed at the foot of the cone is the only way to the summit for sunrise without a car. Allow 30 to 40 minutes for the climb.

How do I get to Udo?

By ferry from Seongsan Port or Jongdal Port, about 10 to 15 minutes depending on the route. Sailings vary with the season and weather, so check the day's last ferry back. Udo is about 3.8 km long; most visitors use bicycles or permitted electric vehicles for its beaches and Udobong Peak.

How do I get to Seongsan from Jeju Airport?

By express bus 111, which runs from the airport to Seongsan Port via Daecheon-dong and Songdang. From Jeju Bus Terminal, take intercity bus 201 along the east coast to Seongsan Ilchulbong, or 212 to Seongsan Port.

A place before a plan.

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Sources & review

Editorial review: 29 October 2026 · Korea Standard Time