Jeju's volcano-sculpted cave wonders: inside Korea's World Natural Heritage

Jeju's volcano-sculpted cave wonders

Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes on Jeju Island are a living, breathing space showing Earth's natural formation process. UNESCO designated both sites World Natural Heritage for their high scenic value and distinct geological environment.

Under the theme "Era of Succession," the World Heritage Festival highlights the value of such heritage and importance of its preservation. Its leading programs include walking tours, two expeditions, starlight mountain events, treks along Hallasan Mountain and stories from heritage towns.

Walking tour of Geomunoreum Volcanic Cone

The walking tour of Geomunoreum Volcanic Cone has a guide explaining the cone's formation process and a full-body experience by visitors of the mystery of the venue. The event's sections are "Path of Lava," a gargantuan valley formed by flowing lava; "Path of Caves," an underground passage made by hardened lava; and "Path of Stone and New Life," which follows the traces of lava spreading toward the sea.

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Gimnyeonggul Cave expedition

The second expedition saw members pass through Utsanjeon Cave, Yongamgyo Bridge and Bugoreum Cave while going to Gimnyeonggul Cave. The latter is the main cave of Geomunoreum Volcanic Cone, a World Natural Heritage site shaped like the letter "S," about 705 m long and once connected to Manjanggul Cave before the ceiling collapsed.

The entrance to Gimnyeonggul, a massive arch 12 m high and 4 m wide, is an archetypal example of a tunnel-like cave formed as hot lava quickly cooled.

Like a living textbook on geology, the interior has waterfall-shaped terrain and sand and carbonate deposits formed as lava cooled and solidified in the process of flowing.

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'Path of Lava' walking tour

The three-hour Path of Lava walking tour began at the World Natural Heritage Center and passed through charcoal kiln sites, lava collapse ditches and wind holes going toward Utsanjeongul Lava Tube. As the most intense of all the walking tours, this one was designed to allow visitors to see traces of volcanic activity in the huge canyon.

Participants learned about the formation of Jeju's lava cone system by walking on the rugged basalt terrain and vivid traces of the eruption of Geomunoreum Volcanic Cone. Human history and nature's mysteries intersected here and there like the kiln sites and wind holes, and the tour guide's commentary added to this experience.

Upon reaching the final destination of Utsanjeongul, the tour group was left in awe after seeing the colossal cave entrance formed by the collapsed ceiling and peculiar lava formations. Entry into the cave is prohibited, but the spectacular view from outside enables them to feel the wonders of lava caves around Geomunoreum.

"It felt like I went back in time hidden underground," tour member Kim Yun Kyu said afterward. "I have unforgettable memories of walking through places I would've never gone to if it weren't for the World Heritage Festival."

"I realized anew just how special Jeju's natural heritage is," fellow member Wang Seon Woo said. "I think we should properly preserve our beautiful World Natural Heritage sites."