Sanbangsan Mountain in Seogwipo, Jeju

Site details

Sanbangsan, along with Seongsan Ilchulbong, is considered one of the three major mountains of Jeju. It is enveloped in a mystical atmosphere, with a legend that says rain falls when clouds wrap around the mountain. According to legend, the Jade Emperor pulled off the peak of Hallasan and threw it to create Sanbangsan. Notably, there is a cave called Sanbanggul halfway up the southwestern cliff of Sanbangsan, deeply carved into the rock. The view of Yongmeori Coast and the sunset from this cave is exceptional. To protect the scenic value of this natural heritage site, it has been designated as a restricted access area. Unlike other volcanoes in Jeju, Sanbangsan does not have a crater at its peak. Along with Hallasan and Seongsan Ilchulbong, it is one of Jeju’s three major mountains. The southwestern cliff features a sea cave called Sanbanggul, which houses a Buddha statue, leading to it also being known as "Sanbanggulsa Temple. " The summit is home to plants that thrive in a warm climate, and the cliffs host a variety of plants such as Machilus thunbergii, Neolitsea sericea, Cymbidium goeringii, and Dendrobium moniliforme. The cliff vegetation of Sanbangsan is rich in rare plants, making it of significant academic value.