Jusangjeolli Cliff (주상절리) is Nature’s Masterpiece of Jeju

What makes Jeju really beautiful is the fact that it is an island made by nature. Who would have thought that a disastrous eruption of magma that formed in the sea that happened more than 1 million years ago has now turned into an island inhabited by thousands of Koreans nowadays? Nature has a lot of masterpieces in Jeju, and one of them is the Jusangjeolli Cliff (주상절리) which is located in the Seogwipo City.


The Jusangjeolli cliff

Jusangjeolli or columnar joints is a rocky cliff, and the reason why it is called by its name is because the rocks in the cliff are formed into polygonal columns. This columnar joints is about 2 km long which runs from the coast of Jungmun-dong up to the Daepo-dong.


Big waves beating against the cliff and the rocks

If you will look at it at one glance, you may think that these joints are man made. The columns are perfectly arranged, some have 5 sides, some have 6 sides and it formed as if some architect or engineers have planned it so it will look that way. The truth is, the nature created this awesome cliff. Some 140,000 to 250,000 years ago, the lava flowed from the Nokhajiak Scoria cone. When the lava cooled down, it was solidified and then these polygonal columns were formed to make an amazing cliff.


View from the trail

When we went to the Jusangjeolli cliff, the waves were so big, and everytime it beats against the rocks and the cliffs, it’s so beautiful, it was like we were watching a show that only nature can do. The cool breeze and the sound of the splashing wave made our visit even more memorable and fun.

At the end of the trail, an ahjumma selling raw seafood is waiting for the hungry visitors. She’s actually cleaning them in front of the customers. While the waves and the columnar joints were busy entertaining the visitors, she has a show of her own too.


Ahjumma cleaning her raw seafood


Entrance to the Jusangjeolli Cliff is only 2,000 KRW per person. It is open all year round, from sunrise to sunset. It is located at this address:

216, Jungmungwangwang-ro, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
제주특별자치도 서귀포시 중문관광로 216 (중문동)



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