Sangumburi Crater

A rare volcanic landform created purely by explosion, without any lava or ash flow — this is Sangumburi Crater.

Jeju has some 360 parasitic volcanic cones, most shaped like an upturned bowl, but Sangumburi is unique — an explosive blast blew away the rock without any lava or ash eruption, leaving only the hollow behind. This landform, over 2km around, is Korea's sole example of a maar-type volcano and is designated a natural monument for its rarity.

The crater floor is riddled with gaps that let water seep away easily, and depending on elevation and sunlight, a distinctive ecosystem has formed where temperate and subtropical plants grow side by side. Evergreen broadleaf trees like red oak and machilus grow alongside deciduous species like sawtooth oak and maple, and the crater is also known as habitat for wildlife such as roe deer and badgers.

Each season brings its own charm, but autumn's silver grass is the most celebrated — from October to November, silver grass ripples like waves along the crater-rim trail for a spectacular sight. In spring, clouds rising from the crater floor create an almost mystical scene.

Honestly, though, descending into the crater itself is prohibited to protect the ecosystem, so viewing is limited to looking down from the rim trail — worth knowing before you go.

Hours vary by season (09:00-18:40 in March-June and September-October; 09:00-17:40 in July-August and November-February, subject to weather changes), so checking ahead is recommended.