The Jeju rock show

A teenager wearing black shorts and a pink T-shirt is about to start hiking to the peak of the scenic Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone. Standing at the base, entry ticket in hand, she looks up at Seongsan, located on the eastern side of Jeju Island in South Korea, which is bathed in hues of green courtesy the trees growing on it. There are also scattered patches of grey rock jutting towards the sky. In the distance, a sea of people climbing the peak merges with the green grass.

From the starting point, it doesn’t look like a difficult climb. However, after a few minutes, the steep incline challenges one’s stamina. As one stops mid-way, the coastal topography awes the mind: the green vegetation of Seongsan—also known as ‘sunrise peak’—ends in the sea, while the city’s multi-coloured buildings and vehicles offset the grey-coloured tar roads. There are also panoramic views of Mount Hallasan, a shield volcano, whose summit is the highest point in the country.