The dragon's head
Black basalt above the waves.
안범진 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Martin Chen — CC BY 2.0 · 螺钉 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Paul Evans — CC BY-SA 3.0
A black basalt rock about ten metres high that juts from the sea on the Jeju City coast, carved by waves and wind out of ancient lava until it came to look like a dragon's head raising its jaws to the sky. It is one of the island's oldest tourist symbols and the closest to the airport. Folk tales tell of a dragon that tried to rise to heaven, was struck by an arrow and fell here; its body sank into the sea and its head stayed above the water, turned to stone. The shape shows best from the western platform at sunset, when the sea and sky behind the rock turn orange. Steps lead down to the rocks at water level, where the haenyeo divers sometimes sell the seafood they have gathered. A few minutes to the east is Yongyeon, a small gorge of clear green water between basalt cliffs, crossed by a suspension footbridge and lit at night. The visit is short and free, and fits well before a flight or right after landing. The coast road west of the rock is a row of cafés facing the sea.
Black basalt above the waves.
A green gorge and footbridge.
A row facing the sea.
Yongdam-dong, on the Jeju City coast, near the airport
Twenty to forty-five minutes, including the walk to Yongyeon pond next door. It is close to the airport and free.
