Jeju has become a “triple crown” winner in UNESCO’s nature and science field with designations of Biosphere Reserve in 2002, World Natural Heritage in 2007, and World Geopark in 2010. It sits off the south coast of the Korean Peninsula and is the nation’s largest island. The island is famous for its local mandarin, beaches and hiking. Rising to nearly 2,000 meters above sea level, volcanic Mount Halla (Hallasan) dominates the island from all directions. Excellent hiking can be had on the smaller volcanic oreums scattered around the island and on the famous Olle courses which is beautiful walking courses. The beaches are a great place to cool off in the summer.
The island contains the natural World Heritage Site Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes. Jeju Island has a temperate climate and even in winter, the temperature rarely falls below freezing point. The interest in Hallasan, Seongsan Sunrise Peak, and the Geomun lava cave system emphasized the value and importance of academic, cultural and ecotourism-related features. Thus, in June 2007, on the Natural section of the World Heritage Site, Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes were registered.
