Jeju World Heritage Festival to open restricted UNESCO sites to public

Kim Sang-soo, chief of the walking trail program for the 2021 Jeju World Heritage Festival, stands under the Lava Bridge, or Yongamgyo in Korean, during a press tour held to promote the festival on Jeju Island, July 8. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

By Park Ji-won

JEJU ISLAND ― In 2007, an area consisting of three sites ― Geomunoreum Lava Tube System, Mount Halla and Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone, accounting for about 10 percent in the island ― was designated as a UNESCO Natural Heritage site known collectively as “Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes.” It was the first natural heritage site in Korea, while the country has 13 cultural heritage designations.

The sites have been protected by the Cultural Heritage Administration since the UNESCO designation, barring all unauthorized entry.

However, the restricted areas are set to be unveiled to the public from Oct. 1 to 17 as part of the World Heritage Festival, the administration's annual collaborative event started last year to promote UNESCO-designated cultural heritage and natural heritage sites in Korea which will be held in five different regions.

Themed as “Encounter,” the 2021 Jeju World Heritage Festival aims to provide unique experiences through its original walking trail programs giving nature lovers a chance to walk in and near lava tubes and thus map out future trail routes similar to Spain's Santiago pilgrimage route.

One of the programs will allow a small number of visitors, who are pre-screened online, to actually enter the lava tubes: Gimnyeonggul Lava Tube, Bengdwigul Lava Tube and Manjanggul Lava Tube.

A member of the 2021 Jeju World Heritage Festival stands in Gimnyeonggul Lava Tube on Jeju Island, during a press tour held to promote the festival, July 8. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

A member of the 2021 Jeju World Heritage Festival sheds light on Manjanggul Lava Tube on Jeju Island, during a press tour held to promote the festival, July 8. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Regarding the lava tubes, experts highlighted their geological value as they show various stages of the lava tubes' creation.

“After erupting from the center of Mount Halla, lava flowed to the end of the island and met the ocean while the surface became a solid crust due to different temperatures and made the lava tubes,” Ki Jin-seok, a researcher of Jeju World Natural Heritage Center, said during a press tour, July 8.

He said that Bengdwigul Lava Tube is worth being preserved as it has the initial feature of cave creation while Manjanggul Lava Tube is a rare specimen showing unique formations, such as lava ropes, which can be seen during the creation of the lava tube. Gimnyeonggul Lava Tube, meanwhile, is also a rare lava tube having characteristics of both a lava tube and a limestone cave.

Representatives of the 2021 Jeju World Heritage Festival and journalists follow a walking trail known as the “Breath of Fire Trail,” during a press tour held to promote the festival, July 9. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

A member of the 2021 Jeju World Heritage Festival follows a walking trail called the “Breath of Fire Trail,” during a press tour held to promote the festival, July 9. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Those who missed out on the reservations may join other walking tour programs including one consisting of four courses called the “Breath of Fire Trail.” During the program, people can walk by the entrances of lava tubes as well as Mount Halla. With the exception of course 4, other courses need a reservation.

In addition to the trail programs, the festival is planning to hold ceremonial events in various places showcasing performances and art on the theme of natural heritage.

“Jeju's walking trails have more to offer than the Santiago pilgrimage route in Spain. It is a very rare opportunity for all to enjoy the beauty of nature … Globally, there is a very small number of natural heritage sites as it is hard to be listed and maintain the heritage status. So, the festival has been made to promote the area so that many can learn the value of the area's natural heritage and thus protect it,” Kim Tae-wook, general director of World Heritage Festival in Jeju, said Thursday.

Seen is Seongsan Ilchulbong tuff cone on Jeju Island, July 9, where some performances and visual art will be displayed during the 2021 Jeju World Heritage Festival. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Seen are birds photographed near Seongsan Ilchulbong tuff cone on Jeju Island, July 9, where some performances and visual art will be displayed during the 2021 Jeju World Heritage Festival. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk