You're just taking cliff photos? I'm counting those pillars first
Walking along the coastline that connects Jungmun-dong and Daepo-dong in Seogwipo, you're said to come across an unfamiliar sight — rows of black stone pillars packed tightly together. With hexagonal cross-sections so precise they look almost measured with a ruler, these columns stand straight toward the sea, and this is Daepo Jusangjeolli, one of the geological landmarks that represents Jeju. Standing before this black cliff, where waves crash endlessly against the rock, it's said that visitors can't help but wonder how these pillars ever came to take this shape. Today, following that curiosity, let GYULI walk you through the story held within Daepo Jusangjeolli.
Hexagonal pillars said to have split apart as lava cooled — the secret behind the name 'columnar joint'
The pillars of Daepo Jusangjeolli are said to have formed long ago, when lava flowing down from the slopes of Hallasan met the sea. As the story goes, the hot lava cooled rapidly upon meeting the cold seawater, and as its volume shrank, cracks large and small began to form on the surface; those cracks are said to have spread in regular directions, eventually splitting and hardening into the hexagonal columns seen today. Rock that splits into pillar shapes as lava or magma cools like this is called a columnar joint, and Daepo Jusangjeolli is often mentioned as a place where the columns are especially distinct and large in scale, letting visitors feel that force with their own eyes. Sources vary a little on exactly when, or through how many episodes of volcanic activity, this landscape came to look the way it does now, so I'll hold off on naming a specific period here — but the fact that cooling lava can leave behind such intricately shaped hexagonal columns is, in itself, something many people find fascinating, they say.
The hexagonal shape might seem like a coincidence, but it's said that when a material cools and contracts evenly, the shape that distributes the resulting stress most evenly happens to be close to a hexagon. That's why hexagonal cross-sections are said to be commonly observed at columnar joint formations around the world, and Daepo Jusangjeolli is often introduced as a representative place where this regularity can be seen firsthand. Some visitors describe the tightly packed pillars as looking like a bundle of pencils standing on end, while others compare them to a giant folding screen. Because this columnar terrain is said to stretch along the Jungmun-Daepo coast, walking along it means facing a differently shaped cliff from every angle, which is said to be one reason people enjoy visiting.
The moment waves crash into the black pillars — the scenery along the Jungmun-Daepo coast
The best way to take in Daepo Jusangjeolli, they say, is to walk the observation deck and trail built along the coast. Following the wooden boardwalk, a cliff of dark pillars stacked layer upon layer unfolds below, and you can watch, up close, as waves crash against it without pause. Many visitors describe the moment white spray leaps up each time a wave hits the columns as especially striking, and on clear days, the open sea beyond is said to come into full, refreshing view. Because the pillars are said to be quite slippery in many stretches with strong waves, climbing down the cliff or standing on the columns directly isn't recommended for safety, so it's best to take your time along the designated deck and trail.
This area is also said to go by the name Jisatgae, a name passed down among local residents since long ago. Even before it was developed as a tourist site, its unique landform is said to have made it a well-known spot locally. Today, with a trail, safety fencing, and an observation deck all in place, it's said that visitors of any age can comfortably walk and take in the columns and the sea together.
Standing before pillars that have taken the brunt of the waves for tens of thousands of years, they say every mark left by that long stretch of time looks a little different.
— 🍊 GYULISaid to wear a different face by day and night, and season to season — Daepo Jusangjeolli
During the day, Daepo Jusangjeolli is said to offer a crisp view where the black pillars contrast against the blue sea, while on cloudy or rainy days, the cliff's texture is said to feel even heavier and more dramatic. On days with high waves especially, the water breaking against the pillars is said to look far more dynamic, so the mood here can change entirely depending on the weather. The atmosphere is also said to shift with the seasons — the contrast between deep blue summer seas and black pillars, and the interplay of biting wind and waves in winter, are each said to leave a strong impression.
Viewing hours, entry procedures, and admission fees are said to vary depending on the season, so it's worth checking in advance before you visit. Jungmun Tourist Complex and several other coastal spots are nearby, so many say it's worth exploring together — if you have the time, it might be worth planning a route that combines a few of these spots.
GYULI's Tip · Daepo Jusangjeolli is said to see strong sea winds often, so it's a good idea to bring a jacket, and since the boardwalk and rock surfaces are said to get slippery on rainy days, it's worth paying attention to your footwear. On days with high waves, it's best to stay within the observation deck for safety, they say.