AN EXECUTIVE CLIMB TO THE UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE MOUNT SEONGSAN ILCHULBONG

 

Location: Seongsan-ri, Seogwipo, Jeju Island Province, South Korea

Jump-off and Exit Point:  Seongsan-ri, Seogwipo, Jeju Island Province, South Korea

Elevation:  182 MASL (597 feet)

Days Required / Hours to summit:  1 day / 30 minutes

Specs: Minor Climb; Difficulty 1/9; Trail Class 1

Features:  It is specifically a volcanic tuff cone, famous as a UNESCO World Heritage site known as "Sunrise Peak" for its stunning sunrises over its large crater.  It's a significant geological feature formed by an underwater eruption.  On a 2011 study reported, it has 240 taxa of plant species growing on it.

Halfway to the summit of Mount Seongsan Ilchulbong

This is a part of my February 1 -6, 2025 Hongkong -Jeju Island of South Korea - Hongkong - Macau Trip where I also had climbed three mountains:  Tai Mo Shan (Hongkong), this Seongsan Ilchulbong and Suicide Cliff of Kowloon Peak (Hongkong) organized by seasoned international tour organizer, Madame Jonah Chavez Ranchez.

While at the jump-off at 12:06 A.M.

With reference to the time, please refer to my Jeju Island blog post, where we just arrived on this of February 2, 2025 from Hongkong at 7:55 A.M.  From the airport, we travelled through our service coaster vehicle to 1100 Road (Highland Ecological Swamp) to experience thick snow, but since there was no available parking lot, we headed straight to Yeongsil trail entrance where were there at 9:43 A.M.

At Yeongsil trail entrance

And after the Yeongsil trail entrance where we experience thick snow, we had another destination at Teddy Bear Museum at 10:12 A.M. and next was to iconic Starbucks.

The famous Starbucks of Jeju Island

Then, from the Starbucks, we had a long drive heading to Seongsan Ilchulbong where we arrived there at 12:06 Noon.  This UNESCO World Heritage mountain is located in the Seongsan-eup area of Seogwipo City in Jeju Island.  A very peaceful and stunning countryside.

Our ecstatic group at the food stores around the jump-off point

It was our organizer who paid for the entrance fee since it is a part of the tour packaged we booked.  The entrance fees are as follows:

                       Adult        :   5,000 Won (Foreigners); 4,000 Won (South Koreans)

                       Youth        :   2,500 Won (Foreigners); 2,000 Won (South Koreans)

                       Children    :  2,500 Won (Foreigners);  2,000 Won (South Koreans)

UNESCO World Heritage site accreditation marker

Before the ticket booth

The start of the executive climb at 12:10 Noon

The climb is really the easiest one with very gradual elevation.  The trail is wide and it can even accommodate 6 individuals in straight horizontal line walking side by side.

Look at how the trail looks like while we advanced to the summit

I was at this spot at 12:34 Noon

As we climbed the trail got narrower

My climbing buddy Chris Palacio at Jing Gyeung Dol Rock

People who live in the village of Seongsan call this rock DeungGyeongDol (Lamp Rock) or JingGyeongDol rock.  Villagers have a custom of bowing a horn four times when passing by. The first two bows are for General goddess Sulmundaehalmang, a benevolent and beautiful creator of Jeju.  The last two bows are for General Kim Tong-Jeong, who sacrificed himself protecting his country from the Yuan Dynasty at the end of Korea's Goryeo Dynasty. Legend has it that Goddess Sulmundaehalmang carried dirt with her skirt to make the island during the day, and by night, she would sew her skirt torn from the day's labor.   It is said that this is the rock Goddess Sulmundaehalmang used to set her lamp upon for sewing.  It is also said that when General Kim Tong-Jeong was building a fortress is Seongsan Village to protect the country, he jumped around the rock to train his body and mind.

Passing thru this point at 12:35 Noon

Vertical and pointed rocks jut and surround the climbing path of Seongsan Tuff Cone, and DeungGyongDol rock is one of them.  In the time of volcanic activities which created this peak, unset volcanic ash had piled up and  formed a steep slope.  Raindrops on the layers of ash forced a flow down the slope, and the layers eroded over time, thus creating a land that appears deeper than the ground itself.  The less eroded stratum retains its vertical shape.  Unique rocks like DeungGyongDol rock surrounding the climbing path have been formed by an unequal erosion process of unset layers of volcanic ash when it rains.

The view overlooking from above DeungGyongDol rock

The third rock formation leading to the summit

The view as we reached this point at 12:39 Noon

As we ascend more heading to the summit

A resting shade along the trail

Almost 90% of the trail are open.  However, it was chilling cold and I did not feel the hot sun.   It was even colder compared to my climbs in Benguet. 

This was what I've got at 12:41 Noon

The magical overlooking view at 12:43 Noon

Finally, the summit at 12:47 Noon

While at summit market at 180 MASL or 597 feet above sea level

The well-manicured wooden stairs trail on my descent

Climbers are so pampered on this kind of trail

I was already at this point of my descent at 1:08 P.M.

I still did not want to completely descend

Completely spellbound of this amazing view

At my back is a diving site

Completely descended to the jump-off point with my climbing buddy Chris Palacio

The continuation of this 2-day Jeju Island tour can be read on this bloglink.    My experience on this climb are all worth it.  If given the opportunity, I wanted to visit this again with my family.  Every part of the climb was literally stunning in scenery.  It was such a very, very easy climb that even elders can climb it without any problem. For those who wanted to climb this during sunrise, it is advised to achieve a magical experience, it requires a very early start and potentially a dark climb; daytime offers good views without the rush, but during summer it can be hot and crowded. The good thing here is the trail to ascend to the summit is different in descending the mountain.  With the crowd of climbers or guests, the summit platform is too small and expect that when you take pictures, some are at your back or next to you.

THANKS FOR READING!

SUICIDE CLIFF CLIMB SHOWCASES THE AERIAL VIEW OF HONGKONG

Location: Kowloon, Clear Water Bay, Hongkong

Jump-off and Exit Point: Fei Ngo San Road, Kowloon, Hongkong

Elevation: 470 MASL (1,540 feet)

Days Required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 1.5 hours

Specs:  Minor Climb; Difficulty 3/9; Trail Class 1-3

Features: There are 2 routes to choose with: First is from Pak Fa Lam starting with the "328" sign equipped with stone stairs and is the longest route and the second one is the shortcut which cuts through undefined trail of continuous assault directly to the Suicide Cliff.  No stone stairs with rope segments.  The Suicide Cliff itself is a narrow rock ledge with  dangerously steep and vertical slopes of massive stone walls of volcanic tuff and granite where one false move will lead you to death.  Suicide Cliff is not the peak, but rather it is the Kowloon Peak of an elevation of 602 MASL (1,975 feet).  Along the trails grow common broadleaf trees like the Chinese Banyan and the aromatic Camphor tree and Queen Crape Myrtle.

While at the narrow rock ledge of the Suicide Cliff

This is a part of my 6-day Hongkong-Jeju Island (South Korea)-Macau trip where I climbed three mountains: Tai Mo Shan (Hongkong), Seongsan Ilchulbong (South Korea) and this Suicide Cliff (Hongkong).

Here is the Step-by-Step Directions if the origin is from Tsim Sha Tsui:

1.  Go to Choi Hung MRT Station:

      a. From Tsim Sha Tsui MRT Station, take the Tsuen Wan Line (red line) to Prince Edward

          station.

      b.  At Prince Edward Station, interchange to the Kwun Tong Line (green line) and travel

           to Choi Hung Station.

2.  Take a Minibus to the Trailhead Area:

      a.   Take Exit C1 at Choi Hung Station.

      b.    From the minibus station, take minibus 1A (towards Sai Kung) or 11 (towards Hang Hau).

      c.    Alight at the Good Hope School stop on Clear Water Bay Road.

3.   Walk to the Trail Start Point:

       a.  From the bus stop, continue walking uphill along Clear Water Bay Road for about

            10 minutes.

       b.   When you reach a traffic light/junction, turn left onto Fei Ngho Shan Road.

       c.    Walk along Fei Ngo Shan Road for a few minutes.  Look for a smaller road or path on

              your left (it's a semi-private road near a residential house).

4.   Hike to Suicide Cliff:

       a.    The trail is a steep ascent and can be challenging, with rocky sections and exposed

              areas.

       b.    Follow the trail up to Kowloon Peak.  From the peak, follow the ridge to the right to reach

              Suicide Cliff.

       c.     The hike takes approximately 3.5 - 4 hours round trip, depending on pace and photo

               stops.

Bus stop at the Good Hope School

From Tsim Shan Tsui to Prince Edward Station of Tsuen Wan Line (red line) are just five train stations (Tsim Shai Tsui, Jordan, Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kong and Prince Edward), then train transfer to Kwun Tong Line (green line) for 6 train stops: Shek Kip Mei, Kowloon Tong, Lok Fu, Wong Tai Sin, Diamond Hill and stop at Choi Hung Station and this costs HKD22.20 or P217.  On the other hand, mini-bus trip from Choi Hung Station to Good Hope School stop is HKD10 or P80.15.

Passing thru this signage

It was a long walk from the bus stop at Good Hope School on an uphill trek along concrete wide road passable by vehicles.  I mean, it was really a road of Fei Ha Road

Starting the trek at the jump-off point

The jump-off point is not really evidently visible.  In fact, we miss this point and we just went back.  We never thought it was really the jump-off point.  It was a very narrow trail.  Only the rope tells us that this was the point where we have to start with our trek.

         

                                                              The rope segment trail

For my breakfast, trail food and bottled water, I spent HKD41.50 or P405.67, of which my trail food are 3 big pieces of banana at HKD16 or P156.40.  We had then an early hotel check-out and we left our luggage at the hotel.

An open and steep trail overlooking the city of Hongkong

We started the trek at 7:05 A.M. and reached the Suicide Cliff at 8:31 A.M.  The trail was a challenging one and in some parts, they were almost vertical slope.  

My travel buddy Chris Palacio along the trail

I didn't feel safe to rest along the trail since it was almost vertical slope.  There are no trees where climbers can take refuge or hold with.  Near the Suicide Cliff, the typically common grasses are Dragon's Back and coastal grasses and scrubland species like Miscanthus (Silvergrass) and various ferns, thriving in exposed, windy conditions, though specific names vary, they are characteristic of Hongkong's upland vegetation.

Our organizer, Madame Jonah Chavez Ranchez

We did not actually use the trail going to Kowloon Peak and go down to Suicide Cliff, rather, we trekked straight to Suicide Cliff.  

Reached this point at 8:09 A.M. Not yet the Suicide Cliff

The view captured in all parts of the trail at the higher elevation are really stunning and majestic.  It really showcases a very wide angle of the city of Hongkong. The skies was not super clear yet at 8:09 A.M.  The steepness of the trail is not good for the faint-hearted, it was literally challenging.

The rock ledge near the Suicide Cliff (Model:  Madame Jonah Chavez Ranchez

Death-defying rock ledge at 8:31 A.M.

I was not really comfortable being at the rock ledge.  One false move there might mean death.  But the thought of getting death-defying once-in-a-lifetime picture has motivated me to push for it.

Scared of my beshie friend Natalie Canete bravely dancing at the rock ledge

The rope segment trail as we descended

We passed thru this point after the jump-off point

We completely reached the jump-off point at 10:15 A.M. While the trail is steep towards Suicide Cliff, it was definitely the same steep trail we used to descend.   

Rested while waiting for our climbing buddies still on their way descending

From the jump-off point, we walked down to Good Hope School and took train heading to our next destination, the cable car experience to Ngong Ping Village.  You may read the continuation of this trip in my Hongkong Trip.  

THANK YOU FOR READING!

REDEFINING MOUNTAIN CLIMBING EXPERIENCE IN TAI MO SHAN OF HONGKONG

 

Location:  New Territories, Hongkong

Jump-off an Exit Point:  Tai Mo Shan Country Park entrance, New Territories, Hongkong

Elevation: 957 MASL (3,140 feet)

Days Required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 1.5 hours

Specs:  Minor Climb; Difficulty 2/9; Trail Class 1

Features: The trail is a concrete road from jump-off point to the summit passable by all types of vehicles with a gradual ascent.  It has view decks which offer spectacular view of the city of Hongkong.  Its summit is considered the highest point Hongkong.

The jump-off point Tai Mo Shan

This is a part of my February 1-6, 2025 Hongkong - Jeju Island of South Korea - Macau Trip  with three climbs, namely:  (1) This Tai Mo Shan of Hongkong, (2) Mount Seongsan Ilchulbong of South Korea, and (3) Suicide Cliff of Kowloon Peak of Hongkong.  It was a different climb from my usual climbs in the Philippines, because this one has  concrete 2-day road from the jump-off point to the summit plus the bonus of having the panoramic view of the skyscrapers of Hongkong.

This is quite a new climbing experience where from the jump-off point to the summit, we just walked in a two-lane concrete road and did not trek along the trails of trees and bushes.

Arriving at Hongkong International Airport

From the airport bus terminal, I took S1 bus heading to Citygate Outlets Mall for HKD10.20 or P99.71.  There were two quick stops since it was very close to the airport.   The point where the bus stopped was  Tung Chung MRT Station, the main destination for shoppes which is right at the gate of the Citygate Outlets Mall.

Leaving my luggage at the locker for rental

Upon arrival at the Citygate Outlets Mall,  my climbing buddy, Nel Opolento, went to its basement to deposit our luggage at the locker.   For a big luggage, we were charged with HKD40 at 10:55 A.M. But when I retrieved it at 6:32 P.M. after our climb in Tao Mo Shan, I had additional of HKD140.  There charging is HKD40 for each 2hours for first 6 hours.  So, when I claimed my luggage at 6:32 P.M., I was charged for another HKD140 making my total rental for HKD180 or P1,759.53.  Compared to Japan's locker for rental, 600 yen if fixed for one day or P225.

Lunch at the Food Opera of Citygate Outlets Mall

My lunch costs HKD65 or P635.39. After our lunch, we bought some trail food and water for the climb for HKD49.50 or P483.87, it already includes a bottled drinking water.

A train transport heading to the bus station up to the jump-off point

From Citygate Outlet Mall, we boarded a train from Tung Chung Station, then it passed thru Sunny Bay station -Disneyland Resort Line, Tsing Yi Station-Airport Express and Lai King station.   Then, we transferred train to Tsuen Wan Line starting from Tuen Mun Station (Light Rail/West Rail) to Mei Foo Station (approximately 10-11 stops).  Then change at Mei Foo to the Tsuen Wan Line (red line).  From to Mei Foo station to Tsuen Wan station are 2 stops which costs HKD20.40 or P199.41.

Bus transport heading to the jump-off point

Upon alighting the train, we walked towards Nina Tower Bus terminal, boarding Bus 51 to Tai Mo Shan Country Park for HKD10.20 or P99.71. The interval of bus trips is 15-30 minutes during peak daytime on weekends/holidays, but much sparser (40-60 minutes) on weekday mornings/evenings.

The Tai Mo Shan Country Park bus stop

From the Tai Mo Shan Country Park bus stop, is only a walking distance heading to the jump-off point where it serves as the entrance.  There is no registration fee or environmental fee.  No need for a guide since you will be trekking along a 2-lane concrete road from the jump-off point to the summit without junctions nor smaller trails where you will be lost.  There are also many bikers heading to the summit. 

The jump-off point or entrance

Just a short walk uphill, you will find the Visitor's Center where you can ease yourself if you want to use the comfort room and something like to wash up.

The Visitor's Center

The Visitor's Center has an Exhibition Gallery about the park's ecology, climate change, and local wildlife, an activity room, public toilets, and a kiosk for refreshments, plus maps and information for hikers starting trails like the MacLehose Trail to the summit, offering great views and insights into nature conservation.

Cars park before the checkpoint

I left the Visitor's Centre at 1:40 P.M. and reached this park's parking spaces at 2:17 P.M.   Some climbers would drive up to this point and take a trek towards the summit.

The car checkpoint heading to the summit

From the car checkpoint, the road will give the hiker the feeling of trekking a road assault.  Though here, we cut trails.  We did not follow the curves of the road, instead we trek it straight having shortcuts.   Those were open trails, but it was cold.  

Such a wide trail where cars can pass

It was foggy overlooking the bay down

One of the trails almost to the summit

At the summit clocking at 3:08 P.M.

The gate of the summit's facility

The one you see at the backdrop is a weather station facility.  Going up to the facility is prohibited and the gate is closed when we arrived there. The entire facility complex at the top has a barbed wire fence.  There is a guard just beyond the fence with cameras everywhere.  There is also a huge sign which says "pictures are not allowed".  Even if it is open as in some days, don't be tempted to get inside for you might be detained in a Hongkong jail.

Tai Mo Shan has a summit elevation of 957 MASL (3,139 feet).  It has distance of 9.2 kilometers or 5.7 miles.  It has an elevation gain of 580 MASL (1,900 feet).

On my way descending the mountain

In my descent, it was a chill one.  I find my get-up so tiring since I was wearing maong pants and had a jacket.  I was not able to change clothes since I left my luggage in a locker at the Citygate Outlets Mall.

The view of Hongkong mainland from view deck in Tai Mo Shan

My travel buddies Nel and Paula at a view deck along our trail in our descent

As we descend the mountain

Getting closer to the jump-off point 4:28 P.M.

Finally reaching the jump-off point at 4:53 P.M.

Back to Tai Mo Shan bus stop

From the bus stop, we took a Bus 51 heading to Nina Tower Bus Terminal for HKD10.20 or P99.71.   Then from Nina Bus Terminal, we walked to Tsuen Wan Station, to take a train to from Tsuen Want Station to Mei Foo Station for 2 stops and changed train at Tsuen Wan Line from Mei Foo Station Tuen Mun Station for 11 stops and transferred to Tung Chung Station heading to Tung Chung Station where this train trip costs HKD20.40 or P199.41 to reach the Citygate Outlets Mall.

Had dinner at the Citygate Outlets Mall with Nel and Paula

We retrieved our luggage from the lockers we deposited it in the morning and to my surprise, the HKD40 I paid initially was not enough since, I need to pay another P140, so I can access my luggage where my locker rental costs a total of HKD180 or  P1,759.53 or US$23.09.  I learned that the terms and conditions for the locker rental is HKD40 for each 2 hours for the first 6 hours.  Compared to Japan's locker rentals, big luggage like mine is only 600 Yen or P225 or US$3.80 for 24 hours.

When we went back to Hongkong and paid for hotel shared accommodation for two, I paid a share of HKD181 or P1,769.30 or US$23.22.  So, it looks as if, depositing your luggage in a locker in Hongkong is more expensive that checking for a backpacker's hotel shared accommodation for two for overnight.

With my travel buddies heading for a Jeju flight

After dinner at Citygate Outlets mall which costs HKD56 or P547.41, we boarded a bus back to Hongkong International Airport for HKD10.20 or P99.70 and arrived there at 8:40 P.M., just to be with our travel buddies heading to Jeju Island through Hongkong Express which was at 2:40 A.M. the following day.

You may also interested to read my blog in Jeju Island trip in South Korea and our climb there in Mount Seongsan Ilchulbong in Jeju Island organized by our reliable "suki" service provider,  Madame Jonah Chavez Ranchez.

So, you might ask me.  How much did I spent for this Day Climb in Hongkong excluding the plane fare and we did not spend for the hotel since I deposited my luggage at a locker in a mall.  The total amount of my expenses is HKD452.10 or  P4,419.35 or US$58.