Igidae Cliff
Vulcan, God of fire, facing the sea
The cliff provides magnificent natural views with sea cliffs, wave-cut terraces and sea caves shaped by waves pounding against the various volcanic rocks and sedimentary rock strata, comprising lava, volcanic ash and pyroclastic flow from intense andesitic volcanic activity 80 million years ago.
On the trail course along the coast leading to Oryukdo Islands, you can appreciate the various geological, geographical and topographical landscapes of a copper mine, potholes, horsetail structure, and Hornblende megacrysts-bearing dikes.
Introduce
By a powerful eruption of andesitic volcanoes 80 million years ago, volcanic ash and pyroclastics where topped and eroded by wave action to create grand sea cliffs, wave-cut platforms, and sea caves.
Origin of its name
“Igidae” refers to the platform located on the eastern coast where Jangsanbong Peak faces the sea belonging to Yongho3-dong. It is located just beyond the hill of Yongho Sewage Treatment Plant. The sea east of Jangsanbong Peak (22.3m) is dangerous for public access, albeit with an outstanding landscape due to oddly-shaped rock cliffs and beautiful scenery that can be observed by boat. However, Igidae Cliff is located where the slanting bedrock sinks into the sea, and the location it is sitting on is similar almost to the flat surface that stretches about 2km to the sea in parallel with the mountain. With an outstanding view of surging waves and the East Sea, it is also a great place for fishing and taking in superb sunrises and sunsets. Restriction on civilian access, due to the area’s former status as an military operation zone, was lifted in 1993 when it was opened to the public. The name Igidae can be found in the 『Records of Dongnae Camp』.
The 『Records of Dongnae Camp』 is a collection and supplementation of the previous records written by Yi Hyeongha, Navy Commander of Left Gyeongsang-do (held office between Dec. 30, 1849 and Aug. 21, 1850), containing detailed description of history and geography of the Navy Command of Left Geongsang-do. Igidae appears in the Sancheon Section of this book, which says, “Igidae is located 6km south of the Navy Command of Left Geongsang-do. It is referred to as such because there are two gisaeng (Korean geisha) graves there.
According to local historian Choe Hanbok (1895∼1968; born in Suyeong), during the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592, Japanese troops took Suyeongseong Fortress and held a feast to celebrate this beautiful place, in which two gisaeng from Suyeong participated. They served wine to the Japanese generals, fell down to the water with them and died. It is said the name Igidae comes from this story.
Name and history
“Igidae” is the platform located on the eastern coast where Jangsanbong Peak faces the sea. The name Igidae appears in the Sancheon Section of the 『Records of Dongnae Camp』: “Igidae is located 6km south of the Navy Command of Left Geongsang-do. It is referred to as such because there are two gisaeng (Korean geisha) graves there.” During the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592, Japanese troops took Suyeongseong Fortress and held a feast to celebrate this beautiful place, in which two gisaeng from Suyeong participated. They served wine to the Japanese generals, fell down to the water with them and died. It is said the name Igidae comes from this story.
Tourist information
Igidae Coastal Walkway ▪ 3.95㎞ ▪ Average 2 hours
- A masterpiece path on the cliffs by the sea
- Part of Busan Galmaet-gil Couse 9
- Course: Dongsaengmal Trail → Eoul Madang → Nongbawi Rock → Oryukdo Sunrise Park
Oryukdo Skywalk (Access by wheelchair is permitted only to the bridge entrance. Wheelchairs may not enter the glass bridge.)
- Open: Year-round (closed on public holidays)
- Operating hours: 09:00~18:00 open year-round (closed on public holidays)
※ Access is restricted when it is snowy, rainy and very windy.
Representative vegetation
Sword-leaf crepidiastru
Sword-leaf crepidiastru, a herbaceous perennial belonging to the chrysanthemum family, grows in cracks in rocks on the seashore with leaves and sprouts eaten as a vegetable dish. Leaves are split in feather form that are thicker and tougher than those of Korean lettuce. Several yellow flowers hang from the ends of the stems in the late autumn.
Boehmeria pannosa
Boehmeria pannosa, a herbaceous perennial belonging to the Urticaceae family, is distributed on the southern coast of Korea. Its abundant leaves are thick and hairy to prevent transpiration due to frequent prevailing winds on the seashore. Due to its robust fibers on the skin of the stems, it was used as a material for “ramie” fabric.
Erecta fig
Erecta fig, a deciduous shrub belonging to the Moraceae genus, grows on the southern coast of Korea. The name Erecta fig means fruit eaten by heavenly Taoist immortals. It is similar to regular figs and can be eaten when it ripens into a dark purple in Aug.~Sept.
Aster spathulifolius
Aster spathulifolius, a perennial herb of the chrysanthemum family that grows in cracks in seashore rocks or mountains, is a common sight along the Busan seashore. Its violet flowers blooming in clusters in the autumn are a beautiful sight.
Geological features of Igidae Cliff and Oryukdo Islands
The Igidae and Oryukdo areas comprise volcanic rocks and tuffaceous sedimentary rocks made by lava, volcanic ash and pyroclastic flow from intense volcanic activity in the late Cretaceous period of the Mesozoic Era, about 80 million years ago.
In particular, the Igidae coast and Oryukdo quay are well-developed volcanic breccias, tuffaceous sedimentary rock and dikes that broke through these rocks and rose up.