As one of the symbols of Jeju island, it is one of the most popular tourist sites here, often crowded with visitors, so it's little wonder that the area around the place has flourished with souvenir vendors and eateries setting up shop there. If you want to catch a good view of it, get there just before lunch like we did. Our flight arrived into Seoul Inchon International Airport at around 7am. We then took an hour's ride over to the domestic airport to make our connection to Jeju, arriving there at around 10:30am. After clearing customs procedures and immigration, we got to the rock at about 11-ish. After the visit, it was time for lunch at one of the many seafood restaurants that dot the island.

Legend has it that the Dragon King, Yong Wang, sent a young dragon emissary to steal the Bulloch'o, an herbal elixir that is claimed to be the source of everlasting life, from the Spirit of Mt. Halla (highest peak on Jeju-do). He managed to steal the flaming pearl, but as he was trying to escape, flying off towards the sea, the angry Halla-san-shin shot him with an arrow and he fell into the ocean. The Dragon King then turned his loyal subject into stone as he was falling into the waters. Part of the emissary's body is submerged with his head above the waters, rearing towards the sky. On many a windy day, the crashing waves against the rocks suggest the fury of a dragon.

Lying about 200m east of the Yong du-am is Yongyeon or Dragon Pool. It is believed to be the playground of the dragons. The lake is a popular boating venue for Koreans in the past, with clear emerald waters and lush green cliffs surrounding the lake. It is setting made for romance, especially on balmy summer nights when the moon is full and reflected on the still dark mirror waters of the lake.