Description

Situated 200 metres west of the picturesque Yongyeon lake in Jeju City, Yongduam (Dragon Head Rock) is much touted in the island province’s tourist literature. Sadly, though it is remains one of the city’s enduring symbols and features in thousands of honeymooners’ photo albums, the rock fails miserably to live up to its vaunted reputation.

The legend surrounding this admittedly unusual rock formation is infinitely more fascinating than the lump of volcanic stone itself. An envoy of the Dragon King who had been sent to Mount Halla to bring back the elixir of eternal youth, was turned into stone by the angry mountain spirit as he attempted to flee, leaving only a rocky head to be eroded by the waves. This may sound intriguing but in the flesh all you see is a rock vaguely reminiscent of an open mouthed dragon surrounded by lots of other rocks, lit by hundreds of camera flashes. It’s all a bit of an anti-climax, and is certainly far less impressive than the sight of the famous female divers (haenyeos) nearby. One to avoid unless you have a lot of time to kill on your way back to the airport, though it does get better if you make it for sunset.