Jeju Island's volcanic environment is made up of forests, grasslands, mountains and water. Hallasan National Park, at the center of the island, is sandwiched between two major cities on the north and south coasts. Hallasan, for which the national park is named, is the large, dormant shield volcano in the middle of the island. Whenever I leave the northern city, called Jeju City, my trip is very beautiful.
The two cities are densely packed. Once you leave either of the two cities, though, you can drive for an hour before you see another two-story building. There are many waterfalls, rivers, trees, mountains and other wonderful natural features scattered around the island. Part of the island has been designated a biosphere reserve, which the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) describes as a place that "promotes solutions reconciling the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use." Underground exists the Geomunoreum Lava Tube System, a beautiful cave system created by lava flows during Hallasan's eruptions long ago.
