Jeongbang Waterfall
Tidefall on Jeju Island, South Korea
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Jeongbang Waterfall (Korean: 정방폭포) is a waterfall and popular tourist attraction located in Seogwipo, Jeju Province, South Korea.[1][2] The waterfall is 23 m (75 ft) high and is very close to the ocean.[2][3] Depending on the level of recent rainfall, it can be up 8 m (26 ft) wide.[4] The source of the waterfall is the stream Donghong-cheon.[5] It is considered to be one of Yeongjusipgeong, the ten greatest scenic wonders of Jeju Island.[1]
| Jeongbang Waterfall | |
|---|---|
A long-exposure image of the waterfall (2007) | |
 Interactive map of Jeongbang Waterfall | |
| Location | Seogwipo, Jeju Province, South Korea |
| Coordinates | 33.244649°N 126.571662°E |
| Total height | 23 m (75 ft) |
| Number of drops | 1 |
| Total width | 8 m (26 ft) |
Legend states that a holy dragon lived underneath it.[6] It was said that the dragon's spirit is contained in the water which can cure diseases and bring rain during drought.[6] Furthermore, a nearby small waterfall is said to resemble a servant waiting on a lord.[6]
A legend states that Emperor Qin Shi Huang of China (259 BC – 210 BC) sent a servant, Seobul, to fetch the magical herbs of eternal youth from the island's mountain Hallasan.[7][1] Though he failed to find the herb, he encountered Jeongbang Falls on the way and he left his autograph, Seobul Gwaji (which literally means "Seobul was here"[8]), on the cliff wall, where it no longer remains.[1][9] An inscription on the wall of the waterfall saying "Seobulgwacha", refers to Seobul's journey.[7] The waterfall is one of the three famous waterfalls of Jeju, along with Cheonjiyeon Waterfall and Cheonjeyeon Waterfall.[1] A smaller waterfall, Sojeongbang Waterfall is 300 m to the east.[2][7][1]
The waterfall is also known to be a location related to the 1948 Jeju uprising. Civilians caught up in the uprising were executed near the falls, and their bodies were disposed of over the waterfall.[10]