Gageodo Island (Sohuksando)

Gageodo Island (Sohuksando) is the southwesternmost island of South Korea, so close to China that the crowing of Chinese roosters can be heard. It boasts majestic scenery with the high peak of Doksilsan (639m) and steep cliffs. The Seomdeung Peninsula on the west side of the island is a peninsula-shaped terrain where the entire peninsula forms columnar joints along the coastline, also called Seomdeungbyeongpung Rock. The rocky peaks made of奇特 cliffs and the sea cliffs spread out like a folding screen create a spectacular view, especially beautiful at sunset. The name Gageodo is said to come from the meaning 'an island worth living on,' or from the legend that no matter how far you go, the end of the sea route is not visible. Gageodo is a very important island as a fishing base in the West Sea. It is a golden fishing ground where Korean, Chinese, and Japanese fishing boats compete, and due to its location at the southwesternmost tip of the country, it is geographically, diplomatically, and politically significant. Anchovies, croakers, hairtail, tuna, sea bream, and various other fish gather here, attracting many anglers year-round. In the sea off the Gageodo Lighthouse lies Guheuldo (Guguldo), a natural monument and breeding ground for seabirds. Summer migratory birds such as streaked shearwaters and horned grebes nest and breed on this uninhabited island, and over a hundred species of migratory birds rest or breed on Gageodo in spring and autumn.