You may be staying at home, but you can still travel virtually!
The Cultural Heritage Administration of South Korea has made Jeju Island accessible to all by participating in the UNESCO’s latest media campaign, “#ShareOurHeritage.”
UNESCO’s #ShareOurHeritage
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, 89% of the World Heritage sites are partially or totally closed. The COVID-19 crisis has disrupted not only our daily lives but also restricted our travel plans. While we can’t travel to our favorite destination, UNESCO’s campaign allows us to visit the heritage sites across the world virtually!
The UNESCO campaign aims to promote world heritage to everyone! And especially those who are unable to visit the magnificent sites because of coronavirus pandemic. The #ShareOurHeritage campaign brings you information from site managers and shows online exhibits with Google Arts & Culture. UNESCO is launching an interactive online exhibition featuring dozens of World Heritage properties from across the globe.
UNESCO is an international organization that provides vast resources about world heritage sites on its website. It also hosts informational videos on its YouTube channel about the heritage sites around the world.
South Korea’s Jeju Island and Lava Tubes
South Korea’s Jeju Island and Lava Tubes were one of the first world heritage sites that were featured on the UNESCO’s online platform.
You can see the entire island, including the Hallasan and Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak. These peaks were formed by hydrovolcanic eruptions and how basalt lava flows created ten huge caves.
Check out the majestic views of Jeju Island here.
Jeju Island is the only place in the world that has three UNESCO designations. It was named a Biosphere Reserve in 2002, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007, and a Global Geopark in 2010.
You can check out a short video created by the Jeju World Natural Heritage Center. The video details the measures the center is taking to avoid spreading the virus. These measures include shutting down indoor exhibitions and checking visitors’ temperatures. Interesting information about the island is provided as well.
UNESCO plans to continue operating the website even after the current crisis ends, to promote cultural heritage properties around the world.
About Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes
Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes is a gorgeous heritage site of outstanding aesthetic beauty and comprises of three sites. It includes Geomunoreum, regarded as the most exceptional lava tube system of caves anywhere. It has multicolored carbonate roofs and floors, and dark-colored lava walls. The fortress-like Seongsan Ilchulbong tuff cone, rising out of the ocean, is a dramatic landscape. And Mount Halla, the highest in Korea, with its waterfalls, multi-shaped rock formations, and the lake-filled crater, is majestic. The site bears testimony to the history of the planet, its features, and its processes.
© UNESCO
And when the travel restrictions to South Korea are uplifted, you can actually travel to Jeju Island and see the sites in person!
- Jeju Island’s hidden gems that you shouldn’t miss out
- Solo Woman Traveler’s Guide to Jeju
- Jeju Island: The Hawaii of South Korea
Feeling more adventurous, you can use the Google Street View and Google Earth to discover Jeju Island!
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