Cheonjeyeon Waterfall
Encyclopedia
Cheonjeyeon Waterfall, not to be confused with the Cheonjiyeon Waterfall
, is a three-tier waterfall
located on Jeju Island
. Cold water flows out of the ceiling of a cave to make the waterfall. Between the precipice of the waterfall and the lower clay layer, water springs out. In first cascade, the cliff is 22 m (72.2 ft) high and the water falls into Cheonjeyeon pond
which is 21 m (68.9 ft) deep. From there, the water goes to the second waterfall and falls 30 m (98.4 ft) and continues to the third waterfall. Eventually, the water reaches the ocean. Cheonjeyeon means Pond of the Emperor of Heaven. According to Korea
n legend
, seven nymphs would descend from the heavens
at night and bathe in the waterfall's pond
. The falls are a popular tourist attraction
on Jeju-do
.
The warm temperate forest
around Cheonjeyeon Waterfall was designated Natural Monument
No. 378 in 1993 because of the rare plants it contains and its value for scientific research. Rare plants such as the solipnan (솔잎난) plants or skeleton fork fern (Psilotum nudum
) can be found around the falls in the crevices of rocks.
Since ancient times, it is thought that standing under the waterfall on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month can cure disease
s by the eighth lunar month, though swimming is now prohibited. On the May of even-numbered years, the Chilseonyeo (Seven Nymphs) Festival is held at this location. The waterfall is one of the three famous waterfalls of Jeju, the other two being Cheonjiyeon Waterfall
and Jeongbang Waterfall
.
Above the falls is Seonimgyo Bridge
, which symbolizes the legend of Cheonjeyeon.
Cheonjiyeon Waterfall
Cheonjiyeon Waterfall is a waterfall on Jeju Island, South Korea. Literally, the name Cheonjiyeon means sky connected with land . It is one of the main tourist attractions on Jeju-do. It is high and wide. Though water always falls in one particular area, depending on the amount of recent rain,...
, is a three-tier waterfall
Waterfall
A waterfall is a place where flowing water rapidly drops in elevation as it flows over a steep region or a cliff.-Formation:Waterfalls are commonly formed when a river is young. At these times the channel is often narrow and deep. When the river courses over resistant bedrock, erosion happens...
located on Jeju Island
Jeju-do
Jeju-do is the only special autonomous province of South Korea, situated on and coterminous with the country's largest island. Jeju-do lies in the Korea Strait, southwest of Jeollanam-do Province, of which it was a part before it became a separate province in 1946...
. Cold water flows out of the ceiling of a cave to make the waterfall. Between the precipice of the waterfall and the lower clay layer, water springs out. In first cascade, the cliff is 22 m (72.2 ft) high and the water falls into Cheonjeyeon pond
Pond
A pond is a body of standing water, either natural or man-made, that is usually smaller than a lake. A wide variety of man-made bodies of water are classified as ponds, including water gardens, water features and koi ponds; all designed for aesthetic ornamentation as landscape or architectural...
which is 21 m (68.9 ft) deep. From there, the water goes to the second waterfall and falls 30 m (98.4 ft) and continues to the third waterfall. Eventually, the water reaches the ocean. Cheonjeyeon means Pond of the Emperor of Heaven. According to Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
n legend
Legend
A legend is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude...
, seven nymphs would descend from the heavens
Heavens
Heavens was an independent rock band featuring Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio and Josiah Steinbrick. The duo signed to Epitaph Records and released their debut album, Patent Pending, on September 12, 2006....
at night and bathe in the waterfall's pond
Pond
A pond is a body of standing water, either natural or man-made, that is usually smaller than a lake. A wide variety of man-made bodies of water are classified as ponds, including water gardens, water features and koi ponds; all designed for aesthetic ornamentation as landscape or architectural...
. The falls are a popular tourist attraction
Tourist attraction
A tourist attraction is a place of interest where tourists visit, typically for its inherent or exhibited cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, or amusement opportunities....
on Jeju-do
Jeju-do
Jeju-do is the only special autonomous province of South Korea, situated on and coterminous with the country's largest island. Jeju-do lies in the Korea Strait, southwest of Jeollanam-do Province, of which it was a part before it became a separate province in 1946...
.
The warm temperate forest
Temperate forest
Temperate forests correspond to forest concentrations formed in the northern hemisphere. Main characteristics include: wide leaves, big and tall trees and non seasonal vegetation...
around Cheonjeyeon Waterfall was designated Natural Monument
Natural monuments of South Korea
This is a partial list of natural monuments of South Korea. By 2009 a total of 576 animal, plants, landforms, geological formations, and nature reserves had been designated by the Cultural Heritage Administration of South Korea as natural monuments...
No. 378 in 1993 because of the rare plants it contains and its value for scientific research. Rare plants such as the solipnan (솔잎난) plants or skeleton fork fern (Psilotum nudum
Psilotum nudum
Psilotum nudum is a fern plant. Like the other species in the order Psilotales, it lacks roots. It is found in tropical Africa, Central America, tropical and subtropical North America, South America,, tropical Asia, Australia, Hawaii, southern Japan, Lord Howe Island, New Zealand, with a few...
) can be found around the falls in the crevices of rocks.
Since ancient times, it is thought that standing under the waterfall on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month can cure disease
Disease
A disease is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism. It is often construed to be a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by external factors, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune...
s by the eighth lunar month, though swimming is now prohibited. On the May of even-numbered years, the Chilseonyeo (Seven Nymphs) Festival is held at this location. The waterfall is one of the three famous waterfalls of Jeju, the other two being Cheonjiyeon Waterfall
Cheonjiyeon Waterfall
Cheonjiyeon Waterfall is a waterfall on Jeju Island, South Korea. Literally, the name Cheonjiyeon means sky connected with land . It is one of the main tourist attractions on Jeju-do. It is high and wide. Though water always falls in one particular area, depending on the amount of recent rain,...
and Jeongbang Waterfall
Jeongbang Waterfall
Jeongbang Waterfall is a famous waterfall on Jeju Island. The waterfall is high and is very close to the ocean. Depending on the level of recent rainfall, it can be up wide. The source of the waterfall is the stream Donghong-chun. According to some sources, Jeongbang Waterfall is the only...
.
Above the falls is Seonimgyo Bridge
Seonimgyo Bridge
Seonimgyo Bridge is an arch bridge on Jeju Island over Cheonjeyeon Waterfall that has seven nymphs carved on both sides. It crosses from east to west over the stream between the second and third tiers of Cheonjeyeon waterfall. The bridge is also called Chilseonyeogyo or Seven Nymphs Bridge...
, which symbolizes the legend of Cheonjeyeon.