YOSULGUNG

Yosulgung is an ancient thing—first repurposed into a hideaway, later a school—for the first magic settlers on Jeju Island, who fought to keep its location closely guarded. While attending the school, inquiring minds may choose to explore the grounds and what lies beyond the palace walls. With a thousand years of history laid to rest here, there is much for the students to discover in their own time.

Architecture
Buildings on the premises range from the grandiose Main Hall to the tiny pavilion. Walkways with colourful ceilings seem to speak of a long-gone era. They sprawl the entire palace compound, linking together rooms with wooden floors, wooden rafters, and wooden doors. It was once believed evil travelled in straight lines: in order to stop it from entering the buildings, they built with the ends of roofs all curved up.

Granite lanterns light the way for students along stepping-stone paths in the early mornings and late evenings.

White Deer Lake
A crater lake lies near the palace, formed after the collapse of the mountain ridge thanks to the movement of magma underground. Depending on the season, the circumference of the lake is up to 2 kilometres, with a depth up to about 120 meters. Imugi students can find their lakeside dormitories here, as well as whatever else lurks within the mist. (See: Flora & Fauna)

Headmaster's Recommendation
While Hallasan offers some of the most striking views on the island, the Cheonjiyeon waterfall (lit. "sky connected with land") and Manjanggul lava tubes are said to be well worth a visit.

MOUNT HALLASAN

Located on Jeju Island, Hallasan is a massive extinct volcano and the highest point in South Korea. The word Han represents the universe, and la means "pull". Both words mean that the mountain is high enough to pull the universe. According to an old legend, if anyone were to climb up the mountain, see a star and call out to it, they could live a longer life. The mountain can indeed be seen from all places on the island, but its peak is often covered in clouds as well as various concealment charms.

Trails
The steep trails leading up the side of Halla Mountain are particularly popular among muggles for their colorful fall foliage and breathtaking scenery of endless gorges. A staircase rising up into the mists announces the start of the climb to come. Up, and up, and up...

Sky Pillar

Sky Pillar is the very first tourist stop at the foothills of Hallasan. On their climb toward the summit, muggles must venture past this structure, hoping to be treated to a view of breathtaking yet desolate mountaintops barely visible through mist. However, witches and wizards that pass through the pillar are transported via a hidden portal to the gates of Yosulgung, the sky palace of witchcraft and wizardry.

Mountain Air
At 1950m, the mountaintop altitude isn't an immediate danger, but just enough to make you short of breath. In order to prevent altitude sickness and create a comfortable environment for students, the air in and around the school is pressurized with magic. Did your ears just pop? Don't worry, that only happens if you've been away for a while.

HEAVEN'S GATE

Transportalizing from the Sky Pillar takes you to Heaven's Gate. The structure is made of magnificent stone and paintwork on wood, flanked by tall lava rock statues of the four house guardians. Beyond the entrance sits the outer courtyard, accessible through a wide bridge over a moat garden that fills with multicolored petals whenever the trees are in bloom.

The Imperial Complex
At the heart of the first courtyard springs an ancient and evergreen Nutmeg tree. The wide stone-paved square is surrounded by roofed walkways that further lead to various buildings within the palace compound, as seen below. Directly across the tree sits the Main Hall, where students and faculty often gather to eat, hear announcements and celebrate special events.

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