Hello, travel lovers! 🌍 Today I’m going to tell you about a place I highly recommend if you’re planning a trip to South Korea, or if you’re looking for a hidden gem in the country: Jeju-do. Jeju-do is a volcanic island located south of the Korean mainland that is loved not only by Koreans but also by travelers from all over the world for its beauty and unique charm.
If you’re a foreign traveler visiting Jeju Island for the first time, this article will give you a very detailed and friendly explanation from my perspective. So, let’s take a journey into the fantastic charm of Jeju Island together. ✈️
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🌴 What is Jeju Island like?
Jeju Island is also known as the Island of the Gods, and it lives up to its name with its mysterious and beautiful natural beauty. It’s a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, and Korea’s tallest mountain, Hallasan, stands majestically in the center of the island. The island is a unique blend of volcanic terrain, beautiful beaches, and lush forests. Whether you’re looking for relaxation or active adventure, Jeju has something for everyone! ✨
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🗺️ How to get to & around Jeju Island
Because Jeju Island is an island, it is generally most convenient to travel by airplane.
- From within South Korea: There are many domestic flights from Seoul’s Gimpo Airport (GMP) or Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Jeju International Airport (CJU). There are also direct flights from other major cities such as Busan and Daegu. (Travel time: about 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes)
- 💡 Tip: You can also take the KTX (high-speed rail) from Seoul to Busan or Mokpo, and then take a boat from the local port to Jeju Island, but flying is much more efficient in terms of time and cost.
There are three main ways to get around Jeju Island.
- **Rental Car: 👍 Highly recommended!
Renting a car gives you the freedom to travel whenever and wherever you want, so it’s the most recommended option.
- What to bring: International Driver’s License (issued by a country that is a signatory to the Geneva Convention or Vienna Convention), passport, home country driver’s license.
- 💡 Tip: In Korea, the driver’s seat is on the left, and traffic passes on the right. Navigation is mostly in Korean, but nowadays, English support is also available, or you can use a smartphone app (Kakao Nav, Naver Maps).
- Bus:
- Jeju Island is well-connected by mainline buses (blue), local buses (green), and express buses (red) that circulate throughout the island. Major tourist attractions can also be reached by bus.
- Pros: The cost is low, and you can take in the sights of Jeju Island at a leisurely pace when using public transportation.
- Cons: Some remote areas may be difficult to reach, or the buses may be long and time-consuming. (T-Money card accepted)
- Taxi / Kakao T:**
- Convenient when traveling in a hurry or traveling only a certain section. With the ‘Kakao Taxi’ app, you can easily call a taxi without language barriers.
- Pros: Convenient and fast.
- Cons: Costly compared to renting a car or bus.
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🏞️ Must-see attractions in Jeju Island
Jeju Island is a diverse place that combines nature and culture, and while there are too many attractions to name just a few, here are some of our favorite spots for international travelers.
🌟 Natural Beauty
- Hallasan National Park: ⛰️ The highest mountain in South Korea, Hallasan National Park has a different appeal in every season. There are a variety of courses ranging from short exploration courses for beginners to professional climbing courses. Especially the fall foliage and winter snow scenery are unforgettable.
- Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak: 🌅 Designated as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, its huge crater looks like a crown. It is very famous as a sunrise spot, and you can climb to the top in about 20 minutes, making it a relatively easy hike with great views.
- Jusangjeolli Cliffs: 🌊 These mysterious coastal cliffs were formed by lava flowing down and solidifying into a hexagonal shape. The way the waves crash against the cliffs is truly spectacular. It is located near Jungmun Tourist Complex and is easily accessible.
- Waterfalls – Cheonjiyeon, Jeongbang, Cheonjeyeon: 🏞️ There are several beautiful waterfalls on Jeju Island.
- Cheonjiyeon Waterfall: It is beautifully lit up both day and night, creating a mystical atmosphere.
- Jeongbang Waterfall:** It is famous for being the only waterfall in Asia that falls directly into the sea.
- Cheonjeyeon Falls:** This waterfall is made up of three ponds, and legend has it that fairies descended to bathe here.
- Oreums: ⛰️ These are small parasitic volcanoes scattered throughout Jeju Island. Each oreum has a different charm, and the summit offers a bird’s eye view of Jeju’s beautiful landscape. For example, Saebyeol Oreum has a beautiful colorful landscape and is especially stunning at sunset.
🏛️ Culture & Unique Spots
- Dol Hareubang: 🗿 A symbol and guardian spirit of Jeju Island, these stone statues are often found at village entrances and roadsides. It’s also a popular souvenir from your trip to Jeju!
- Haenyeo Museum & Diving Show: 🧜♀️ Jeju’s Haenyeo are strong women who dive into the sea barefoot and without oxygen to collect seafood. Their culture is listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It’s a truly unique experience to get a glimpse into the life of a Haenyeo at the museum and watch a demonstration of real Haenyeo diving. (You can watch the show near Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak.)
- Osulloc Tea Museum: 🍵 Vast green tea fields and beautiful architecture combine here. You can explore the tea museum and try a variety of green tea desserts such as green tea ice cream and green tea cake. There are also plenty of photo spots.
- Dongmun Market: 🐟 This is the place to experience Jeju’s vibrant market culture. It’s a great place to visit at night for fresh seafood, Jeju specialties, street food, and more.
- Camellia Hill / Hallim Park: 🌸🌿 An arboretum filled with beautiful flowers and trees. Camellia Hill is famous for its camellia flowers, while Hallim Park is especially popular with families as it has a variety of botanical themes and traditional Jeju houses.
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🍜 Jeju Food Exploration (Jeju Food Exploration!)
Another great part of traveling to Jeju is the delicious food. There are many specialty foods that use fresh seafood and other ingredients unique to Jeju.
- Jeju Black Pork BBQ: 🐷 This is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Jeju Island! The flavor of juicy black pork grilled over charcoal is fantastic. Dip the thick meat in meljut (anchovy liquid jjut sauce) for an unforgettable flavor.
- Fresh Seafood: 🦑🦐🐟 Surrounded by the sea on all sides, you can enjoy fresh seafood to your heart’s content on Jeju Island. Abalone, galchi, mackerel sashimi, and other seafood dishes are famous, and especially galchi jorim and mackerel jorim are typical Jeju dishes that Koreans love.
- Tangerines / Hallabong: 🍊 These are the representative fruits of Jeju Island. They are especially delicious in winter and have a refreshing flavor and aroma. In addition to fresh fruits, be sure to try citrus juice, citrus chocolate, Hallabong ice cream, and other processed products!
- Pork Noodles (Gogi Guksu): 🍲 These noodles are made with pork and noodles boiled in a rich broth made from pork bones. It’s warm and filling, so it’s great for breakfast.
- Horse Shrimp Dishes: 🦐 Horse shrimp caught in Jeju’s waters have a sweeter flavor and chewier texture than regular shrimp. It can be enjoyed in various dishes such as horse shrimp sashimi, steamed horse shrimp, and horse shrimp ramen.
- Jeju Cafe Culture: ☕ Jeju is home to many beautiful cafes with unique personalities, whether overlooking the ocean or hidden in the lush green forest. Enjoy a relaxing time on Jeju Island with delicious coffee and sweets.
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🏄♀️ Special activities to enjoy on Jeju Island
- Ole Walking Trails: 🚶♀️ These are beautiful walking trails along the coastline of Jeju Island. There are courses with varying levels of difficulty and scenery, so you can choose the one that suits your fitness level and preferences.
- Marine Sports: 🏄♂️ During the summer months, you can enjoy a variety of marine sports such as surfing, snorkeling, and kayaking. It’s a great experience to take a surfing lesson at Jungmun Beach or Woljeongri Beach.
- Horse Riding: 🐎 Jeju Island is also the home of horses. Riding a horse in the vast grasslands and enjoying the beautiful scenery is a special experience that you can only do on Jeju Island.
- Tangerine Picking Experience: 🍊 If you are visiting Jeju Island during the fall or winter season, you can go to a citrus farm and pick fresh citrus yourself. The taste of fresh citrus is unbeatable!
- ATV / Karting Experience: For a thrilling activity, try riding an ATV (all-terrain vehicle) or a kart through the nature of Jeju Island.
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🛌 Accommodation Selection Guide
There are many different types of accommodations on Jeju Island.
- Hotels: These range from luxury resorts to budget-friendly business hotels. The Jungmun complex in Seogwipo has many luxury resorts, while downtown Jeju has many hotels that are easily accessible.
- Guesthouses/Pensions: If you’re looking for something more affordable and local, a guesthouse or pension is a great option. There are many lovely options in a variety of locations, including near the beach and at the foot of Hallasan Mountain.
- Airbnb: If you’re looking for something unique and personal, or if you’re traveling with a group, Airbnb is a great option.
Tips for choosing a location:
- Downtown Jeju: Close to the airport, convenient for shopping and city sightseeing.
- Seogwipo Jungmun: Home to many high-end resorts and tourist spots, it’s great if you want to travel in comfort and luxury.
- Eastern and western Jeju coastline: Great if you want to relax in the quiet and beautiful nature.
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💡 Jeju Travel Tips!
- Reserve your rental car in advance: Rental cars can be scarce, especially during peak season, so it’s a good idea to book your rental car right after booking your flight.
- Check the weather often: Jeju Island can be very changeable, especially when it’s windy or raining, so always check the weather before and during your trip and be prepared to dress accordingly. (It’s a good idea to pack warm layers!)
- Please bring comfortable shoes: You’ll be doing a lot of walking and being active on Jeju Island, so comfortable walking shoes are a must.
- Language: If you don’t speak Korean, don’t worry too much! Major tourist attractions and restaurants will have English menus, or you can use a smartphone translation app (like Papago) and you shouldn’t have any problems communicating.
- When to go: Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) are the best seasons to travel, with mild weather and beautiful scenery. Summer is great for marine sports, and winter is another favorite because you can see the snow-capped Hallasan Mountain and camellia flowers.
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I hope this blog post will help you plan your trip to Jeju Island. Jeju Island is more than just a tourist destination, it’s a living museum and relaxation center in its own right. Discover Jeju’s beautiful nature, delicious food, and warm people. You’re sure to have an unforgettable experience!
We wish you many wonderful memories on Jeju Island! Have a safe and enjoyable trip! 💖✈️