Just off the coast, there is the beautiful Jeju Island famously known for its large number of honeymooners and vacationers throughout the year. But more than that, Jeju is known for having an abundance of rocks, women, and wind! With the phenomenal natural beauty, historical legacies, unique museums, and an array of water sports make the island one of the best vacation spots in Korea!
1. Hallasan National Park (UNESCO World Heritage)
Situated in the heart of Jeju Island, Mount Hallasan (1,950 meters) is the highest mountain in Korea and a dormant basalt volcano. On top of the mountain is a crater lake (Baengnokdam) which is 3 kilometers in circumference and 500 meters in diameter. The mountain is also surrounded by over 360 small volcanic mountains and 2,000 plant species, making this a truly unique area.
How to get there:
You can either hike or take an intercity bus from Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal bound to Seongpanak.
2. Seongsan Ilchulbong Park (UNESCO World Heritage)
This 182 m peak is the result of the island’s volcanic history. It was originally a volcanic island but was later connected as sand and gravel accumulated in between.
Seongsan Ilchulbong is not only famous for its geological wonder, but also as one of the best places in Korea to watch the sunrise and thus earning the nickname “Sunrise Peak.”
3. Hyeopjae Beach
With its white sand and bright blue waters Hyeopjae Beach is the ideal place for swimmers and it’s often crowded with families during the peak season. Besides the beach there are many a bars and restaurants, there’s even a wide part of grass and a pine forest that is often used by campers.
4. Jeju Folk Village
With a total of 117 houses and facilities, Jeju Folk Village is the island’s main tourist attraction where customs of the past can be explored and experienced. The village museum has restored the scenes of the village to that of the 1890’s.
5. Seopjikoji Coast
In spring Seopjikoji is the perfect getaway to enjoy the spreading rapeseed flowers with beautiful coastal rock shapes behind. A perfect place to take a picture or two!
6. Jusangjeolli Cliffs
Jusangjeolli Cliffs are a set of black, rock pillars of rectangular or hexagonal shapes carved by stonemasons, evidence of nature’s awesome power. The formations were at first created by sudden cooling of lava that shrank in mass. The view on the cliffs and the sea offers a serene and calm feeling. But on days with rough weather, waves can even rise as high as 20 meters!
7. The many quirky Museums
Jeju is packed with a rich array of museums. Ranging from museums showcasing teddy bears, trick art or chocolate. No matter where you go on the island, you’re sure to encounter a number of unusual and delightful museums that are anything but boring!
7.1 Teddy bear Museum
Visitors to the museum are greeted by over 1,000 teddy bears, some acting out scenes and some which special claims to fame (like ones over 100 years old or the one deemed “the world’s most expensive bear”).
7.2 Trick art Museum
Exhibitions allow visitors to become a part of the picture and each display is coupled with examples/instructions on how to take 3-D pictures. The museum also houses a Movie Parody Hall and Dinosaur Adventure Hall.
7.3 Chocolate Museum
A unique interior space with items telling the stories of chocolate, the museum also offers visitors a chance to see the chocolate-making process and get a sample of the end result.
7.4 Love Land
Jeju Island is known as “honeymoon island” and was considered the center of sex education after the Korean War. The Love Land houses erotic sculptures and exhibits (and more) on the theme of sexuality.
