Around Korea: Five Reasons to Visit Jeju Island (2024)

Jeju Island is one of South Korea’s most visited tourist locations and combines beautiful nature with sandy beaches.

For those looking to get out of the major cities on the peninsula and to experience a unique locale in South Korea, Jeju Island provides great accommodation options, stunning nature, great food, quirky museums and picturesque landscapes.

If you’re considering to visit the island, here’s five reasons that will make you want to visit Jeju.

Around Korea: Five Reasons to Visit Jeju Island (1)Stunning beaches

The most gorgeous beaches in Korea are located on Jeju island. Hyeopjae Beach and Woljeongri Beach are two beautiful choices that have emerald waves and pristine sand with a distinct atmosphere no matter which season you visit.

Great food with an island twist

Surrounded by the sea, fresh seafood makes Jeju Island a foodie lover’s delight. Feast on local cuisines like abalone kimbap or grilled cutlass fish, and don’t forget to try the Jeju black pork, one of the island’s many delicacies.

Around Korea: Five Reasons to Visit Jeju Island (2) Fresher air than the mainland

Unlike other places in South Korea, you will be pleasantly surprised to breathe in fresh air once you hike to the top of a mountain. As a bonus to the fresh air from your trek, stunning views from the top are great places to take out your camera and enjoy nature’s beauty.

Get back to nature

The most famous volcanic mountain on the island is Seongsan Ilchulbong, located on the eastern end of Jeju Island. Also known as “sunrise peak” for its beautiful view, taking pictures of the sunrise from the volcanic crater is must-do when you visit there.

Around Korea: Five Reasons to Visit Jeju Island (3)Visiting the surrounding islands

Marado, Chaguido, Udo, and Biyangdo are smaller islands just off of Jeju Island which are worth a look. One of the best islands in Jeju City is Udo, which is the biggest island in Jeju City, located northeast of Seongsan-ri. Rent a bike to explore the beautiful surroundings, or take a walk to best explore the islands.

Around Korea: Five Reasons to Visit Jeju Island (2024)

FAQs

Around Korea: Five Reasons to Visit Jeju Island? ›

For those looking to get out of the major cities on the peninsula and to experience a unique locale in South Korea, Jeju Island provides great accommodation options, stunning nature, great food, quirky museums and picturesque landscapes.

Why should we visit Jeju Island? ›

The island is known for its unique cuisine, most notably the local seafood caught by Jeju's famous female deep-sea divers (haenyeo), all of whom are aged 60 and over. Jeju's beaches are perfectly suited for some coastal relaxation, its idyllic waters cloaking vivid seascapes of coral.

Why is Jeju Island important to Korea? ›

Jeju Island is the youngest volcanic island in Korea and various volcanic landforms are well preserved such as lava tube caves, small volcanic edifices, volcanic shield, etc. It provides various magnificent landscapes from alpine plants of Mount Hallasan to colorful soft temperate corals under the sea.

Why is Jeju special? ›

Tourism commands a large fraction of Jeju's economy. Jeju's temperate climate, natural scenery, and beaches make it a popular tourist destination for South Koreans as well as visitors from other parts of East Asia. The island is sometimes called "South Korea's Hawaii".

What are the three things in Jeju? ›

Jeju has long been known for having three things in abundance, called the samda. These Three Abundances of Jeju Island are wind, women and stone. Given its location in the sea, Jeju experiences strong winds throughout the year. There are occasional typhoons in summer and fall.

What is the best part of Jeju Island? ›

10 Most Popular Neighbourhoods on Jeju Island
  • Jungmun Tourist Complex.
  • Nohyeong-dong.
  • Aewol-eup.
  • Seongsan-eup.
  • Gimnyeong-ri.
  • Hallim-eup.
  • Pyoseon-ri.
  • Hyeopjae-ri.

What is the story of Jeju Island? ›

Jeju Island is where approximately 200 people were sent into exile throughout the 500 years of the Choseon Dynasty. The island was suitable to isolate criminals because it was cut off from the mainland and it was difficult to travel there at that time.

Is it worth to go to Jeju Island? ›

Whether you're visiting just for a short weekend getaway, or looking to fill up a week or beyond – Jeju is well suited to any kind of holiday. If you only have two days up your sleeve, it's still well worth it to visit.

Why is Jeju Island called the island of the gods? ›

As per legend, demi-gods lived in the region once and the island, which is situated in the Korean strait towards the south of the South Jeolla Province, got the appellation 'Island of the Gods'.

How many tourists visit Jeju Island? ›

26 (Yonhap) -- An all-time high of 13.59 million South Koreans visited the southern resort island of Jeju this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jeju Tourism Association said Monday. A total of 13.68 million people from home and abroad visited Jeju between Jan. 1 and Dec.

What is the culture of Jeju? ›

Culture. Jejuans have a culture and language that are distinct from that of the Korean Peninsula. Jeju is also home to thousands of unique local legends. Perhaps the most distinct cultural artifact is the ubiquitous dol hareubang ("stone grandfather") carved from a block of basalt throughout the island.

What is Jeju Island also known as? ›

Jeju Island, also known as the "Island of the Gods," is a popular vacation spot for Koreans and foreigners. It remains the top honeymoon destination for Korean newlyweds.

Why are rocks in Jeju black? ›

The Dol Hareubang, the human-shaped statues of Jeju Island, and the black volcanic stone walls of the island are both made from basalt, a type of volcanic rock with a porous surface mostly made during volcanic activity.

How many days do you need in Jeju Island? ›

How Many Days in Jeju is enough? At least 3 days! But 3 days is only enough for you to see the major attractions in Jeju at a rushing pace if you're on a tight schedule. We recommended spending 5 days visiting Jeju Island at a relaxing pace.

Is Jeju Island touristy? ›

Lying in the Korea Strait, just to the south of mainland South Korea, Jeju is the largest island in the nation and is a very popular tourist destination amongst both Koreans and foreigners alike.

Which month is best for Jeju? ›

The best time to visit Jeju island is from April to June and September to October. What is this? April to June is the end of spring and early summer. The weather is warm but still dry with little rainfall.

What is the best season to visit Jeju? ›

The best time to visit Jeju Island in South Korea is from November to May when the climate is the driest and when temperatures are mild. Winter is popular for activities include hiking and gastronomy, while Spring is the best time for sightseeing, especially Manjanggul Cave (a UNESCO World Heritage site).

Can you walk around Jeju Island? ›

Jeju Olle Trail, a series of walking trails that stretch around the entire coast of the island, is one of the many attractions and activities that Jeju has to offer. The trails pass through various landscapes along the way, including small villages, beaches, farms and forests.

What does Jeju mean in Korean? ›

Noun. 제주 (jeju) art, capacity, talent.

Who is the goddess of Jeju Island? ›

The Samgong bon-puri is a Korean shamanic narrative recited in southern Jeju Island, associated with the goddess Samgong.

What is the old name of Jeju Island? ›

Before the Japanese annexation in 1910, the island was usually known as Quelpart (Quelpaërt, Quelpaert) to Europeans; during the occupation it was known by the Japanese name Saishū.

Is Jeju English friendly? ›

No English! One of the cool things about Jeju Island is that it's mostly visited by local Korean and Asian tourists. It is not a well-known destination otherwise. This makes it very special experience, but it also means that there is very little English-support on the island.

Can you swim in Jeju Island? ›

The Geumneung Beach is a beautiful and popular beach on Jeju Island. It's perfect for swimming, snorkeling, windsurfing, and kitesurfing. There are also nice cafes and good hotels around.

Is Jeju Island for couples? ›

What to Do on a Romantic Trip to Jeju? Jeju appeals to couples and honeymooners with its scenes of open seas, the sky, and the vivid greens of Baekyaki Oreum Volcanic Cone making every moment feel cinematic.

What fruit is Jeju Island known for? ›

Citrus platymamma, called byeonggyul (병귤, [pʲʌŋ. ɡʲul]) in Korean and benjul (벤줄; [pen. dʑul]) in Jeju, is a Korean citrus fruit native to Jeju Island.

What is the famous drink in Jeju Island? ›

The omegisul beverage is the traditional alcohol of Jeju Island made from fermented omegitteok. This liquor is commonly known as "millet rice liquor," or jopssal makgeoli.

What is the fruit of Jeju? ›

The Jeju mandarin is well renowned for its superb taste. These mandarins are grown exclusively on Jeju Island, just south of the South Korea peninsula. These mandarins grow in rich volcanic ash soils and in a temperate climate.

Is Jeju Island bigger than Hawaii? ›

The Big Island Hawaii is the youngest and largest island (10,432 square kilometers) in the U.S., 62 percent the size of the entire Hawaiian islands combined, and 5.7 times larger than the size of Jeju Island (1,849 square kilometers).

Who are the gods of Jeju Island? ›

Dol hareubangs, also called tol harubangs, hareubangs, or harubangs, are large rock statues found on Jeju Island off the southern tip of South Korea. They are considered to be gods offering both protection and fertility and were placed outside of gates for protection against demons travelling between realities.

Can I go to Jeju Island without visa? ›

Thankfully, South Korea has allowed Filipinos to visit three of its destinations visa-free namely Jeju Island, Gangwon Province, and most recently, the Jeolla Province via the Muan International Airport.

Can Americans go to Jeju? ›

- All travellers (regardless of age) visiting Jeju Island are required to register for Q-code (click) no more than 3 days before arrival. - Please refer to the attachment for details.

What is the slogan of Jeju tourism? ›

Under the slogan "We love having you here", Jeju Island and its citizens are welcoming visitors on any site like Mt. Halla and Jeju Stone Park and any occasion of the year.

What happened to Jeju Island? ›

Some 70 percent of the island's 230 villages were burned to the ground, and over 39,000 houses were destroyed. Of the 400 villages before the uprising only 170 remained afterwards. In 2008, bodies of massacre victims were discovered in a mass grave near Jeju International Airport.

Is Jeju open to foreigners? ›

Travelers from more than 100 countries can visit Jeju Island without a visa. Most visa-exempt visitors now need a South Korea ETA (K-ETA) to travel to Jeju Island.

Is Jeju the Hawaii of Korea? ›

Jeju Island is known as the 'Hawaii of Korea. ' It is the largest off-shore island of the Korean peninsula. The island is best known for its volcanic landmarks, multiple waterfalls, white sand beaches, and other natural wonders.

What is the difference between Jeju City and Jeju Island? ›

JEJU ISLAND consists of two cities; JEJU and SEOGWIPO. So, the north-half is JEJU CITY and the south-half is SEOGWIPO CITY. But, the majority of both cities are scenery of a countryside. I.e., JEJU CITY is condensed residential area at north coast and SEOGWIPO CITY is the other city-scape place at south coast.

What is the protocol for eating meals in Korea? ›

Korean plates

So take advantage of the small individual plate you have for eating the food. Don't eat directly from the large plate, no matter how tempting the dish is! This is considered bad dining etiquette. Make sure each dish is served onto your smaller plate before getting started on the meal.

Is Jeju volcanic active? ›

The most recent eruptions are estimated to be about 5,000 years ago, which puts the volcano into the active classification, meaning eruptions in the last 10,000 years. The designation as active is not agreed by all, as more monitoring and study are needed to better understand the volcano.

What is the famous rock on Jeju Island? ›

Located off the southern shore of Jeju Island is the famous 20 meter / 65 foot high Oedolgae Rock. During a visit to Oedolgae, you will have the chance to take part of a hiking trail that brings you to views of the rock, the coastline, and even some natural swimming pools.

Which month is cheapest to go Jeju? ›

The absolute cheapest time to take a vacation in Jeju is usually late August to early September.

What month is the best time to visit Korea? ›

The best time of year to visit South Korea is generally considered to be the spring months of April, May & June, and the autumn months of September, October & November. During these two seasons days are typically sunny and dry with comfortable average temperatures.

Do you need cash in Jeju? ›

Please note that Jeju's traditional markets, small shops, and outdoor vendors may only accept cash, so make sure to keep some Korean won on you at all times. Being a popular traveling destination for all types of travelers, there is a wide variety of accommodations that are offered on the island.

Is Jeju walkable? ›

Jeju Olle Trail is the way for walking travelers. We found it necessary to have a long route for only those who enjoy walking in this beautiful land, Jeju.

What is the crime rate in Jeju Island? ›

Jeju Island

Its 158 cases per 10,000 people crime rate soars above many other areas.

When can you see cherry blossoms in Jeju? ›

Jeju Island Cherry Blossom / Canola Flower

While the spring season in Jeju Island spans from March to May in general, the peak season lasts from mid-March until early April where you can fully enjoy the stunning cherry blossoms and canola flowers at the same time!

What do people believe in Jeju Island? ›

Shamanism is a native religion of Jeju Island, and its teachings are mixed with Confucianism and Buddhism. Jeju Island is also one of the areas in which shamanism is most intact. Other religions practiced on Jeju Island include mainstream Buddhism and Christianity.

What is the conclusion of Jeju Island? ›

Conclusion. Jeju Island, as one of the world's new seven natural wonders, offers a wide range of activities. Hallasan is a dormant volcano in South Korea, located in the middle of Jeju-do, the country's largest island off the coast of the mainland.

How many days should I visit Jeju? ›

Depending on how long you have, we recommend allowing 3 or 4 nights in Jeju. We traveled all around South Korea and this Jeju itinerary, together with our Seoul itinerary, is a great starting point for planning a South Korea trip.

What language do they speak on Jeju Island? ›

Nearly all residents of Jeju Island are bilingual in Standard Korean and Jeju, while many younger individuals are even more fluent in English than in Jeju. Standard Korean is most commonly used in the majority of public areas, while Jeju tends to be reserved for use at home and a few local markets.

Do they speak English on Jeju Island? ›

No English! One of the cool things about Jeju Island is that it's mostly visited by local Korean and Asian tourists. It is not a well-known destination otherwise. This makes it very special experience, but it also means that there is very little English-support on the island.

What natural disaster happened on Jeju Island? ›

Typhoon Hinnamnor disrupted life and travel across South Korea on Tuesday, downing trees and traffic signs, flooding roads, causing power outages and disrupting transportation. Residents of Jeju Island spent early Tuesday morning in darkness after more than 10,000 homes lost power overnight.

Who controls Jeju Island? ›

South Korea

It is located 82.8 km (51.4 mi) off the nearest point on the peninsula. Jeju is the only self-governing province in South Korea, meaning that the province is run by local inhabitants instead of politicians from the mainland.

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