Easy guide to fantastic Jeju Island in South Korea
TIME Magazine listed Jeju Island in Korea as one of 2023’s World’s Greatest Places. But like many non-Koreans, you’d be forgiven if you have never heard of it before. Often referred to as the Hawaii of Korea, Jeju Island has been South Korea’s go-to local holiday destination for some time.
Now, that seems to be fast changing. Netflix’s K-drama, Our Blues shone a spotlight on Jeju Island in 2022, showcasing its windswept coastline and mountainous horizon to the rest of the world. And now that we know it’s there, we can’t stop looking at it.
Table of contents
- Easy guide to fantastic Jeju Island in South Korea
- What makes Jeju Island so attractive to visitors?
- Things to do on Korea’s Jeju Island
- Foods to try on Jeju Island, Korea
- Jeju Island weather
- Jeju Island cherry blossom
- Jeju Island map
- Ferry to Jeju Island
- Flying to Jeju Island
- Where to stay on Jeju Island in Korea
What makes Jeju Island so attractive to visitors?
Times Magazine describes Jeju Island in Korea as a “quirky resort getaway”. However, there’s a lot more to it than that. Jeju Island wears the world’s first UNESCO Triple Crown. It was designated as a Biosphere Reserve in 2002, a World Natural Heritage in 2007 and made the Global Geoparks Network in 2010.
Here’s what’s great about Jeju Island in Korea:
You can get back to nature on Jeju Island in Korea
Jeju is known for its volcanic formations. In fact, the island’s centre is a dormant volcano and South Korea’s highest point. As a result, Jeju Island in Korea features cool lava tubes and volcanic tuff cones such as Seongsan Ilchulbong.
Jeju Island in Korea has its own specialty foods to try
Most regional areas in Korea boast their versions of typical dishes and their own specialty foods. Jeju Island is no exception. Pick Jeju’s mandarin-orange fruit, hallabong fresh from orchards around the island. It grows everywhere! Chow down on Jeju Island’s tender black pork, often barbecued in thick chunks. But don’t be surprised if you occasionally find black hairs on your pork. This serves as a mark of authenticity.
Jeju people live on island time
Koreans come here to unwind and enjoy the lack of “bali bali” (hurry hurry) lifestyle experienced in Seoul. As South Korea’s most popular domestic holiday destination, Jeju Island people live on island time and we wouldn’t have it any other way. This doesn’t mean that Jeju residents don’t work hard, though. You only need to visit Jeju’s UNESCO-listed Haenyeo divers, who free-dive for sea urchins and abalone well into their 80s as testament.
Sustainability is at the heart of Jeju Island in Korea
Away from the hustle and bustle of the mainland, Jeju Island in Korea is clean and quiet. Jeju’s local government has an initiative to become carbon neutral by 2030. So along with renewables such as wind farms, the island has the largest amount of electric vehicles (EVs) and charging stations in Korea. As a result, EVs are available to rent for those visitors keen to explore the attractions.
The luxury hotels are divine
Over the last few years, luxury hotels have popped up over Jeju Island in Korea, including the Grant Hyatt Jeju, Parnas Hotel Jeju and the Marriott Jeju Resort and Spa. The latter overlooks the ocean with views of nearby Beomseom Island and Seogwipo’s columnar joint cliffs.
Things to do on Korea’s Jeju Island
Enjoy the beaches
Popular with families due to its clean, shallow waters and fine sand, Hamdeok Beach is a top spot to take in the blue waters of Jeju Island. For those wanting to grab a bite, head to Woljeongri Beach, which boasts a string of trendy cafes along the shore.
Just off the coast of Jeju Island and easily reachable by ferry, you will find the much smaller Udo Island, which has several pretty beaches suitable for families. Visit Udo Sanho Beach, also called Seobinbaeksa Beach, for a swim in its bright emerald to deep sapphire colour water. As the beach was not formed by coral but by a build-up of broken red alga nodules, it’s the only beach of its kind in Asia.
Also not to be missed on Udo Island is Hagosudon Beach. Its soft sand and shallow water make it a top spot for those visiting with younger children.
Explore Manjanggul Cave
At nearly nine kilometres, Manjanggul Cave is the longest lava tube in the world. Listed on the UNESCO World Heritage register, this cave is fascinating. The cave has three entrances, but visitors enter by the second entrance and can view around one kilometre of the lava tube.
Keep your step count up on a hike
For fantastic sunrise views, head to Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak. At 180 metres high, it takes around 30 minutes to reach the top and it’s a popular hike on Jeju Island in Korea.
Alternatively, head to the Hallasan National Park and Hallasan Mountain, the tallest in Korea. Located in the heart of Jeju Island in Korea, there are seven hiking trails to choose from here. Want to do the most popular? Head out on the 6.8-kilometre Eorimok Trail. Starting from the Hallasan National Park Eorimok Trail Visitor Centre, it takes around six hours to return.
Pay a visit to Aqua Planet Jeju
Home to over 5,000 marine animals, Aqua Planet Jeju is the largest Aquarium in Korea. Kids will love the touch pool where they can touch and feel some of the sea creatures, and all ages will love the 50-minute Ocean Arena Performance. Don’t miss “The Morning of Haenyeo” where female divers or haenyeo, dive without equipment to demonstrate how they gather seafood.
Tour a primeval Gotjawal Forest by train at Eco Land Theme Park
Jump on board a charming train and tour the vast primeval Gotjawal Forest at Eco Land Theme Park. This is the only place in the world that serves as a home to both tropical and polar plants. The train departs at the entrance and makes various stops, each offering a different attraction.
Don’t miss the 300-metre-long floating deck at Eco Bridge Station. Here, a walk is like strolling on water. Lakeside Station boasts an exotic landscape, and Picnic Garden Stations offer the chance to see animals, insects and plants of the Gotjawal Forest.
There are plenty of cafes here, so don’t worry if you forget to pack morning tea.
Check out Sangumburi Crater from a telescope at the observation deck
This uniquely shaped volcano features an oversized crater compared to the size of the actual mountain. Although humans can no longer enter the crater, you can check it out with the scenic telescopes mounted on the observation deck. A peek through the telescopes shows excellent views of Sangumburi Crater, the ocean around Seongsan and Hallasan Mountain Peak.
Visit Yakcheonsa Temple
At 30 metres high and with a total area of 3,305m2, Yakcheonsa Temple on Jeju Island in Korea is the largest temple in Asia. The architectural style is that of Buddhist temples of the early Joseon dynasty, and visitors are greeted with a five-metre-high statue of Vairocana upon entering. The temple features a main temple, a giant temple bell weighing 18 tons and a three-story residential structure for the Buddhist monks.
Visit a tea museum
Tea lovers rejoice at O’sulloc Tea Museum, Korea’s first and largest tea museum. As well as being in a scenic location overlooking Hallasan Mountain and vast expanses of green tea fields, the museum exhibits Korea’s old tea vessels and tea cups worldwide. Grab some quality green and blended tea here for gifts to take home, and enjoy the onsite cafe with pastries, beverages and ice cream, all made with green tea.
Go souvenir shopping at Jeju Dongmun traditional market
Dongmun Market was established just after the liberation of Korea in 1945 and, as such, was once the centre of all commercial activities on the island. This historically significant market sells fruits, vegetables, fresh fish, medicinal herbs, grain, clothing and a variety of Jeju Island specialties and souvenirs to bring home from your time in Korea.
Step back in time at Jeju Folk Village
Travel back in time at Jeju Folk Village and observe the unique culture that has been retained through over 100 houses. Here you can see household goods, fishing gear and farming tools and even watch master craftsmen make traditional items.
Visitors can experience traditional Korean games such as arrow throwing and top spinning. If you fork out a few extra dollars, you can even take part in a traditional wedding ceremony.
Stroll through a nutmeg forest over 500 years old
Bijarim Forest has the largest colony of nutmeg trees in Korea, with over 2,800 trees between 500 – 800 years old. As such, this grove is one of the world’s largest colonies of a single strain of nutmeg trees. Right at the centre, you’ll find a tree that’s a whopping 820 years old.
If nutmeg trees don’t float your boat, the forest is also home to many rare orchid species. However, of interest is the theory that because the trees emit a lot of phytoncide, a stroll through the forest strengthens the immune system and boosts your body’s natural healing ability.
Lose yourself in nature at Maze Land
Maze Land boasts the world’s longest stonework maze, measuring around 5.3 kilometres in length. Made primarily using stone and wood found on Jeju Island, Korea, the design reflects the island ‘Samda’, which describes the things abundant on Jeju Island: rocks, wind and women.
Enjoy the maze as a fun family activity. As a bonus, it’s said to provide health benefits because the stones emit high levels of far-infrared radiation, and the woods produce large amounts of phytoncides. People come to the park for a spot of ‘forest bathing’ and to surround themselves with nature.
There is also a maze museum on-site detailing the history of mazes from the 14th century.
Foods to try on Jeju Island, Korea
Udo Island peanut ice cream
Don’t leave Jeju Island in Korea without trying Udo Island peanuts. Despite their small size, they have a robust nutty flavour and many sprinkle these local peanuts on a cup of vanilla ice cream. This nutty ice cream is a popular treat sold at many shops in Jeju.
Grilled and stewed beltfish
Beltfish is well-loved in Korea because it has an abundance of meat and a mild taste. Considered a specialty product of Jeju Island, many restaurants serve galchi gui (grilled beltfish) and galchi jorim (stewed beltfish). Stewed beltfish is a sweet, yet spicy dish and grilled beltfish is seasoned with salt when cooking.
Tangerine juice
Jeju tangerines are abundant, and as a result, it’s not hard to find a cafe or shop that sells freshly squeezed tangerine juice. If tangerines aren’t to your taste on Jeju Island, Korea, try hallabong or cheonhyehyang fruit juice.
Grilled black pork
If you only try one specialty on Jeju Island in Korea, make it grilled black pork. Although it’s cooked in the same way, it’s considered chewier and higher grade than regular pork.
Jeju Island weather
Jeju Island in Korea has mild winters and hot, rainy summers. The island is generally humid and gets a fair amount of rain, but spring and autumn are considered the most pleasant as the ‘in-between’ seasons.
Summer is July and August in Jeju, both hot and humid. When the monsoon rains are not about, summer days are full of sunshine and great for days at the beach. September to November is autumn, considered the romantic season in Jeju as it is quite beautiful. After the hot summer, the temperature is pleasant.
Jeju is still popular in the winter with locals (December through to mid-March) as the temperatures rarely drop below 0 degrees and are much milder than on the mainland. Mid-March to June is spring which brings clear days and mild temperatures, although it’s still chilly at the beginning of the season.
Jeju Island cherry blossom
Yes, there are cherry blossoms on Jeju Island! Spot Jeju’s King Cherry Tree blossoms all over the island. Although the blossoms can be seen for several weeks from late March to the second week of April, the peak lasts only two to three days. So if you want to see the cherry blossoms on Jeju Island, you’ll need to time your visit to Korea just right.
Jeju Island map
Looking for a map of Jeju Island? Download an English version as a PDF file here.
Ferry to Jeju Island
Catching the ferry is a popular way to get to Jeju Island. Although you can get there by plane, the ferry makes for a scenic trip with ocean views. Find more information on catching the Ferry to Jeju Island on the Visit Korea Website.
Flying to Jeju Island
Of course, those who suffer from seasickness may prefer to fly. Regular flights depart from the mainland. Grab a bargain here:
Where to stay on Jeju Island in Korea
These hotels on Jeju Island are suitable for families and have a rating of 8+ (very good) on Booking.com.
- Hotel Alice & Trunk – Spacious two-bedroom suites for families
- Elin Hotel – Twin rooms at a budget price
- Grand Hyatt Jeju – Luxury international hotel with extra large double bed and sofa
- Jeju I’ve Hotel & Resort – Wood cabins in a variety of sizes and beds
- Somerset Jeju Shinhwa World – Luxury family suites with a kitchen and family-friendly facilities
