No doubt you have thought about traveling to South Korea one day, yes the famous Korea that we know and that manufactures Samsung phones and Kia and Hyundai cars, but have you ever heard of an island called “Jeju”? Today we will tell you about this island that many may not know about, and do not think of it as a familiar tourist destination.
Jeju is located in the southwest of South Korea, and is the largest island in the country. It is one of the most popular places for relaxation and vacations, due to its wonderful climate and picturesque natural environment. The charming green nature is due to its fertile soil formed from volcanic lava that formed the island about two million years ago.
In 2011, Jeju was listed as one of the New Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and its lava tubes, which make up nearly 10% of the island’s area, are a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.
Jeju Island can be reached by boat, or by plane, which is the preferred means of transportation for most people. The island has a humid subtropical climate, meaning that it rains most days of the year, but it is warmer than the rest of Korea. It also experiences 4 seasons, including a cold, snowy winter, and a relatively hot, sometimes rainy summer.
As for the best time to visit Jeju, it is recommended to travel there in the fall or early summer, that is, from April to the end of June. During this period, the weather is clear and the sun is shining, which is an excellent time to enjoy the atmosphere and natural scenery.
April and May are characterized by good hotel prices compared to the rest of the year, and this island experiences its best weather in June, in terms of bright sunshine and lush greenery that gives Jeju its most beautiful images.
Why is it special?
The most important thing that distinguishes Jeju is its unconventional nature, which makes it an unfamiliar tourist destination. The volcanic nature of the island has created a natural wonder that amazes everyone who looks at it and takes their imagination far away. This wonder is called “Sunrise Peak.” Or “Seongsan Ilchulbong” in Korean.
Seongsan Ilchulbong is a small, cone-shaped volcanic massif, hollowed out from the top, like a cooking pot covered with green grass, but made by the Almighty Creator. It is about 180 meters above sea level and has a diameter of about 600 meters.
All you have to do is wake up early before dawn to be able to climb this peak and watch the sunrise, which is one of the most beautiful things to see in nature.
But dear traveler, everything beautiful has a high price. It usually takes half an hour to climb to the top or descend from it using the stairs, but the view you will see there is worth the effort.
What to enjoy
Jeju is a complete tourist destination regardless of the rest of Korea. It is enough for you to travel to Korea, specifically to this island only, and you will enjoy the entire vacation there, whether you are alone or with your family without getting bored.
But it is worth noting that there is not much public transportation such as trains and metro, and the best way to get around there is to rent a private car without a driver or with a driver.
We can say that 3 days in Jeju will be enough for you to take a quick tour of the most important landmarks and activities there, while 5 days is the ideal period to enjoy more activities, landmarks and attractions, while 7 days and above will provide you with enjoyment and relaxation together, and discover new places that you had not expected.
First – Nature
The Manjanggul Lava Tube is a volcanic cave that extends about 7.5 kilometers into the ground, with a maximum height of 25 meters and a width of 18 meters, these measurements make it one of the largest lava tubes in the world.
The strange thing is that – after wandering around the large and deep cave – you will discover that most of the cave is closed, with only one kilometer open to tourists.
Jeongbang Waterfall is one of the most beautiful and tallest waterfalls in Jeju. It is approximately 23 meters high and is very close to the sea. What distinguishes this waterfall is that you can get very close to it and take wonderful pictures, unlike other waterfalls in Jeju.
There is Hallasan Mountain and Park, which stands in the middle of Jeju, and is perhaps the most recognizable landmark for some people on the island. It is also called Yeongjusan Mountain, meaning “the mountain high enough to pull the galaxy.”
Second – Museums
Jeju Aviation Museum combines education and entertainment around the theme of aviation, displaying a variety of aircraft that tell the story of the world’s aviation heritage, and the Korean Air Force in particular, and is very suitable for children as it combines benefit and fun.
The Art Museum is the largest and most modern museum on the island, where the building, which was a loudspeaker manufacturing factory, has been redesigned to create a world of visual arts using the latest technology.
The 4.6-square-kilometre building also features 10 colourful light and sound exhibits that are digitally projected onto large screens, including a 10-metre-high display wall. The interconnected screens display a variety of patterns, including waterfalls, gardens, flowers, waves, beaches, forests, night safaris, stars and more.
Jeju Folk Village is an open-air museum that reproduces the old life of the island’s inhabitants in the 19th century. Once you enter, you will feel that you are living among the local Korean people and will learn about their lives by wandering through the old houses. You will also see all the details of the old local house, from kitchens, bedrooms, dressing rooms, and farms.
Third: Activities
Submarine ride: Yes, as you read, dear traveler, you can ride a submarine that can hold 66 people to see marine life, coral reefs, and sunken ships in the waters surrounding the island.
This trip is one of the most unique activities in the world. Keep in mind that the submarine only operates in suitable weather conditions, and must be booked well in advance of your travel.
You can’t go to Jeju Island without going to the Jeju Aquarium, the largest aquarium in East Asia. The aquarium houses over 45,000 marine animals from local and foreign areas, and is a highly recommended family-friendly attraction.
Hamedok Beach is one of the best tourist places in Jeju thanks to its soft sand and many water sports, such as kayaking, diving, water skiing and of course swimming.
It would be appropriate to make a travel plan of at least two weeks to visit South Korea so that you can enjoy your time and money, as the travel ticket to this distant country will often not be cheap, and it is not easy to visit it again.
