While you go to South Korea, there are some tried and true locations that can be constructed into any journey itinerary – bustling Seoul, or foodie paradise Busan. However there’s one vacation spot that offers you a style of every thing Korea has to supply, from the spectacular surroundings to the superb cultural scene, historic highlights to the possibility to get lively: Jeju Island. Round 100km south off the Korean mainland lies Jeju Island, an autonomous province that’s famed for beautiful mountains, lovely coastlines, and a tremendous tradition.
How massive is Jeju Island?
At round 1,840 sq. kilometers, Jeju is the most important island in South Korea – in truth, it’s rather a lot bigger than folks may count on. It’s 2.5x the dimensions of Singapore, and solely a tiny bit smaller than the Spanish island of Tenerife. The inhabitants of Jeju Island is over 675,000, which means there are about as many individuals in Jeju as there are in Luxembourg!
What’s the finest time to go to Jeju Island?
For those who’re a nature lover, Spring and Autumn will serve you nicely. In Autumn, (Sep-Nov) the island turns into a haven for individuals who like to observe the leaves change, with wealthy oranges masking the island. Nevertheless, for true photographers, there’s no higher time to go to than in Spring (Mar-Could). The climate is delicate, and it’s throughout this era that the island’s unimaginable subtropical local weather involves life, littering the panorama with lovely cherry blossoms, vibrant azaleas, golden canolas and magnolias.
For those who’re a sun-lover, summer season (Jun-Aug) on Jeju Island will serve you nicely – although you may need the dodge the odd rain bathe. With temperatures reaching 30 levels, it turns into a preferred vacation spot for beach-goers and watersports fans alike. However for those who’re a fan of a extra tranquil panorama, winter (Dec-Feb) supplies the chance to discover rolling hills and dramatic UNESCO World Heritage websites with out the crowds.
Why is Jeju Island well-known?
The flight between Jeju Island and Seoul is the world’s busiest route – and that’s not by probability. Jeju Island shouldn’t be solely a paradise for these after coastlines and mountaintops – it’s additionally well-known because the filming location for innumerable Okay-dramas, is residence to over 100 museums, and has an enchanting tradition that features its personal dialect, a gaggle of free-diving girls named haenyeo, and an unimaginable meals scene. It’s additionally value visiting Jeju Island to study extra concerning the necessary, sobering function it performs in wider 20th century Korean historical past.
What are the most effective meals to attempt in Jeju?
As an island with a wealthy seafaring (and diving) tradition, you’d be remiss to go to Jeju Island and never pattern the seafood. The haenyeo are matriarchal group that, in keeping with the Jeju Tourism Board, date again one thousand years, and are unimaginable free divers who head as much as 20 meters underwater to retrieve abalone, conches, and seaweed. The result’s an area delicacies full of contemporary, locally-caught seafood dishes. (For those who’re in Jeju-si in any respect, the Jeju Haenyeo Museum makes for a really fascinating go to.)
For the meat-eaters amongst us, you can also’t go to Jeju Island with out making an attempt black pork. It’s a dish that’s so intrinsic to Jeju tradition that there’s a whole avenue devoted to it! The native breed of black pig is a staple in lots of Jeju dishes, so it’s nicely value a attempt whilst you’re there… simply make sure that it’s Korean BBQ fashion!
While you go to Jeju Island, you’ll discover it residence to swathes of timber that brim with juicy mandarins. For those who don’t seize a contemporary one, just remember to cease in at an area retailer for a contemporary juice, a zesty tangerine chocolate, or a scrumptious mandarin-infused baked deal with.
What’s there to do in Jeju Island?
Brief reply: heaps! From mountaineering to watersports, museums to café-hopping – it’s an island full of issues to do.
For those who’re primarily based in Seogwipo Metropolis – the proper location for any eager vacationers – you’ll don’t have any finish of pure options to discover. It’s the most effective base to hike on the Olle Path (we advocate Path #7) and spot the dramatic Oedolgae Rock, go to the Jeongbang Falls – the one waterfall in Asia to movement immediately into the ocean – and head up the superb Seongsan Ilchulbong for unimaginable views throughout the island and out to sea.
It’s additionally the most effective place to take advantage of the island’s shoreline. You possibly can pay a go to to Jungmun Seaside, the place the gusty winds make it the final word browsing vacation spot, and even attempt your hand at one of many native diving golf equipment. For those who desire to stay dry, you may take a yacht crusing tour across the island – after which wind down the night again on dry land, with a sundown drink searching to sea from the cliffs.
For those who’re after the proper Jeju Island journey itinerary, we can assist you out – we spend two unbelievable days in Jeju as a part of our 12-day Korea Journey.
