Jeju Island, South Korea’s largest island, is not only attractive to domestic tourists in Korea but also one of the most popular tourist destinations around the world due to its beautiful beaches, lush countryside and beach hotels designed for relaxation. Jeju Island is the largest coastal island and peninsula in South Korea, about an hour’s flight from Seoul.
The island is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. In the past, due to its distance from Korea and lack of access, this place was used to deport criminals and traitors, and the only way to communicate with this place was by boat.
The island is the best-known place for beautiful volcanoes, white sandy beaches and green tea plantations. Jeju Island was designated as one of Korea’s biological resources in 2002, the World Heritage Site in 2007 and in 2010 as the Geoparks World Wide Web.
Begin your journey to Jeju Island with a beautiful sea, called the Emerald Sea. Hamdeok Seoubong Beach is known for its stylish sandy beach and shallow mineral water, which is very attractive for visitors, especially families. It is also equipped with a bridge on black basalt and a high deck to the sea. Travelers who walk along the flat and rocky beach can enjoy the sea view.
Manjanggul Cave is the longest underground lava tunnel in the world with a length of 8,928 meters. The cave is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because the shape and topography inside the cave is well preserved. There are three entrances to the cave, but visitors are only allowed to enter through the second entrance and see 1 km from the tunnel. The cave creates a beautiful perspective for visitors who seem to be watching a scene from a movie. Also, the walls of the cave depict the change of many years. There is an interesting variety of lava structures inside the cave. This cave is one of the most attractive sights of Jeju Island.
The word “koji” is derived from Seopjikoji from Gojia Jeju, which means “hut” facing the sea. The highlight of this place is the mesmerizing coastal view that you can generally see from the lighthouse at the bottom of the cliffs. There is a rock in this place which is known as Seonnyeobawi. The legend of this place is that the son of the dragon king came here one day and at the same time a fairy fell from the sky. Falling in love with the fairy, the Dragon King, his father, became angry and turned to stone. Seopjikoji often appears in Korean drama films.
Aqua Planet Jeju is the largest aquarium in Asia and has more than 5,000 marine animals. In addition to seeing many species of fish, visitors can touch and feel some sea creatures in a part of the aquarium called the Touch Pool. They can also enjoy the exhibition halls and various aquarium exhibition programs, including the experience of radiation nutrition and lectures on ecology provided by professional aquarium owners.
The main attraction of the aquarium is the Haenyeo Breakfast Program. In the main tank, divers dive without using any special means to collect seafood. The 50-minute show at Ocean Arena is a great show that is very popular as a show of groundwater and sea animals.
Eco Land Park offers a short tour of the main Gotjawal Forest with an attractive train. This tour is like taking a train from the main forest and this train stops at several different stations, each of which has its own attractions. The Gautwal Forest is actually the only place in the world that is used as a home for both tropical and polar plants.
At this point, the train leaves the entrance and stops at Eco Bridge, Lakeside Station, Garden and Lavender Station, Green Tea and Rose Station. Each station offers different attractions. At the Eco-Bridge station, walking on the water make you feel good. Lakeside Station offers exotic views of green lawns, windmills and ships. Meanwhile, the Garden Station provides views of animals, insects and plants in the Gotjawal Forest.
The Sangumburi Crater is a giant volcanic cone with a large crater. Although it is currently forbidden to enter the crater, the inside view of the crater can be viewed through the telescope. Scenic telescopes are located in three directions to Crater Sangumburi, the ocean around Seongsan and the summit of Hallasan Mountain. Around the mouth of the Sangumburi there are vast fields covered with waves of silver grass, and beneath the vast expanse of silver grass stands the beautiful green plains of Jeju.
If you travel to this area, be sure to try the sea urchin soup and seaweed. This will be a memorable meal for you. Use the mineral water of this area, which also has healing properties, and use as much oxygen and clean air as you can. Do not miss the spectacular sunrise view from the crater of Jeju volcano.
