If you go to South Korea, there are some tried and true locations that will likely be constructed into any journey itinerary – bustling Seoul, or foodie paradise Busan. However there’s one vacation spot that offers you a style of all the pieces Korea has to supply, from the spectacular surroundings to the superb cultural scene, historic highlights to the prospect to get energetic: Jeju Island. Round 100km south off the Korean mainland lies Jeju Island, an autonomous province that’s famed for gorgeous mountains, stunning 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 quite a bit bigger than folks may count on. It’s 2.5x the scale of Singapore, and solely a tiny bit smaller than the Spanish island of Tenerife. The inhabitants of Jeju Island is over 675,000, that means there are about as many individuals in Jeju as there are in Luxembourg!
What’s the greatest time to go to Jeju Island?
If you happen to’re a nature lover, Spring and Autumn will serve you properly. In Autumn, (Sep-Nov) the island turns into a haven for individuals who like to observe the leaves change, with wealthy oranges overlaying the island. Nevertheless, for true photographers, there’s no higher time to go to than in Spring (Mar-Could). The climate is gentle, and it’s throughout this era that the island’s unbelievable subtropical local weather involves life, littering the panorama with stunning cherry blossoms, vibrant azaleas, golden canolas and magnolias.
If you happen to’re a sun-lover, summer time (Jun-Aug) on Jeju Island will serve you properly – although you may need the dodge the odd rain bathe. With temperatures reaching 30 levels, it turns into a well-liked vacation spot for beach-goers and watersports lovers alike. However should you’re a fan of a extra tranquil panorama, winter (Dec-Feb) gives 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 likelihood. Jeju Island isn’t solely a paradise for these after coastlines and mountaintops – it’s additionally well-known because the filming location for innumerable Ok-dramas, is house to over 100 museums, and has a captivating tradition that features its personal dialect, a gaggle of free-diving girls named haenyeo, and an unbelievable meals scene. It’s additionally value visiting Jeju Island to be taught extra in regards to the necessary, sobering position it performs in wider 20th century Korean historical past.
What are one of the best meals to strive 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 accordance with the Jeju Tourism Board, date again one thousand years, and are unbelievable free divers who head as much as 20 meters underwater to retrieve abalone, conches, and seaweed. The result’s a neighborhood delicacies full of recent, locally-caught seafood dishes. (If you happen to’re in Jeju-si in any respect, the Jeju Haenyeo Museum makes for a really attention-grabbing 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 properly value a strive whilst you’re there… simply make certain it’s Korean BBQ type!
If you go to Jeju Island, you’ll discover it house to swathes of bushes that brim with juicy mandarins. If you happen to don’t seize a recent one, just be sure you cease in at a neighborhood retailer for a recent juice, a zesty tangerine chocolate, or a scrumptious mandarin-infused baked deal with.
What’s there to do in Jeju Island?
Quick reply: heaps! From mountain climbing to watersports, museums to café-hopping – it’s an island filled with issues to do.
If you happen to’re based mostly in Seogwipo Metropolis – the proper location for any eager vacationers – you’ll don’t have any finish of pure options to discover. It’s one of the best base to hike on the Olle Path (we suggest Path #7) and spot the dramatic Oedolgae Rock, go to the Jeongbang Falls – the one waterfall in Asia to circulation instantly into the ocean – and head up the superb Seongsan Ilchulbong for unbelievable views throughout the island and out to sea.
It’s additionally one of the best place to profit from the island’s shoreline. You possibly can pay a go to to Jungmun Seashore, the place the gusty winds make it the final word browsing vacation spot, and even strive your hand at one of many native diving golf equipment. If you happen to favor to stay dry, you’ll be able to 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.
If you happen to’re after the proper Jeju Island journey itinerary, we can assist you out – we spend two incredible days in Jeju as a part of our 12-day Korea Journey.
