Jeju, or, Island of the Gods is a popular vacation spot for Koreans and many Japanese.
After living in Seoul for the past 6 months, I was seeking for a more natural landscape. Most of my Korean friends recommended Jeju Island so I decided to go with my family.
Jeju Island, also known as the “Island of the Gods,” is a popular vacation spot for Koreans and many Japanese. The island’s mixture of volcanic rocks, frequent rains, and temperate climate make it similar to the Hawaiian Islands in the U.S. Here are some must-do’s when you’re there:
1. Hallasan Mountain
The dormant volcano Hallasan stands 1,950 meters above sea level and is famous for being South Korea’s highest peak! You can hike up and down in a day if you start early (it’s around 9 hours, round trip.)
2. Cheonjiyeon Falls
The water at Cheonjiyeon Falls means “sky connected to the land.”
3. Sunrise Peak – Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak
Catching sunrises and sunsets over the ocean on the tip of a dormant volcano! With views to the city!
4. Udo Island
Must get a ferry to go to Udo Island. This island to the extreme east of Jeju is also named after its shape and it resembles a cow lying down.
5. Seongwon Sikdang Seafood Restaurant
87 Sangmo-ri, Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo, Jeju-do, South Korea (map)
Very impressed by the fresh quality of the food and the serving of the dishes! A local recommended us to visit this place.
6. Dol Hareunbang – Stone Sculptures
If you go to Jeju, you will find these stone sculptures everywhere! They are considered to be gods offering both fertility and protection against demons. They are carved from volcanic rock (basalt) and range in sizes up to 3 meters.
Article written by Paloma Yumi.
