Jeju (제주도)
What to see in Jeju. Top things to do in Jeju. Where to go in Jeju and the tips and tricks to make travel there amazing. (제주에서 볼거리. 제주에서 해야 할 일들. 제주도는 어디로 가야하는지, 그리고 그곳의 여행을 놀랍게 만들 수 있는 요령과 요령들.)
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The Jeju Haenyeo Museum: Preserving the Spirit of Jeju’s Sea Women
In recent years, something beautiful has been happening on Jeju Island in South Korea. More visitors are arriving not just for the beaches, oreums, and black pork barbecue, but specifically to learn about the haenyeo, Jeju’s legendary female free divers. As interest in sustainable travel, women’s history, and UNESCO cultural heritage grows, so too does curiosity about these remarkable sea women. The haenyeo culture of Jeju was inscribed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and while the number of active divers has declined as the women age, awareness and appreciation from visitors helps keep their legacy alive. On the eastern side of Jeju Island, in the quiet coastal…
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The Udo Sora Festival: A Spring Seafood Party on the Island That Looks Like a Cow
If you’re coming to Jeju Island in the spring, let me put a fun event on your radar: The Udo Turban Shell Festival (우도소라축제), also called the Udo Sora Festival. I always recommend a daytrip to nearby Udo Island. Come to Jeju Island and then island hop to another island? Yes. Getting to Udo is super easy and going during this festival makes the visit even more fun. The festival is one of those very Jeju events where fresh seafood, local pride, and a breezy island atmosphere all collide. Open to everyone and free to enter, you just need to get yourself onto the island and you will have a…
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Jeju In Spring: Where To See Jeju’s Famous Canola Flowers
Most people think spring has arrived when the cherry blossoms bloom. But if you live in Jeju like I do, you know spring actually begins in a bath of vibrant yellow. Tiny golden blooms spill across farmlands, climb volcanic hills, and frame the sea and the oreums of Jeju Island in the most cinematic way. Every year from mid-February through the end of April, Jeju canola flowers bloom overlapping with the camellias of winter and the cherry blossoms of later spring. The canola flower blooming season lasts longer than cherry blossom season, much longer. If you’re planning a spring trip to Jeju Island, here are the places to find the…
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Inside Seongeup Folk Village: The 600-Year Old Fortress Town Still Lived In On Jeju Island
You might think Korea’s folk villages are frozen in time, preserved only for visitors, tourists, and school trips. But, did you know that some of them are still real neighborhoods where people wake up, cook meals, and go about daily life? Which may or may not include thatching their roof? If you’re looking for culture things to do in Jeju, Seongeup Folk Village (성읍민속마을) is one of the most unique historic attractions in Seogwipo. This isn’t a reenactment or a recreated set. It’s a living village that has been continuously inhabited for around 600 years. Behind lava stone walls and thatched roofs, residents still call these traditional Hanok home, and…
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Hundertwasser Park: The Surprising Homage to an Austrian Painter in Korea
Were we surprised to stumble upon an immersive tribute to an Austrian artist on Udo Island? Yes. Is it kind of the perfect place for it though? Again, yes. The Hundertwasser Park (훈데르트바서파크) pays tribute to Friedensreich Hundertwasser, an artist, architect, and environmental activist who believed humans were merely guests of nature. The park manages to fit beautifully, and somewhat improbably, on an island off the coast of Jeju Island. Udo Island makes for a great daytrip or weekend trip from Jeju Island, and this is just one reason why. The artist rejected straight lines, uniformity, and concrete-heavy modern architecture, so when you visit, you’ll find a world of fantastical…
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Inside Jeju’s Lemon Museum in Jeju: A Lemon Farm, Cafe, and Hands-On Experience
When people think of Jeju fruit, tangerines usually steal the spotlight. Winter photos of orange-filled baskets, roadside tangerines, and citrus-themed cafes are practically synonymous with the island. But farmers on this island in Korea have been branching out into other sweet crops including kiwi and lemon, oh and not so sweet but delicious olives too! And so we found our way to the Lemon Museum (레몬뮤지엄), not so much a museum in actuality, but a very friendly lemon farm that invites visitors to slow down, sip something zesty, and experience a different side of Jeju’s agriculture. Part cafe, part experience space, and part photo-friendly farm, the Lemon Museum is family-friendly…
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Hueree Nature Life Park: A Family-Friendly Place for Flowers, Photos, and Tangerine Picking
Visiting Jeju is all about getting into nature if you ask me. The island is gorgeous, but of course, if you’re traveling with children, it can be a bit more difficult to cover as much as you want. Hueree Nature Life Park (휴애리자연생활공원) is one of those family-friendly things to do in Jeju that is very purpose built with flower fields for beautiful photos, animals to feed, hands-on activities, and clear walking paths that make it easy to manage little legs. I wouldn’t call this a wild nature escape, but the curated and structured Hueree experience is great for visitors, especially families, traveling in Jeju who want colorful scenery, simple…
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A Taste of North Korea in Jeju: Eating at Daedonggang Chogyetang
You might not expect to find authentic North Korean cuisine all the way south on Jeju Island in South Korea, but there is a very authentic restaurant here and my husband is pretty happy that it’s just up the road because he is a Pyeongyang naengmyeon fiend. Daedonggang Chogyetang (대동강초계탕) in Pyoseon is run by a North Korean defector. We went looking for Pyeongyang naengmyeon and ended up devouring the chogyetang and more. This unexpected foodie find should definitely make your list of where to eat in Jeju. From cold soups to hearty meals, here’s what to eat at Daedong Chogyetang in Pyoseon: (This post contains affiliate links, which means…
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Bunker des Lumières: From Secret Bunker to Immersive Art Space in Jeju
Always on the hunt to find the amazing regenerated spaces in Korea, I saw an article about Bunker des Lumières (빛의 벙커), a former military bunker turned arts and culture space just down the road and knew we had to visit. The thing with Jeju Island though is that when the weather is nice, all you want to do is spend time outside. So, we waited for the first rainy day, the kind where outdoor plans wash away fast, and headed to the bunker. Instead of staying cooped up, we were underground in a world of moving colors, mesmerizing sounds, and beautiful light. This once secret state communications bunker is…
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Saeseom Island: The Island You Can Walk To From Seogwipo via Saeyeongyo Bridge
Seogwipo on Jeju’s southern coast is famous for its waterfalls, seafood, and vibrant portside atmosphere, but if you head just a few minutes from the bustle, you’ll find one of my favorite peaceful escapes: Saeyeongyo Bridge (새연교) and Saeseom Island (새섬). Recently, my daughter has been taking a class in the city for a couple hours each week, and this has become our go-to spot for a quiet walk that fits perfectly into that window of time. You’ll spot the bridge to the island first with its striking sail-shaped design, Saeyeongyo is the longest pedestrian bridge in Jeju. At night, it lights up in colorful illuminations that shimmer against the…
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Podo Museum Doesn’t Have Grapes, But It’s One Of The Best Art Museums In Jeju
Come to Jeju Island in South Korea and you’ll find a Citrus Museum, a Lemon Museum, and a Podo Museum (포도뮤지엄). Imagine my surprise when I rocked up to the Podo Museum, podo means grape in Korean, and there weren’t any grapes in sight! Jokes aside, Jeju Island isn’t just about beaches and lava tubes, though those are beautiful and interesting, it’s also home to a growing collection of inspiring art museums. Among them, the Podo Museum has quickly made a name for itself as one of the most thought-provoking cultural spaces on the island. Did I enjoy my visits? I did and I think you will too. Here’s what…
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Jeju’s Weirdest and Most Wonderful Art Stops: The Arario Museum Collection
When you think of Jeju Island, visions of beaches and volcanoes probably come to mind, but there is a pretty vibrant art scene on the island beyond the natural wonder too. At the heart of the scene are three Arario museums (아라리오 뮤지엄). This trio of artistic inspiration sits in the Old Town of Jeju City. Much like Arario Museum in Space (아라리오뮤지엄 인 스페이스) in Seoul, these museums in repurposed motels and a vintage cinema house a collection of contemporary artworks that are bold, bizarre, and boundary-pushing. If anything, the collection is certainly a conversation starter and if you’re visiting Jeju City’s Old Town, these art museums make for…
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Aqua Planet Jeju: The Ultimate Rainy Day (or Hot Day) Family Stop on Jeju Island
Jeju Island is packed with breathtaking outdoor spots, but sometimes the weather just doesn’t cooperate, or you need a break from the intense heat. An aquarium is always a fun stop and thankfully here on Jeju Island we have the best aquarium in South Korea, Aqua Planet Jeju (아쿠아플라넷 제주). Just a short drive from Seongsan Ilchulbong, Udo Island, and Seopjikoji in the southeastern side of Jeju, Aqua Planet Jeju is the largest aquarium in Korea and ranks among the top ten in the world for marine life diversity. We’re talking over 48,000 creatures and over 500 species, a 6,000-ton main tank, and performances that blend education, culture, and showbiz…
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Seongsan Ilchulbong: Why You Can’t Skip Jeju’s Sunrise Peak
Known as “Sunrise Peak”, this 5,000-year-old volcanic tuff cone is one of Jeju Island‘s most iconic sights, and for good reason. Climb to the summit of Seongsan Ilchulbong (성산일출봉) for a cinematic view out over the oceans, one that makes the stairs worth it. If you’re going to take one “hike” in Jeju Island, let it be this one. And to be honest, it’s not even that much of a hike, I did it in a dress and Birkenstocks. Jeju’s Sunrise Peak is a must visit and it’s a family-friendly hike to the top. Get ready for those views! (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain…
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Living in Jeju Island: 5 Perks Only Locals Know About
While Seoul is where the vast majority of people seem to take up residence in South Korea, there are a number of reasons to live somewhere else… anywhere else, in the country. Take Jeju Island for example. Given the moniker the “Hawaii of Korea”, this island has palm trees, beaches galore, and a number of perks that only residents of the island can enjoy. (Actually there are a few things you mainlanders can enjoy too, so pay attention.) More foreigners and Koreans alike are choosing Jeju Island for its natural beauty, slower lifestyle, and surprising local benefits. We moved to Jeju, Korea six months ago and here are five reasons…
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Wandering into Art: Discovering Lee Jung Seop Street on Jeju’s Olle Trail
I was nearing the end of Jeju Olle-gil trail 6, and excitedly stumbled upon a street that felt like both a gallery and a garden. The Lee Jung Seop Street (이중섭거리) in Seogwipo turned out to be a nice slow break from the trek along the coastline of the island. As someone who loves both art and nature, it felt like a perfect intersection: a quiet, colorful street nestled into the landscape, filled with creative energy and the story of a brilliant, passionate artist. You don’t have to trek the Olle-gil to find this spot though. If you’re visiting Seogwipo, this local gem is worth slowing down for. Here’s what…
