JEJU ISLAND , KOREA

       Located southwest of the Korean Peninsula, Jejudo Island (제주도) is a volcanic island in the shape of an oval that measures 73km from west to east, and 31km from north to south. As Korea’s most southern region, the weather on Jejudo Island remains significantly warmer than the mainland even during the cold winter months. Jejudo Island is sometimes referred to as “Samdado Island” (삼다도, meaning the “three many”) because of its abundance of rocks, women, and wind. Wind from the ocean blows steadily throughout the year and past volcanic activity has littered the island with an assortment of beautiful and unusually-shaped black rocks. The island’s reputation of having an abundance of women points back to the time when fishing was the primary means of income and many men were lost at sea.

 Main Attraction :

Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak

      Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak rose from under the sea in a volcanic eruption over 100,000 years ago. Located on the eastern end of Jejudo Island, there is a huge crater at the top of Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak. The crater is about 600m in diameter and 90m high. With the 99 sharp rocks surrounding the crater, it looks like a gigantic crown. While the southeast and north sides are cliffs, the northwest side is a verdant grassy hill that is connected to the Seongsan Village. The ridge provides an ideal spot for walks and for horse riding as well.

The sunrise from the crater is magnificent. Also the Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak surrounded by bright yellow colored rapeseed flowers in the spring is truly a sight to behold.

Sanbanggulsa Grotto

      It is said that the peak of Mt.Hallasan where Baekrokho Lake now exists was taken off and thrown away, which then became Mt. Sanbangsan. The myth describes how unlike other mountains on Jejudo Island, this mountain does not have a crater. The 5m-high rock cave at the cliff on the southwest side of the mountain was originally called Sanbanggul Cave, but it is called a temple now because it possesses a Buddhist statue. This is where monk Hye-Il (964~1053) had lived during the Goryeo Dynasty (918~1392) Inside the cave, you can see Marado Island and the Dragon Head Coast. You can also see small ponds being made by the water drops that fall from the ceiling all through the year. The plant zone on a cliff of Mt. Sanbangsan is also designated as a natural monument. It is the only place on Jejudo Island where island boxwoods grow. On the Dragon Head Coast is the Hamel Memorial Monument.

Yongmeori Beach

        Yongmeori Beach is a place where Mt. Sanbangsan stretches into the ocean and it looks as if a dragon’s head is going underwater. This area is made of Sa-am stacks, built up over millions of years. There are Gulbangs here which are depressed into the shape of rooms, and wide rocks stacking up on one another along the seashore cliffs which create a majestic scenery by the sea. Along the road down to the seashore, there is the Hamel Castaway Memorial, in remembrance of Hamel who drifted to this place in 1653. Just off to the right of the beach is a soft and dark sandy beach. You can meet the women sea-divers of Jeju who sell sea cucumbers and stroll on the road that spreads along the seashore.

Marado Island

     Marado is a small island situated at the southern end of Korea. It is about 11 km away to the south from Moseulpo Harbor in Daejeong-eup. Marado Island is 4.2 km long, but only 39 m at its widest, shaped like a sweet potato, and inhabitants fish and provide Minbak (homestay) for tourists for a living.

Seopjikoji

      Seopjikoji is located at the end of the eastern shore of Jeju-do Island. "Seopji" is the old name for the area, and "Koji" is Jeju dialect meaning a sudden bump on land. Green fields without a single tree spread beyond the cliff to where a rock called “seondol” protrudes. Also there are stonewalls along the road to block the wind on the way to the lighthouse at the end of Seopjikoji. Within the stonewalls, you may find the most brilliant rapeseed flower fields every April. Going up the metal steps of the lighthouse, you can view the whole seashore at a glance. On Koji hill, there stands a stone Bongsudae (4 m high, 9 m long and wide) that retains its original form.

Jeonbang Falls

      Jeongbang Falls (정방폭포) is only water fall in Asia that falls directly into the ocean. On the wall of the water fall, there is an inscription written “Seobulgwacha”, referring to Seobul passing by this place. Seobul was a servant of the Chinese Emperor Jin (BC 259~210) who was ordered by the Emperor to find the substance that would make him immortal. Seogwipo is also said to have gotten its name to mean Seobul headed back west. Jeongbang Waterfall is situated by a high cliff by the sea, and an old evergreen stands there leaning back as if it would fall into the ocean. Go east for about 300 meters and you will see another waterfall called Sojeongbang Waterfall. It is a great place to relax during the summer. There is an observatory at the top of the cliff, from which you can command a fine view of the sea.

accommodations :

beach :

here i share the video about jeju islands , take a look guys :