Jeju's coastal resorts are popular vacation
destinations, but the wild areas beyond the beaches are why Jeju
Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the
entire island is designated as the Jeju Global Geopark. The park's premier site is 6,397-foot Hallasan
(South Korea's highest mountain), a shield volcano with a summit crater
lake. Additional geomorphologic features found on Jeju include
spectacular volcanic cones and craters, dramatic waterfalls, ever
evolving rocky shores, and the Geomunoreum lava tube system, considered
the finest cave system of its kind in the world.
Three designated Geo-Trails link many of the main geological sites and connect to six
Geo-Park villages.
Accompanying brochures (available in Korean, English, Japanese, and
Chinese) include maps and information about local geology, history,
culture, and daily life. Walk the self-guided trails or book a custom
eco-tour with a local, English-speaking guide such as Jejueco Tours. Owner
Victor Ryashencev, who also runs owns a Jeju eco-lodge, personally
leads small group treks to waterfalls, folk villages, seaside cliffs,
mountain peaks, and less-traveled island locations. One of his favorite
geological wonders to share with visitors, he says, is Jusangjeolli with its hexagonal-shaped rocks reminiscent of Northern Ireland's Giant's Causeway.
How to Get Around: Jeju International Airport is located on the island's northern coast in Jeju, the largest and capital city of Jeju province. From here, rent a car or use city and intercity buses
to travel around the island. Most major resorts and hotels also are
stops on the limousine bus (airport shuttle) route. For day hikes, walk
the Jeju Olle Trail,
a whole-island coastal trek network made up of 26 hiking paths. Each
Olle Trail segment takes between four and eight hours to walk.
Where to Stay: The ten-room Jejueco Suites
is a small eco-lodge set amid tangerine fields in southern Jeju.
Husband and wife owners Victor Ryashencev and Natasha Nazarenko have
implemented several sustainable practices at the lodge, including
harvesting rainwater for cleaning and gardening, and heating water and
some rooms with solar power. Three-day eco-tour packages include room, breakfast, and excursions with an English-speaking guide.
What to Eat: Traditional Jeju foods include omaegi-tteok,
a rice cake made from black glutinous millet and covered with bean
powder and red azuki beans. The donut-shaped cake typically is a summer
treat (available May to July), and is best eaten fresh and hot at a rice
cake shop or at the Dongmun Traditional Market. Restaurants around the market serve other island specialties, such as gogi-guksu (noodle soup with Heukdwaeji, a black pig species found on Jeju), jeonbok dolsot-bap (abalone hot stone pot rice), haemul-jeongol (seafood hot pot), and miyeok-guk (sea urchin seaweed soup).
What to Buy: At the Jeju Folk Arts Complex in Jeju, shop for handcrafted items such as flowing, persimmon-dyed galot clothing (cotton work wear), kat (Korean horsetail hair hat), bamboo charong (rice cake container), and ceramic jageundok (small pot) and danji (small jar).
What to Watch Before You Go: The Diving Women of Jeju: Part 1
(2012), a documentary by the Korea Tourism Organization and National
Geographic Channel, provides a rare glimpse into the lives of Jeju's
remaining haenyeo, or sea women, and features scenes filmed at Jeju Global Geopark sites, such as Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak and Hallasan.
Helpful Links: Jeju Global Geopark and Visit Korea
Fun Fact: Wearing only simple
weighted belts, wet suits, and masks (no flippers, air tanks, or
snorkels), Jeju's haenyeo can free-dive down 65 feet or more to collect
seaweed, conch, abalone, octopus, and other sea creatures. Even more
remarkable, most haenyeo working today are age 60 and older, and many
have practiced their trade for several decades. Learn about the island's
haenyeo culture and traditions at the Haenyeo Museum.