Though it’s been a while since I last visited the place, oftentimes I find myself daydreaming about Jeju.
In my mind are snippets of memories of my trip there that I gently tucked away and sometimes like to pull out and think about when I need to relax.
The images that flash through my head leave me with an overwhelming sense of nostalgia — a bittersweet yearning for a place I’ve only been to once but feels like home to me.
That’s the magic of Jeju for you. If you’re someone intrigued by Korean culture, food and natural scenery then it’s a place you need to visit.
Places I want to revisit:
1. Seongsan Ilchulbong remains at the top of my list as I recall the most comfortable (but still literally breath-taking) climb to a mountaintop I’ve ever experienced in my life. All through the mountain are steps of stairs — safe and doable for the able-bodied — but still offering a bit of a challenge. For those who get a little out of breath, there are stops and viewing decks on the way to the top where visitors can take a rest while admiring the view of the Jeju skyline. Those spots are visual appetizers preparing visitors for the main course — the breathtaking crater at the peak.
2. Eco Land is intriguing because of how well-thought-of this nature theme park was made. A scenic train ride takes you around different garden areas that each have their own attractions. There’s a water park with different kinds of fountain installments. One park has a small cafe overlooking vast lavender fields. And, one of my favorites, there’s a forest trail that features lush greenery and towering trees that provide an ample amount of shade.
3. The Seongeup Folk Village sits at the foot of the Halla Mountain in Jeju. The small town showcases old traditions and parts of Jeju culture that were practiced from 1410 to 1914 and preserved for all to see and experience. Part of these are even cultural treasures passed on from generation to generation such as traditional-style homes made out of lava rocks, stone statues and even the practice of arranging the gate in a way that signified whether or not the folk village was open to visitors. There are still people who live in the Seongeup ethnic village and work traditional jobs. The place is preserved as a cultural heritage destination and gives visitors a glimpse through time at the charms of old Jeju.
One visit was not enough to experience all there is to do in Jeju Island. I still have places on my bucket list for the next trip. Here are some of them:
1. Seopjikoji is a magnificent trail along the coast of Jeju that promises a peaceful view of the Jeju coastline and natural wonders. The area was formed by volcanic activities that happened many years back. Because it looks like a tiny island attached to Jeju by a small strip of land, some say that Seopjikoji was named for its shape. According to certain sources, Seopji means “a narrow piece of land” in the local dialect and koji is a term they use for a cape that juts out to the sea. Because of its view of the vast, blue ocean and seascapes, it is a popular film site featured in shows like “All In” and “Boys Over Flowers.”
2. The Osulloc Tea Museum is one that intrigues tea aficionados such as myself. The place boasts of a panoramic view of the tea fields, different exhibits about green tea, an observatory overlooking the countryside and a gift shop and cafe that sells the loose leaf teas and tea-related products they make.
3. Halla Arboretum has a wide array of beautiful forests and flora. The four-season flower forest is a highlight of the place, but more than that is the breathtaking late March-April scenery when the park is filled with the smell of cherry blossom trees in full bloom.
Jeju is where South Koreans go for a local destination holiday, so you can only imagine how beautiful the place must be for it to be a vacation spot for people who already live in Korea, which is most people’s dream destination in itself.
Before the pandemic, Jeju’s tourist population made up more than the population of people who actually lived there. Known to all as the Korean tourist destination, Jeju lives up to its reputation.
The best thing about it? You don’t need a visa to visit Jeju. So, you can have a taste of Korea without worrying about your visa application.
Currently, there are no direct flights to Jeju save for chartered flights. If you’re itching to go, Cebu Direct Club has upcoming chartered flight schedules — one at the end of March. You can contact them for more details.
If not, you can find connecting flights from Cebu to Incheon to Jeju.