Welcome to the Hawaii of South Korea – Jeju Island! Thousands of tourists from all over the world flock to this beautiful island to enjoy the panoramic vistas of mixed blues and greens. The beautiful beaches, cozy cafes, vibrant markets and the towering Mount Hallasan make Jeju a perfect holiday destination.
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P.S. Stopping by Seoul? Remember to download the HHWT Travel Planner App available on both Google Play for Android and App Store for iOS!
Here’s our pick of some great hidden destinations in Jeju no one will tell you about!
1. Zip-Line over Jeju’s Green Tea fields at Daheeyeon
Credit: @seoupark on Instagram
While walking through green tea fields is very exhilarating, you know what is better? Zip-lining across 184,546 square metres of green tea fields at Daheeyeon Green Tea plantations located in east Jeju. The entire zip-line runs over 4 courses offering bird eyes views of Mount Halla, the Jeju coast-line and of course the green tea fields.
Once your adventure is over, you can indulge in an organic green tea foot spa at the café and take a beautiful walk across the green tea fields. (Right out of a romantic novel, no?)
Credit: @emilyben399 on Instagram
Admission Fee: Admission to the park: 5000 won
Zip – Line fee: 28,000 won (Inclusive of gear, locker room and instructor)
Operating Hours: 9:00am – 6:30 pm
Address: 600- Seonhul-ri, Jochon-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do
Telephone Number:+82-64- 782-0005
Map:
2. Enjoy a latte at a spectacular Café inside a Cave
Credit: @visitjeju.en on Instagram
One of Jeju’s top hidden attractions, Daheeyeon cave café is a truly unique coffee shop you will come across. Located amidst the Daheeyeon green tea fields, the café is actually placed inside a volcanic crater. Besides its unique ambience, the café serves great homemade snacks, green tea delights and probably the best green tea ice-cream in all of Jeju!
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Operating hours: 9:00am -5:30 pm
Address: 600- Seonhul-ri, Jochon-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do
Map:
3. Sink your feet in the white sands of Woljeongri Beach
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Lesser known amongst tourists, Woljeongri Beach is a picturesque white sand beach stretching across the eastern coast of Jeju. The water here is deep turquoise blue and crystal clear making it perfect to swim in on a hot summer day. What makes Woljoengri Beach a perfect recreational spot are the scores of cafes that line its shore serving fancy desserts to the humble cappuccino.
If you are looking for a spot with fewer crowds, great view of the ocean and delicious coffee, you have just found the place to be!
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Admission Fees: It’s a beach. It is free ;)
Address: 540-2, Woljeong-ri, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju- do
Telephone Number (For car GPS): +82-64-728-3394
Map:
4. Take a walk with Nature and Nutmeg at Bijarim
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When was the last time you switched off your phone and walked through lush green scented forests with your thoughts? Do it this time at the Bijarim Forest Trails. Bijarim is considered to be the largest nutmeg forest with 2800 nutmeg trees and also has the oldest tree in Jeju. The nutmegs trees release phytoncide, which helps to strengthen immune system and relieve fatigue.
A walk through Bijarim is an all natural therapeutic experience perfect to recover from all your travel adventures.
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Admission fees: 1500 won
Operating Hours: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Address: 3164-1, Pyeongdae –ri, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do
Telephone number: +82-64- 783-3857
Map:
5. Be a part of a Star Gazing experience at Jeju Starlight World Park
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The perfect go-to place post dinner, Starlight World Park is yet another hidden gem of Jeju’s night scenes. The park is a space science installation complete with an observation deck showcasing state of art telescopes. The park also has a 4D movie hall and a dome theatre that features interesting tales of constellations.
On a bright clear day, you can at gaze at stars and meteors dotting the skies above through one of the high powered telescopes at Starlight Park.
Admission Fees: 5000 won
Operating hours: 2pm- 10 pm
Address: 60, Seondolmokdong-gil, Jeju-si, Jeju-do
Telephone number: +82-64-728-8900
Map:
6. Click and click at a Waterfall that meets the ocean
One of the not to be missed sight in Jeju is the Jeongbang Waterfall which is also one of the 3 main waterfalls here. With a height of 23 metres, Jeongbang Fall is the only known waterfall in Asia that falls directly into the ocean. A steep flight of steps takes you all the way down to the waterfalls where you are welcomed by the cold sprays of water and a vast panoramic view of the ocean.
#HHWT Tip: You will find many ‘haenyeo’ here. Haenyeo are old Korean women who dive to the bottom of the ocean to catch fish. You can try one of their on the spot sashimi dishes if you dare!
Credit: Rich Luhr on Flickr
Admission fees: 2000 won
Operating hours: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Address: 35, Chilsimni-ro, 214 beon gil, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
Telephone number (for car GPS): +82-64-760-6341
Map:
7. Kayak your way through Soesokkak Estuary
Credit: @yimwg on Instagram
Another beauty of Seogwipo and also a filming location for the Korean show ‘We got Married’ is the Soesokkak estuary. The best way to enjoy the magnificent beauty of this region is to rent a see-through canoe and kayak your way peacefully through the pristine waters of the estuary. The landscape is wrought with pine trees, lava formations and of course changing shades of blue as the stream meets the ocean.
#HHWT Tip: Best time to visit the estuary is early mornings before the crowds come in and ruin your peaceful day dreaming! :p
Credit: @hanna_u90 on Instagram
Admission Fees: Kayak for one adult – 10,000 won and for 2 adults – 15,000 won
Operating Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00pm
Address: 996-4, Hyodon-dong, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
Map:
8. Do you believe it or not?
Adding to the list of Jeju’s existing museums is the Ripley’s Believe it or not Museum! Located close to the K-pop and Teddy Bear museum, this one features a bizzare collection of paintings, sculptures and stories including the origins of a ‘torture room’ and park of the ‘Berlin Wall’ all collected by the famous Robert Ripley over his journeys. Perhaps one of the most quirkiest museums ever, this one is perfect for a rainy afternoon!
Admission Fees: 10,000 won/ adult
Operating Hours: 12 pm- 6pm & 9pm-Midnight
Address: 2864-2, Saekal-dong, Seogwipo –si, Jeju –do
Telephone number: +82-64-738-3003
Map:
9. Take a well-deserved break at a Foot Bath café
Popping up at many corners of the island, are cozy little foot bath cafes where you can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee along with a relaxing foot bath. While there are many such concept cafes, try the Nonjitmul café located in Seogwipo. Along with top scores for the ambience, this café provides mineral enriched sea water for the foot bath that works great for relaxing the tired feet and a great view of Nonjitmul beach.
#HHWT Tip: Try an all-natural orange tea and the orange waffles while your feet get cleansed at Nonjitmul café for a complete holiday relaxing regime!
Credit : @callyjaan on Instagram
Operating hours: 10am – 10pm
Address: 580, Haye-dong, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
Telephone Number: +82-64-738-5800
Map:
10. Join the everlasting party at Jewon Crossroads
Credit: Walter Lim on Flickr
While the days in Jeju are filled with enjoying the island’s natural beauty, people often wonder what to do when the sun goes down. The answer lies here – head to Jewon Crossroads, Jeju’s popular youth hangout spot. The area is lined with shops, cafes and restaurants where you can contentedly shop and dine. Several street performers will set up stall here to keep you entertained. And while you are in Korea, don’t forget to hop into a ‘Noraebang’ or singing room and sings your lungs out!
Credit: Johnny Silvercloud on Flickr
Address: 47 – Singwang-ro, Jeju –si, Jeju –do
Map:
11. Can’t really go back without some shopping right?
Credit: Doug Letterman on Flickr
While you may think that shopping is the best in Seoul, do not under-estimate the Jeju shopping scene. (or probably just your shopping potential :p ). Lined with over 280 little boutiques, name brands, skin care shops, handmade shoes and accessories shops is the Jungang Underground Shopping Center. The shopping complex has some amazing K-fashion albeit with a slightly higher price tag. But, just one jacket won’t ruin the trip budget too much right? ;)
Credit: @vnisland on Instagram
Operating hours: 10 am – 10pm
Address: B1F 60, Jungang-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju-do
Map:
Whether you want explore some natural trails, relax at a beach or just sit by a roadside café and read your book. Jeju has it all. So grab open a bag, pack up your essentials and make the most of your Jeju adventure!
P.S. Download the HHWT Travel Planner App available on both Google Play for Android and App Store for iOS if you're planning to head to Seoul ?
