VISIT JEJU

Historically, Jongdal-ri was the biggest salt-producing area in Jeju. The inhabitants of Jongdal-ri were referred to as “Sogeumbachi” (Sogeumbat (salt field) + i (person), which means “the people of the salt field”), and salt produced in this area was of such good quality that it was offered to the king. Nowadays, all the salt fields are gone and have been turned into rice paddies, but traces of the past can be found at the salt field exhibit hall in the town hall.  For those who are interested in experiencing the past of Jongdal-ri, salt field tour programs will be held in the future, so make sure to check them out.

Most towns in Jeju were formed by people migrating to the coastal areas where spring waters could be found. Similarly, Jongdal-ri was formed by people who traveled to the shore in search of water. It is said that in this town, every household had its own well in addition to the common wells such as Saetong, Omakgaemul, Jeonsumul, and Ungmul. The Ungmul well in Seo-dong had so much water that one didn’t even need a bucket to pull up the water. With fewer people supplying their water from wells, most of these traditional water reservoirs have disappeared, but Ungmul still has plenty of water.

The “Saenggaenap Donjitdang” located about 200m west from the Jongdal-ri harbor is a shrine where the big rock at the shore is considered a sacred rock, and rituals are held. The fishermen and haenyeo of Jeju had to overcome the harsh conditions of this island to make their living. It is said that in the past, haenyeo dived into the sea just 3 days after giving birth to provide for their family.  The sea was so much more than the main source for their livelihood?it was part of their everyday life. This shrine, where they held rituals and prayed for their safety, well-being, and prosperity, embodies this relationship. In 2018, the World Heritage Center in Jeju recognized it as a local heritage. 10 minutes away from this shrine (towards Hado-ri) stands the “Gomangnan Dol Bulteok.” Bulteok is a place where haenyeo change into their diving suits before going into the water or rest between dives. Many of these places are still intact in Jongdal-ri. They were not really manmade, but were natural spots. Among them, the “Gomangnan Dol Bulteok” boasts a large enough space to accommodate many people. Notably, it has an arch-like shape, which makes it an ideal place for haenyeo to escape from rainy weather and rest between dives.

The name of this peak, “Jimi (地尾),” means “the end of the land” or “tail of the land.” Standing at its top, you can see the entire eastern region of the island, from the panoramic view of Jongdal-ri town to the Seongsan Ilchulbong, and even all the way to the Udo Island.  Since its visibility was so clear, a torchlight used to be placed on top of this peak to announce administrative and military affairs in the town. Make sure to wear comfortable clothing and shoes, as it is pretty steep on the way up. Also, this track is a part of Olle Route no. 21. Visitors can hike along the route to Jimi Peak, as well as to the surrounding towns. Another fun fact about the Jimi Peak is that it was a separate island in the past, but it was empoldered to its present status.

With the recent rise of visitors, charming cafes and restaurants have opened one by one in Jongdal-ri. At “Jongdal-ri Sudatteul,” guests are served hearty, delicious specialties made from fresh seafood. A wide variety ranging from set menus to single dishes are offered to satisfy the palates of single visitors, children, parents, families, and groups. The Ear Shell Hot Stone Pot Rice delights taste buds with fresh ear shells and Gujwa-eup’s specialty carrots.  Sate your appetite with a spoon full of ear shells on warm stone pot rice, with the addition of free, tasty side dishes prepared with great care.