VISIT JEJU

If someone asks where the best place is to see a beautiful sunset, the answer is definitely Gosan-ri on the west edge of Jeju. If you want to appreciate the fast-changing scenery of the evening sky, walking on the beach is recommended. From the Jeju Geo Trail’s Suwolbong Eongal Coastal Trail, you can see the panorama of nature starting with the Tears of Nokgo and passing over the summit of Suwolbong Peak all the way to the Haenyeouijip (Women Divers' House). The 4.6km-long course takes just about two hours on foot. At the top of Suwolbong Peak you can enjoy a view of Chagwido Island and Jagunae Port right below a sheer cliff. If you’re lucky enough, you might encounter a group of dolphins off the coast of Chagwido Island.

‣Jeju Gosan-ri Prehistoric Remains Information Center: 1100, Noeulhaean-ro, Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju-si

If you want to understand the sad history of our ancestors and the memories of our grandmothers and grandfathers, why not join the Dark Tour and 4•3 Art Archive Project Exhibition? The Jeju Dark Tour, which offers “100 years of time travel,” is operated every Saturday starting on May 4. The tour, which starts at Gwandeokjeong Hall, consists of two courses: one is at East 100-gil and the other is West 100-gil. Online reservations are available at the website www.tamnao.com. In the 4•3 Art Archive Project Exhibition, you can get to know the past and the present of 4•3 Art as well as a deep reflection on the April Third Incident and the remembrances of artists from in and outside of Jeju.

If you’re curious about the life of haenyeo (women divers) who make a living from the wild sea, Haenyeouibueok is the place to visit. The place was a seafood market 20 years ago, and was remodeled into a cultural complex where people can see performances and dining that offer unforgettable memories. There is a theater performance that tells the story of the first shell-fishing experience and the narration of a women diver that tells the story of seasonal seafood, a dining table filled with dishes made by the divers and a live interview with the women divers. The running time is 1 hour and 30 minutes. If the life of the women divers still lingers in your mind, visit the symbol of Jeju culture at the Haenyeo Museum, which is only a 10-minute drive away. You can see the precious cultural heritage of Jeju’s women divers in one place.

‣Haenyeouibueok: 2265, Haemajihaean-ro, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si

Dansan, the volcanic cone Kim Jeong-hui (penname: Chusa) loved. Dansan Volcanic Cone, which has stairs that go all the way the top, is called Baguni (basket) Volcanic Cone because it looks like a small basket when the area is submerged under the sea, and it’s also called Bagjwi (bat) Volcanic Cone because it looks like bat wings when seen from a distance. From Dansan Volcanic Cone, Sanbangsan Mountain, next to it, and Songaksan Mountain, a little bit away from it, can be seen. Dansan Volcanic Cone is the lowest among these three mountains, but it boasts the most beautiful, edgy silhouette. While Sanbangsan Mountain has more of a stately atmosphere, Dansan Volcanic Cone radiates young and dynamic energy. At the top of Dansan Volcanic Cone, Hyeongjeseom Islands, Gapado Island, and Marado Island are vividly seen, as if you can grab them at once, and the crop fields are laid out artistically as a patchwork, presenting one of the precious gifts of the spring season. The 20-minute walk on the trail will give you the splendor of panoramic scenery.

In the 1980s, Jeju emerged as one of the best honeymoon destinations in Korea. The island became popular for honeymoons among the older generations. Against nature’s backdrop of canola flower fields and Cheonjiyeon Falls, our parents looked young and beautiful. Like our mothers and fathers, whose hearts are still young, why not plan a surprise event on the romantic island of Jeju? Once used as wedding studio, Veloin the Romantic provides a lot of photo zones for outdoor photography with various wedding concepts. The Secret Garden Café and Studio is full of vintage style and fascinates travelers with services that offer both sightseeing and wedding photo shoots. Finally, CAFERI offers numerous wedding items such as flower tiaras and is the best place for taking your own wedding photos.

‣The Secret Garden Café and Studio: 2471, Hamdeok-ri, Jocheon-eup, Jeju-si

What if there was a world where your imagination became reality? Jeju Shinhwa World, which will satisfy all five senses of both adults and children, is filled with interesting stories with TUBA n characters and consists of three theme zones where you can enjoy thrilling rides. As special events in May, visitors can experience the additional pleasure of the Family Day Event with an air-bounce program from 3rd to 6th, and special parades that children can participate in (registration is on a first-come, first-served basis) every weekend. Also, do not miss the grand opening of Shinhwa World 2019’s regular performances. It is a great opportunity for adults to go back in time to younger days. There is also a figure museum in Jeju where “kidults” are more enthusiastic, and here might be the place where your dream of becoming a superhero comes true.

White citrus flowers in bloom along a stone wall. If you want to escape the hassle of traveling for a while, relax in a café situated in the middle of a mandarin orchard with a cup of coffee or a fresh drink. Cheongchunbubu, once a mandarin warehouse, was renovated into an impressive space with a neat appearance, and it matches the mandarin orchard. You can see the citrus orchard through the windows from any table in the cafe. If you are looking for another citrus flower cafe near the airport, Analog Gamgyulbat is the place for you. This generous café offers free biscuits with mandarin jam for each drink ordered, and is also known for having photo zones full of artistic inspiration. And don’t miss the warehouse café New Jersey, with a 3.3-acre (4,000-pyeong) mandarin orchard outside the window. When night comes, this place turns into a lounge pub where you can have a glass of wine and watch the sun set over the endless mandarin orchard.

‣Cheongchunbubu: 181, Chusa-ro 38beon-gil, Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo-si

If you want to feel the Saturday night fever of the city, head toward downtown Jeju. Musical performances are held every Saturday from 7 pm to 9 pm until May 25 in the Tamna Culture Concert “Noljen? Noljang!” (“Play? Let’s Play!”) in Sanjicheon Buksugu Square. The concert features art performances and busking by local musicians with unique characters, and the headliners include Penomeco on May 4, The Ade on May 11, Colde on May 18, and Sam Kim and Jang Jae-in on May 25, the last night of the concert series, filling the night with pleasure. Also, Jeju's distinctive Tamna Art Market flea market along the Sanjicheon Stream is an attraction that no one should just pass by! "Are you ready to enjoy it? If so, you are already a “haekinssa” (true insider)!

The experience of horseback riding, which adds fun and satisfaction to travel, is more special because it’s “Jeju.” The riding experience of Jeju Land includes climbing all the way up to the summit of Nasiri Volcanic Cone. At the top of the volcanic cone, you can see the blue ocean, Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone, Hallasan Mountain and other big and small volcanic cones at a single glance. In addition to this, the horseback riding experience at the Eco Horse Riding Academy, where you can ride in Saryeoni Forest, a cedar forest full of phytoncide, and Gwangchigi Beach horseback riding, where you can ride a horse on picturesque Gwangchigi Beach with the backdrop of Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone, are attractions you will definitely give two thumbs up to. If you want to have an extraordinary experience, it is recommended to go camel trekking in Jeju, the only camel trekking in Korea.

‣ Gwangchigi Beach horseback riding: Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo-si

The common octopus of Jeju grew up eating rich prey in a clean sea area. Common octopus, with its chewy texture and abundant nutrients, is used in a variety of dishes, and new styles of common octopus cuisine are increasing. With its unique know-how to mature the octopus, the common octopus with rice of Bengdi is renowned for its soft texture, as well as the deep flavors of Jeju using local ingredients. Bibimbap with octopus sauce of Annyeonghyeobjaessi attracts the eye with colorful visuals and has a fresh taste. The octopus pasta of Villewat, a local Jeju restaurant, is gaining popularity by word-of-mouth.

‣ Annyeonghyeobjaessi: 55, Hyeopjae 1-gil, Hallim-eup, Jeju-si