VISIT JEJU

For those who want to go for a quiet walk in a calm environment, the Halla Arboretum is the place to go. This tranquil forest trail is good for everyone, with or without company.

Walking up a short distance from the entrance, you’ll soon reach a quaint glasshouse, which is home to rare plants that naturally grow on Jeju Island such as the East Asian euchresta, Korean fir, and Jeju grapefern. The color contrast of green plants growing on black basalt leaves quite an impression on visitors. The Orchid Exhibition Hall displays the Cymbidium Orchids (Natural Monument no. 191) as well as Sickle Neofinetia and Cymbidium Goeringii. Visitors are also captivated by the volcanic stones placed in every corner of the hall.

The outside the Orchid Exhibition Hall leads to Jukrimwon. There, thick-stemmed bamboos, Korean bamboos, and Broad-leaf bamboos are densely planted along the wooden deck trail. These evergreen bamboos will create a refreshing atmosphere, with fresh air and the gentle warmth of summer. Leaving Jukrimwon, the next place you’ll encounter is the Ikkiwon (moss garden) that’s covered almost entirely in green moss. Here, you can observe various species of moss such as liverwort, big hair moss, and carpet moss. Even the tiniest moss looks precious in this new light.

Due to its vast size, the Halla Arboretum takes more than an hour to explore. You can also take the short track to explore the glasshouse and orchid exhibition hall, and then pass the Jukrimwon and Ikkiwon shortly before you return to the parking lot. This course will take about 30 - 40 minutes. However, if you have enough time, make sure to explore the Gwanmokwon and Aquatic Plant Botanical Garden as well. For families with children, the Nature Ecology Agritainment Hall, where you can learn the unique ecology of Jeju, is strongly recommended. 

#Halla_arboretum #natureecologyagritainmenthall #orchidexhibitionhall #jukrimwon

Sinsan Park located in Jeju’s old city center is a place for relaxation for Jeju locals and visitors alike. It is close to known tourist attractions such as the Samsunghyeol and Folklore and Natural History Museum. Right across from it is the famous Guksu (noodle) road where you can fill your empty stomach.

There are many paths to Sinsan Park, but the road connecting it to Jeju Film and Media Center is especially picturesque. The trail beneath the huge leaves of palm trees will be forever etched in your memory. There are many tall Washington palm trees growing in the park, which are perfect photo spots for those keen on taking pictures. In a corner of the park, there is a hill of hibiscus, the national flower of Korea. The hibiscus blooms every day from July to October, so if you want to see those flowers, it’d be a good idea to visit before fall ends. The sculptures in every corner of the park are also worth seeing. In particular, there’s the sculpture portraying the Samsinin legend. You can also explore the Samsunghyeol if you want to know more about the Samsinin legend.

Walking along the trail with green leaves hanging above like curtains, it feels as if each step brings you even more relaxation. Experience fresh air and revitalizing energy as you explore all corners of the park. Although it’s located in the heart of the city, the park soothes the body and mind with green forest trails and the sound of grass bugs. 

#Sinsanpark #citypark #guksuroad #hibiscushill #folkloreandnaturalhistorymuseum

The Sarabong, a popular spot among Jeju locals, is a charming oreum that provides a place for relaxation for every visitor. The surroundings of the oreum are set up like a park. Nearby, there are many sights worth exploring such as the Jeju National Museum, Borim Temple, and Sanji Lighthouse.

The first things you’ll encounter at the entrance of the Sarabong Park are the sound of calming wood percussion used by Buddhist monks and the sight of full-size palm trees. The remote Borim Temple, which is located under the lush pine tree forest of the Sarabong, gives off a mysterious atmosphere. The dragon head on the main temple’s paintwork carrying a cintamani in its mouth is a particularly impressive sight. Passing the Borim Temple, you’ll encounter a crossroad connecting Sarabong and Byeoldobong. Following the downward trail between the crossroad, visitors reach Sanji Lighthouse, one of the oldest lighthouses in Jeju. This lighthouse watching over the Jeju ocean was first lit up in 1916, and has been on duty ever since. On the lighthouse tower, visitors can enjoy an unobstructed view of the Jeju harbor.

The forest trail that leads all the way up to the top of Sarabong boasts picturesque scenery that was recognized with the “Beautiful Harmony Award” in the 11th National Beautiful Forest Contest. Although it’s a bit of a steep uphill walk, it is managed well to ensure as much convenience as possible. Take a rest sitting on the octagonal pavilion at the top, and feel the cool breeze on your skin. Take in the breathtaking, panoramic view of the busy Jeju city, Jeju harbor, and Hallasan Mountain. Sporting equipment is set up around the pavilion, attracting locals even late in the evening. Walking down the trail on the other side, you can also see the cave encampment that the Japanese occupiers built in the past. 

#Sarabong #borimtemple #sanjilighthouse #nationalbeautifulforestcontest #jejucityview

If you have enough time before you have to depart, make sure to explore the Halla Eco Forest. This eco forest on the mountainside of Halla Mountain shows off all of Jeju’s ecology and includes various plants growing on different climates. Enjoy a retreat on your own amidst the clean, fresh air, the scent of the grass, and the sound of birds singing.

Once a farm, this forest was created out of the great efforts to restore the damage and devastation to nature in Jeju. Thankfully, after long years of restoration, the trees and vegetation regained their lush appearance. Animals also started revisiting the area. The recovered forest was opened to the public in 2009. Looking at the pictures displayed at the entrance, you can see the huge difference before and after the restoration.

Make sure to plan your route ahead since the forest is vast—after all, you don’t want to miss your flight. Note that there are many trails based on different themes that you can choose from. Don’t miss the alluring Yeonlimok standing beside the way leading to the Fern Botanical Garden. The Yeonlimok, a result of two trees entangling in each other, is a truly astonishing sight. The Fern Botanical Garden, filled with all kinds of ferns, and the Northern Bamboo Field, with its waist-high bamboos, are also a joy to explore. Make sure to take a deep breath and take in the fresh air of the lush, green forest. The sound of volcanic charcoal under your feet, as well as the knocking of the woodpecker in the woods is also a pleasure to the ears. Last but not least, go on the observatory above the parking lot and enjoy the panoramic view of Hallasan Mountain.

#Hallaecoforest #yeonlimok #fernbotanicalgarden #hallasanmountainview #jejuislandecology

The Ora Olle stretches from Gojigyo to Bangseonmoon Valley, following along the Hancheon flowing through Jeju city. The Bangseonmoon Valley is closed down often due to safety issues, so the track from Gojigyo to the Halla Library / Jeju Art Center is used more frequently. The route from Halla Library to Gojigyo is the most convenient way to explore this area.

Walking down the trail behind the Halla Library that is connected with the Ora Olle, the surrounding scenery soon changes into a lush forest. The Ora Olle is a path of lush trees and woods. Although the dirt road is covered with palm mats, wearing sandals or formal shoes should be avoided for your safety. Keep in mind that there are rocky roads in some areas, just like on a hiking trail.

You may find many slews, strange rocks, and bizarre-looking stones formed by Hancheon. The Hancheon is a dry stream that only holds water after rain. That’s the time when Hancheon shows its beauty to the fullest, so it’s a good idea to visit after rain. As you follow a slew named “Gingyiso” because it had so many “gingyis (crabs)” in the past, you’ll see a sad love story of a government official of the Josun dynasty and a gisaeng (Korean traditional female artist). Thinking about their story and walking for a while, you’ll get to the Squirrel Cave, an inspiring sight of entangled rocks and cliffs. The scene is truly a magnificent wonder of nature. The last major attraction of the Ora Olle is the Changgomso, where strange-looking rocks standing in groups of various sizes create a nearly bizarre scene. It’s so strange-looking, you may feel as if you’ve traveled to another dimension. 

info.

Address: 221, Onam-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju-do (Orai-dong, Halla Library)

#Oraolle #changgomso #squirrelcave #hancheon #hallalibrary