Korean Job Discussion Forums

Samantha · Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Location: Jinan-dong Hwaseong

Can anyone give me some basic touristy info on Jejudo? I've looked at some of the tourist guide sites but what I want to know is...

-which city is better for hotels Jeju-si or Seogwipo?
-realistically how long does it take to go from one side of the island to the other?
-what's a good itenerary of places someone "just has to see" or little gems you found on trips there?
-how many days do you think is best to see everything and do the island properly?

Any other ideas/suggestions for Jeju?

VanIslander

Samantha · Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Location: Jinan-dong Hwaseong

Suwoner10 · Joined: 10 Dec 2007

For the same money, I suggest going anywhere but Jeju. Heck, you'll spend about the same money in Tokyo for a 4-5 day trip. And at least Tokyo is awesome...whereas Jeju is a baren, windswept, rather ugly island.

Samantha · Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Location: Jinan-dong Hwaseong

Smee · Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Location: Jeollanam-do

Interpark (www.interpark.co.kr), a Korean site, has roundtrip tickets between Incheon and Tokyo for July 20 - 27 for under 400,000 won. It helps to have a Korean help you out, because even though foreigners can register and can navigate the site with a little Korean, they confirm tickets over the phone and if I recall they don't speak English. I guess also check the travel agents like Kangsan Travel.

Foreigners can register for Interpark in about 20 minutes, using these steps: http://briandeutsch.blogspot.com/2007/11/how-to-register-with-interparkcom.html

regicide · Joined: 01 Sep 2006 Location: United States

Newbie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

"Sunrise Peak"... very nice
"Dragon's Breath (or head??)"... very cool. There's also a nice little temple near it.

O'Sulloc Tea farm was kinda cool. Nice for shopping for tea cups, tea etc. if you're into that.

Waterfalls weren't that great, but might be nicer when the trees are blooming.

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

The waterfall that runs into the ocean is nice.

Loveland is funny.

Speeding around the mountain highway is fun. The camera that caught me never got traced back to my rental.

n�fara · Joined: 14 Jul 2007 Location: The Island

If you like hiking, I'd definitely recommend taking a jaunt up Hallasan, on either the Yeongsil or Eorimok trails (or up one and down the other). I believe there are buses that go by both, although you may have to walk a bit from the bus stop to the trailhead.

Ilchulbong, or the Sunrise Peak is quite nice. There are lots of little places to stay around there is you want to actually be there for the sunrise. Otherwise, just take the (#4?) bus from the Jeju-si bus terminal and get off in Seongsan. The climb is not too bad, and you do get a nice view of the local area. I think there is a black sand beach there, but it's not very large. There are better beaches around the island.

I've never been to Loveland, but others have said it is quite the statuesque "experience". I think it's 6000 W admission though.

There is a Jeju Folk village in Pyoseon you could visit.
BUT, I think a nicer place to go is Seong-eup. It's like a heritage village, but people still live there in the stone buildings with straw roofs (although the interiors are likely a lot more modern). I've been by when they've been re-roofing the houses. Pretty neat. I'd be interested in getting some Gal-ot clothing made sometime. Sure, it's touristy in Seongeup too, but it's kinda nice just wandering around the village, and I've never paid an entrance fee there. Just make sure you don't wander into someone's house!

Udo Island (actually pretty close to Ilchulbong) is a very pretty place to visit. You have a good chance of seeing a Haenyo there.

There are a few temples/hermitages that are interesting to visit. You could go to the manjanggul lava tube. I found Yongdaum (Dragon's head rock) to be over-rated. There are heaps of oreum (parasitic volcanoes) on the Island to climb.

I might be able to make some other suggestions, but what are you interested in?

Oh, and Seogwipo is the sunnier of the two cities, but don't feel that you have to get a hotel in the city.

Samantha · Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Location: Jinan-dong Hwaseong

Thanks for the suggestions/information.

Things have changed now, instead of doing a 4-5 day trip somewhere while my friend is here, we're going to do a couple of one-two day trips around the country. Up to Incheon and hit the beach and Chinatown, DMZ tour, the palaces in Seoul, maybe some of the mountains/temples within Kyeonggi-do, and if there's still enough time down to Busan for a couple of days. We might get down to Jeju but it's not likely at this point. She decided that she wants to see as much of the country as she can since she missed a lot when she was here a couple of years ago teaching for about 4 months.