Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Paladin Brewer]

So I plan on going to Jeju for my first week of paid vacation. I will be coming via the ferry from Incheon, seems easier and pleasant. Anywho, I've never been there and my Korean sucks. Any good recommendations on places to stay for 4 days or so?

And just for fun, any recommendations on nice things to see? Particularly cultural type things, good hiking, nice scenic areas. I've seen some pics of nice waterfalls but not sure where to find them. All of Jeju is just an island, right?

[rickpidero]

I stayed at Yeha Guesthouse. It was nice, cheap, and you can meet people to hangout with. They will help you get around too.

I'd say hit up the beaches as much as possible. The black sand beach was a little bit disappointing though, kind of gross. Lava tubes were pretty cool too.

Once you get there you can get all the information you need.

[InDaGu]

Absolute #1 recommendation is to rent a scooter.
After that, there's a bunch of waterfalls and stuff to see along the south coast, and it's easy to access everything if you have your own wheels.
As far as places to stay, check out Jeju Hiking Inn. It's a hostel in Seogwipo, close to the resort area and there's scooter rental nearby:
http://www.hikinginn.com/bbs/zboard.php?id=eqa

[cassimira]

ag, I"m so jealous that you got a ferry ticket. we waited too long to book, and now its full. We so hoped to take our car!

[Ruthdes]

I second Hiking Inn. Kevin, who owns(?) the place, speaks English pretty well and he'll tell you how to get around without renting a scooter/car if you don't want to do that. It's in Seogwipo and a single yeo room is 22,000 won a night. I think it was 30,000 for a double.

The two waterfalls are in Seowipo and aren't spectacular, but are at least worth the price of admission. The Lonely Planet guide says that Jeongbang Falls (정방폭포) is the only waterfall in Asia that falls straight into the sea. However it doesn't really fall into the sea (into a rock pool near the sea), and I've seen another in Asia that does - Lower Duden Falls in Antalya, Turkey (yes that's in the Asian part of Turkey!). It is very nice though and work the 2000 odd won it costs to get in. Cheonjiyeon Falls (천지연폭포) is on the other side of town and is also a nice walk and the same entrance price. They are both within walking distance of Hiking Inn.

Other things to do in Seogwipo: The Eros Museum in World Cup Stadium was pretty interesting. That's 7000 won. The little island just off the coast, connected to the main island by the bridge with the Burj al Arab like structure is worth a walk around. There also lots of nice restaurants to eat seafood or black pig sam gyeop sal.

Ilchulbong (a crater) on the east coast is definitely worth a trip. My friend an I stayed in huge minbak for 50,000 won a night with a beautiful view of the sea and Ilchulbong.

The lava tube - manjanggul - is cool (but cold and drippy inside), and worth the trip. There's a hedge maze nearby which is not too expensive and worth stopping by if you have the time.

Hallasan is good but if you're going to do one of the long courses (from the east or north), start early as you have to pass a check point by 1pm or they won't let you go to the top. The western courses are shorter, but don't go all the way to the summit, so you miss Baengnokdam - the crater lake.

Of course, Loveland, just south of Jeju City, is a must for all the clich�d photo opps. Iho Beach is a nice place to hang out for a few hours if you just want to sit on the beach (or it was in early July when it wasn't busy anyway - don't know what it's like in holiday season).

We hired a car, which was very convenient and fun, but it is possible to go to all these places by public transport.

[Paladin Brewer]

Are any of the places to stay near where the ferry docks? I was trying to find Seogwipo on a map, Hiking Inn sounds cheap enough but I don't see it

[Paladin Brewer]

Actually I do see Seogwipo on the map...but its way on the other side of the island from the port

[Sector7G]

[sallymonster]

[carleverson]

Go to Anna's Guesthouse in Seogwipo. Rooms with air conditioning and free breakfast go for 15,000 won a night. Can't get any cheaper than that.

[Ruthdes]

[DeMayonnaise]

Whatever you do, don't get suckered into seeing Oedelgae. Worst. Tourist trap. Ever. You must trust me on this one...especially if you're riding a bike around the island and have to bike up and down the big hill to get to it, negotiating the road with a ton of tourist buses.