Top 10 reasons to visit Jeju Island

Jeju Island, a visa-free destination, is a beautiful harmony of mountains, ocean, smaller islands, and pristine beaches - all unique with different sand colours and different hues of water. The 73km wide and 31km long island was formed when lava spewed from a sub-sea volcano and surfaced above the waters. Go on hikes, stay at an ornate temple, relax on exotic beaches, partake of adventure sports like paragliding, and indulge in shopping or even partying. . .

Here’s a look at the Top 10 reasons to visit Jeju Island: 

One of the New 7 Wonders of Nature

Jeju Island is so beautiful it has been chosen as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Due to their breathtaking beauty, the three areas collectively known as ‘Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes’ were selected as UNESCO’s World Natural Heritage Site.

Here, you can trek up the majestic volcano Mt. Hallasan, then dive beneath the earth’s surface to explore the massive lava tube system with deep caverns and multicoloured walls, before visiting the exquisite vistas of the Global Geopark and Biosphere Reserve.

Mt Halla

The dormant volcano Hallasan stands 1,950 meters above sea level, and is the highest mountain in South Korea.

It is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage and a Global Geopark containing a crater lake, alpine plants, woodpeckers, chipmunks, butterflies and beetles. Set off on a hike up Mt Hallasan and its 360 parasitic volcanoes.

Lava tubes at Manjanggul cave

Another UNESCO Geopark, the Manjanggul cave which was formed by cooling lava is more than thirteen kilometers long and you can walk one kilometer of this mysterious underground world of lava tunnels.

Grandfather stones

In around the mid 1700’s, to scare off invaders, masons started carving rocks into forbidding black dolharubang or ‘grandfather stones’.

These grandfather stones, forty-five of which still exist, are a symbol of a distinct ancient culture with many gods and legends.

Sunrise at Seongsan Ilchulbong

Go to Seongsan Ilchulbong or ‘Sunrise Peak’, the 182-meter high volcanic cone rising from the sea with a wide, green crater on the island's eastern edge. A UNESCO designated World Natural Heritage, the large basin atop with about 99,000 sq mt meadow is surrounded by 99 chiselled rocks in a crown-like formation.

Deep-diving women

See the powerful haenyo or ‘sea-women’  at work in at the Jungmun Beach in Seogwipo and at other beaches across the island. They dive 10-20 meters without any breathing apparatus, in search of octopus, abalone, clams, squid and seaweed.

Superb beaches

Jeju Island is blesses with pristine beaches. Relax at Jungmun beach, a sweep of pale sand, blue sea, green creepers trailing over dunes.

 Other great beaches for swimming and surfing are Emerald Bay, Gwakji, Hamdoek and Shinyang. Enjoy sand bathing in the therapeutic minerals-rich fine black sand of the Black Sand Beach.

Cheonjiyeon Falls

Legend has it that the Taoist fairies descended upon the dreamy waters of ‘God’s pond’, the spectacular Cheonjiyeon Falls - one 22m high and 21m wide and the other 30m wide.

Also explore the nearby trail through the thick subtropical forest.

Jusangjeolli

Be mesmerized by nature's greatness when you take in the view of the beautiful ocean waves crashing against the impressive black hexagon columnar stone pillars - the largest pillar rock formation in Korea.

Fun Activities

Get an adrenalin rush on a horse ride in the open fields, or speed driving on a carting course, or a Four Wheeled ATV ride on the sandy beaches.

Enjoy the sea and explore its waters on a Cruise Ship Submarine or yachting or at the Jeju Aqua Planet which is home to 48,000 fish of 500 species. Enjoy freedom in the sky on a thrilling paragliding or parasailing experience.

Book your visa-free holiday to Jeju Island, a Visa-Free destination that can be accessed easily via Hong Kong or Shanghai. So whether you’re travelling with your friends, family or even alone, a holiday to Jeju Island is one you will remember for a lifetime.