By air
Jeju International (CJU), ~1 h from Seoul
East Asia · South Korea
Jeju Island, South Korea
A volcanic island of lava tubes and tangerines
Getting there
Best time to visit
April to June and September to November — mild
Don't miss
Seongsan Ilchulbong
Hallasan
Manjanggul Cave
Cheonjiyeon Falls
Things to do
Sunrise from Seongsan Ilchulbong
Climbing Hallasan
The Olle coastal trails
The Manjanggul lava tube
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Korea.net / Korean Culture and Information Service · CC BY-SA 2.0
What to pack
Hiking shoes, a windproof jacket
A quieter corner
Udo island's coral beaches, by bicycle
Questions travellers ask
When should I visit Jeju Island, and what should I pack?
April to June or September to November, when it's mild. Bring hiking shoes and a windproof jacket if you're climbing Hallasan or walking the Olle coastal trails.
How long is the flight to Jeju from Seoul?
About 1 hour, into Jeju International (CJU).
What's unmissable on Jeju?
Sunrise from Seongsan Ilchulbong, the Manjanggul lava tube and Cheonjiyeon Falls. For a quieter day, explore Udo island's coral beaches by bicycle.
Which local dishes should I try on Jeju?
Black-pork barbecue, and abalone porridge from the haenyeo divers.
About Jeju Island
- Island
Where it is
Jeju Island lies in the sea off the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula and forms its own province of South Korea; it is the country's largest island, built around the volcano Hallasan, which at about 1,950 m is South Korea's highest peak.
History
Jeju was home to the kingdom of Tamna until it was absorbed by Korea's Goryeo dynasty in the 12th century. Under Mongol rule it became a horse-breeding island and under the Joseon kings a place of exile, and in the late 20th century it became a hugely popular honeymoon and holiday island for South Koreans. Its volcanic landscapes and lava tubes were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.
People
Jeju's islanders speak Korean, and some older people still speak the Jeju language, which UNESCO lists as critically endangered. The haenyeo, women who free-dive for shellfish and seaweed, are a symbol of the island, alongside the carved stone dol hareubang figures and the tangerine orchards.
Known for
- Hallasan, South Korea's highest mountain
- Sunrise over Seongsan Ilchulbong
- The Manjanggul lava tube
- The haenyeo women divers
- Tangerines and Jeju black pork
Did you know?
Jeju holds three UNESCO designations for its natural environment: a Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site and a Global Geopark.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.