Discovering Jeju, the island of natural and cultural wonders
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Jeju-do: The Natural Wonder Island of Korea
In 2011, the final list of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World was unveiled, and among so much splendor created by Mother Earth, Jeju Island is found. I was fortunate enough to visit this place for four days in May 2022, and here I will share with you some essential information about this incredible Korean island.
Famous for its appearances in many Korean dramas and endowed with incomparable beauty, Jeju is undoubtedly a must-visit destination for anyone considering visiting Korea.
The island has several prestigious distinctions: it has been classified as a "Biosphere Reserve" since 2002, a Natural Heritage of Humanity in 2007 and is part of the Global Geopark Network since 2010. Having obtained the UNESCO Triple Crown and being the first site to receive these three distinctions, Jeju has acquired worldwide fame, to the point of being nicknamed "the Korean Hawaii".
What is certain is that this island is breathtaking. Its incredible landscapes seem to have been sculpted by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. There are also vast expanses of pine forests, orchards of delicious tangerines and breathtaking basalt cliffs.
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Jeju Island is the largest and southernmost in Korea. It stretches 73 km from east to west and 31 km from north to south. Due to its geographical isolation from Korea, it has managed to remain almost intact for centuries. The route between Seoul and Jeju Island is one of the busiest air routes in the world. Jeju International Airport, Gukje Gonghang, founded in 1968, has 18 airlines serving 33 destinations. It is the third largest airport in Korea, after Gimpo Airport in Seoul and Incheon Airport.
From Seoul, it is very easy to get there via Gimpo International Airport with Jeju Air. Indeed, this island has its own airline that connects the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea in an hour. It is also possible to get there by ferry from the Korean Peninsula.
Located south of the Korean Peninsula, Jeju is a volcanic island that offers visitors a multitude of breathtaking landscapes and unique experiences. With its majestic volcanoes, mysterious caves and wild coasts, Jeju is an ideal destination for nature and adventure lovers.
The main cities of Jeju
Jeju is home to two main cities: Jeju-si, the capital located in the north, and Seogwipo, located in the south. It was in Seogwipo that I had the pleasure of staying during my trip. The most touristy area of the island is found in the Jungmun Tourist Center, located on the Seogwipo coast.
Mount Hallasan: An ascent for the most daring
One of the most popular activities among local tourists is the Hallasan volcano hiking trail. Culminating at an altitude of 1950 meters, Hallasan is the highest point in Korea and offers spectacular panoramic views of the island. Several hiking trails are available, catering to hikers of all levels.
My hiking experience on Hallasan
Having opted for public transport, I had some difficulty finding the starting point of the Hallasan trail. After several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to turn to another more accessible hike.
Sunrise Peak: Breathtaking panorama
If you are looking for a less strenuous alternative to Hallasan, Sunrise Peak (Seongsan Ilchulbong) is an ideal choice. This unique volcanic formation, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers stunning views of the island from its verdant crater. Local tradition has it that the summit is reached before sunrise to admire the magical spectacle of dawn.
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Manjanggul Cave: A Journey into the Earth's Bowels
My adventure in Jeju would not be complete without mentioning the Manjanggul Cave. This lava cave, one of the longest in the world, offers a fascinating spectacle of geological formations and light shows. Bring a light sweater and comfortable shoes, as the temperature can be cool in some areas and the ground can be slippery.
Another natural site worth visiting is the Jusangjeolli Cliffs, an impressive formation of volcanic rocks and hexagonal columns located on the south coast that appear to have been sculpted with a chisel. However, this formation is the result of the crashing of waves, which can reach 10 meters high when they hit these walls. In fact, they were also formed by the lava of Mount Hallasan reaching the sea and cooling. The volcanic stone pillars that make up the landscape are so unique in shape that they appear to have been carved by human hands.
The "haenyeo" or "sea women", one of the most striking and famous images of Jeju. These famous divers, who have been dedicated to free diving since the 17th century, represent an essential figure in Jeju's history and economy. Most of them are older women who dive in search of sea urchins, octopus or seaweed.
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Freediving has been an important tradition on the Asian continent for millennia, but it is only on Jeju Island that women have been designated to carry out this profession. Thanks to this, the island's economy has prospered over time, hence its crucial role, as even today, they are the island's main tourist and cultural attraction.
But I must say that one of my favorite places was undoubtedly the Volcanic Rock Park, an ecological park that fully presents one of the island's main riches: volcanic rocks. The Jeju Folk and Natural History Museum is also located there.
To avoid harming the environment, this museum was built underground. In the open-air courtyard, you will find various dolhareubangs, which you will see all over the island. You won't be able to resist bringing one home as a souvenir.
Dol hareubangs are sculpted from porous basalt (volcanic rock) and reach up to 3 meters high. The faces of the statues are very expressive, with bulging eyes without pupils, long, very wide noses, and a slight hint of a smile. They wear a mushroom-shaped hat. Their hands rest on their stomachs, one slightly above the other. They are considered gods who offer protection and fertility. They were placed at the entrances of villages to obtain their protection and ward off demons.
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The best advice I can give you is to rent a car. I didn't do it and I wasted a lot of time on buses. Mount Hallasan runs through the island and it takes about an hour and a half to two hours to get from one place to another.
Jeju Island Korean shaman Dohee Lee told me the story of Jeju Island's creation, and I find it beautiful:
The Myth of Jeju Island's Creation
In Korean mythology, there are two main versions of the myth about the creation of Jeju Island, both related to the goddess.
First version:
In this version, the wind goddess, Bani, was a powerful and capricious deity who loved to create storms and chaos. One day, while flying over the sea, she got angry at the waves and decided to create an island to calm her anger. With a powerful breath, she blew on the sea, creating a large mass of land that became the island of Jeju.
Second version:
In this version, the wind goddess, Seolmundae, was a wise and powerful old woman who lived in the sky. One day, as she observed the earth from above, she took pity on the humans who were struggling to survive. She decided to help them by creating an island where they could live in peace and prosperity. Using her divine powers, she descended to earth and collected large quantities of earth and rocks. Then, she threw them into the sea, creating Jeju Island.
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The two myths share symbolic elements that reflect the importance of wind and earth in Korean culture. Wind is associated with strength, change, and transformation, while earth is associated with stability, fertility, and life. The creation of Jeju Island by wind and earth symbolizes the union of these two essential forces in the creation of life.
There are variations of the myth that include the participation of other deities, such as sea gods or mountain gods. In some versions, Jeju Island is created as a place of exile for a disgraced god or hero.
The Jeju Island creation myth is an important part of the culture and identity of the island's inhabitants. The story is passed down from generation to generation and is celebrated at local festivals and events. The myth also serves to explain the origin of the island and its natural beauty.
Idols from Jeju:
Boo Seungkwan of SEVENTEEN, who has brought honor to the island as he is very proud of his hometown and mentions it whenever he can.
Baekho (NU'EST'), Ju Haknyeon (The Boyz), Mina (gugudan), Dayoung (WJSN), Joy (Red Velvet), Jinhwan (iKON), Haechan (NCT), and actress Soyou.
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