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Just Gone Wandering

🌟 Your Guide to the Amazing Jeju Island

Published about 2 months ago • 4 min read

Hello, Wanderer!

I'm excited to bring you this week's travel spotlight: the enchanting Jeju Island in South Korea.

Looking for a blend of natural beauty, vibrant culture, and unique experiences? Put Jeju Island at the top of your list!

I visited Jeju Island for about a week as a solo traveler and had an AMAZING time. In this newsletter, I'll cover just a bit of why Jeju Island is a must-visit the next time you're in South Korea.

Jeju Island

Jeju Island, located off the southern coast of South Korea, is known as the "Island of the Gods."

Historically, Jeju was an independent kingdom before being incorporated into the Joseon Dynasty. The island has a unique culture, distinct from mainland Korea, shaped by its geographic isolation and maritime traditions. It was formed by volcanic activity and is home to Hallasan, a dormant volcano and the highest peak in South Korea.

It's super easy to get to Jeju Island from the mainland: there are multiple flights from Seoul and Busan every day, and if you're adventurous you could even take a ferry from Mokpo.

Jeju Island Highlights

Most people visit Jeju Island to hike Hallasan, a shield volcano with a summit of 1,947m and the highest point in the country!

Jeju has some AMAZING food like heuk dwaeji (Jeju black pork), haemultang (seafood hot pot stew), anything with abalone, and fresh seafood platters.

Visit the Seongeup Folk Village, Osulloc Tea Museum and the female divers village to immerse yourself in traditional Jeju culture and history.

Stuff to See on Jeju Island

  • Manjanggul Lava Tube: One of the world's longest lava tubes and an UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak): A tuff cone crater you can hike; the summit has some great views of the island. At the bottom, you can watch the daily female diver show.
  • Jeongbang Waterfall: One of the few waterfalls in Asia that falls directly into the ocean.
  • Hyeopjae Beach: Known for its crystal-clear waters and fine white sand, perfect for a relaxing day by the sea (when it's not rainy, anyway).

Tips for Travelers

The ideal time to visit is spring (April-June) or autumn (September-November) when the weather is mild and the island is in full bloom or colorful foliage. I visited in May and it was super rainy, but also lush and green.

DO BRING: comfortable hiking shoes, or at the very least shoes you can wear in rough outdoor terrain; a light jacket (and/or rain jacket); a camera or a phone with a decent camera.

You don't need to drive (Jeju has public buses and taxis) but renting a car WILL give you some more leeway with getting around the island, especially if you're short on time.

I hope this glimpse into Jeju Island has inspired your next travel adventure. For more details and travel tips, check out the full blog post here.

Safe travels and happy wandering!

Anastasia

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Just Gone Wandering

with solo female nomad Anastasia Finch

I'm a former librarian turned world wanderer! Sign up for my newsletter for the best tips & info on traveling full-time around the world.

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