Kay2

I haven't seen many reports on Jeju Island, so will offer my thoughts after a short visit from the US. Stayed at the Shilla. Visited Seogwipo and the Sunrise Crater.

There are many flights on several airlines GMP-CJU and they can be packed during the summer like any other tourist destination. Lots of folks lugging bags of fruit, chocolate, etc. onboard; lots of families and children in the waiting area.

Airport bus runs from the airport to south side Jungman Resort area and on to Seogwipo for just a few dollars. Hyatt, Lotte and Shilla are expensive both for rooms and food. They are isolated from everything except the Teddy Bear museum, Ripleys museum, a few convenience stores and restaurants, a few cheaper hotels, and the botanic garden. The hotels are on a cliff over the beach--a LONG climb down and up staircases. We met lots of people resting, drinking water just to get back to the hotel. The brown sand beach is pretty from above and at sealevel. Roped off area with lifeguard. After one climb, we did not return to swim. Luxury hotels have pools, casinos for foreigners. Budget hotels have more modestly priced restaurants.

Local taxis are inexpensive, but to travel the length of the island (tourist destinations are scattered all over the island) costs $40 one-way. Some people book a taxi for the day for $100+. The airport bus can be used for some destinations and one can transfer to other long distance or local buses for just a few dollars.

The markets in downtown/CBD Seogwipo are interesting--sort of an urban renewal of traditional markets. So you still have tanks full of squid, bags of spices, linens piled up for sale, etc., but the streets are paved with some fountains and most importantly for bad weather, a nice ceiling. We didn't find much else of interest, but we were also wandering blind.

The sunrise crater is big. Folks walked up/down in an hour, but that was relatively rushed. The diving demonstration was OK. One lady speared a fish and people were having their picture taken with her in her wetsuit holding the speared fish. I did not see the new museum mentioned elsewhere, but we were on a tight time schedule. Lots of souvenir shopping here.

The drive up through the hills is way more scenic than the loop road. Problem with fog, though.

Some people told me about their climb up the volcano. 3 hours, I think, in the driving rain. Not a pleasant experience, but an accomplishment. They said also souvenir shopping there.

General observations--not many people speak English. Carry a Korean language map along with an English language map. Prices for souvenirs were similar at the hotels, E-Mart, airport, souvenir shops--just the size of the selection varied. No problem finding global ATMs scattered about. Distances are long--takes quite a while to see much.

Hope this helps the next person headed to Jeju Island.

someotherguy

Let me add a few items to Kay2's report on Jeju. I was there in 2008.

There is a Museum of African Art in Seogwipo that is said to be the
best on this topic in all of Asia. It was certainly a revelation to
me: I had not looked at African art before, and found the collection
truly impressive and eye-opening. Furthermore, the building itself is
a reproduction (in concrete) of the great Mud Mosque of Djenne. Most
of us aren't likely to visit the original any time soon, so this is a
bonus.

There are several good waterfalls in the area: Cheonjeyeon (near
Jungmoon/Jungmun), Cheonjiyeon (a bit further out, in Segwipo), and
Jeongbang. The latter is claimed to be the only waterfall in Asia
that lands directly in the ocean. The claim is false (there are
several that do this in the Shiretoko peninsular, for example), but it
is certainly cool to see.

Then there's Jusangjeolli, which is a stretch of cliffs with
spectacular basalt columns (the hexagonal kind, like the Devil's
postpile in California, or the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland).
There are plenty of other good scenic spots around this section of
coast, with one called Oedolgae being particularly good.

Guidebooks recommend the Yakcheonsa buddhist temple, but I found it
largely a waste of time: it's a very recent construction, and the 500
figures in one of the lower halls are small and mass-produced. It's a
nice peaceful area, though.

I was traveling solo and didn't visit Loveland, but this might be fun
in the right company (Google it).

Further north (near the Seongsan/Sunrise Crater) is the Manjang Gul
Lava Tube. This is said to be a natural wonder, but it's a long
descent down steps, then a half mile walk underground on unlit uneven
ground, and I gave up (I'm somewhat disabled).

I rented a car for a day to see these places (from the Avis place in the
Hyatt--note that you need an International License to do this), but
the museum and waterfalls/cliffs are all close to Jungmun and taxis
should work. Not much English is spoken, but Japanese sometimes
works in these south eastern parts of Korea.

Overall, I would not make a special trip to Jeju, but there is plenty
to see if you happen to be there anyway (it's a popular place for
conferences, which is what brought me there).

SeeHag

Thank you both for the information. My son visited Jeju and suggested my husband and I might enjoy a trip there when we make our next visit to South Korea to see him. This is the same son who booked us a love motel when we visited him before. Good to hear others opinions of Jeju.

Kay2

I think I saw a love motel on Jeju if you want to repeat the experience. There was also at least one love/sex museum. In fact, there seemed to be a museum for everything--I saw the African Art Museum mentioned as well as signs for Teddy Bear, Sea Shell, Love/sex,Film, Tea, Ripley's, rock,chocolate as well as provincial art and natural history. Maybe they are popular as air conditioned breaks from the heat/humidity of the natural sites--volcanic craters, lava tubes, beaches--and the golf courses. The unspoilt areas are naturally beautiful and the tourist industry has developed and signed the area to make sure you can find whatever you want to spend your money on. The developments reminded me of the touristy strips along Florida beaches while the interior was relatively unspoilt.

SeeHag

My son said the Korean government is trying to promote foreigners purchasing condos on Jeju by relaxing some of the rules governing non citizens buying property in Korea. Not sure I am ready for a vacation place there!

Kay2

Yes, if a foreigner purchases a condo for more than a certain amount, then the government will issue the equivalent of an American green card.

kja

@ Kay2 and
@ someotherguy

I am currently planning a trip to South Korea and found this thread very helpful. Thanks so much for posting!