15 Best Things to Do in Jeju

One of Jeju’s most famous waterfalls, Cheonjiyeon Waterfall is staggeringly gorgeous. The name means 'the connection between land and sky', and gazing upon the serenity of the falls, it’s easy to see how it got the name. There’s a scenic trail brimming with diverse plant life that leads you there, and if you visit at night you’ll see the 'Hidden Face' rock formation illuminated with artificial lights

The 22-metre-tall waterfall breaks up into several smaller streams emerging from the main area. The water falls into an artificial basin formed by 2 small dams, which keep the water from overflowing. There are plenty of volcanic rocks in front of the falls so you can pose for the perfect photo.

Yeomiji Botanical Garden, located within Jungmun Resort, occupies an indoor complex with multiple amazing galleries showcasing different types of plants. From cacti and tropical fruits to water lilies and flowers, Yeomiji has about 2,000 species of rare plants and 1,700 species of flowers and trees for you to marvel at and photograph.

The 10,000 sq ft indoor garden is considered to be one of the most beautiful and well-maintained indoor gardens in Asia and houses an observation tower and tranquil fountains. The outdoor garden, covering 110,000 sq ft, features areas themed by various countries, as well as a wonderful display of baobab trees. 

The Jeju Folk Village Museum represents the island’s rich cultural heritage and folklore from the 1890s. It’s built over an area of 37 acres and has more than 100 traditional houses filled with intriguing exhibits. Among the many pieces on display here, you'll find thousands of artefacts made from wood, iron and bamboo, and more are added to the collection every day.

You can get an audio guide and gather knowledge about Korean history, culture and beliefs, as well as joining in on games and wandering the surrounding gardens. Exploring each and every part of the Jeju Folk Village Museum takes about 4 hours.

Osulloc Tea Museum attracts tea-lovers looking to learn about ancient South Korean tea traditions. Overlooking O'sulloc's Seogwang Tea Planation, which dates back to 1979, the gallery showcases tea wares and artefacts used during the Joseon Dynasty. Why not join in with workshops and lectures detailing the various methods of tea plantation, packing and green tea supply-chains?

You can also shop for souvenirs at the gift shop and enjoy views of Jeju countryside from the museum’s observatory. The surrounding gardens also make for a beautiful stroll. If you’re feeling hungry, Osulloc Tea Museum serves a variety of food and beverages, including green tea ice cream, cakes and tea lattes.

If you’re looking to explore the island’s rich and diverse culture and history, The Folklore and Natural History Museum is a fantastic place to start. Step into one of the 4 exhibition halls for interesting and interactive exhibits detailing folklore, history, natural and special resources.

You’ll marvel at the replicas of animals and plants found on the island, and you’ll be fascinated by the various dioramas and animated films. Wander through models of ancient houses and learn about historic clothing, tools and traditions before exploring the island’s geological features like lava bombs and tubes and cool fossils.

The Jeolmul Natural Recreation Forest is a place of peace where residents can unwind and escape from busy cities. This natural and manmade cedar forest stretches for over 7 acres and is dotted with walking trails and photogenic view spots with shade and sea breezes. As you wander, you'll spot small ponds, a mineral spring and a sparkling waterfall.

Visit the wood-crafting studio to see gorgeous examples of traditional Jeju woodcraft, spot elusive wildlife at the Roe Deer Center or admire colourful flowers at Saeuran Orchid Park. The park's main mountain, Jeolmul Oreum, reaches over 2,280 ft in height. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Jeju's east coast from the top.

The Jeju World Natural Heritage Center is a great place to learn about the island’s UNESCO-listed volcanic landscape. Exhibits in the museum demonstrate how volcanic activity formed the island's unique terrain, how lava tubes work and the long process of forming limestone caves. There's also an art gallery showcasing Jeju's geological history.

The Jeju World Natural Heritage Center has an enormous replica cave with an impressive array of stalagmites and stalactites. Regular tours take you along outdoor trails, with stops explaining different aspects of the island's natural heritage. There’s also a small garden with traditional Jeju sculptures made of volcanic rock.

The Jeju Stone Park is an ecological hub that uses local volcanic stones to evoke the island's history and mythology. Sculptures scattered around the park depict various roles like guarding tombs, protecting the house and repelling evil and misfortune. There's also a beautiful stone pagoda, a pond and a section of forest filled with sculptures, which add to the mystical atmosphere.

The Jeju Stone Park has a museum that displays sculptures and carvings, as well as various examples of folk crafts from all over the island. A must-see is its exhibition about Jeju's different myths and folk tales. You can also visit a traditional Jeju Island house, which has stone pillars and a thatched roof.

Seongsan Ilchulbong, also called Sunrise Peak, is an awe-inspiring crater formed by hydrovolcanic eruptions over 5,000 years ago. At 182 metres high, it’s a popular spot for trekking thanks to its unusual geological structures and as a result is named as a UNESCO world heritage site.

The route up takes roughly half an hour to complete, and on the way you’ll spot a huge variety of natural plant and wildlife. Though the peak is usually surrounded by fog, on clear days you’ll be rewarded with remarkable views, and a gorgeous sunrise if you’re lucky.

The whimsical Jeju Mini Land Park displays miniature replicas of iconic structures from around the world, making for some fun souvenir photos. You can find over 115 landmarks and UNESCO World Heritage sites from 50 different countries including the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Taj Mahal and the Eiffel Tower. Each replica was carefully crafted with the same building materials as the originals.

Mini Land is South Korea’s first miniature park, and it has become one of Jeju island’s best things to do. This family-friendly attraction also offers 30-minute workshops such as t-shirt making, pouch crafting and handkerchief making.

The 3-day Jeongwol Daeboreum Fire Festival is by far the most prolific event on the island. Its said that the celebrations began over 2 million years ago when residents celebrate the formation of Jeju island after a series of volcanic eruptions. Popular traditions include farmers burning leftover grass to mark the end of winter and welcome in spring, and festival goers stomp around bonfires to ward off evil spirits and bring luck in the coming months.

Celebrated from the first full moon of the lunar new year, the festival showcases folk games, markets, dances and concerts. Don’t miss the torch-lighting ceremonies and fireworks displays that take place during the celebrations.

Love Land is an eccentric and erotic attraction near the Jeju Museum of Art. Founded in 2004, the outdoor art park has around 140 explicit sculptures created by architecture students at Seoul University. Describing itself as a location 'where love-oriented art and eroticism meet', Love Land features interactive exhibits and educational films, as well as rotational displays by emerging Korean artists.

Love Land makes for a great outing with your close friends and offers some rather interesting and memorable photo opportunities, especially during the night when the sculptures are lit up. It’s best to leave the kids at home for this one, though there is an anime-themed play area to occupy the under 18s while the adults look around.

Built using Jeju's native wood and volcanic rock, Maze Land creates an entertaining attraction that seamlessly blends with the natural landscape. A highlight is the Maze of Whinstone, which is made of black basalt and decorated with interesting stone sculptures. It’s one of the longest stone mazes in the world, with a total length of over 3 miles.

There are several other plants dotted around the mazes, including fragrant camellias in the Maze of Women and arborvitae trees in the Maze of Wind. A museum covers the history of mazes in South Korea and around the world since the 14th century, and features numerous exciting puzzles and games for you to solve, making it an ideal family outing.

Because Jeju is a volcanic island in the Korean peninsula, taking a submarine tour is one of the best ways to see the island’s diverse underwater life. The state-of-the-art submarines usually operate at a depth of about 98 ft, and tours typically last an hour or so.

The ocean is home to colourful corals, many types of fish and enchanting underwater sculptures, and the submarines’ portholes offer mesmerising views of this underwater world. Some tours feature thrilling diving shows and even a glimpse at a sunken shipwreck. They’re a great opportunity for romantic dates or educational family activities.