Color-coding my Jeju Travel-ersary
Jeju-do is situated at the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula and is South Korea’s largest island. It easily claims the title of the country’s most popular domestic travel destination, and draws plenty of international tourists to its natural paradise every year.
Apart from the world-famous Ilchubong Sunrise Peak, Hallasan Mountain and Manjanggul lava tube, Jeju island also boasts pristine beaches, waterfalls, hiking trails, scenic café and museums that cater to all kinds of enthusiasts!
I had the chance to visit this ‘Asian Hawaii’ towards the end of June last year (2019) and boy was I excited! I had heard so much about Jeju-do’s panoramic beach resorts, Instagram-worthy themed cafés and of course, no trip to Jeju would be complete without a visit to the O’Sulloc Tea Museum.
I also ran some searches on the Internet to plan my itinerary and purchased a ticket for the hop-on-hop-off bus. These themed transportation are my favorite way of exploring a city under limited time — they are comfortable, reliable and cover most of the city’s major tourist attractions.
A year later, although COVID-19 travel restrictions are still in place, browsing through my Facebook album is just as good as revisiting the island. And for anyone planning to visit Jeju-do in the future, I hope you can find some inspiration from my trip!
Being a history-buff, I love finding out about a place’s folklore — something South Korea is no short of. The Yongdu-am rock in Northern Jeju near the airport tells the tale of a mischievous dragon who was shot down and became fossilized at this spot. The suspension bridge over crystal clear waters was an equally magnificent sight — just be careful not to let your phone fall in!
Visiting the local museum is also a travel habit of mine since I strive learn as much as I can about the destination. Jeju National Museum is easily reachable by bus from the Jeju Bus Terminal, and houses an extensive collection of artifacts that showcase the history and culture of Jeju people. My favorite part of the museum is its stain-glass ceiling so be sure to check that out during your visit.
Apart from the National Museum, the Jeju History and Folklore Museum is an even greater place to learn about local traditions and customs. However, the Samseonghyeol Shrine (三星洞) beside it is truly eye- opening. Legend has it that three brothers fell from the skies and landed on Jeju island, creating these three underground holes, and whom later founded Korea! Walking around the serene site seems to transport you back in time and space as you explore the very birth place of modern Korea.
I’m also a huge fan of lighthouses so I was delighted to find two horse-shaped lighthouses at Iho Tewoo Beach. The two horses looked so comical yet stood like guardians over the beach. If you also like exploring unique lighthouses, make sure to drop by and say Hi! to these two.
Next on the list is Jeju’s very own Glass Castle. This two-storey building houses a variety of artifacts made from glass. The garden also houses interactive photo zones with some of the artwork. I spent a few hours here taking photos of the pieces and escaping from the summer heat in the café set in the middle of a lake. The amount of detail that goes into each piece of artwork definitely makes it worthwhile to visit!
Moreover, Jeju Glass Castle is just down the road from O’Sulloc Tea Museum. The museum definitely counts as Jeju’s top attraction as tourists flock to visit the tea cup shaped building and explore its vast tea plantation. There is an observatory on the second floor that gives visitors a bird’s eye view of the surroundings and is great for panorama pictures! Be sure to try their green tea ice cream, range of tea-inspired desserts and bring home Jeju’s special hallabong citrus tea blend. If you are a fan of Korean cosmetics, drop by Innisfree’s flagship store on the left of the museum to explore the history and products of this Jeju gone-global brand.
Finally, what good is a trip without trying some local flavors? While Jeju is prized for its black pork, especially the black port belly used for Korean BBQ, I was more interested in street food. I made my way to Dongmun Market and ‘hunted down’ this cosy little store that sold fresh-made octopus cake. Akin to the Japanese takoyaki, there were pieces of octopus in every bite! Hallabong juice is also a must-have when in Jeju, or in South Korea since the juice of the Jeju-native hallabong citrus can be found in almost every city. ps. The bottle makes for a cute souvenir to bring home!
Last but not least, nestled among the many attractions — museums, shops and restaurants — of the Jungmun Tourist Complex, is the world’s one and only (drumroll please) banana milk café! Officially named as Yellow Café, this quaint café is a dream come true for fans of Binggrae’s iconic banana mat uyu.
From the café’s exterior appearance to its interior design, every element is a banana milk in disguise! Café-goers truly are transported into Yellow World once they step inside the store. Besides its diverse menu of desserts and beverages — their banana milk soft serve is amazing — Yellow Café also has an attached gift shop. Items on sale here include phone cases, bags, pins inspired by the iconic drink. There are also interactive pieces to create your own banana mat uyu bottle, and a recreation of the seven wonders of the world banana milk-style!
My weekend getaway to the island was educational and eye-opening, albeit a short one. And while goodbyes are hard, especially when there are so much more places to explore and things to do on Jeju-do, it means that I’ll definitely visit again!
