Jeju Island Travel Cheat Sheet: Try Udo at Dongmun Market, Hanbansan’s Hidden Views & More

KKday Travel Experience

Jeju Island in South Korea is an unmissable holiday destination and a travel paradise in the eyes of Koreans. Jeju Island boasts not only beautiful beaches but also numerous natural wonders such as Udo, Cheonjiyeon Waterfall, and the Jusangjeolli Cliffs, as well as South Korea’s highest peak, Hallasan.

Of course, you can’t miss the food at Dongmun Market or the shopping in the Yeon-dong area. Even if you don’t drive, you can explore Jeju Island via tourist buses. Let KKday tell you about must-visit attractions on Jeju Island and how to plan your trip, and we’ll create a rich five-day, four-night itinerary for you.

Jeju Island’s landmark “Seongsan Ilchulbong” is a masterpiece of nature, shaped over the years by sea erosion and weathering. From afar, it looks like a dragon emerging from the ocean—scenic and perfect for a stroll and photos. As you walk toward Yongduam Bridge, you can watch planes take off and land. Korean shows like “Where Are We Going, Dad?” and various dramas have chosen this spot as a filming location.

Local legend says there was once a dragon on Jeju Island that stole a jade bead from the heavens. It was then struck by lightning from the angry heavens, fell into the sea, and its body broke apart and petrified—its head became Yongduam (Dragon Head Rock), its body turned into the nearby hills, and its tail formed Hallasan. That’s how the story goes.

■ Address: 15 Yongduam-gil, Yongdam 2(i)-dong, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
■ Phone: +82 64-728-3918
■ Admission: Free, Parking: 500 KRW
■ Transportation: Walk five minutes toward the seaside from Yongdam Intersection
■ Seongsan Ilchulbong Official Website
■ Recommended Stay Duration: 2 hours

Dongmun Market is the largest and most bustling of Jeju Island’s three major markets, connected to Seven Star Shopping Street and the Central Underground Mall, forming the most vibrant area on the island. Jeju’s seafood and fishing products are exceptionally fresh—you can sample a variety of marinated seafood and traditional snacks here. Basics like tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), gimbap (seaweed rice rolls), and fish cakes are all available, along with Jeju specialties such as citrus products, green tea, chocolates, and the iconic Dolsolmori statues.

Korean fashion, trendy items, and stationery are concentrated in Seven Star Shopping Street and the Central Underground Mall. When I visited Jeju last year, I found some really unique clothes in Seven Star Shopping Street at much lower prices than in Seoul—shoppers will definitely want to check it out.

■ Address: 16 Dongmun-ro, Ildo 1(il)-dong, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
■ Phone: +82 64-722-3284
■ Business Hours: 08:00–21:00, closed on Sundays
■ Transportation: Take a city bus to Jungang-ro Intersection or Dongmun Market Station
■ Recommended Stay Duration: 3 hours

After visiting Dongmun Market, take a stroll down Jeju Island’s famous Black Pork Street. The island’s most famous dish is black pork, and you absolutely must try black pork BBQ with soju when you’re in Jeju.

■ Address: 25 Gwandeong-ro 15(sibo)-gil, Geonip-dong, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
■ Phone: +82 64-753-0008
■ Transportation: Just a 10-minute walk from Dongmun Market
■ Recommended Stay Duration: 1.5 hours

Located on the eastern side of the island, Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak) is a rare, well-preserved underwater volcanic tuff cone with a crater at the top. Viewed from afar, its flat, bowl-like shape is very distinctive, which is why it’s listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. Facing the ocean, it’s perfect for watching the sunrise. From the summit, you can clearly see the sun slowly rising from the edge of the sea, illuminating the ocean and land, with dreamy light refracting through the clouds in the sky, resembling a watercolor painting. It’s a popular spot for Koreans to ring in the New Year.

Recommended Reading:

■ Address: 284-12, Ilsok-ro, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province
■ Phone: +82-64-710-7923
■ Admission Fee:
Individual – Adults 2,000 KRW, Youth & Military 1,000 KRW
Children 1,000 KRW, Free for under 6 and over 65
■ Transportation: Take a trunk bus and get off at Seongsan Ilchulbong; Bus No. 710 (older version) can also take you there.
■ Recommended Stay Duration: 2 hours

Udo is absolutely our personal favorite. The island boasts crystal-clear blue seas, white sandy beaches, and flocks of seagulls soaring overhead. The water is so clear that you can see small sea creatures beneath the surface. There are few cars on the island—most people rent bicycles or electric scooters. The air is fresh and almost entirely pollution-free, making it feel like a hidden paradise. It’s perfect for a relaxing bike ride. You’ll often spot haenyeo (female divers) fishing nearby. The food is also highly recommended—peanut ice cream, Haenyeo seafood pasta, and black pork are all incredibly delicious. You won’t want to leave once you arrive.

Highly recommended by us

Haenyeo seafood pasta is one of Udo’s must-try dishes. The pasta is tossed in a rich seafood broth, with plump seafood and tender noodles. It’s as flavorful as it is comforting, and the taste is truly unforgettable. We recommend going with someone you love, and after the meal, you can enjoy a beautiful sunset—it’s simply perfect.

■ Transportation: From Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal or Seogwipo Bus Terminal, take a trunk bus to Seongsan Port, which takes about 1 hour 30 to 40 minutes. Then transfer to a ferry, which runs approximately every 15 minutes and can accommodate cars.
■ Ferry Fare:
One-way – Adults 3,500 KRW, Youth (middle school and above) 2,800 KRW
Elementary students 1,000 KRW, Children aged 2 and above 700 KRW
Round-trip – Adults 5,500 KRW, Youth (middle school and above) 4,800 KRW
Elementary students 1,700 KRW, Children aged 2 and above 1,400 KRW
■ Recommended Stay Duration: One afternoon

Our Recommendations:Foreigners need to bring their passport to take the ferry.

Hallasan is Udo’s first highlight. Located in the center of the island, it stands 1,950 meters tall and is known as one of Korea’s Three Sacred Mountains, alongside Mount Gyeryongsan and Mount Jirisan. Legend has it that gods reside here, and it is also called “Mount Yeongju.” The mountain is cool and serene, and every spring it bursts into colorful blooms, making it peak tourist season. In addition, Hallasan boasts an exceptionally rich ecosystem, with diverse plants and animals spread across its slopes.

There are many hiking courses on Hallasan. If you’re not very experienced, you can choose the Eorimok Course or the Gwaneumsa Course. If you prefer not to climb too high but still want to enjoy breathtaking views, you can opt for the Yeongsil Course or the Seongpanak Course.

Our Reminder:

Due to the nature of Jeju Island’s soil, there are many loose rocks on the trails, so be extra careful while hiking.

■ Phone: +82-64-713-9950
■ Hallasan Hiking Course ■ Transportation:
1. Yerimok Hiking Trail – From Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal, take Bus No. 181 bound for Seongsan Ilchulbong. Jeju City → Yerimok Entrance, estimated time: 35 minutes
Chinese → Yiri pasture entrance, estimated time required: 45 minutes

2. Youngsil Mountain Hiking Trail - Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal!?The route shape icon indicates that you can take a bus from the terminal. The description below is in Chinese.
Jeju City → Youngsil Ticket Office Entrance, estimated time required: 55 minutes
Chinese → Youngsil Ticket Office Entrance, estimated time required: 25 minutes

3. Seongpanak Mountain Hiking Trail - Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal!?The route shape icon indicates that you can take a bus from the terminal. The description below is in Chinese.
Jeju City → Seongpanak, estimated time required: 36 minutes
Seogwipo City → Seongpanak, estimated time required: 38 minutes

4. Guan Yue Temple Hiking Trail – No regular bus service available; private car or chartered vehicle required.

■ Recommended duration of stay: 4.5 hours

As there are many horse riding courses near the Hanbando Fairy Trail, you can choose to start from simply walking and then progress to galloping on horseback, which is very fulfilling. In addition, the vast horse ranch is also incredibly photogenic and is definitely a must-visit Instagram-worthy spot.

At that time, I chose a beginner’s horse riding class, going from walking to actually making the horse run — it was very rewarding. Moreover, the expansive ranch is incredibly beautiful for photos and is truly a must-visit photo spot for influencers.

Recommended vendor: Seogwang Horse Ranch

■ Address: 239, Nokcha Potted Plant Road, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province
■ Business Hours:
Summer (March–September): 09:00–16:30
Winter (October–February): 09:00–17:30
Closed: 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month, Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving), New Year’s Day
■ Recommended duration of stay: 3 hours

A museum themed around “green tea,” introducing Korea’s traditional tea culture. The building itself is famous and looks like a giant green tea cup from afar. Inside, it combines traditional and modern spaces, featuring a pond and courtyard where visitors can enjoy tea and tea snacks amidst nature. It’s also a great place to shop for souvenirs.

After visiting the Green Tea Museum, you can check out the innisfree Jeju Glass House nearby. Innisfree is a major Korean beauty brand, with many of its natural ingredients sourced from Jeju. The venue includes a cosmetics experience area, an organic café, and you can even try making handmade soap. Alternatively, you could visit MONSANT CAFE, opened by GD.

■ Address: 1235-3 Seogwang-ri, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo, Jeju-do, South Korea
■ Phone: +82 64-794-5312
■ Business Hours: 09:00–18:00
■ Transportation: Take city bus 755 from Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal and get off at “Pilgwaego Seolrog” stop
■ Official Website: O’sulloc
■ Recommended duration of stay: 2 hours

One of Jeju’s three major waterfalls and the only one in Asia that flows directly into the sea. With its powerful flow and crystal-clear water, many people swim in the stream during summer, and it’s also a great place for photos.

The cliff of the waterfall is inscribed with the words “Xu Shi passed here.” Legend has it that during the Qin Dynasty, Emperor Qin Shi Huang sent Xu Fu with 3,000 boys and girls to sail the seas in search of the elixir of immortality, and they once visited Jeju Island’s Jeongbang Waterfall. The name “Seogwipo” (Seogwipo) is said to mean “Xu Fu’s return to the west (China).”

■ Address: 37, Chilsimni-ro 214beon-gil, Donghong-dong, Seogwipo, Jeju-do, South Korea
■ Phone: +82 64-733-1530
■ Admission: Individuals – Adults 2,000 KRW, Children, Teens, Military 1,000 KRW, Under 6 Free
■ Opening Hours: 08:30 – 18:00
■ Transportation: On Jungang-ro in Seogwipo City, take a city bus bound for Bumok, and get off at Seogwipo KAL Hotel
■ Recommended Stay Duration: 1.5 hours

Located in the southwestern area of Seogwipo City on Jeju Island, it is a large-scale, densely packed tourist destination and one of Korea’s most famous comprehensive resort complexes, featuring numerous museums, parks, and high-end hotels all concentrated in this area.

The roads are neatly planned and scenic—just the Jungmun Tourist Complex alone can keep you entertained for two days. The Teddy Bear Museum is a must-visit, housing thousands of uniquely designed teddy bears, some of which you can even hug and take photos with. Other well-known attractions include the Everland Botanical Garden, Pacific Land, and the Chocolate Land.

Seafood cuisine is very popular in Seogwipo City, especially in the Jungmun Tourist Complex, where there are many excellent seafood restaurants. After a full day of exploring, why not treat yourself to a delicious seafood meal at one of them?

■ Address: Sakta-dong, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province
■ Phone: +82 64-739-1330
■ Official Website of the Jungmun Tourist Complex
■ Transportation:
Airport Bus: Take Airport Bus No. 600 from Jeju International Airport → Get off at Jungmun Tourist Complex (approx. 45 minutes)
Intercity Bus: Get off at the Jungmun Tourist Complex Entrance (approx. 50 minutes)
City Bus: Take a seated bus (No. 120 or 130) in Seogwipo City → Get off at Cheonjiyeon Falls Entrance or Jungmun Tourist Complex Entrance (Seated Bus No. 110 can let you off inside the complex)

Editor’s Recommendation: Teddy Bear Museum

When visiting Jeju Island, don’t miss the world’s largest Teddy Bear Museum. Hugely popular thanks to the Korean drama “Goong (Princess Hours),” the Teddy Bear Museum showcases a wide variety of teddy bears, including a mini concert by Elvis teddy bears—perfect for visitors of all ages. And of course, don’t forget to pick up some cute teddy bear souvenirs as a treat for yourself.

■ Address: 31, Jungmun Tourist Road 110beon-gil, Sakta-dong, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province
■ Business Hours: 8:30 – 19:00
■ Ticket: Adults 10,000 KRW | Teens 9,000 KRW | Children 8,000 KRW
■ Official Website
■ Recommended Stay Duration: 2 hours

Editor’s Recommendation: Pacific Land

Located at the entrance of Jungmun Saekdal Beach, Pacific Land not only features a museum themed around Jeju’s marine life, but it’s also famous for its live shows starring dolphins, sea lions, and monkeys. After the performances, you may even get the chance to take photos with these adorable animal stars. If you have more time, consider visiting the quieter Jungmun Saekdal Beach for some fun in the water.

■ Address: 154-17, Jungmun Tourist Road, Sakta-dong, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province
■ Business Hours:
August 16 – July 19: 11:00, 13:30, 15:00, 16:30
July 20 to August 15: 10:30, 12:00, 13:30, 15:00, 17:00
Admission: Adults 15,000 KRW, Teens 12,000 KRW, Children 10,000 KRW
■ Recommended visiting time: 2 hours

Editor’s Pick: The Odongdo Columnar Joint Belt

The world-renowned Odongdo Columnar Joint Belt is located along the coastline between Jungmun-dong and Odong-dong. The towering polygonal columns, some reaching around 40 meters in height, were formed when volcanic lava rapidly cooled upon contact with seawater long ago. This breathtaking natural wonder is a must-see. [⁄p]

■ Address: 216 Jungmun Tourist Road, Jungmun-dong, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province
■ Transportation: It takes 20 minutes by bus from Seogwipo Bus Terminal to Jungmun area, then a 15-minute walk; or take Airport Bus No. 600 to Jeju International Convention Center and walk right for five minutes
■ Opening Hours: 8:00–18:00 (may vary by season)
■ Admission: Adults 2,000 KRW, Teens and Children 1,000 KRW
■ Recommended visiting time: 2 hours

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When in Jeju, you’ve got to get wet and wild. Hajodae Beach is one of the island’s most famous beaches, featuring complete facilities such as restrooms and showers—perfect for families with kids. Adjacent to Hanrim Park, it’s also a great place for a stroll or a nature walk if you have time.

■ Address: Hajae-gil, Hanlim-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province
■ Transportation: Take the west loop line (Route 1132) bus from Jeju City or Seogwipo and get off at the entrance of Hanrim Park
■ Recommended visiting time: 2.5 hours

Before heading home, of course, do some shopping and bring back souvenirs. Yeon-dong in Jungmun is a shopping district in central Jeju City. Though not as densely packed with shops as the Central Underground Shopping Street, it’s more spacious, with larger stores—including major attractions like Lotte Mart and E-MART. There’s also South Korea’s second-largest duty-free shop, the “Shilla” Duty-Free, which you absolutely shouldn’t miss.

■ Address: Yeon-dong, Jungmun, Jeju-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, South Korea
■ Transportation: Take Bus No. 100 from Jeju City Outer Bus Terminal and get off at “Yeon-dong Jungmun”
■ Recommended visiting time: 3 hours

[KKday Travel Experience] Republished with authorization. Original article: [5-Day, 4-Night Jeju Island Itinerary Planning & Must-Visit Attractions]