Jeju Island: Of Volcanoes & Waterfalls

While it’s not my first visit to Jeju Island, It’s WJ’s first. Funnily enough, I didn’t remember experiencing as much, or having as much fun during my first time to the island with a tour group.

And we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly on Jeju Island – from hiking up the highest mountain in South Korea, to admiring gorgeous waterfalls, to having one of the best BBQ meals we’ve ever had!

Where we went

Hallasan National Park

We hiked up the highest mountain in South Korea, which coincidentally is also a dormant volcano. Believe me when I say that I’ve never hiked so much in my life – 42k steps and 30.2km that day! We were not prepared at all.

At the beginning, we were perspiring non-stop from the energy we were exerting and wondered why so many fellow hikers were wearing jackets in the heat. We found out when we reached the peak with no more cover from the trees.

It was freezing cold. And we shivered in the paper-thin parkas we’d hurriedly put on as we stood next to the crater for a congratulatory photo. Noses frozen – check, hands frozen – check.

Sadly, it hadn’t been raining for a while when we made the climb so the crater wasn’t filled with water. But we still felt accomplished! We could even buy a certificate for 1,000 KRW each to show we were successful in the climb up Hallasan when we descended!

And speaking of descension, it was even more difficult than the hike up. I must have hurt my knees midway because I felt like I couldn’t walk properly near the end. Every step down was like a blow to my nerves, and it continued for a few days after.

Note to self: Train before I go for such a long hike next time!

Manjanggul Lava Tube Cave

It was 22°C in the afternoon when we arrived at the entrance of the Manjanggul Lava Tube Cave, and once again we were not prepared for the cold inside the cave with the exact same thin parkas we wore at the peak of Hallasan.
Unpreparedness aside, it was fascinating to see the shapes and patterns the solidified lava made.

Seongsan Ilchulbong

Also known as ‘Sunrise Peak’, the hike up was a breeze compared to up the peak of Hallasan. But our legs were still hurting from the previous climb, so going up was still torturous.

We didn’t want to miss the hike though. And we were rewarded with a gorgeous bird’s eye view. Unfortunately, as its other name suggests, the view would be even more magnificent when the sun is rising. Not being early birds, we went in the late afternoon instead.

Cheonjiyeon Waterfall

Jeongbang Waterfall

The only waterfall in Korea that empties into an ocean

Jusangjeollidae

Although it was a little crowded, Jusangjeollidae was still enjoyable with its fascinating rectangular rock columns.

Sanbanggulsa Temple

Nestled on Sangbangsan Mountain, Sanbanggulsa Temple has two parts – one in a cave and one above it. We drank the goddess’ tears in the cave for good health!

Dongmun Market

It’s Jeju Island’s largest and oldest permanent market, and we were drawn there by… the lure of night-market snacks. There were queues forming even before the stores even opened!

Where we stayed at

There were too many places to visit on Jeju Island (and we haven’t even completed everything we want to!), so we decided to stay in the north for half the time and the south for the other half.

We stayed at Kenny Story Inn Seogwipo in the southern part of the island, and Ellui Hotel Jeju in the northern part. Both hotels are pretty good, and we had nothing to complain about during our stays in both!

How much we spent

Item	Expenditure
Accommodation	$165.70
Attractions	$22.32
Food	$284.40
Transport	$55.46
Miscellaneous	$2.35
Total	$530.23

We spent a total of S$530.23 for the both of us over 6 days, excluding the return flight tickets from Singapore ($1,021) and the ones from Busan ($194.70).