Island · Jeju Special Self-Governing Province

Jeju Island

Volcanic island off Korea's south coast with a UNESCO-listed mountain, craters and lava tubes

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Discover Jeju Island

Jeju sits in the sea south of the Korean peninsula and feels quite different from the mainland. The whole island grew from volcanic activity, and its landscape shows it: dark basalt coastlines, hundreds of small volcanic cones known locally as oreum, and the broad shield of Hallasan rising from the centre. Between them lie tangerine orchards, stone-walled fields and fishing villages.

For travellers, Jeju works as a holiday in its own right rather than a quick stop. You can spend a morning climbing Seongsan Ilchulbong on the east coast, walk through the cool interior of a lava tube in the afternoon and finish the day on a pale-sand beach in the west. The island is compact enough to explore by hire car, taxi or bus, yet varied enough to fill a week.

Don’t miss

01Hallasan, the volcano at the island's centre and South Korea's highest mountain
02Seongsan Ilchulbong, a tuff cone rising from the sea on the east coast
03Manjanggul, a lava tube in the Geomunoreum system with a walkable section
04Waterfalls near Seogwipo, including Jeongbang Falls, which drops close to the sea
05Udo, a small island off the east coast reached by ferry, with a lighthouse and coastal paths
06Turquoise beaches on the west coast facing the islet of Biyangdo

History & culture

The story of Jeju Island

Jeju was once home to the independent kingdom of Tamna, one of the historical names of the island, before it was gradually absorbed into the Korean state. Its isolation shaped a distinct dialect, folk beliefs and building style, including low houses sheltered behind walls of volcanic stone.

The island's women divers, the haenyeo, became a symbol of Jeju's sea-based livelihood, and their culture was added to UNESCO's intangible heritage list in 2016. In 2007 three of Jeju's volcanic landscapes - Hallasan, Seongsan Ilchulbong and the Geomunoreum lava tube system - were inscribed together as the World Heritage Site 'Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes'.

Local life & traditions

Island life still follows the sea and the seasons. Stone walls mark field boundaries, many villages keep their shrines and folk traditions, and haenyeo continue to dive in some coastal communities. Stone grandfather statues, dol hareubang, are a familiar sight at entrances and are widely treated as a symbol of the island. Visitors are welcome, but remember that coastal villages and diving areas are workplaces, so keep a respectful distance from divers and their catch.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Most visitors split their time between the east, south and west coasts. The east is volcanic and rugged, with Seongsan Ilchulbong, Udo and the lava tubes; the south around Seogwipo is warmer and greener, with waterfalls and sea cliffs; the west has broad beaches and tea and farm landscapes. Hikers can take on Hallasan or one of the many oreum for wide views, while gentler options include coastal walking routes and cycling along the seafront.

Food is a big part of a Jeju trip. Seafood from the surrounding waters, citrus fruit and local produce appear everywhere, and markets in Jeju City and Seogwipo are good places to try snacks and buy tangerines to take home.

When to go

Jeju has a milder climate than the mainland, with winters that rarely drop below freezing at sea level, though Hallasan's upper slopes get snow. Spring (April to May) brings rapeseed flowers and comfortable walking weather, and autumn (September to October) is clear and pleasant. Summer is hot, humid and wet, and the island can be affected by typhoons from July to September, so keep plans flexible.

Plan your visit

Verified information

UNESCO World Heritage: Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes, inscribed 2007 (Hallasan, Seongsan Ilchulbong and the Geomunoreum lava tube system) Source: whc.unesco.org ↗
Muslim visitors: A Muslim visitor guide to Jeju, covering halal dining and prayer facilities, was published by the Jeju Tourism Association with HalalTrip (2015) Source: crescentrating.com ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

Allow at least three or four days to see the east, south and west without rushing.
Hiring a car or a driver-guide saves a lot of time; buses work but routes between sights can be slow.
Pack a light rain jacket year-round and watch typhoon forecasts in late summer.
Group sights by coast (east, south, west) to cut down on driving.
Halal-certified restaurants are limited, so plan meals in advance and carry snacks on long sightseeing days.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Jeju Island: food, markets & places to stay

Jeju International Airport is on the edge of Jeju City, the main base for accommodation, shopping and restaurants. Seogwipo on the south coast is a quieter base close to waterfalls and sea cliffs. Seongsan on the east coast suits travellers who want an early start for Seongsan Ilchulbong, Udo and the lava tubes.

Jeju Island & what’s nearby

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Snow-covered summit of Hallasan against a deep blue sky

Mountain

Jeju-si and Seogwipo-si, Jeju · 2.4 km away

Jeju Island in pictures

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