Volcanic Peaks, Lava Tubes and Free-Diving Traditions
At Jeju's centre, a dormant volcano's crater has filled to form Baengnokdam Lake, ringed by beaches, waterfalls and a coastline unlike anywhere else in Korea.
Jeju Island feels like a different country altogether, built as it is around a volcano rather than a skyline – and that's very much the point. At its centre sits Hallasan, South Korea's tallest peak at 1,947 metres, its dormant crater now filled by the crescent-shaped Baengnokdam lake, with the surrounding national park forming part of the Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes UNESCO World Heritage site.
We love how much the island holds onto its own traditions alongside that landscape. The haenyeo, generations of free-diving women who harvest seafood from the seabed without oxygen tanks, are as much a part of Jeju as the volcano itself. UNESCO recognised the tradition as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016.
For food, Jeju's volcanic soil does a lot of the work. Heuk-dwaeji, the island's heritage black pork, is raised free-range on volcanic pasture and grilled samgyeopsal-style before being dipped in pink salt and wrapped in lettuce, while hallabong tangerines, grown in those same volcanic orchards, are sweet-tangy enough that people queue for them at the airport when they're in season between January and March.
Beyond the volcano, Jeju settles into a gentler rhythm. Beaches, waterfalls and lava tube caves make for an easy few days of exploring at a noticeably slower pace than the mainland, which is exactly why families looking to combine culture with the outdoors tend to love it here.
Getting there is easier than the island feel suggests. The short hop from Seoul takes about an hour and is, remarkably, the world's busiest flight route, with departures roughly every ten minutes and more than 15 million passengers making the trip each year.
Get in touch with our South Korea team today to start planning your perfect Jeju itinerary.
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Sophie
South Korea Expert