Saturday, October 30, 2010

3 days 2 nights in Jeju-do #1

Highlights of some attractions

29 November 2010, Monday

1) Jeongbang Falls
Jeongbangpokpo Waterfall is the only water fall in Asia that falls directly into the ocean. On the wall of the water fall, there is an inscription written “Seobulgwacha”, referring to Seobul passing by this place. Seobul was a servant of the Chinese Emperor Jin (BC 259~210) who was ordered by the Emperor to find the substance that would make him immortal. Seogwipo is also said to have gotten its name to mean Seobul headed back west. Jeongbang Waterfall is situated by a high cliff by the sea, and an old evergreen stands there leaning back as if it would fall into the ocean. Go east for about 300 meters and you will see another waterfall called Sojeongbang Waterfall. It is a great place to relax during the summer. There is an observatory at the top of the cliff, from which you can command a fine view of the sea.
Local Transportation
1. From Jeju Airport, take a limousine bus and get off in front of Paradise Hotel. Walk 5 min following the sign of Jeongbangpokpo Waterfall.
2. From Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal, take an intercity bus bound for Seogwipo-si and get off at Square No. 1 station (10-15 min interval / 1 hour ride). Take taxi for 5 min.
Operating Hours
Summer 7:30-19:00 / Winter 8:00-17:30

2) Cheonjeyeon Falls
Cheonjeyeon Waterfall, named 'The pond of God', consists of 3 parts. Around the falls, a variety of plant life thrives, such as the rare ‘solipnan’ reeds. To the east, there is a cave where cold water pours from the ceiling to create a waterfall. The water from the first waterfall becomes the second and third waterfalls and flows into the sea.
In Cheonjeyeon Valley, there is the “Seonimgyo Bridge” (arch bridge that has 7 nymphs carved on the side) and the octagonal “Cheonjeru tower”. The Seonimgyo is also called “Chilseonyeogyo”(meaning seven nymphs) and it connects Cheonjeyeon with the Jungmum Tourist Complex. On the surface of the Cheonjeru Tower, there is a painting that tells Cheonjeyeon’s legend of the nymph and mountain god. Every even-year in May, the Chilseonyeo Festival is held here.
Local Transportation
To the Falls
1. From Jeju Airport, take Airport Limosine Bus No. 600 that goes via Jungmun and Seogwipo and get off at Yeomiji Botanical Garden (15 min interval / 50 min ride). Walk 5-10 min to the entrance of Yeomiji Botanical Garden. Purchase tickets there.
2. Taxi takes 30-40 min from Jeju Airport.
3. From Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal, take Seogwipo bound intercity bus and get off at Jungmun Resort (50 min ride). Walk 5-10 min.
4. Taxi takes 30-40 min from the bus terminal.
Operating Hours
March - October 08:00-18:30
November - February 09:00-17:30

3) Jusang Jeolldae
On the south coast of Jeju Island, not far from Depo-dong is a cliff along the Jisatgae Coast which has some remarkable rock formations known as the Jusang Jeolldae. They are unusual rock formations that were formed when lava from the eruption of Mt Halla flowed into the Sea of Jungmun. The rocks have been segmented into pillars with a hesagonal or square cross section and which form columns of various heights that step away into the ocean. The formations have been listed as a cultural monument of Jeju Island.
Local Transportation
1.At Seogwipo Bus Terminal, take the Jungmun bound bus (20 minute ride). Get off at Jungmun. 15 minute walk.
2. At Daepo-dong Bus-stop (last bus stop), Seogwipo-si, walk along the road to the east side, or at the entrance of Jungmun Folk Museum, walk along the farm road to the west. 7-8 minute walk.
Admission Fee
Free

4) Yongmeori Hyen ( Dragon Head Seaside )
Yongmeori Beach is a place where Mt. Sanbangsan stretches into the ocean and it looks as if a dragon’s head is going underwater. This area is made of Sa-am stacks, built up over millions of years. There are Gulbangs here which are depressed into the shape of rooms, and wide rocks stacking up on one another along the seashore cliffs which create a majestic scenery by the sea. Along the road down to the seashore, there is the Hamel Castaway Memorial, in remembrance of Hamel who drifted to this place in 1653, and to the rightside of the beach, there is soft and dark sandy beach. You can meet the women sea-divers of Jeju who sell sea cucumbers and stroll on the road that spreads along the seashore.
Local Transportation
1.Jeju-si -> take a bus headed to Sanbanggulsagan, and get off at Yongmeori Coast. Takes about 55 minutes
Admission Fee
Adults (20-64) : 2,200 won/1,700 won (individual/group) Teenagers, Children(19 and younger): 1,100 won/880 won
Because Sanbanggulsa and Yongmeori Coast belong to the same tourist district, one ticket will enable you to visit both places.

5) Oedolgae Rock
Oedolgae sits not far from the shores of Sammaebong Seougwipo City. It is an amazing rock 10 meters in circumference and 20 meters in height and is also known as the Changgun Rock. It is surrounded by beautiful islands such as Bum Island, Sae Island and Seonnyu (fairy) Rock. Oedolgae was also a filming location in the 2003 TV drama series, 'Daejangguem' where Hansangoong (Mee Kyung Yang) faced her death under a false accusation while being carried on Daejanggeum's(Young Ae Lee) back. Fantastic rocks of Oedolgae and fields of reeds in the extensive ranch is a perfect place to go trekking. The sunset of Bum Island, which can be seen from Oedolgae, has long been an essential stop for tourists going to Jeju Island.
Local Transportation
1. There are few buses from Seogwipo to Wedolgae. Running time: 06:00~22:00 20mins interval(5 mins)
Admission fee
free

6) Cheonjiyeon Falls
A waterfall on Jeju Island, South Korea. Literally, the name Cheonjiyeon means sky (Ch'eon) connected with land (ji). It is one of the main tourist attractions on Jeju-do. It is 22 meters high and 12 meters wide. Though water always falls in one particular area, depending on the amount of recent rain, the water may spread out. Large volcanic rocks form landbridges that allow tourists to pose for photographs in front of the falls. The waterfall is one of the three famous waterfalls of Jeju, the other two being Cheonjeyeon Waterfall and Jeongbang Waterfall.It is the most popular at night, because the falls are illuminated. The Cheonjiyeon Waterfall is also known for its diverse plant and animal life. Just before reaching the falls on the path, one must cross a bridge from which a wide variety of coy fish can be seen below. Along the way are three piles of stacked or balanced rocks that are a common sight throughout the whole of South Korea. In olden days, a person would place a small stone under a larger stone and pray for the health and prosperity of their family. Its pond is known for being a habitat of the marbled eel, which moves only at night.

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