Jeju Island is located in the heart of northeast Asia. It has a mild oceanic climate throughout the year with the smallest annual temperature range in the country. Jeju’s natural environment has been preserved as fully as possible. It is famous for its fantastically shaped rocks decorating the seashores, scenic beaches and waterfalls. Ancient volcanos, cliffs and lava caves lie in harmony with one another. Cultural heritage sites are complemented by amusement facilities and leisure sites. Its easy accessibility makes Jeju Island a World Class Destination.
Among all of Jeju Island’s natural wonders, some sites (Halla Mountain, Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, and the Geomunoreum Lava Tube System) have been designated as UNESCO World Natural Heritage sites. Jeju, with a very low rate of crime and no fear of terrorism, has a convenient no-visa entry policy for visitors. This permits easy entry for citizens of over 180 countries.
Arrival Route to Jeju
There are three ways to fly to Jeju Island: Direct international flights, transfer to Jeju via Incheon International Airport near Seoul, or from the Gimpo Airport in Seoul and then to Jeju.
Incheon International Airport 39 major international airlines from 23 countries provide regular service between Incheon International Airport and other major cities worldwide.
Jeju International Airport has direct international flights from 11 major cities in Asia and more in the planning stages. There are frequent domestic flights (more than 60 flights a day) from Incheon International Airport, which is the major airport in Korea, as well as Gimpo Airport in Seoul. The conference venue, International Convention Center (ICC) JEJU boasts the largest convention hall in Korea along with 30 meeting rooms and modern facilities. The 2009 ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit was held at the ICC JEJU. It has hosted more than 1,500 meetings since its grand opening in 2003. Regular shuttle buses run frequently from Jeju International Airport.
Access to Jungmun Sightseeing Complex Direct flights are available from 11 cities located in three countries: Japan, China, and Taiwan. For international meetings, Jeju allows visa-free entry for over 180 nationals for stays less than 30 days. Transfer to Jeju at Gimpo Airport On arrival at Incheon International Airport, take an airport limousine bus to Gimpo Airport. It takes about 30 minutes and the fare is 6,000 Korean won ($5 US). The airport limousine bus runs everyday from 05:00 to 21:30 at 5 to 10 minute intervals. The national carriers Korean Air and Asiana Airlines operate flights to Jeju at 15 to 20 minute intervals from 06:55to 20:50. The flight time is about 50 minutes.
Access to Jungmun Sightseeing Complex from Jeju Airport Upon arrival at the Jeju International Airport, take an airport limousine bus. There is only one limousine line in Jeju. It takes about 50 minutes and the fare is 3,900 Korean won ($3.75 US). The airport limousine bus runs at 15 minute intervals. Plenty of taxis are available. Expect to pay a fare of ca. 35,000 Korean won ($30 US) to get to The ICC JEJU area.
JEJU, THE ISLAND OF WORLD PEACE Jeju is the place of peace talks in Northeast Asia and has taken the initiative to develop the Peace Practice Project by opening the Jeju Peace Forum and constructing the Jeju International Peace Center.
SECRETS OF JEJU, THE WORLD NATURAL HERITAGE SITE For many Koreans, Jeju has long been the ideal place to spend their summer vacation or honeymoon. Tourism is the No.1. industry in the region and there are very good reasons for it. UNESCO has listed Jeju Island and its lava tubes as a World Natural Heritage. Various rare creatures still inhabit the tubes and tourists can experience what time can do to nature _ odd-looking stalactites and pristine water.
Mt. Halla is the highest mountain in South Korea and was also created through volcanic activity. It is classified as dormant and thrills hundreds of hikers. The eruption of Mt. Halla that took place approximately 25 thousand years ago created the crater lake, Baekrokdam, at the summit of the mountain. Mt. Halla rises at the center of Jeju island, 1,950 m above sea level. The rest of the island slopes down from its summit and is covered with dark gray volcanic rocks and volcanic ash soil.
Seongsan Inchulbong proves that Jeju was once an active volcanic area.
Geomun Oreum lava tubes bring fresh air to people who think Korea is over developed, as do original virgin forests from the Cenozoic Era.
AN “INTERNATIONAL FREE CITY” LOOKING BRIGHTLY INTO THE FUTURE Jeju Island has been officially designated as "International Free City" where the exchange of human and
material resources and culture is given extensive freedom, and provided veritable wings to this island. It is a
cultural, social and political activity system including ideas and policies, to leads to the practice of active peace,
a state of enjoying freedom from all elements of threat.
WANT SOME FUN? The whole island of Jeju is, on the other hand, a resort. There are many golf courses on the island, because the local government gave tax benefits to the owners, and more people are enjoying the mild weather and well-managed lawns.
Joining hands with both European and American Professional Golf Association to host various tournaments for promotion, the number of golf lovers visiting the island jumped by 20 percent last year, according to the administration.
Horseback riding, swimming, surfing, water skiing and other leisure activities are also available all over the island while a submarine allows tourists to see undersea life.
Jeju is also a place to enjoy all seasonal fruits as well as some tropical ones. Pineapples, tangerine and banana farms welcome tourists to not only buy the fruits but also pick them.
Tangerines, which were considered rare about 40 years ago, are now one of the most abundant cherished fruits there. Various products containing the fruit _ from marmalade to chocolate, alcohol, perfume and others _ gives a mouthwatering experience to tourists at local souvenir shops and duty free stores.
DO YOU KNOW...?
Jeju Island is 1,848.3 square-kilometers in area and has about 600,000 residents.
Jeju marks an average 872.5 milliliters of annual rainfall, but Seogwipo City has 1,390.6 milliliters.
Jeju is the far southern part of the Korean territory and its average temperature is 16.2 degrees Celsius, much higher than any other part of the country.
Jeju Island is a volcanic island. Except for a very small amount of grasslands, the island is consisted of whinstone and other igneous rocks.
Jeju is famous for specialized farming. With abundant sunshine, water and warm weather, tangerines, pineapples as well as other tropical fruits are grown. Rape flower, shiitake mushrooms and other specialties are grown too.
Jeju is famous for ponies. When Mongolian troops invaded the island more than a 1,000 years ago, they brought ponies with them, experts say.
There is a proverb "Send your son to Seoul for studying and your horse to Jeju for training."'
Jeju has "three abundants": rocks, women and water
Jeju has "three noes": thieves, gates and beggars.
Jeju has a unique dialect. It keeps the form of the old Korean language spoken more than six centuries ago. The country's second largest Web portal has a special page for Jeju (jeju.daum.net), where Jeju citizens can use their own dialect, keeping their secrets from users in other regions.
