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JEJU ISLAND (Honeymoon Paradise)Jeju Island is a popular vacation spot for Koreans especially a top honeymoon destinations for Korean newlyweds and many Japanese tourists. 
Although a volcanic island with hills and mountains, Jeju city and towns and villages are well link with proper roads and highways. All landmarks, places of interest and beaches are easily reachable. You can make a round island trip, stopping at various places of interest within a day, but if you are in no hurry you can plan it for two days. Fresh seafood especially abalone which are famous for it's abalone porridge - jeonbokjuk and broiled sea bream - okdomgui are available at several restaurants in Seogwipo and Jeju City. Our tour trip took us to the following places around the island. Seongeup Folk Village Designated as an Important Cultural Property the area has been maintained by the local government. Seongeup-ri, Pyoson-myon, still remains as a typical mountain village, and is home to a number of cultural treasures. The village contains about 3,000 thatched roof houses with stone and clay walls where villagers still live, some have added modern amenities. Have an insight of Jeju past 100 years. Gimnyeong-gul and Manjang-gul (Caves) The most famous Of the many lava caves in Jeju Island are Gimnyeong-gul and Manjang-gul. They are also the largest known lava tubes in the world. A caved in to parts of the tunnel which originally was one long tunnel causing it to form into the two caves. Gimnyeong-gul (also known as Paem-gul or "snake cave") the S-shaped cave has two levels and consists of three tunnels. Much larger than Kimnyeong-gul, Manjang-gul also has two levels and stretches over 8 km, with widths reaching 5 meters and heights up to 10 meters. The temperature inside the tube ranges between 10-20 degrees (Celsius) year-round. It contains many spectacular lava columns and other formations that resemble common objects. Cheonjiyeon Waterfall Cheonjiyeon - meaning a waterfall "connecting the sky (Ch'eon) and land (ji)" is one of the three most famous waterfalls on Jeju Island. Large number of tourists including locals crowd the falls surrounding to get their picture taken. The other waterfalls are Jeongbang Waterfall and Cheonjaeyeon Waterfall, if you are interested. Yongdu-am (Dragon Head Rock) A large rock formation shaped like a dragon's head is located at the western end of Jeju City, where the Hanch'on stream runs into the ocean. Follow the short trail that had been built to allow visitors to walk down the cliffs to view the rock from several angles and take photo shots. Beaches There are numerous beaches along the island coastal shoreline. The two more popular beaches are the Hamdeok Beach best known for its sand, water quality, safety, camping area and other facilities and Hyeopjae Beach covered with glistening white sands and the gentle sloping water depth is suitable for the whole family. Both beaches have shower and restroom facilities, as well as private lodging houses, restaurants and a camping ground. Hallim Park A paradise created from barren land, Hallim Park is about 35km west of Jeju City. A park that is strongly scented with exotic sentiment and totally different from any other parks. You can find flowers blooming for each different season, cherry blossom, tulip for spring, water lily, hydrangea for summer, chrysanthemum, red spider lily for autumn and narcissus, machwa blossom for winter. Palm tree road, a marvelous panorama where the path are line up with palm trees and cactuses. Included in the park are the Jeju Stone and Bonsai Garden, Jae-Am Folk Village, Birds garden, Water garden, Botanical Garden and Exhibit Hall. Hyeopjae and Ssangyong Caves are also within the park vicinity. Just across the road from the main gate are the beaches. Jeju Culture and Art Center The Culture and Art Center opened in 1988 is located in the center of Jeju City. Two theaters, a large theater with 902 seats and a smaller theater with 200 seats including a medium-sized exhibition hall. Various performances and exhibitions are held throughout the year. High-level performances being produced with facilities such as orchestra pit, moving stage, a turning stage, echo system, and lighting apparatus. Performers utilise the great facilities provided such as two practice rooms, four dressing rooms, and a playground. Seongsan llchubong (Sunrise Peak) Located near the eastern town of Songsan-ri, Seongsan llchubong (sunrise) Peak rose from under the sea in a volcanic eruption about hundred thousand years ago. As the easternmost tip of Jeju Island, this area is the first to greet each day's new sun, thus earning the name of "Sunrise Peak." The southeast and northsides are cliffs and the northwest side is a hill with grass that is connected to the Seongsan village. A walk to the top of the peak takes about 45 minutes return, you are not allow to enter the crater but can still enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding area. Mok Seok Won Park Tamna Mokseokwon, a special garden that exhibits dried tree roots and artistically shaped natural stones with certain unique values. A private tourist area with exhibits and stories created with trees by naming the displayed objects that befit their characteristics, or naming them according to the shape of the roots. Most of the wood collections were made from the roots of Jorok namu, which grows in the subtropical forest zone on Halla-san. There are about 500 pieces of rock which have the shapes of human heads. The exhibited and preserved natural rocks have been collected one by one from 1960. In the exhibits, rocks of different types can be seen: which are generally found from the beaches about 4km west or east of the Seoguipo Beophwanri Beach. The most famous exhibition "The Life of Kapdol" is about joy, sorrow, happiness and anger in human life. There are a series of stone sets named "Kapsun" and "Kapdol" which show each stage of a life cycle. If time permits, you can visits more caves, waterfalls and theme parks. The place to visit for family would be, Teddy Bear Museum, Miniature Theme Park, Mt Halla and Jeju Art Park. Our tour trip to South Korea ends and we will take the domestic flight from Jeju to Seoul for our connecting flight home. |
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