As far as your eyes can take you, you will see the spectrum of nature in blue and green. Mountains wearing the attire of eternal shades of green, Sun spreading its golden shimmers with a blanket of warmth, and air breezing your ears and uttering the sound of your welcome. Have you ever visited such a place? Introducing you, Jeju Island, where it never gets tired to visit. Let us tour the scenic island of Jeju:
Image: Flickr
1. Hawaii Of South Korea
Jeju Island is the Island between Korea Straits and south of South Jeolla Province, South Korea. With a moderate climate throughout the year, the place is also known as “South Korea’s Hawaii.”
Source: Wikipedia, Image: Wikimedia
2. Its Place in World Heritage
Jeju volcanic caves and lava lubes comprises of 3 sites. It includes Manjanggul Cave, which is considered as the finest lava lube system of cave anywhere.
Source: unesco.org, Image: Wikimedia
3. Another Country In The Country
South Korea’s has 9 provinces, Jeju being one of them is the only province that is self-governed. The island sheltering more than 600,000 people experience more than 15,000,000 of visitors every year.
Source: visitkorea.or.kr
4. Resident To Biggest Mountain Of South Korea
Hallasan, a 6,400 feet tall volcanic mountain accommodating the oldest Buddhist Temple of Jeju is the biggest mountain of South Korea. Dominating whole Jeju, for the people of Korea, it is a sacred mountain with the belief that gods and angels reside there. For visitors, it is the realm of adventure and place to find a unique flora and fauna.
Source: worldatlas.com, Image: Wikimedia
5. Jeju Has Got Great Names
Until Jeju fell on the hands of Joseon dynasty, it was known to be Kingdom of ‘Tamna.’ It had numerous names, mainly Tammora, Seomra, Tamna, and Doi literally “Island Country.”
Source: Wikipedia
6. The Story Of Its Formation
Jeju is said to be about 2 million years old and was formed as a result of volcanic activities. Archaeologist even finds suggest that people had lived there since prehistoric times.
Source: earthobservatory.nasa.gov
7. The Tragic Tale Of Jeju
After the Korean war ended, Jeju erupted as communist party planning rallies against the split of Korean Peninsula and upcoming elections. April 3, 1948, 11 police stations were attacked, mutilated and polling centers were burned. Demands kept on getting high, all negotiations failed. It was then that the South Korean military ordered preemptive apprehension suspected leftist across the nation. The militants were sorted out in group A, B, C, and D. On August 30, 1950, order came to execute the group C & D. When it was over, over 70% of Jeju villages had been burned, and more than 30,000 of the people were killed.
Source: historychannel.com.au
8. You Will Not Need A Visa If…
If you get sick of Visa formalities, here’s a deal for you. You can fly directly from your country to Jeju without a Visa. Conditions applied, you have to take a flight directly to Jeju Island, and you get a month stay without a Visa.
Source: icomes.or.kr
9. Legends And Myths Jeju
There are many myths that have passed about the birth of Jeju Island. Out of which the most relatable is the legend of the ‘Questionnaire,’ the goddess who made Jeju Island. There is another myth that goes by a belief that the legendary island of ‘Utopia’ is Jeju Island.
Source: Wikipedia
10. The Mermaids Of Jeju
There is a group of women called “Haenyo (Sea Women),” like their name who dive 30m deep down the water without any types of equipment, catching seafood barehand. However, the community of women has shrunken in ages, most of them being above 60 of age.
Source: straitstimes.com, Image: Wikimedia
11. It’s Not Dialect; It’s A Language
Although, Korea has different regional dialects. It has a variation in Jeju and is known as Jeju dialect. However, the Jeju dialect is very different from that of Korean and is considered as a language. UNESCO added Jeju in the Atlas of Languages in danger and is working as an aid to the vitality of the language.
Source: unesco.org
12. The Lucky Grandpa
The one thing you will find almost everywhere in Jeju is the Grandpa Stones or Dol Hareubang. The figurines were made from volcanic rocks with looks of grinning grandpa resting their hands on their bellies, wearing a mushroom hat. The figurines had initially been made in 1774 and now are the symbolism of Jeju. It is believed that if you rub its nose, you will give birth to a son.
Source: huffingtonpost.com, Image: Flickr
13. The Love Park Of Jeju
Loveland in Jeju Island is the sculptural theme park on eroticism and sensuality. The park is the place for newlyweds and couples. It can be described as the meeting of sexuality with Art. It is also the kinkiest park in the world.
Source: visitkorea.or.kr, Image: Flickr
