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Thuy Hoang
Lost in Jeju – A Journey to Korea’s Most Gentle Island

Summer in Jeju

From June to August, while Seoul swelters under the blazing sun and constant motion, Jeju remains calm and gentle. It is Korea’s serene southern island, like a young woman smiling in the season of blossoms. With temperatures ranging from 23 to 28°C, Jeju’s summer is neither too hot nor too humid. The sky is turquoise blue, clouds drift lazily, the sea sparkles crystal clear, and flower fields stretch like silk. It’s an ideal time to escape the bustle of daily life.

Summer on Jeju Island – a peaceful natural retreat (Image source: Collected)

Beyond its mesmerizing beauty, Jeju holds a triple UNESCO crown: a Biosphere Reserve (2002), a World Natural Heritage Site (2007), and a Global Geopark (2010). These titles honor its exceptional natural and cultural values. Each cliff, mountain, and waterfall on the island carries stories of geology and history, making Jeju an unmissable destination for nature lovers and explorers.

Quiet Corners of Jeju That Soothe the Soul

It’s no coincidence Jeju is often called a “healing paradise.” Here, there are no flashy billboards, no honking horns, no rushed schedules. Just nature quietly embracing you, gently softening your heart as if it has finally found a place where it no longer needs to be strong.

1. Hyeopjae Beach

Have you ever seen light melt into the water? That’s Hyeopjae Beach on Jeju’s western coast, where the calm blue sea lies still like a mirror and the white sand stretches endlessly, as if no one has ever set foot there. In the early morning, you can stroll along the shore, quietly collecting washed-up shells and listening to the whisper of gentle waves. By late afternoon, the whole sky glows with warm amber, and all you want is to sit down, tilt your head toward the sky, and let the sunlight softly brush your eyelids.

Sunset at Hyeopjae Beach, Jeju Island (Image source: Collected)

2. Hallasan Mountain

Towering as Korea’s highest peak and Jeju’s defining landmark, Hallasan is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site and a dream for nature lovers. Its hiking trails are shaded by green canopies, each step drawing you deeper into a peaceful world where birds sing and sunlight filters through leaves with the scent of earth.

Hallasan Volcano, a UNESCO Natural Heritage symbol of Jeju (Image source: Collected)

Reaching the summit offers breathtaking views of the sea and island below. But more than a physical journey, this is a spiritual one that invites you to feel the purity, calm, and vibrancy of Jeju’s natural soul.

3. Jusangjeolli Cliffs

A geological wonder within Jeju’s UNESCO Global Geopark, the Jusangjeolli Cliffs are columns of hexagonal basalt rock, carved by ancient lava flows and cooled by the sea. These natural pillars create a dramatic cathedral-like seascape, with each crashing wave composing a note in the ocean’s wild symphony.

Jusangjeolli Cliffs – a UNESCO Global Geopark site (Image source: Collected)

4. O’Sulloc Tea Museum

If you ask, “What color is Jeju?” the answer might be found at O’Sulloc Tea Museum. Surrounded by endless rows of vibrant green tea fields, this museum not only celebrates the history and culture of Korean green tea but also creates a serene space to slow down and truly feel the present moment. Amid the tea gardens, your heart may feel as still as a morning lake, and happiness may feel as simple as a cup of tea and an open soul.

Lush green tea fields at O’Sulloc Museum, Jeju (Image source: Collected)

5. Udo Island

If Jeju is a grand landscape painting, then Udo Island is the soft stroke near its heart. Just a 15-minute ferry ride from Seongsan Port, Udo is small, quiet, and full of charm, with tiny roads, cozy cafés, gentle beaches, and sweet moments.

Udo Island ferry port – Jeju (Image source: Collected)

Rent an electric bike to circle the island, passing wildflowers and ocean views. Stop by Sanho Beach where crushed coral sparkles in the sun, or try Udo’s famous peanut ice cream. You won’t do much on Udo, but somehow you’ll leave with a full heart, like you just visited somewhere quietly beautiful.

6. Jeongbang Waterfall

Jeongbang is unlike any other waterfall in Korea. It’s the only one in Asia that falls directly into the sea, and perhaps the only one that feels both powerful and heartbreakingly tender.

Jeongbang Waterfall pours directly into the sea (Image source: Collected)

The crashing water against the deep blue sky and vast ocean creates a scene that’s both poetic and grounding. Stand close enough and the mist may sting your cheeks, cold but awakening. Here, nature doesn’t just look beautiful; it heals, with its rhythm and breath.

7. Woljeong-ri Beach

Woljeong-ri may not be as well-known as Jungmun or Hyeopjae, but it’s a favorite hideaway for artistic souls. The water is crystal clear, and the shore is lined with charming cafés, each telling its own story.

Woljeong-ri Beach, Jeju, South Korea (Image source: Collected)

Try sitting on the second floor of a tiny café, order an iced latte, put on some Lofi tunes, and just look at the sea. Don’t think. Just be. Because Woljeong-ri asks nothing from you, except to be fully present, right here, right now.

There’s something quietly magical about this place. Time seems to slow down, the breeze feels softer, and even your thoughts begin to breathe more gently. It’s where you can be alone, yet never feel lonely. Here, silence isn’t emptiness, it’s a language of stillness, speaking to the heart in ways words never could.

Fly Direct – Jeju Awaits, No Visa Needed!

Flying directly to Jeju from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, or Da Nang has never been easier thanks to reliable airlines from Korea and Vietnam. Even better, Vietnamese citizens enjoy a visa-free entry to Jeju, allowing up to 30 days of stay without complicated procedures.

Jeju International Airport – South Korea (Image source: Collected)

Note: This visa exemption applies only when flying directly to Jeju and staying on the island. If you plan to visit other mainland Korean cities, a regular visa is required.

Jeju – A Place That Needs No Reason to Visit

Sometimes we travel not to find something new, but to remember what peace once felt like. Especially in summer, Jeju has a way of quieting the noise, slowing the pace, and letting you hear life’s smallest joys: the morning breeze, the taste of melting ice cream, the sound of wooden clogs on stone paths, or the voice inside you - finally no longer drowned out.