Discover Jeju-Si

On Jeju’s northern coast stands Yongduam Rock, a stone estimated to be 10 meters high and shaped like a dragon’s head. Strong winds and waves have formed this shape. From the rock, visitors can watch Haenyeo, or women divers, gathering seafood. The coastal landscape and the living tradition of working at sea make Jeju-Si a special place to explore.

Yongduam Rock: Natural Formation and Legends

The dragon’s-head shape of Yongduam Rock is also a source of stories. According to one legend, a dragon stole precious jade from Hallasan. The mountain deity struck it with an arrow. Another story tells of a white horse that dreamed of becoming a dragon. A soldier caught it, whereupon it turned to stone in the rock. Both legends are tied to the same distinctive stone, but tell different stories.

Jeju Market and Specialties

Dongmun Traditional Market was founded shortly after Korea’s liberation in August 1945. Jeju Dongmun Market offers several Jeju specialties to choose from: Omegi rice cakes, buckwheat pancakes filled with radish, sliced raw fish, and octopus shaped like bread. The variety thus ranges from rice cakes and pancakes to fish and octopus.

Island Nature, Marine Life, and Legends

The Jeju Folklore & Natural History Museum presents the island’s traditional culture and natural environment. Its topics include natural history, folklore, and Jeju’s marine life; it also features an interactive Jeju Experience Center. The Sea Exhibition Hall displays the 13-meter-long skeleton of a Bryde’s whale. Visitors especially interested in natural history or the sea will find specific exhibition topics here, while folklore and traditional culture offer a different focus.

Jeju Samseonghyeol also offers an introduction to the island’s legends. The revered site includes three mythical earth openings, believed to be the origin of Jeju’s mythical founders—Go, Yang, and Bu. An exhibition hall and media gallery are dedicated to sharing these legends. A Seonbi experience, as well as Tuho and Gulleongsoe, are also associated with Jeju Samseonghyeol. This allows travelers to choose between interests in natural history, culture, and legends.

Which focus suits your trip?

When choosing a vacation rental in Jeju-Si, it may be helpful to consider which topics you would like to focus on: the coast and the Haenyeo, regional specialties, natural history, or Jeju’s myths. Families can also make their choice based on the interests of their fellow travelers, without everyone needing to find the same things interesting. The experiences described offer different topics to focus on when planning a trip; they do not indicate how close accommodation is to any particular place.

If you would like to include another destination in your research, you can consider Seogwipo. Jeju-Si itself offers a range of cultural, culinary, and nature-related topics—from Yongduam Rock and the market to the museum and Jeju Samseonghyeol—that you can use to shape your travel plans.

For the broader travel overview: Jeju-Do.