Sunny's Jeju Travel Guide

Blue hydrangeas in full bloom at Honinjji · Photo © sunny Looking for hydrangeas in Jeju without paying entrance fees? These are the free hydrangea spots I return to every June as a Jeju local, plus one scenic coastal drive you shouldn't miss. I have a loose routine during hydrangea season — a handful of places I check each year to see how the blooms are coming along. The photos tend to turn out well, the walks are lovely, and somehow I always end up going back. This year I visited Honinjji and the Jongdal-ri coastal road myself, so I can share what the blooms actually look like right now. Not All of Jeju's Hydrangeas Bloom at Once If you're planning a hydrangea trip to Jeju for the first time, it's easy to assume every spot peaks at the same time. From what I've seen year after year, that's not quite how it works. Honinjji tends to hit its peak first, followed by the hydrangeas along the Jongdal-ri coastal road. Songdang Fairy Vi...

Olive Young, Jeju · Photo © sunny When most people plan a trip to Jeju, the itinerary is all about Hallasan, Seongsan Ilchulbong, and those impossibly blue beaches. Shopping often ends up being an afterthought — usually a quick stop at the airport duty-free before flying home. But living here, I've come to see Olive Young — Korea's biggest health and beauty chain — in a completely different light. It's not just a skincare shop. It's the place I send friends when they need hiking snacks for Hallasan, something to soothe sunburned skin after a beach day, a last-minute gift that actually feels thoughtful, or a vitamin to get through the second half of a packed trip. One stop, done. Honestly, I take visiting friends here more often than the duty-free. Here's everything I know about making the most of Olive Young while you're on the island. Getting Your Tax Refund on the Spot Global Hot Issue corner · Photo © sunny ...

The trail sign pointing toward Keun Jigeurioreum — Hinoki cypress trees opening up around it · Photo © sunny If you're visiting Jeju in summer and want to escape the heat without missing out on real nature — this is the place. Most people head straight for the open oreum (volcanic hills) like Saebyeol, but without any shade cover, those trails can get brutal under the July and August sun. I keep coming back to Gyorae Natural Recreation Forest (교래자연휴양림) instead, and more specifically, to Keun Jigeurioreum — a forested volcanic hill tucked into Jeju's inland belt between the coast and Hallasan. Even on the hottest days, the dense canopy keeps it so cool it almost feels air-conditioned. Parking & Admission The parking lot is spacious and completely free · Photo © sunny The parking lot is large and free . Admission is very affordable — almost symbolic, honestly. 👤 Adult ₩1,000 (individual) / ₩800 (group of 10...

Oedolgae ("Lonely Rock") rising from the sea off Seogwipo's southern coast · Photo © sunny Most people come here to see the rock. For me, it's always been more about the walk. This stretch of coastline is part of Jeju Olle Trail Route 7 — a network of scenic walking paths that circles the entire island — and honestly, the path alone is reason enough to visit. The view changes a little with each season, but the southern sea and the sheer volcanic cliffs that frame it? Always the same, always good. I stopped by again recently with no real plan, and came away glad I did. One heads-up though: Hwangwooji Seonnyeotang, the natural tidal pools just five minutes away, is currently off-limits due to rockfall risk — worth checking before you go. What Is Oedolgae? Oedolgae (외돌개) is a volcanic rock pillar rising about 20 meters straight out of the sea. It formed from trachyandesite lava roughly 120,000 years ago, and the coastal erosion around it — the c...