Seogwipo-Si

Seogwipo-si (서귀포시, 西歸浦市) is the southern district of Jeju island.

Covering the entire southern half of Jeju island. The main city itself consists of a rather small urban center and port on the coast, directly south of Jeju's most prominent landmark, Hallasan mountain. However, urban sprawl has seen it extend in a thin strip along the coast westwards up to the township of Jungmun and some of the coastal villages beyond.

Seogwipo claims the Jeju International Convention Centre and the Jungmun Tourist Resort Complex with Jeju's fanciest accommodation. Furthermore as one of the many co-hosts of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, it holds the island's only stadium.

Being spread out along a coastline made out of columnar basalt cliffs and beaches interchangeably makes it a somewhat unusual visit. A coastal wander may see you strolling across a busy summer beach one moment and sheepishly striding through incredibly swank hotel grounds the next. Yet equally likely, one could end up traversing rocks alongside sheer cliffs, dark caves and beautiful waterfalls.

• Cheonjiyeon Waterfall. Cheonjiyeon Waterfall is one of the "three famous waterfalls of Jeju". Cheonjiyeon (meaning a waterfall connecting the sky (ch'eon) and land (ji)) receives a large number of tourists to get their picture taken with the falls in the background. Although there is one main area where water falls over the cliff, depending on how much rain has fallen recently, the stream may spread and cascade down at several points. The water falls into a large, artificial pond that has been created by two small dams to maintain the water at a certain level. ₩2000.
• Cheonjeyeon Waterfall, Jungmun. One of the "three famous waterfalls of Jeju". Crossed by the incredibly iconic red Seonimgyo Bridge: carved with seven 20m wide white nymphs on each side.
• Jeongbang waterfall, 278, Donghong-dong, Seogwipo-si, 36 chilsimni-ro 214-gil (A kilometer or two east of Seogwipo harbour., +82 64 733-1530. With Seopeom and Beomseom island in front, the Jeongbang Waterfall is right at the edge of the ocean. Apparently the only waterfall in Asia to fall directly into the sea and one of the "three famous waterfalls of Jeju".

• Jusangjeolli, 2663-1 Jungmun-dong to 2507 Daepo-dong (East end of Jungmun Beach. Get off the bus in Jungmun next to the elementary school. The site is directly behind Jeju Convention Center.. Jusangjeolli is the literal Korean translation of columnar basalt: hexagonal pillars of volcanic rock. You've almost certainly seen pictures of these in Northern Ireland as part of the Giant's Causeway or perhaps even in nearby Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. The hexagonal joints are formed as liquid lava contracts whilst cooling. The Jeju formation is situated on either side of Jungmun Beach, however the most spectacular part is a set of cliffs at the far east end. A viewing platform with detailed explanations exists, charging ₩2000 entry. If you want to actually climb around on the stones, theres actually another small cluster tucked away in the bay a mere 100m outside the eastern ticket gate. Just keep an eye for rogue waves and be aware that any damage to the rocks is protected by a series of hefty fines.
• World 'Eros' Museum, Seogwipo (Literally under the World Cup Stadium, +82 64-739-0059. 9AM-8PM. At first glance, Seogwipo's answer to the infamous Loveland, this attraction actually lives up to its title: a museum. A museum that has amassed genuine erotic works of art from the world over and put them on display next to a pile of cheaply Photoshopped "flowers" and some Japanese pornography playing in a traditional house-front with holes poked in the paper screens... but a museum nonetheless. As no information at all is in English a fun game to play is to guess the country of origin of a piece based on how violent the acts depicted are (Hint: the spectrum runs from Chinese at one extreme to Japanese at the other, use clothing styles to check answers.) Probably not a place for children. Check out the 12 vases of the animal-love zodiac. ₩7000.

Cheonjiyeon Waterfall. Cheonjiyeon Waterfall is one of the "three famous waterfalls of Jeju". Cheonjiyeon (meaning a waterfall connecting the sky (ch'eon) and land (ji)) receives a large number of tourists to get their picture taken with the falls in the background. Although there is one main area where water falls over the cliff, depending on how much rain has fallen recently, the stream may spread and cascade down at several points. The water falls into a large, artificial pond that has been created by two small dams to maintain the water at a certain level. ₩2000.

Cheonjeyeon Waterfall, Jungmun. One of the "three famous waterfalls of Jeju". Crossed by the incredibly iconic red Seonimgyo Bridge: carved with seven 20m wide white nymphs on each side.

Jeongbang waterfall, 278, Donghong-dong, Seogwipo-si, 36 chilsimni-ro 214-gil (A kilometer or two east of Seogwipo harbour., +82 64 733-1530. With Seopeom and Beomseom island in front, the Jeongbang Waterfall is right at the edge of the ocean. Apparently the only waterfall in Asia to fall directly into the sea and one of the "three famous waterfalls of Jeju".

Jusangjeolli, 2663-1 Jungmun-dong to 2507 Daepo-dong (East end of Jungmun Beach. Get off the bus in Jungmun next to the elementary school. The site is directly behind Jeju Convention Center.. Jusangjeolli is the literal Korean translation of columnar basalt: hexagonal pillars of volcanic rock. You've almost certainly seen pictures of these in Northern Ireland as part of the [[Giant's Causeway]] or perhaps even in nearby [[Miyazaki (prefecture)|Miyazaki Prefecture]], Japan. The hexagonal joints are formed as liquid lava contracts whilst cooling. The Jeju formation is situated on either side of Jungmun Beach, however the most spectacular part is a set of cliffs at the far east end. A viewing platform with detailed explanations exists, charging ₩2000 entry. If you want to actually climb around on the stones, theres actually another small cluster tucked away in the bay a mere 100m outside the eastern ticket gate. Just keep an eye for rogue waves and be aware that any damage to the rocks is protected by a series of hefty fines.

World 'Eros' Museum, Seogwipo (Literally under the World Cup Stadium, +82 64-739-0059. 9AM-8PM. At first glance, Seogwipo's answer to the infamous Loveland, this attraction actually lives up to its title: a museum. A museum that has amassed genuine erotic works of art from the world over and put them on display next to a pile of cheaply Photoshopped "flowers" and some Japanese pornography playing in a traditional house-front with holes poked in the paper screens... but a museum nonetheless. As no information at all is in English a fun game to play is to guess the country of origin of a piece based on how violent the acts depicted are (Hint: the spectrum runs from Chinese at one extreme to Japanese at the other, use clothing styles to check answers.) Probably not a place for children. Check out the 12 vases of the animal-love zodiac. ₩7000.

• Jusangjeolli Cliff of Daepo, 2663, Jungmun-dong, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do(1100 (cheonbaek)-ro, Segwipo-si), +82 64 738-1532. Near Jungmun Beach, a popular spot for vacationers and locals, is an impressive pillar rock formation named Jusangjeolli Cliff in Daepo. The formation looks like a piece of art that has been sculpted delicately with a sharp tool.
• Micheon Cave, 1010, Samdal-ri, Seongsan-eup, Sedgwipo-si (Jungsanggan-ro, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo-si), +82 64-784-2080. Micheon Cave has academic, tourism, and cultural value. Fresh air, crystal clear water, green fields, and a secondary volcanic cone(oreum) create an awe-inspiring sight, good for contemplation.
• Botanical Garden Yeomiji, 2910 Saekdal-dong, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do, +82 564-735-1100. The largest botanical garden in Asia, the magnificent glass Yeomiji Conservatory has collected and displayed 1,200 species of subtropical and tropical plants. There are five permanent gardens as well as the temporary horticultural displays and flower show. you can stroll through the traditional outdoor gardens of Korea, Japan, Italy and France admiring the unique classical design of each.
• Seopjikoji. Koji means a cape in Jeju dialect. It consists of the bow shaped Gojaut Koji near the sea and Jeongji Koji near the beach. It was a filming place of the Korean drama "All In" So a lot of Korean sightseers visit. Walking along the sea, you may feel like you are in the ocean.
• Green Tea Museum. Located among actual plantations of green tea, this museum is built in the shape of a tea cup. Here you can see tea collecting methods and take pictures in the middle of tea plantations. The O'Sulloc tea museum teaches you about Korean tea culture through a miniature of a green tea production line and many other interesting activities. There is a souvenir shop and of course a green tea-house with green tea and green tea ice cream. A very beautiful modern building, the museum is surrounded with summer-houses, stone towers and soft green grass lawns.
• Museum of African Art, 1833 Daepo-dong. Housed in a stunning full-size replica of the Grand Mosque of Djenne, this museum has what is almost certainly Asia's best collection of African art.
• Chocolate Museum, 551-18 Ilgwa-ri, Daejeong-eup, +82 64 792-3121. This is the second largest museum in the world. The building looks like a fortress of rocks but smells sweet. The hand-made chocolate set from this museum makes a great gift to take away from Jeju.
• Jeju Shinyoung Cinema Museum, 2381, Namwon-ri, Namwon-eup, +82 64 764-7777. This is the first movie museum in Korea. It was established by Shin Young-gyun, a movie actor and displays pictures of movie stars.
• Jeju Independence Museum. History of the struggle of the Jeju islanders against the Japanese occupation during the 20th century. The main building has two floors of exhibit halls, as well as a small movie screening room. Outside are several monuments.
• Jeju Teddy Bear Museum. Millions of people around the world collect Teddy Bears and they seek out old, unique, and valuable teddy bears for their personal collections. The Jeju Teddy Bear Museum opened especially for the European collectors and is more exciting than ever with special "Teddy Bear" entertainment. Some scenes from the popular Korean Drama "Goong (궁)" was filmed in this museum.

Jusangjeolli Cliff of Daepo, 2663, Jungmun-dong, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do(1100 (cheonbaek)-ro, Segwipo-si), +82 64 738-1532. Near Jungmun Beach, a popular spot for vacationers and locals, is an impressive pillar rock formation named Jusangjeolli Cliff in Daepo. The formation looks like a piece of art that has been sculpted delicately with a sharp tool.

Micheon Cave, 1010, Samdal-ri, Seongsan-eup, Sedgwipo-si (Jungsanggan-ro, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo-si), +82 64-784-2080. Micheon Cave has academic, tourism, and cultural value. Fresh air, crystal clear water, green fields, and a secondary volcanic cone(oreum) create an awe-inspiring sight, good for contemplation.

Botanical Garden Yeomiji, 2910 Saekdal-dong, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do, +82 564-735-1100. The largest botanical garden in Asia, the magnificent glass Yeomiji Conservatory has collected and displayed 1,200 species of subtropical and tropical plants. There are five permanent gardens as well as the temporary horticultural displays and flower show. you can stroll through the traditional outdoor gardens of Korea, Japan, Italy and France admiring the unique classical design of each.

Seopjikoji. Koji means a cape in Jeju dialect. It consists of the bow shaped Gojaut Koji near the sea and Jeongji Koji near the beach. It was a filming place of the Korean drama "All In" So a lot of Korean sightseers visit. Walking along the sea, you may feel like you are in the ocean.

Green Tea Museum. Located among actual plantations of green tea, this museum is built in the shape of a tea cup. Here you can see tea collecting methods and take pictures in the middle of tea plantations. The O'Sulloc tea museum teaches you about Korean tea culture through a miniature of a green tea production line and many other interesting activities. There is a souvenir shop and of course a green tea-house with green tea and green tea ice cream. A very beautiful modern building, the museum is surrounded with summer-houses, stone towers and soft green grass lawns.

Museum of African Art, 1833 Daepo-dong. Housed in a stunning full-size replica of the Grand Mosque of [[Djenne]], this museum has what is almost certainly Asia's best collection of African art.

Chocolate Museum, 551-18 Ilgwa-ri, Daejeong-eup, +82 64 792-3121. This is the second largest museum in the world. The building looks like a fortress of rocks but smells sweet. The hand-made chocolate set from this museum makes a great gift to take away from Jeju.

Jeju Shinyoung Cinema Museum, 2381, Namwon-ri, Namwon-eup, +82 64 764-7777. This is the first movie museum in Korea. It was established by Shin Young-gyun, a movie actor and displays pictures of movie stars.

Jeju Independence Museum. History of the struggle of the Jeju islanders against the Japanese occupation during the 20th century. The main building has two floors of exhibit halls, as well as a small movie screening room. Outside are several monuments.

Jeju Teddy Bear Museum. Millions of people around the world collect Teddy Bears and they seek out old, unique, and valuable teddy bears for their personal collections. The Jeju Teddy Bear Museum opened especially for the European collectors and is more exciting than ever with special "Teddy Bear" entertainment. Some scenes from the popular Korean Drama "Goong (궁)" was filmed in this museum.

• Scuba diving. There are some scuba diving centers near to Seogwipo.
• Submarine tours. Located in the harbour, you have the opportunity to experience going down to a depth of 40m below the water surface on a submarine trip. With a course around 2.8 km long, a tour is a great way to see below the surface of Jeju's splendid seas. Here you can see the world of soft corals and colorful fish all amid a fantastic underwater landscape near Munsom Islet. You may even be lucky enough to see Haenyo hard at work. An hour trip costs ₩45,000 for adults, and ₩25,000 for children..
• Jeju Water World. Family-friendly water park consisting of a large indoor section quite literally under the south grandstands and a small outdoor section off to the side. Has a sauna and jjimjilbang attached. ₩21,000 for water park admission (₩8,000 for sauna, ₩10,000 for jjimjilbang).

Scuba diving. There are some scuba diving centers near to Seogwipo.

Submarine tours. Located in the harbour, you have the opportunity to experience going down to a depth of 40m below the water surface on a submarine trip. With a course around 2.8 km long, a tour is a great way to see below the surface of Jeju's splendid seas. Here you can see the world of soft corals and colorful fish all amid a fantastic underwater landscape near Munsom Islet. You may even be lucky enough to see Haenyo hard at work. An hour trip costs ₩45,000 for adults, and ₩25,000 for children..

Jeju Water World. Family-friendly water park consisting of a large indoor section quite literally under the south grandstands and a small outdoor section off to the side. Has a sauna and jjimjilbang attached. ₩21,000 for water park admission (₩8,000 for sauna, ₩10,000 for jjimjilbang).

• Jeju hallabong (citrus fruit akin to an oversized tangerine) are grown predominantly on the southern side of the island so they are both most abundant and cheap from roadside stalls around Seogwipo.
• Locally made Hallisan Soju (Korean rice wine).

Jeju hallabong (citrus fruit akin to an oversized tangerine) are grown predominantly on the southern side of the island so they are both most abundant and cheap from roadside stalls around Seogwipo.

Locally made Hallisan Soju (Korean rice wine).

Being a coastal city on an island, expect the hoe (회, sashimi) to be excellent.

Downtown Seogwipo contains mostly Korean-style restaurants. To illustrate, even the E-mart food court is strictly Korean fare. In the main circle in town there is a coffee shop/restaurant that has some western dishes prepared in a Korean way on the second floor. It has pictures of famous westerners lining the restaurant.

A great more upmarket restaurants, catering to foreign tastes, can be found in and around the Jungmun Tourist Resort Complex.

An interesting culinary option around Seogwipo is sea cucumber. Jeju's iconic women divers (해녀) are scattered around the coast, particilarly near Jungmun, ready to serve it up fresh before your eyes for an average ₩10,000. If you time your approach right, you might even see your meal get hauled in before your eyes. If you're game that is...

• SanbangsanPizza, Jesu island,seoguiposi,andukmyon,duksuri 236-5, +821095444156. 12PM~8:30PM. Italian traditional pizza Gorgonzola pizza,Capricciosa pizza,Margheritta Pizza ₩ 15000~.

SanbangsanPizza, Jesu island,seoguiposi,andukmyon,duksuri 236-5, +821095444156. 12PM~8:30PM. Italian traditional pizza Gorgonzola pizza,Capricciosa pizza,Margheritta Pizza ₩ 15000~.

In addition to the ubiquitous number of Korean-style drinking restaurants, there is a small strip with a few western style bars and Korean style clubs. The strip is located on the way from the main circle to the harbor in Seogwipo. On the way down the hill the strip will be located on your left hand side.

• Milano. Great views, cheap booze and good food. Smoked chicked to share (2-4 people), ₩17,000. Highly recommended. Sign is only in Korean, but it is the bar on the way down the hill towards Cheonjiyeon Falls in downtown Seogwipo. Look for the bar with a log-cabin feel.
• Red Marin. Across the water from Milano in downtown Seogwipo, towards the harbor, is a small waterfront bar called Red Marin. The exterior of the bar looks like an old ship, complete with lights hung over an old mast. Inside, a small store serves as the restaurant, where you can choose from a large selection of Korean alcohols. Grab a table by the water if you can, and enjoy the view.
• Gecko's Terrace, 2156-3 Seakdal-dong, Jungmun (About a 10 minute walk west of the information booth and inner-city bus stop outside Jungmun Tourist Resort Complex. Buses finish well before midnight and taxis back to downtown Seogwipo are costly so plan ahead., +82 64-739-0845. A fairly new entry in the Gecko's Terrace franchise of full-sized proper Western-styled bars and restaurants and the only true expat establishment on the island. The bar has a handful of real beers on tap including Guinness as well as a Western food menu including real, unfrozen steaks and a couple of vegetarian options. Open for lunch as well as in the evening. Prices unfortunately are at Western levels (think ₩10,000-30,000 a meal).

Milano. Great views, cheap booze and good food. Smoked chicked to share (2-4 people), ₩17,000. Highly recommended. Sign is only in Korean, but it is the bar on the way down the hill towards Cheonjiyeon Falls in downtown Seogwipo. Look for the bar with a log-cabin feel.

Red Marin. Across the water from Milano in downtown Seogwipo, towards the harbor, is a small waterfront bar called Red Marin. The exterior of the bar looks like an old ship, complete with lights hung over an old mast. Inside, a small store serves as the restaurant, where you can choose from a large selection of Korean alcohols. Grab a table by the water if you can, and enjoy the view.

Gecko's Terrace, 2156-3 Seakdal-dong, Jungmun (About a 10 minute walk west of the information booth and inner-city bus stop outside Jungmun Tourist Resort Complex. Buses finish well before midnight and taxis back to downtown Seogwipo are costly so plan ahead., +82 64-739-0845. A fairly new entry in the Gecko's Terrace franchise of full-sized proper Western-styled bars and restaurants and the only true expat establishment on the island. The bar has a handful of real beers on tap including Guinness as well as a Western food menu including real, unfrozen steaks and a couple of vegetarian options. Open for lunch as well as in the evening. Prices unfortunately are at Western levels (think ₩10,000-30,000 a meal).

Jeju City, the capital of the province, is easily accessible by bus.