Travelers flock to Jeju Island in the summer, but there’s a certain magic that settles over the volcanic island in winter. Crisp air, seasonal blooms, and snowy Mt. Hallasan all add to the allure of the South Korean province—and there are far fewer tourists roaming around during the cooler months of the year.

As the temperature begins to drop and the seasons change from autumn to winter, travel from tourist hotspot Seoul to Jeju to explore the multitude of winter sights in the popular tourist destination known as the Island of the Gods. With Jeju weather, it may be too cool and windy to frolic by the beach, but since the temperature rarely drops below freezing, it’s a great time to enjoy outdoor activities.

While it’s certainly a different experience than visiting the island in the summer and there’s the occasional spell of unpredictable weather, there are a lot of fun Jeju attractions to check out during wintertime, whether you prefer basking in the beauty of flourishing gardens or conquering snowcapped mountain peaks.

Hike Hallasan Mountain

As the highest mountain in Korea and one of the country’s three spirit mountains, Mt. Hallasan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s worth a visit at any time of the year. However, the mountaintop scenery is especially picturesque during winter, when it’s tranquil, empty, and covered with a blanket of fluffy snow. 

Set off on a winter trek to the summit of Mt. Hallasan, which is among the top tourist spots in South Korea. Travelers can choose from six different hiking trails with beginners usually opting for the short and relatively easy Yeongsil Trail and Eorimok Trail. Be rewarded by breathtaking views of the island at the top. 

Discover the island’s natural treasures with KKday’s Jeju World Natural Heritage Day Tour, which will take you to Hallasan Mountain, Jusangjeolli Cliff, and Cheonjiyeon Falls.  

Explore The Eco Land Theme Park

Regardless of the season, visiting the Eco Land Theme Park is one of the best things to do in Jeju Island. Jump on the park’s old-fashioned train to explore the lush Gotjawal forest, an ancient forest that transforms into a winter wonderland during the coldest months of the year. Its frozen landscape looks straight out of a storybook, a beautiful spot to explore and snap photos with family and friends.

Whether it’s winter, spring, summer, or fall, Eco Land is a pleasant place to spend an afternoon roaming the different botanical gardens, picnic areas, and theme park features. Join KKday’s Jeju Private Tour to visit Ecoland Theme Park as well as other nearby spots on the island of Jeju.

Ride Horses Across Snowy Landscapes

Famous for the native breed of Jeju horses, Jeju Island is known as the land of horses among Koreans. For tourists, horse riding is one of the best ways to sightsee with plenty of scenic routes around the island. While riding horses is usually considered a warm-weather activity, a lot of people enjoy it during winter when the weather is pleasantly cool and dry.

Since horses are such a big part of Jeju Island culture, there are a lot of parks where travelers can meet and ride the majestic Jeju horses. One such park is Jeju Horse Riding Park, which is known as the biggest horse riding park in the country with over 1 million square meters of riding grounds.

Admire Winter Flowers At Jeju’s Botanical Gardens

The island’s temperate climate makes for mild winters with temperatures seldom dropping below freezing, so Jeju Island’s outdoor spaces don’t become barren and desolate during wintertime. In fact, botanical gardens are some of the must-visit Jeju attractions in winter with winter flowers in full bloom at this time of the year.

Admire vibrant camellias flourishing at Camellia Hill, one of the popular natural Jeju attractions with gorgeous camellia flowers filling the 20-acre garden. This particular flower is the most famous winter flower, with the park featuring more than 500 camellia species bursting in vibrant colors during the colder season. 

Book tickets to Jeju Island’s Camellia Hill now with KKday.

Go Tangerine Picking

Tangerines have been a Jeju Island specialty for many centuries, and it’s in season during wintertime. When visiting the island, you’ll spot tangerine trees sprouting fruits everywhere, from the streets to a number of tangerine farms around the province.   

While it’s easy to buy the fruit in the supermarket or purchase tangerine-flavored juice, chocolates, and baked goods, it’s best enjoyed freshly picked off a tree. Visit a tangerine farm to roam sweet-smelling orchards and try your hand at tangerine picking!

These are just some of the cool outdoor things to do in Jeju during wintertime, but if you prefer to stay indoors during the colder season, the island has a cool range of attractions that can be enjoyed all year round. From the adorable Teddy Bear Museum to the famous Hello Kitty Island, there are a lot of things to do in Jeju Island in winter.

Check out KKday for more ideas on the top Jeju attractions for winter!

*Featured image by sanga979 on Pixabay