Jeju Island

The largest island off the coast of the Korean Peninsula, Jeju is dominated by Hallasan, the volcano from which it was formed and the highest mountain in South Korea.

Sloping down through rich forests past villages built from black volcanic rock and the famous dol hareubang grandfather statues carved from basalt, the island’s coastline is a dramatic place of rugged cliffs, waterfalls and beaches, at its most beautiful when carpeted in wildflowers. You’ll also find some impressive temples and lava tubes in between.

Another major draw for visitors here (of which there are many, Jeju is the top honeymoon spot for newlywed Koreans and the air route between Seoul and the island is the busiest in the world) is the food. Along with fresh fish, Jeju is famous for its seafood, much of which is hand caught by the haeyno women who dive for clams, abalone, octopus, squid and seaweed with no breathing apparatus.