Jeju's South Coast in Half a Day: Daepo and Cheonjiyeon

Half a day on the south coast: three stops

The Jeju guide describes Jungmun and Seogwipo as the island's south side: big resorts, waterfalls and cliff coast, and a good base for Olle trail walks. Sights are spread around the island, and the guide's tip is to group each day by direction, so this article covers just the south coast in half a day.

In the guide's suggested itinerary, the south-coast day runs Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliffs in Jungmun, then Cheonjiyeon Waterfall and one Olle trail section near Seogwipo, then seafood stew. Here we look at each of those three stops in more detail, plus getting there and the weather. For a full three-day route and driving tips, see our separate articles.

• Jungmun: Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliffs (hexagonal basalt columns on the shore)
• Seogwipo: Cheonjiyeon Waterfall (forested waterfall, paid entry)
• Near Seogwipo: one Olle trail section
• To finish: haemul ttukbaegi (seafood stew)

• Full Jeju travel guide →
• Jeju in 3 days: east and west →
• Jeju rental car tips →

Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliffs: hexagonal columns on the Jungmun coast

Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliffs is a stretch of hexagonal basalt columns along the Jungmun coast. Jeju is a volcanic island with sea cliffs all around its coast, and here the cliff is made of columns standing in rows. It is dramatic when waves crash against them.

The guide notes that strong winds are common on Jeju and warns to beware of high waves on the coast. Even if you came to watch the waves, keep well back from the water's edge. Check official info before you go for entry fees and opening hours.

• Where: the Jungmun coast
• What you see: a cliff of hexagonal basalt columns and crashing waves
• Take care: high waves on windy days
• Entry fee and hours: check official info before you go

Cheonjiyeon Waterfall: a forested waterfall near central Seogwipo

Cheonjiyeon Waterfall sits in a forest near central Seogwipo. The path is short and easy, which makes it the least demanding walk of this half day.

Entry is paid. Check official info before you go for the price and opening hours. Because it is close to central Seogwipo, it links easily to an Olle trail section or a meal afterwards.

• Where: near central Seogwipo, in a forest
• Path: short and easy
• Entry: paid (check official info for the price)
• Hours: check official info before you go

Walk one Olle section, then finish with seafood stew

The Olle trails are walking routes linking the coast and villages, divided into sections. The guide says even one section makes a great day. With half a day, walk just one section near Seogwipo and choose the starting point and distance to fit the time you have left.

As in the guide's itinerary, finish with haemul ttukbaegi, a bubbling soybean-paste stew packed with abalone, shrimp and clams, for about 13,000-18,000 won. For something lighter, gogi guksu, noodles in pork-bone broth topped with sliced pork, costs about 9,000-12,000 won a bowl. Country restaurants may close early or have days off, so have dinner a little early.

• Olle trail: one section near Seogwipo
• Haemul ttukbaegi: about 13,000-18,000 won
• Gogi guksu: about 9,000-12,000 won a bowl
• Dinner: a little early, as country restaurants may close early

Getting there: rental car, bus or taxi

By rental car, Seogwipo is about 1 hour from the airport. Coastal roads are narrow and often windy, so drive slowly, and never drink and drive. Foreign visitors need a valid license accepted in Korea (such as an International Driving Permit), so check official rules.

Without a car, airport limousine bus 600 and express buses run to Jungmun and Seogwipo. The ride takes about 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes and costs about 2,000-6,000 won depending on route and distance. Village buses can be infrequent, so check route numbers and timetables on the official Jeju bus information site first.

Taxis suit short hops between sights. If you would rather not drive, full-day taxi tours with a driver are also available.

• Rental car: airport to Seogwipo about 1 hour
• Airport limousine bus 600 and express buses: Jungmun and Seogwipo in about 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes, about 2,000-6,000 won
• Timetables: check the official Jeju bus information site
• Taxi: handy for short hops; full-day taxi tours also available

Weather and final checks

The guide names April-June and September-November as the best weather. The figures below are Korea Meteorological Administration 1991–2020 normals for Jeju station (average high / average low / monthly precipitation). They come from Jeju station, not a Seogwipo station, so the weather on the Seogwipo and Jungmun coast can differ. The guide also notes that Jungmun and Seogwipo, on the south side of Hallasan, are a little warmer in winter.

June and September get about 171 mm and about 228 mm of precipitation, more than the other four months, so pack an umbrella. July-August is peak season, with rainy spells and possible typhoons. This is a coastal plan, so check the forecast before you set out.

If you are visiting from abroad, entry rules can change, so check official information before you go.

• April: about 18°C / about 11°C / about 90 mm
• May: about 22°C / about 15°C / about 96 mm
• June: about 25°C / about 19°C / about 171 mm
• September: about 26°C / about 21°C / about 228 mm
• October: about 22°C / about 16°C / about 95 mm
• November: about 16°C / about 10°C / about 70 mm

• Full Jeju travel guide →
• Jeju weather by month →
• Jeju in winter →
• Hallasan hiking prep →
• Busan vs Jeju: which to choose? →

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