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Winter is moving in and it won’t be long before Hallasan is topped with a crown of snow.
That doesn’t mean you have to retreat indoors and hibernate until spring, however, as there are still numerous outdoor activities to keep you warm throughout the colder months.
In fact, many tourists visit Jeju in winter specifically to enjoy its seasonal delights such as the snowcapped Hallasan and the winter landscapes.
If the cold is a problem, then warm yourself up with the plentiful sledding, horseriding, walking and hiking.
There are also fewer tourists about, so you can have more of those solitary moments out in the Jeju countryside.
Here are the best options for the wintry months from December to February.
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Jeju Snow World festival and shuttle bus
Every year up at Eorimok Square, Jeju Tourism Organization organizes a winter extravaganza with winter sports and Korean culture “experiences.”
The Jeju Snow World festival runs on weekends from Christmas Day to the end of January and includes a free shuttle bus bringing visitors up from the city.
Events
Weekends Dec 25-Jan 31
10am-4pm at Eorimok Square, San 220-1 Haean-dong, Jeju-si
Skiing, sledding, Korean food corner, games, souvenirs and more.
Shuttle bus
There will be a shuttle bus running between the festival site and Jeju City. Check with Jeju Tourism Organization for the route and timetable.
Contact
Dan Kim (Jeju Tourism Organization)
064-740-6049 / jyju2009@ijto.or.kr
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Mt. Hallasan New Year hiking
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| ▲ Photo courtesy Jeju World Natural Heritage |
Seongpanak trails
Midnight on New Year’s Eve
064-725-9950/064-756 9950
For New Year’s Eve only, hikers are allowed to ascend Mt. Hallasan at night to welcome the new year.
Around midnight, walkers will be able to ascend the dormant volcano in a unique experience. The Jeju Tourism Organization will also be holding some celebratory events.
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| ▲ Photo by Yang Hogeun |
Sledding
Whenever the snow is deep enough for safe sledding, the horse pastures on the 516 between Jeju and Seogwipo open for the public and have a great festive atmosphere.
516 Horse Pastures
San 14-17, Yonggang-dong, Jeju
Between December and February
*Only after heavy snow and in daylight hours
3,000 won per hour for sled rental
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| ▲ Photo by Jeju Tourism Organization |
Horse riding
It is not the first thing that comes to mind as a winter activity, but Jeju’s winter landscapes are even more beautiful from the back of a horse.
Jeju Horse Riding Park
152-1, Nokgome-gil, Aewol-eup, Jeju City
064-799-9540
jhrp.net
Tues-Sun, 9am - 6pm
At over 1 million square meters, this is the biggest horse-riding park in Korea. You can also ride the Hallama, Jeju’s native breed.
Beginners:
From 30,000 won (20mins) to 100,000 won (1hr 10mins)
Intermediate / advanced:
From 150,000 won (1.5hrs) to 200,000 won (2hrs)
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Outdoor bathing
Despite the cold, this is the best time for outdoor bathing and the hot herbal and sea waters relieve your body and mind.
Watch the steam rise off the water and your skin as you look out across Jeju’s rural southwest to Dansan and Hyeongjeseom Islets.
Sanbangsan Tansan Hot Spring
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| ▲ Photo courtesy Sanbangsan Tansan Sauna |
192 Sagyebuk-ro 41-beongil, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si / 064-792-8300
Indoor hot spring: 6am - 12am
Outdoor hot spring: 11am ~ 11pm
Adults 11,000 won / Children 3-8,000 won
(Open-air bathing 3,000 won extra.)
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Gotjawal walk and camellias in bloom
Just as other plants are looking to keep things simple for winter, the camellia is looking to show off all its colors!
Throughout winter the flowers can be found across the island, but the Ramsar site of Dongbaekdongsan in the Seonheul Gotjawal is one of the best locations for them.
You can also have the pleasure of walking through one of Jeju’s gotjawal volcanic woodlands, where the stable temperature is always a tough warmer than outside.
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| ▲ Photo by mdxdt |
Dongbaekdongsan/Seonheul Gotjawal
San 12 Seonheul-ri, Jocheon-eup, Jeju-si
Daylight hours
Free admission
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Mandarin picking
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| ▲ Photo courtesy Jeju Tourism Organization |
Winter is the mandarin season so brave the cold, don some gloves, and pick some citrus, preferably down south.
Seogwipo Citrus Museum
441, Hyodonsunhwan-ro, Seogwipo-si
9am - 6pm (5pm last entry)
064-767-3010 / citrusmuseum.com
6,000 won per person per kilogram / No limitation on eating / includes museum entrance
The Citrus Museum offers great picking and boasts a themed exhibition room, a 3D video, a folklore exhibit and a subtropical garden.
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22nd Seongsan Ilchul Sunrise Festival
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| ▲ Photo courtesy Seogwipo City |
Seongsan Ilchulbong, Seongsan-ri, Seongsan-eup
Seogwipo City, 064-760-4281
Dec 30 (Weds) to Jan 1 (Fri)
The iconic place to see in the first sunrise of the new year is Seongsan Ilchulbong. From Dec 30 to Jan 1, the Seongsan Ilchul Festival will include fireworks, performances, festival foods and drinks to warm your cockles. On Jan 1, crowds will ascend the castle-like peak to see in the first sunrise of the year.
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| ▲ Photo by Darryl Coote |
17th Seogwipo Penguin Swim
Jungmun Saekdal Beach
3039 Saekdal-dong, Seogwipo-si
9:30am to 12pm, Saturday, Jan 2, 2016
For further information, call 064 -760–3320
Dive into the freezing winter waters and brave the cold with plenty of other locals! Other events include traditional wrestling, musical performances, raffles and free winter foods.
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