First time visiting Jeju Island, South Korea – "The Human Zelda"

Jeju Island (South Korea) offers visa-free entry for Chinese travelers, and it only takes a little over an hour to fly from Shanghai. There are many flights, the prices are reasonable, making it perfect for a short getaway. I recently went for the first time. Although Jeju Island has many attractions and various beaches, the place that impressed me the most was Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak. I highly recommend it and believe it’s a must-visit spot on Jeju Island. There is an entrance fee if you want to climb Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, but the free route is already very enjoyable, so there’s really no need to buy a ticket to hike up. At the ticket office, turn left to find the free hiking trail, which leads down to the seaside at the foot of the cliff and offers a distant view of Udo Island (see photo 3). The scenery is already very beautiful—don’t believe me? Check the photos, all taken straight from an iPhone 15 with no filters. There are many people on the trail taking those popular social media photos, so it can get a bit crowded, but it’s okay because once you get down to the beach, there are far fewer people. The beach below Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak has rocky black sand (see photo 8). It might not be as fun as the fine golden sand, but it has its own unique charm. Sitting on the rocks and staring at the sea is quite interesting. If you want to see fine sandy beaches, Jeju Island has many seaside resorts. There are also performances related to haenyeo (female divers) by the sea (see photo 5, many people gathered watching), and some even put on gear and dive into the sea (see photo 7). I couldn’t tell if they were real haenyeo or just performers. After all, in modern society, it seems like the haenyeo profession should have disappeared. But since haenyeo are a well-known element in the popular Korean drama "Fight for My Way," Jeju’s haenyeo attract some fans, so it’s normal to have haenyeo-themed merchandise. Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak itself is truly beautiful, with the mountain and ocean complementing each other, carrying a sense of pristine natural beauty. Many people say it feels like "The Human Zelda," and that’s true. The trail isn’t long or tiring. I spent two hours there, mostly quietly admiring the view. I love traveling everywhere, casually recording my experiences, and happily sharing them. Follow me for original, down-to-earth travel tips!