While you go to Jeju Island’s well-known Dawn Peak Seongsan Ilchulbong 성산일출봉, you’ll discover an island close by as you admire the ocean view round you – that island is Udo 우도, a preferred day journey choice for these visiting the east coast of Jeju. I like little islands and determined that I wished some sit back time on this journey, so I spent 2 nights on Udo which turned out to be fairly an attention-grabbing expertise. Right here’s my information to Udo and what you possibly can see, and whether or not you actually need to remain in a single day to expertise the island absolutely.
Seeking to see different elements of Jeju? Try my information to Northwest Jeju the place Aewol and Hallim are, or take a look at the island off its shore referred to as Biyangdo.
Somewhat about Udo
Udo is the biggest of Jeju’s 63 offshore islands. Its identify interprets into ‘Cow Island 牛 島’ as a result of the island’s topography with its squarish hill apparently makes it appear to be a sleeping cow. Aside from that, Udo can also be fairly well-known for all issues peanut – as you discover the market locations in Jeju, you’ll discover a lot of meals stalls touting ‘peanuts from Udo’. In Udo itself, peanut ice cream is the factor to eat, advert you will get all kinds of attention-grabbing peanut meals too together with peanut beer and peanut makgeolli!
The right way to get to Udo
Seongsan Ferry Terminal 성산포항
Udo is a brief 15-min ferry trip away from the mainland of Jeju. I took the ferry to Udo from Seongsan Ferry Terminal, which is a few quick 20 minute stroll away from Seongsan Ilchulbong. You might take a bus, however there’s really fairly a pleasant path alongside the coast to get to the ferry terminal which I like to recommend trying out.
Most individuals day journey to Seongsan so you might have the choice of leaving your baggage on the ferry terminal the place there are lockers. In case your luggage are too huge, the folks on the comfort retailer will hold your luggage for you for a small charge, however you’ll need to choose them up earlier than they shut. The final ferry leaves at 530pm so every thing kinda shuts down after that.
Seongsan Ferry Terminal 성산포항 Seongsan pohang [Naver Maps]. Closest bus cease is Seongsanhang 성산항 (blue 211, 212, 295 / inexperienced 111 / purple 111, 112) is a brief stroll away. A taxi trip from Seogwipo to Seongsan price me about 46,000 KRW.
The right way to purchase ferry tickets for Udo
You should purchase your ferry tickets for Udo on the day itself. In the event you’re planning on doing a day journey, you should buy your spherical journey tickets at one go. Since I used to be staying in a single day, I simply purchased my ticket a technique, and acquired my return ticket on the morning that I headed again to the mainland.
Step-by-step directions on how you can purchase tickets – replenish the boarding card together with your particulars, present your passport, then pay on your ticket (4,500 KRW one-way, 9,000 KRW return).
There are 2 ports in Udo which you could take a ferry to – Cheonjin Port 천진항 in southwest Udo [Naver Maps] or Haumokdong Port 하우목동포구 in northwest Udo [Naver Maps].
The timings are completely different for each ports, and should you’re on a day journey it doesn’t actually matter the place you find yourself as a result of each ports have a bus station and bike rental retailers close by. Since I used to be staying in a single day and my guesthouse was proper on Haumokdong, in order that’s the place I made certain I purchased tickets for.
Jeju Seongsan to Udo Haumokdong
The boat journey from Jeju mainland to Udo is fairly quick – simply quarter-hour on a big ferry that may take automobiles as effectively. Automobiles are parked on the primary stage whereas passengers sit on the second and third ranges.
Issues to do in Udo
Most of Udo’s sights are alongside the coast – there principally is one important highway that goes throughout the island, and also you’ll barely cross inland (which is generally fields and farmland) until you want a shortcut throughout the island for some motive. You possibly can circle the island’s circumference (17km) on bicycle in about 1-2 hours should you cycle continuous, however take the time to relax out and benefit from the surroundings and cease within the many little retailers and eateries alongside the best way.
I organised this information ranging from Haumokdong Port and going northwards, circling the island in a clockwise course.
Udo’s 8 nice sights 우도팔경
Udo additionally has 8 particular ‘must-see’ sights or Udopalkyeong 우도팔경 – I didn’t see all of them however I’ll level them out within the information.
- Juganmyeongwol (주간명월/晝間明月)
- Yahangabyum (야항어범/夜航漁帆)
- Chunjinguansan (천진관산/天津觀山)
- Jiduchungsa (지두청사/地頭靑莎)
- Jeonphomangdo (전포망도/前浦望島)
- Huhaesukbyeok (후해석벽/後海石壁)
- Dongankyeonggul (동안경굴/東岸鯨窟)
- Seobinbaeksa (서빈백사/西濱白沙)
Dapdanitap Lighthouse 답다니탑망대
On the northern finish of Udo you’ll in all probability discover the white Dapdanitap lighthouse first standing tall alongside the shoreline. You possibly can’t enter or climb it, however the tower is near the water and rocks and is total fairly picturesque.
However what’s of extra curiosity is subsequent to it – these mini pyramids of kinds constructed with stone are often called bongsudae 봉수대 (Jeju folks name them mangru) or beacon mounds that had been used for navy communication way back to the Joseon dynasty.
Additionally close by is that this bronze statue of a haenyeo or conventional Jeju lady diver.
답다니탑망대 Dapdanitap Lighthouse and Bongsudae 봉수대 beacon are proper subsequent to one another on the northern finish of Udo [Naver Maps]
Hagosudong Seashore 하고수동해수욕장
There’s a good stretch of white sand seaside at Hagosudong on the northeast finish of the island. The waters listed here are fairly shallow so it’s a preferred household seaside, nevertheless it was the prime anchovy fishing seaside again within the day. In the summertime nights, you may be capable to see the Udo High 8 sight Yahangeobeom 야항어범 right here, which is when the fishing boats mild up the waters of Udo at evening.
I think about this seaside might be extra crowded on scorching summer time days, however because it was getting cool already, it was nonetheless good to sit down down and chill there for a bit. Numerous little retailers and eating places round this half, I’d have spent extra time right here however they had been refurbishing part of the seaside so didn’t grasp round for too lengthy.
Hagosudong Seashore 하고수동해수욕장 hagosudong haesuyokjjang [Naver Maps] is situated on the northeast facet of Udo.
Biyangdo 비양도
Not removed from Hagosudong is the doorway to a different small offshore island referred to as Biyangdo – observe that that is NOT the identical Biyangdo I visited when exploring the Aewol/Hallim area in northwest Jeju. That is by some means an excellent smaller island off the east coast of Udo. Due to its japanese orientation, it was named for and well-known for stunning sunrises, and can also be the place you’ll find haenyeo divers at work.
Biyangdo 비양도 [Naver Maps] on the east facet of Udo.
Geommeolle Seashore 검멀레해수욕장
As you around the southeastern nook of Udo, you’ll discover the height Udobong and the headland jutting into the ocean. The highway instantly begins sloping upwards and there’s a busy stretch of outlets right here the place you’ll discover a staircase main all the way down to the black sand Geommeolle Seashore.
This seaside may be very small, barely 100m in size and the black sand is tremendous positive and mushy – I used to be sinking into it as I walked alongside. One of many issues you are able to do right here is take a ship trip the place you possibly can see one of many prime 8 sights referred to as Juganmyeongweol 주간명월, which principally is when the reflection of the solar within the sea cave round 10-11am appears to be like like a glowing moon – clearly you might want to time it proper should you actually need to see this.
Additionally solely seen from boat throughout low tide farther from the shore is one other prime 8 sight referred to as Dongangyeongul 동안경굴, a cave that’s additionally nicknamed the Whale’s Nostril and was created by lava circulate. Apparently it’s sufficiently big to carry 500 folks they usually maintain live shows in there some occasions!
Geommeolle Seashore 검멀레해수욕장 gommolre haesuyokjjang [Naver maps] is situated on the southeastern finish of Udo.
Udobong 우도봉
As you proceed alongside the highway, there’s a staircase that leads up in the direction of Udobong 우도봉 – I wasn’t within the temper for an unknown size of hike so I saved biking on. Because the highway began sloping downwards, there was a turnoff that led to Udobong peak (which can also be the place the bus will cease you) which seemed like a a lot much less strenuous choice, so I parked my bike there and took a stroll to discover the height space.
Udobong is often known as Somori Oreum 소머리오름, with oreum being the identify Jeju offers the various volcanic cones discovered throughout the islands. The height space is admittedly scenic and there’s a lot of open house to benefit from the view. Principally good paved paths to stroll however anticipate slightly little bit of a climb if you wish to climb as much as the place the lighthouse is.
The Udo prime 8 sight right here known as Jiducheongsa 지두청사, which is particularly the view of the sky, sea and grass from the highest of Udobong about 130m+ excessive.
You possibly can really go to the Udo Lighthouse from up right here – I missed the signal pointing to the lighthouse whereas mountain climbing and thought it had been closed off to the general public, however apparently I simply missed the flip. Ah effectively, gotta give myself one thing to return again to in future 🙂
Udobong Lighthouse Park / Somori Oreum [Naver Maps] is on the southeast finish of Udo.
Tolkani 톨칸이해변
On the southern finish of the island on the other facet of Udobong is slightly bay space referred to as Tolkani 톨칸이, which apparently has one thing to do with cholkani or a trough/manger used to feed cows. Can’t say I actually see something, nevertheless it’s a beautiful little stretch of shoreline and there’s a good pavilion to benefit from the view of Seongsan Ilchulbong from right here.
Tolkani 톨칸이 [Naver maps] is discovered within the southern finish of Udo Island. It’s a flip off the principle highway close to Udo Donut – automobiles/trikes can’t go on this highway although bicycles can.
Cheonjin Port 천진항
This port on the southwest nook of Jeju is the opposite port you may begin your Udo journey from relying on the ticket you purchase at Seongsan. Cheonjin Port 천진항 is much like Haumokdong in that there are many bicycle and tricycle rental retailers close by.
Additionally right here is the place you’re speculated to see one other High 8 sight Cheonjingoansan 천진관산, which is the scenic view of Hallasan on the Jeju important island – the climate wasn’t nice the primary time I used to be right here so I skipped this.
Cheonjin Port 천진항 Cheonjinhang [Naver maps] is situated on the southwest finish of Udo
Sanho Seashore 산호해수욕장
There are a number of seashores on Udo island, however Sanho Seashore on the west coast is arguably probably the most distinctive one. Whereas it appears to be like like a white sand seaside like Hagosudong, the ‘sand’ right here is definitely bits of coral referred to as Rhodolith. That is really a fairly uncommon factor and the seaside is protected and categorized as considered one of Korea’s nationwide treasures.
This stunning seaside can also be an Udo High 8 sight often called Seobinbaeksa 서빈박사.
Sanho Seashore 산호해수욕장 Sanho Haesuyongjang [Naver maps] is on the west coast of Udo
What to eat in Udo
Peanut Ice Cream 땅콩 아이스크림
Peanuts are one of many important exports and issues that Udo is known for, so considered one of its hottest snacks is peanut ice cream. I had a few completely different peanut ice lotions in my time there and these are my favorite.
Jimmy’s Pure Ice Cream [Naver maps] is prominently situated close to Geommeolle Seashore and the ice cream itself comes with a lot of crushed peanuts. The peanut ice cream prices 5,000 KRW.
PoYoYo Cafe 뽀요요 [Naver maps] close to Cheonjin Port was one other one I loved – as a substitute of sentimental serve, their model is precise ice cream and I believe it’s a mixture of peanut and vanilla? It comes with crushed peanuts and two cute cookies for six,000 KRW.
Bongkkeurang Bakery & Cafe 봉끄랑
Whereas I used to be trying up data on Udo, I noticed a bunch of posts about this cafe with cute burgers, together with this very instagrammable rainbow burger. Wouldn’t it style nearly as good because it seemed? I drove round and located Bongkkeurang Cafe 봉끄랑 on the west facet.
The principle menu has simply 3 burgers – the aforementioned rainbow burger, a peanut burger which is a nod to Udo’s peanut obsession, and a black burger which has squid ink buns.
Since there is just one me, I made a decision to strive the rainbow burger, which had a very brilliant stunning buns sandwiching a hand-crafted Jeju black pork patty, bacon cheese, tomato and pickles with some salad on the facet. It was actually tasty! The burgers price 13,000 KRW every. I appreciated the skin seating (with umbrellas for shade from the solar) the place I might admire the ocean view on the similar time.
Bongkkeurang Cafe 봉끄랑 [Naver Maps] is on the west facet of Udo.
Udo Auntie Restaurant 우도이모네식당
Right here’s the factor about Udo – as a result of most individuals solely go to for day journeys, virtually every thing shuts down concerning the time that the final ferry leaves at about 5-530pm. If you’re planning to remain in a single day, make sure that your lodging has meal choices, that you’ve got your individual meals available or in response to one sort restaurant proprietor who was closing store advised me, head to the principle city space (inland) the place there are like, 3 eateries open for dinner.
Fortunately the city is simply up the highway from my guesthouse so I biked up the highway and located the primary native eatery that was open, however as rural locations go there was completely no English to be discovered by any means. Having to order with out having the ability to converse or learn Korean undoubtedly isn’t a primary for me, however I knew sufficient to see the phrases ‘jiggae’ (stew) on the menu so I simply pointed to the very first thing proper on prime. That normally is their greatest merchandise… proper?
That jiggae did grow to be kimchi jiggae, a pleasant spicy bowl of stew served with rice and naturally a lot of banchan facet dishes. Many of the different folks consuming there have been Koreans.
Udo Auntie Restaurant 우도이모네식당 Udo imone sikdang [Naver maps] is in Udo’s important city space, about 10 minutes away from Haumokdong.
Staying in a single day on Udo
Given the quick ferry trip from Seongsan, most individuals go to Udo as a day journey and to be trustworthy, the island just about shuts down at evening so it’s not such as you’ll miss out on any nightlife right here.
The principle causes to remain in a single day in Udo could be to do some mountain climbing or exploring of the island earlier than the primary ferry arrives at about 8am. Normally, it’s fairly quiet within the morning and issues begin getting extra crowded in the direction of lunch time and after.
I stayed for two nights however I believe 1 evening would even have been enough, nevertheless it was good to only chill and calm down.
The place I stayed: Jonwon Minbap 전원민박 (Airbnb)
I discovered a guesthouse on airbnb which was proper at Haumokdong Port. It’s a fairly easy guesthouse that’s clear and cozy and really conveniently situated. The guesthouse has a number of room choices, mine was room #5. There’s a kitchen downstairs the place you are able to do some cooking and there may be free breakfast in hte morning! I had Jeonbokjuk (abalone porridge). It’s run by a household who reside on the first stage and although I didn’t see them a lot, they had been pleasant and really responsive on the app messenger.
전원민박 jonwon minbap [Naver maps] See the Airbnb itemizing right here. They’ve three different rooms out there which you could take a look at. I paid S$175 for two nights ($87/evening).
The right way to get round Udo
Udo is a smallish island and you may technically stroll it in about 4-5 hours – the entire island makes up Jeju Olle Path 1-1, it’s undoubtedly simpler to hire a mode of transport or hop on the bus. Listed here are your choices.
Electrical bicycle
I rented a motorbike for about 1.5 days to get round Udo Island independently. Many of the retailers close to Haumokdong port solely had the e-scooters, however a bit additional down I discovered a bicycle store and rented an electrical bicycle for 30,000 KRW (from about 3pm on Day 1 and returning the bike at 5pm on day 2).
I extremely advocate renting an electrical bicycle as a result of Udo can get fairly windy, and also you do want the additional energy when driving in opposition to the headwind or upslope when you’re at Udobong on the southeast facet. The beauty of a bicycle is you don’t have to fret about parking or visitors, however you’re topic to the wind and rain so be ready for that.
Udo Treasure Island Leisure 우도보물섬레저 udo bomulssomnejo [Naver maps]. 5-min stroll from Haumokdong port. Often prices 20,000 KRW to hire for a full day.
Electrical Tricycle/Bike
The first means most individuals get across the island is by way of these cute little lined trikes, nevertheless it’s actually solely open to Koreans as they solely require a Korean driving license to hire considered one of these cute little trikes. For foreigners, guidelines are additional strict and also you’ll require an Worldwide Driving Allow (IDP) with the A category for motorbikes particularly. I’ve a normal automobile driving license so I solely had B class so this was utterly out for me – they’re very strict and retailers gained’t even trouble speaking to you with out the proper license.
The tricycle is helpful should you’re a pair or have one small child with you maybe, and likewise it’s sheltered from the weather, however you do need to park extra responsibly.
Electrical Automotive
Another choice I thought-about was renting an electrical automobile, however woo boy this was an costly choice. was quoted about 130,000 KRW for 1.5 days which was simply… nope. May make sense in case you have 4 pax to separate the prices, nevertheless it’s additionally probably the most cumbersome choice for my part as you’ll want to seek out parking and fear about the remainder of the trikes/bikes on the highway.
The automobile rental place is situated a brief stroll north of Haumokdong port
Public bus
In the event you can’t drive or cycle, no worries as a result of Udo has a fairly good public bus which you could take across the island. The route brings you across the circumference of the island and stops at main factors – it goes counterclockwise on odd dates and clockwise on even dates, however in any other case there may be actually just one route. There are buses each 15-20 minutes so it’s not a nasty choice should you don’t need to stroll, trip or drive.
The general public bus station the place you should buy bus tickets will be discovered at Haumokdong and Cheonjin ports. Common tickets price 6,000 KRW per pax.
On the lookout for extra issues to do in Jeju? Try my Jeju posts or see all my South Korea posts for extra.
