One of the attractions of Eco Land Theme Park
Jeju Island (Jejudo) is the largest island in South Korea which is a volcanic paradise known for its subtropical climate, stunning natural landscapes like Hallasan Mountain (South Korea's tallest peak), unique lava tubes, and beautiful beaches, making it a top domestic travel spot for relaxation and adventure, often called Korea's "Hawaii". It earned its title as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its distinct culture, local cuisine (black pork, seafood), and as a popular destination for both Korean and Asian tourists.
February 2, 2025
Our group with our organizer Jonah Chavez Ranchez
This trip has been organized by our "suki" tour provider solely for Mount Hallasan climb with side trips in Hongkong Trip and Macau for the period February 1-6, 2025. Other climbs included in this trip are Tai Mo Shan Climb (Hong Kong), Seongsan Ilchulbong (South Korea) and Suicide Cliff of Kowloon Peak (Hong Kong).
A warm welcome in Jeju Island
While at Jeju International Airport at 8:42 A.M.
While at Jeju International Airport, I withdrawn Korean Won for my pocket money at an ATM machine using my Landbank of the Philippines ATM Card for 100,000 Won and this was equivalent to P4,007.53. Its withdrawal charge was 4,200 Won or P168.32. Not bad, the foreign exchange loss is very minimal compared to having the currency foreign exchange in a money changer.
I had breakfast at Villa de Charlotte at Jeju Airport just a sandwich for 7,500 won and bottled water of 700 Won for a total of 8,200 or P328 or US5.68.
I also purchased at the airport for 3-day Korean e-sim so that I can have internet access while Jeju Island for 18,000 Won or P720 or US$12.48.
Our first destination: Yeongsil Trail Entrance at 9:43 A.M.
Our itinerary was to experience 1100 Road (Highland Ecological Swamp) during winter in Seogwipo but the place was crowded with so many cars of tourists. Since, double parking is strictly prohibited and our Korean driver is also very strict, we proceed further and stop at Yeongsil trail entrance just to experience snow. This is one of the Hallasan mountain trails which gives scenic hiking route known for its stunning foliage and views. This is an hour drive from the airport.
The snow along 11 Road
This Starbucks Cafe is located at 32 Jungmungwangwang-ro 110beon-gil, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Island, South Korea. This is just next to the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum and the cafe design is based on the Howl's Moving Castle film.
Still at the fancy Starbucks Cafe
While at the cafe's parking lot with Hallasan mountain at the backdrop
Mount Seongsan Ilchulbong is actually an executive climb with an elevation of 182 MASL (597 feet) and has a separate blog post as per the aforementioned post.
Before the climb, I bought traditional delicacy item for my snack at 9,000 Won and snack treat, too, for my climbing buddy/photographer Chris Palacio for 7,000 Won with a bottled water of 700 Won and summed up for a total of 16,700 Won or P668 or US$11.58.
One of the photos while trekking Mount Seongsan Ilchulbong
We were done climbing Mount Seongsan Ilchulbong at 2:05 P.M. and proceed to another destination of rape flower (canola) field.
Enjoying the Rape flower (canola) field
Surrounded by vibrant full bloom rape flowers (canola)
This canola flower field is just a 20-minute drive from the jump-off point of Mount Seongsan Ilchulbong. These flower serves as a major symbol of spring on the island. Its vibrant yellow blossoms are a significant tourism attraction, often blooming alongside cherry blossom in a picturesque display.
On our way, we stopped at CU Again Convenience Store for our lunch where my meal costs at 5,900 Won and a 1-liter bottled water for 1,100 Won for a total of 7,000 Won or P280 or US$4.85
Oranges are everywhere in Jeju Island
Streets and neighborhoods are filled with oranges. But I learned that these oranges are just ornamental ones for the streets and houses and they are not being harvested for consumption.
Jeongbang Water Falls at 3:47 P.M.
Jeongbang Waterfall is a waterfall and popular tourist attraction located in Seogwipo of Jeju province towering to a height of 23 meters high and is very close to the ocean. Depending on the level of recent rainfall, it can be 8 meters wide. The source of the waterfall is the stream Donghong-cheon.
A variety of food choices at the market
At 4:40 P.M. we were already resting in our hotel. The market was just 6 blocks away. Despite the cold weather, we managed to go to the market for our dinner.
Another shortlisted choice but I was looking for something with rice
Looking forward to taste at least one of these but finally did not
Finally, bought this Traditional Blackpork Abalone
I decided to buy this traditional Blackpork Abalone since sliced abalone and rice are rolled in black pork, breaded, and deep-fried with good flavor for 10,000 Won or P400 or US$6.93.
In preparation for our Hallasan climb the following day, I bought these food items:
1. Snicker Chocolate Bar (Trail Food) Won 1,500
2. Bread for Breakfast 6,000
3. Bottled Drinking Water (3 bottles @ W 700) 2,100
4. Rice (2 packs) 5,700
5. Pork dish pack 7,000
6. Chicken dish pack 7,000
TOTAL 29,300
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Currency Equivalent: 29,300 Won or P1,172.00 or US$20.31
February 3, 2025
We woke up at 3:00 A.M. since we need to be at the jump-off point of Hallasan at 4:30 A.M. But by the time we reached the registration site, it was not accommodating climbers since there was a snow storm. We were told that all scheduled climbs for the day are cancelled. With desperation, we stayed despite the extremely cold condition for picture taking purposes. Our Korean driver was insisting that we need to leave the place because he has another group of tourists to pick-up at the airport, but we insisted to stay just for picture taking. Our condition was to drive us back to the hotel and we will find another transport vehicle to tour us somewhere. We gave ourselves the opportunity for solo pictures and finally a group photo.
Playing fun over the snow despite the extreme coldness
As if I reached the summit of Hallasan
The proof that it was closed due to bad weather
Playing with the snow, my second time to experience snow in my life
Eco Land Theme Park
The facade of the Eco Land Theme Park (Photo credit to Alamy)
To commute in Jeju Island was really a challenge for us. The extreme cold weather was even felt by our bones. We were dropped in a highway where we cannot even see any signs of the Eco Land Theme Park. Going inside to the park should have a private car, since it was too far from the highway. The bus fare was 5,000 Won or P200 or US$3.47.
Boarding the 1800s steam-powered Baldwin train
Eco Land Theme Park is a charming park with a land area of 1 million square meters (1 square kilometer), nestled within the Gotjawal primeval forest, offering a unique blend of nature exploration via its miniature trains and forest attractions like lakes, eco-bridges, and picnic spots.
The miniature train used to move around the vast park area
The park features a train journey connecting five main stops: the Main Station, Eco-Bridge Station, Lakeside Station, Picnic Garden Station and the Lavender, Green Tea and Rose Garden Station, offering distinct natural and themed areas like a water terrace, windmill ranch, European gardens, and forest trails, all accessible via miniature steam trains.
I paid an entrance fee of 16,000 won or P640 or US$11.09 and since I have a lot of food in my bag for my supposedly Hallasan climb, I just bought a Chocolate Latte for 5,000 Won or P200 or US$3.47.
The Eco-Bridge: First train stop
This eco bridge is not a separate land area but a 300-meter long wooden deck section of the 1.9-kilometer Eco Road which allows the visitors to walk over the lake and experience the natural surroundings. It is a key feature of the forest train journey, not a distinct land parcel.
The long and magical eco-bridge
The train is like a hop-in hop-off bus in Seoul, South Korea. It is up to the tourists where to go down the train. If they are done with their location, they can wait for the train to move to another section of the park.
With the Gallery and Cafe at the background
The second train staff is Lake Side Station where it has the Gallery and Cafe, which they call it as "Floating Cafe" which serves as the primary cafe area, where visitors can enjoy the views of the large lake and water corridor. Accordingly, it has been described as the visual journey through a primeval forest with unique photo spots and art, with cafes providing rest.
Heading to the Gallery and Cafe
The water corridor
Still at the Picnic Garden Station
Amazed of my video for Uncle Ton Baoguita
The Lavender, Green Tea & Rose Garden is the fourth station of this theme park, offering a beautiful European-style garden with fragrant lavender, roses, and green tea fields, plus a fairy forest, nature trails, photo spots, a farmhouse cafe/souvenir shop, and a relaxing footbath, providing a serene escape accessible via the park's forest train.
Left the park at 2:00 P.M. and took bus of different route to explore the area. Unfortunately, the battery of my mobile phone was drained and so all other activities for the rest of the day were not recorded. There was one that we had experienced the real snow rain along the road. We arrived at Hotel Gaon and after dinner, we rested early since we need to leave the place at dawn.
February 4, 2025
Checked out from the hotel at 3:00 A.M. and was at Jeju International Airport at 4:10 A.M. Our flight for Hongkong thru Hongkong Express Flight No. UO0677 has its departure time of 7:55 A.M. and arrived Hongkong International Airport at 10:20 A.M.
Arriving Jeju International Airport at 4:10 A.M.
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