As Korea’s most popular summer vacation destination, Jeju has done a lot to ensure that it has attractions to offer all of its visitors, including those into outdoor leisure pursuits and those travelling with children. Visitors in the former category will appreciate the opportunities for scuba diving and hiking, while those in the latter will certainly enjoy the Teddy Bear Museum. The Elephant Show and Pacific Land offer broad appeal and are suitable for all.

Diving and Snorkelling
Often hailed as the ‘Hawaii of South Korea’, Jeju Island offers some excellent diving spots where the waters are clear and home to a wide variety of plant and animal life. There’s easy access to the beach from Jeju city and a number of local companies offering scuba-diving trips. If you have your own mask and snorkel, you’re free to head off and explore under your own steam.

Jeju Elephant Show
Family fun is on offer at this, one of the island’s most popular tourist attractions. A 50-minute show sees the highly trained elephant stars demonstrate their skills in games such as basketball, football and bowling. Spectators also have the chance to take a short ride on one of the elephants after the show has finished.

Hyeopjae Beach
The summer season sees locals and visitors alike head for Hyeopjae Beach to enjoy its soft sands and clear ocean waters. A family-friendly atmosphere presides and facilities such as showers, restaurants and sunbeds are on hand.

Pacific Land Show
This indoor show is held at an indoor venue in the Jungmun Tourist Complex and is suitable for all members of the family. Dolphins, penguins and sea lions perform a variety of tricks to the delight of spectators. After the show, visitors can check out the small aquarium located close to the auditorium.

Teddy Bear Museum
One for the kids and big kids too, the Teddy Bear Museum will delight anyone with an interest in soft toys, especially those in classic designs or of a collectable nature. The museum displays a large selection of bears hailing from different countries and eras and fashioned in a variety of styles and themes. A gift shop at the end of the museum offers visitors the opportunity to take home a cuddly souvenir or two.

Trekking
From Jeju city it’s possible to get to a variety of locations well suited to trekking, with Mt Hallasan National Park being the best known and certainly one of the most suitable. From the base of the mountain to its peak, the distance is 10km, making it a challenging walk but one well within the capabilities of anyone with average to above average fitness levels.

Jeju Island is quite different from mainland Korea and indeed its cultural characteristics are unique and reflect its equally unique history and heritage. Visitors are offered ample opportunity to experience what makes this beautiful destination so distinct with venues that cover topics such as indigenous cultures, natural history and religion. For a true sense of what the Jeju of yesterday was like, a visit to the Seongeub Folk Village should not be missed.

Botanic Garden Yeomiji
Situated within the limits of the Jung-Mun Tourist Complex, this nature-based attraction has been popular since it opened in 1989. Hailed as one of the most beautiful gardens of its kind on the continent, Yeomiji offers rare and unusual plants and flowers in a collection split by theme with Korean, Japanese, French and Italian among those represented. Phone: +82 64 735 1100; www.yeomiji.or.kr/eng.jsp.

Jeju Folk Museum
The history and culture of the indigenous people of Jeju Island are explored through a collection of artefacts containing some 10,000 pieces. Around 3,000 are on display at any one time and include traditional tools, instruments and items of clothing from various eras. Permanent exhibitions are on the second and third floors, while the first floor is reserved for rotations in the collection.
Phone: +82 64 1330.

Jeju Folklore & Natural History Museum
Similar in nature and theme but not to be confused with the Jeju Folk Museum, this cultural centre is split into four themed exhibitions, these being: Natural History, the Outdoor Exhibition, the Folklore Exhibition and the Folklore Exhibition Ⅱ. Exhibits on display have been found on various digs and excavations across the island and offer background on history and local culture. 
Phone: +82 64 722 2465; http://museum.jeju.go.kr/new/eng/

Seongeub Folk Village
Get a feel for the simple life and the traditions that were practised long before the island saw development at this authentic village where indigenous people still live in thatched-roofed stone abodes and follow old-fashioned self-sufficient lifestyles. Locally produced goods such as honey and folk medicines are sold at a shop in the village and make for interesting gifts and souvenirs.

Sulloc Cha Museum O'Sulloc
Otherwise known as the Green Tea Museum, the unique attraction examines the popularity of green tea across Asia, not only as a drink but also as an ingredient in sweet products such as cakes and biscuits and in a variety of toiletries and cosmetics. Displays chronicle the history of the plant and the processes involved in making it into forms suitable for consumption and commercial use.

Yakcheon-sa
This traditional Buddhist temple has escaped modernisation and managed to retain its original classic appearance. The complex to which the building belongs is extensive and is home to various eye-catching gardens with pretty pools and water features. Notable features of the temple include its bright coloured and aesthetically pleasing exterior paintings.

Dining in Jeju is rarely a dull experience, especially when you consider all the fresh fish and seafood that is so readily available to its restaurants. Baby octopus abalone and sea squirt are among the species on offer and Jeju’s best eateries certainly know how to give these marine delicacies just the right amount of preparation time and seasoning to ensure that the dishes they comprise are mouthwateringly delicious.

The city has a good selection of restaurants, ranging from simple, low-key eateries frequented mainly by the locals to establishments aimed primarily at tourists. Since the majority of Jeju’s tourists are Asian, you won’t find food watered down or adjusted to suit foreign palates and invariably, what you get is as authentic as it comes. Besides Korean restaurants, there are Chinese and Japanese establishments available and the occasional venue offering Western/European fare.

The city has a good selection of shopping outlets and visitors will find plenty of venues offering the island’s local specialties. Rice wine is worth picking up if you want something authentic and the various kinds of salted fish are also typical of the island. For goods that travel a little better, look out for handmade products such as wooden carvings, bamboo creations, jewellery, mask and paintings.

Jeju offers a mix of both traditional markets (indoor and outdoor) and regular shops and shopping complexes. For night shopping, be sure to check out the lively Tapdong Street in the city centre.