Jeju city, known locally as Jeju-si, is the capital of the Korean island of Jeju (sometimes spelled Cheju), the country’s most popular summer holiday destination. With beautiful beaches, picturesque gardens and pretty waterfalls among its attractions, it draws visitors in large numbers from Japan and China, as well as from its own mainland.

The city has attractions to appeal to visitors across the board and is as capable of entertaining families with small children, as it is those who are footloose and fancy free or older and retired. The pleasant summer weather makes the beach a popular hangout with both those looking for relaxation and others for whom ocean-based pursuits are the greatest draw.

Culture seekers will find Jeju has as much in the way of related attractions as mainland Korea and possibly more so when one considers the multitude of idiosyncrasies that make up its unique character and identity. Museums such as the Jeju Folk Museum and the Folklore & Natural History Museum combine with locations such as the Seongeub Folk Village to present visitors with a detailed picture of the island’s local people, both past and present.

Jeju city offers numerous sightseeing opportunities and outdoor activities possibilities as well as a good selection of entertaining shows. Nature takes a dominant position among the most notable attractions on offer and indeed, venues such as Hallim Park and the Halla Arboretum are musts for anyone appreciating natural aesthetics.

The popularity of not only the city, but also the entire island as a vacation destination has seen it establish a fairly solid visitor infrastructure over the last decade or so. Holidaymakers are presented with a good selection of hotels with standards ranging from three to five stars. If the quality associated with big names is important to you, then you’ll find the Ramada Plaza Jeju Hotel a good bet.

Most visitors get to Jeju by a flight to its own airport, although there are few direct flights so its usually necessary to fly to mainland Korea first, then take a connection to Jeju. There are also ferry services from many mainland cities and from some Japanese ports.

Jeju island, of which Jeju City is the capital, experiences a climate that is both subtropical and oceanic in nature and brings it four fairly distinct seasons. The average annual temperature is 16°C but variations can be seen depending on which side of Mt Halla a destination is located. Jeju City is warmer than Seogwipo in summer but cooler than it in winter (differences are 0.5 to 1.5°C).

The summer season (June to August) is the best time to visit Jeju if you enjoy warm weather as the mercury regularly climbs into the mid-20s during this period. The latter half of the season does see some rain so it’s wise to pack a waterproof jacket if you plan on visiting at this time.