It was around 10:30 pm when we arrived South Korea. We bought and top-up T-Money card at GS25 (Korea's 7-11) inside Incheon International Airport. This card is mainly used as transportation card for Seoul and is also used in Jeju. We also grabbed some instant noodles in this store.
After our stomachs were filled, we took train from Incheon to Gimpo International Airport. Little did we know that Gimpo Airport closes after midnight and we were forced out, so we camped outside the very cold streets of Korea. :( It was the longest night of our lives.
We were very happy when the airport opened around 5:00 am the following day. We excitedly checked-in for our flight to Jeju. Jeju Island, the Hawaii of Korea, where couples usually go for honeymoon, and the place of many UNESCO Nature Heritage sites, is really beautiful and romantic. There are several airlines flying from Gimpo to Jeju, and it takes only 1 hr to reach Jeju. Get detailed map of Jeju in here.
We arrived Jeju International Airport at 8:00 AM. Like any other tourists, we grabbed some flyers and maps at the tourist counter. We also asked for detailed directions to reach our hostel. We had pre-booked Goodwill Feliz Telcon Hostel through Agoda.com. The Airport limousine (bus #600) from Jeju International Airport to Seogwipo is around 1.5 hrs and alight at New Kyungnam Hotel, the hostel is 10 minutes by foot. I highly recommend this hotel for its cleanliness, facilities and location. It maybe hard to find at first but it is walking distance to Seogwipo intercity bus terminal, and few minutes bus ride to Jeju International Convention Center and Jungmun Tourist Resort Complex by bus #600.
We checked-in at around 10 am but the room wasn't ready yet. So we decided to just leave our luggages and start our tour. We decided that we only explore Jungmun Resort today as we haven't slept yet <literaly>. We took bus #600 from New Kyungnam Hotel to Lotte Hotel.
Jungmun Resort
Jungmun Resort is a tourist complex filled with expensive hotels, interesting sites and some amusement museums. They are walking distance to each other, visit their individual sites for more details.
Alive Museum is the 2nd Trick Art Museum in Jeju, the first Trick Art Museum is in the Seongeup village. These museums are showing optical illusion art. Trick art renders 2D paintings in 3D by creating illusion. Each work looks differently when seen from different angles or spots. Its magic magnifies when seen from camera lenses. We can take pictures with various fun poses blending nicely with exhibitions, the museum even prepared sample picture beside each pieces of art on how to pose. We spent about 3 hours in taking photo and having fun in the museum and we were exhausted after posing with the arts. It is around 10 mins walk from Lotte Hotel, refer to the website for map.
Robert Ripley (1890-1949) traveled around the world, and collected strange facts and items he found. He created Ripley's Believe It Or Not franchise showing in newspaper, radio, and television. We haven't visited this museum this time around. The items and trivia inside this museum will leave you amazed for sure.
Korean people can't get enough of Teddy Bear. There are many Teddy Bear Museums around Korea, and 2 of them are in Jeju Island, and one of them is in Jungmun Resort. Teddy Bears here were dressed like famous stars including Marlyn Monroe, Elvis, Charlie Chaplin, Lady Di and Prince Charles, and so on. My favorites are Teddy Bears in Korean drama Goong, and Teddy Bears in Korean traditional wedding. We shall visit this museum on Day 3.
Just 10 minutes walking distance from Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum, there was a waterfall named Cheonjeyeon Falls (don't mistake it for Cheonjiyeon). On the way to the waterfall, you will pass Seonimgyo bridge. The bridge is also called Chilseonyeogyo (칠선녀교) or Seven Nymphs Bridge. The nymphs symbolize the Korean legend of the descent of seven beautiful nymphs from heaven at night. Around the bridge, there are Cheonjeru, Korean traditional architecture style tower. On the surface of this huge Cheonjeru Tower you would find a painting portraying the legend of the nymphs and the mountain god that is associated with this waterfall of Jeju.
The unique thing about this waterfall is it flows quite long and has 3 falls. You can hike a little bit to see all those 3 falls, really beautiful. Cheonjeyeon means Pond of God.
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| Seonimgyo bridge |
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| Obokchon or "Fountain of Five Blessings" - longevity (tortoise), wealth (boar), honor (dragon), love (mandarin duck) and sons (carp). Tourists may pray for luck of their choice by standing on the preferred statue and throwing a coin into the lucky bag in the middle of Obokchon. These coins are donated to help less fortunates at the end of the year. |
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| The three falls of Cheonjeyeon |
Here is cost breakdown.
| Item | Cost (KRW) |
|---|---|
| T-Money Card | 3000 |
| AREX from Incheon to Gimpo | 2650 |
| Snacks at 7-11 | 1500 |
| Limousine bus 600 from airport to New Kyungnam Hotel | 5000 |
| Taxi from New Kyungnam Hotel to Goodwill Feliz Telcon Hostel | 2200 |
| Limousine bus 600 from New Kyungnam Hotel to Lotte hotel | 1500 |
| Brunch at 7-11 | 1500 |
| Admission to Alive Museum | 9000 |
| Admission to Cheonjeyeon Falls | 2500 |
| Limousine bus 600 from Lotte Hotel to New Kyungnam Hotel | 1500 |
| Dinner from GS25 | 1500 |
| Total | 31850 |
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Hai, which one is more attractive? Jeju Trick Art Museum or Jeju Alive Museum?
Hi Vivie! I haven't been to Trick Art personally but I heard is about the same but Alive Museum is bigger and location is nearby other attractions :)
hi. how much time u spend on waiting for the bus from one site to another? thanks
Hi Raihan! :) On average, waiting time is around 15 to 20 mins...