For travelers visiting Jeju instead of traveling abroad, the Jeju Tourism Organization has carefully selected wellness destinations and non-face-to-face destinations from an early age. For the many people who have been looking forward to overseas travel, I would like to introduce a wellness tourist destination with well prepared getaway programs for travelers to overcome Corona Blue and a spot where you can feel the charm of Jeju Island’s nature as it is.   

Seogwipo Healing Forest

A “healing forest” where cypress and cedar trees harmonize. It is a stress relieving zone that strengthens mental and physical recovery and immunity. The forest road, consisting of a total of 10 themes, reflects Jeju’s history and culture.

Hwansang Forest Gotjawal Park

A primitive ecological forest where you can see Jeju’s unique topography and various vegetation in one place. It boasts the denseness of a primeval forest. The herbal foot bath therapy takes place at the Damang Foot Bath Cafe. The native plants heals the visitors’ tired body and mind.

Jeju 901

One-stop healing stay where you sleep healthy, eat healthy, and exercise within the depth of nature. There are exercise rooms, vegan food cafes, and accommodation facilities that conduct meditation yoga.

Jeju Healing Meditation Center.

Healing Meditation Center with therapeutic movement and meditation. It heals the body and mind together through various activities including natural meditation, archery experience, and healing horseback riding meditation.

Chwidasun Resort.

A resort in a haven like area where you can take part in tea ceremonies, meditation, and natural scenery. Various activities such as yoga and meditation are provided for relaxation.

WE Hotel Wellness Center.

A customized health resort that combines tourism and healthcare services. Based on its specialized infrastructure, the Wellness Center operates healing programs such as water treatment and medical spa using natural volcanic rock water.

Cheona Forest Path.

Cheonasup-gil, Jeju’s representative maple scenery spot, is a course in Hallasan Mountain Dulle-gil and extends 10.9km from Cheonasuwonji Reservoir to the entrance of Doloreum. Cheona Valley is located at the entrance of the forest road, and the autumn leaves of this valley are so beautiful that it is a must-visit attraction in autumn. As you go along the Cheonasupgil, the red color gradually darkens and you can see a superb view of each rock and autumn leaves.

Gosali Forest Trail. Gosali Forest Trail.

A nature trail which was  built on Harye, Namwon-eup, which was designated as an excellent, natural, ecological village by the Ministry of Environment in 2013, located at the southern end of Jeju Island. Gosali Forest Road, where you can fully feel Jeju Gotjawal, is not yet well known to the general public, so you can enjoy a quiet and leisurely walk.

If you walk along the Gosali Forest Road, which is 2.1km one way, you can see a dry stream called Sokgoe. Even though it is a dry stream, water is collected all year round, and the waterfall is spectacular in the case of rain.

There is also a free Gosali Forest Road tracking program where you can hear the lives of villagers and the stories of nature.

Sinheung 2-ri Dongbaek Village & Sinheung-ri Dongbaek-gil Camelia Village & Camelia Trail.

A village where you can feel and experience Jeju with all five of your senses. They are making natural camellia soap using camellia oil produced by villagers, and experiencing camellia dining tables cooked with seasonal food. The juniper tree is magnificent and it is within a 10-minute drive. If you go inside, you can see a tunnel-type alley leading to Dongbaek, which is a good spot to take once in a life time photos.

Jeju Camellia Arboretum & Wimi Port.

A single camellia arboretum located in Wimi-ri, south of Jeju Island. It is a beautiful arboretum where hundreds of red baby camellias bloom and many tourists visit to get their best shots during the winter flowering season. Wimi Port, where Jeju Olle Course 5 passes near Jeju Dongbaek Arboretum, is a spot where you can enjoy the beautiful Jeju sea and sunset.

Famous resorts such as Hawaii, Bali, and Kota Kinabalu anywhere in Europe seem to fall short of Jeju’s unique charm.

In addition, Jeju has been selected as one of the world’s seven major attractions, as well as Jeju’s own food and various accommodations, and above all, it seems to be a true healing attraction.

Jeju has plenty of World Heritage sites that tell the story of the island’s tumultuous, volcanic beginnings. Tourists can visit many of these sites throughout the year. The dramatic cliffs of Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, the mysterious underground stretch of Manjanggul Cave, and Jusangjeolli Cliff’s unique columnar rock formations are highlights of many people’s trips.

The 2021 World Heritage Festival will open the door to Jeju attractions usually closed to the public. But there are plenty of heritage sites that don’t draw as much attention. The World Heritage Festival: Jeju Volcanic Islands and Lava Tubes aims to highlight some of these more unknown sites. The festival, which will take place from October 1 until October 17, will run several programs. Most of them are limited in the number of people who can participate due to the sensitive nature of the heritage sites. But for the chosen few, the tours will be a brilliant chance to explore some of Jeju’s off-limit attractions.

Experience and Appreciate Jeju’s World Heritage

11 Festival Highlights

11 events have been organized during the festival period. Each of these lets participants explore a part of Jeju’s world natural heritage in greater detail. The programs will focus on the areas around the Geomun Oreum Lava Tube System, Manjanggul Lava Tube, Hallasan Mountain, Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, and heritage villages

1)    Walking Tour

The walking tour consists of four paths: the Origin Trail, Lava Trail, Cave Trail, and the Stone and Life Trail. Each walk will take visitors on paths around the Geomun Oreum Lava Tube System, a volcanic hill known for its extensive underground lava tube system and beautiful nature.

2)    Pilgrimage to World Natural Heritage Sites

This is a 7-day, 6-night expedition that will see participants travel from Hallasan Mountain, the 1,950-meter tall peak that stands in the center of Jeju, to Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, a volcanic tuff cone on the island’s eastern coast and one of the island’s most well-known sites.

3)    Night Walking at Hallasan Mountain’s Eoseungsaengak Trail

The Night Walking program will allow participants to climb Hallasan Mountain’s Eoseungsaengak Trail at night. This short trail takes hikers to the summit of Eoseungsaengoreum Peak, a volcanic hill situated within Hallasan National Park.

4)    Manjanggul Lava Tube

The Special Exploration is a chance to walk along the entire 7.4 kilometers of Manjanggul Lava Tube, not just the one-kilometer section that is usually open to the public. Before commencing the exploration, participants must take a preparatory learning course.

5)    Bengdwigul Lava Tube

This tour will see visitors allowed to explore sections of Bengdwigul Lava Tube not typically open to the public. The tour will operate every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday during the festival.

6)    Manjanggul Lava Tube and Gimnyeonggul Lava Tube

This tour takes participants through parts of Manjanggul Lava Tube and Gimnyeonggul Lava Tube—another cave close to Manjanggul. The tour will run every Sunday, Friday, and Saturday during the festival’s operation.

7)    World Natural Heritage Tour

The World Natural Heritage Town Programs will see seven of Jeju’s heritage towns that tells their stories. Visitors get to learn about each village’s culture, way of life, and even food specialties.

8)    Manjanggul Cave Immersive Art Performance

This is a 360-degree art experience that will see images projected onto the surfaces of Manjanggul Lava Tube. The visuals and stereoscopic sound will complement the cave’s unique characteristics, creating an immersive experience.

9)    World Natural Heritage Commemoration Ceremony

The World Natural Heritage Commemoration Ceremony will take place at Umutgaehaean Beach at the foot of Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak. It’s a chance to view performances celebrating Jeju’s natural heritage. The ceremony will take place on October 16

10) Breath of Fire Festival

The Breath of Fire Festival is a wellness tourism area where visitors can try meditation, yoga, and other healing programs. There will also be food, exhibitions, and performances by local artists. The Breath of Fire Festival will operate at weekends during the festival period from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. It will take place at the entrance to Manjanggul Cave.

11) Breath of Fire Art Project

The Breath of Fire Art Project will see artwork displayed along the path of Walking Tour. The exhibit will be open to participants of Walking Tour throughout the duration of the festival.

Festival Dates: October 1 until October 17 (No programs on Tuesdays)

Admission: Dependent on the program

Contact: heritage1231@naver.com

Website: http://worldheritage.kr/

Technopark(TP) system in South Korea started as a networking hub for invigorating local industries, by making synergy among the nurturing enterprises, the central government, and other regional innovative institutions. Each center in different 19 provinces mainly aims to increase the wealth of its community by promoting technological development and the competitiveness of its associated businesses and knowledge-based institutions.

Established in 2010, Jeju TechnoPark, a later starter than most other centers which started in the 2000s, has achieved rapid growth over the past decade. Jeju Technopark aims to improve the industrial development in Jeju-si through technological innovation especially small and medium-sized but highly-potential enterprises. Its main goals are to strengthen R&D support to foster future industries and new businesses which utilize specialized natural resources.

Designated as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, Jeju Island is full of diverse natural resources of scientific value. Jeju Island is known to be a habitat for about 9,000 species.

Moreover, lava seawater is being used for diverse industries. It is a unique underground water resource of Jeju, which is produced by natural filtration through the volcanic bedrock since the beginning of the Island. It also contains rich minerals and nutritive salts with almost no organic material or pathogens. Through research and development of long hours, its commercial value has been proven.

The technopark is particularly supportive of promoting Biotechnology industries using these unique resources of Jeju Island — from new enterprise initiation, marketing to professional manpower training. Through patent registration and application, it fosters industries such as health functional foods, beverages and cosmetics using resources. Three different certification systems are introduced to construct a brand image made of natural resources, lava seawater, and natural herbs in Jeju Island.

The IT and energy industry are also largely supported by the technopark  — such as Smart Grid, intellectual tourism industry, and electrical vehicles. Smart Grid is a new kind of electric grid, which is built from the bottom up to handle the groundswell of digital and computerized equipment and technology dependent on it. It enables automation and management of the increasing complexity and needs of electricity as an unprecedented opportunity to bring reliability, availability, and efficiency that will contribute to our economic and environmental health.

Here below are companies recommended by the Jeju TechnoPark. They are specialized in manufacturing goods using the natural resources derived from Jeju Island.

Leading Innovation Company in the Solar Energy Industry: Nanoom Energy Inc.

Solar as a natural resource can be an energy for power by converting sunlight into electrical power either through photovoltaic (PV) panels or through mirrors that concentrate solar radiation. This energy can be used to generate electricity or be stored in batteries or thermal storage. While public interest in renewable energy is growing,  the problem is that the barriers to entry to renewable energy use are very high because installation processes are difficult for individuals to understand and quite time-consuming.

Some companies developed systems that allow ordinary individuals to simulate the construction of solar energy production over the Internet. However, existing-solutions were inaccurate and were not programmed to find the way and recommend to users how to maximize electrical energy production.

In order to deal with these limitations, Nanoom Energy Inc. developed a machine learning solar estimation platform which can calculate more accurate power generation and profits using artificial intelligence. It provides a predicted calculation of azimuth and slope angle which is optimized to produce maximum energy generation. It also gives a predicted calculation of power generation based on existing power generation data, weather data,  and on-site installation conditions.

The company also designed a solar balancing control system which can effectively control solar power systems in real time. It maximizes power generation efficiency and minimizes predicted loss and risk. Nanoom Energy Inc. is expected to draw attention from the globe and to contribute to the development of the solar energy market by providing accurate and detailed analysis. It enables more power plants to be built by maximizing UI/UX-based convenience and securing reliability for solar energy.

Seafood Caught by ‘Hanyeo’: MANJE Fisheries CO-OP

Located in Gimnyeong and famous for its beautiful ports and clean seas, Manje Fisheries CO-OP is a seafood processing distributor. They carefully handle and process the delicious fish caught in Jeju’s clean ocean, including mackerels, silver hairtails, hanchi, as well as the shellfish caught by Korean ‘mermaid’ divers (hanyeo).

Manje Fisheries CO-OP provides delicious and fresh products from Jeju at the cheapest rate.

I can proudly say the shellfish caught by our hanyeos are top tier in terms of freshness and taste.

It is Manje Aquaculture’s greatest pleasure to contribute to your healthy diet. We’re committed to providing the freshest seafood from Jeju’s clean sea.

Enjoy Fresh Jeju Food: Samda Inc.

Samda Inc. is a food company which aims to lead the healthy food culture by supplying Jeju food across the nation and giving happiness to its customers. The company sells various Jeju specialities such as Jeju black pork bellies (‘Samgyeopsal’, ‘Ogyeopsal’, and ‘Suyuk’), Jeju silver-hairtail, mackerel, tilefish, cham-gulbi, hanchi/squid, and shrimp.

In order to supply stable prices and high-quality products, Samda Inc. operated its own processing centers for the first time in Jeju Island, and adopted a Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point (HACCP) system to thoroughly manage hygiene and quality. The centers are equipped with lines for grilling and automatic packaging. Samda Inc. acquired technology to manufacture various HMR products, too.

Samda Inc. promises its global customers to provide Jeju’s taste by providing trust and by alchemizing the accumulated know-hows.

Promising Global Exporter of Omegi Rice Cake: SAMDA OMEGI

Starting in 2016, SAMDA OMEGI earned the majority of its profits in the domestic market by selling omegi rice cake which is the traditional food in Jeju Island. Tourists from the peninsula and overseas were the main consumers. However, the company had a tough time when the number of tourists reduced and faced production process and distribution problems.

A breakthrough into the export market saved the company and created a second chance. The company diversified its production line and improved its production process with governmental support. By participating in the global networking program operated by Jeju technoPark, SAMDA OMEGI could achieve successful export profits.

Now, omegi rice cakes produced by the company are being sold globally: China, Canada, and Vietnam.  It now contributes to the rising global brand value of Jeju Island and its traditional food.

Keep Skin Healthy with Skin Care Product Made of ‘Scoria’: Jeju Scoria Co., Ltd

Jeju Scoria Co., Ltd have researched about the premium Jeju volcanic scoria over the past year, since it was established in 2000.

Volcanic scoria is a natural resource in Jeju Island. It is a highly vesicular, dark-colored volcanic rock. It contains crystals phenocrysts so that it is usually called brown diamond. It is strictly managed by the environment management policy of Jeju local government. Only companies with permission to sell conservation resources can produce and supply raw materials. So, as acquired a preserved natural resource trading license, Jeju Scoria Co., Ltd processes scoria into ingredients and components for skincare products and dyeing products.

Jeju Scoria Co., Ltd always strives to convey the value of scoria safely and effectively to consumers. The company launched its own brand, “BETTER SKIN”. It manufactures and consistently develops products such as shampoo, maskpack, and cleansing foam using scoria. Jeju Scoria Co., Ltd promises its consumers to keep their skins healthy with its products.

Good Looking and Tasting snacks: Eco J Food

A cute pig shaped snack and Jeju’s representative dessert bread. Eco J Food is the first HACCP certified dessert, soup, and dressing producer in Jeju. The goal of Eco J is to supply customized products through 1:1 meetings with customers and to produce products made of clean local ingredients with proper systematic hygiene management. Its main product, Jeju Dormon (meaning “run” in Jeju dialect), was developed fusing a luxurious french dessert, finance, with fresh hallabong and savory peanuts.

Enjoy Omegi Rice Cakes: EMOM Co., Ltd

The fusion of Jeju’s healthy ingredients and  omegi rice cakes made with love and sincerity. Omegi rice cake, a local Jeju food, originates from omegi alcohol. When food was scarce, omegi rice cake was treated as a fine snack while making alcohol. The pre-existing, rugged, traditional snack was redefined into a premium snack by Omeome. 

There are a total of 14 flavors including Hanrabong, Jeju tangerine, Jeju organic green tea, and so on. Due to the nature of Jeju Island, manufacturing plants are not permitted, so our business had to start from scratch. Our products are handmade with love and passion.

As a luxury brand of Jeju Island, we aim to grow into a perfect food manufacturing industry that produces healthy and safe food, and we will put our promises and beliefs first.

Kayla Hong

Asia Journal