Besides having an abundance of natural attractions and cultures, it carried with it hundreds of interesting legends and myths. Among the most touching ones was the story relating to the 500 vertical pillar rock formations on the Yeongsil trail at Mount Halla. Grandmother Seolmundae while boiling the soup for her 500 sons fell into the soup and melted. Her sons after finished the barrel of soup only discovered the happening. They regret and cried until all converted into rocks.
There are 143 Shaman Gods at Island's sole mountain, Hallasan. Jeju people believed that their culture and farming life began when the 3 founding demi-gods married the 3 princess from Byeoknang State who brought them the seeds of five grains and cattle.
Another legend is about Yongduam, a large basalt rock locating at west coast of Jeju, where Hanchon River runs into the sea. A dragon was sent to Halla Mountain to gather a herb of eternal youth called Bulocho but was struck with the arrow by the enraged Mountain God and turned him into a rock with body submerged into water and head looking up. Yongduam also named as The Dragon Head Rock.
The hardened lava, Yongduam is 10m above the sea level at the spot where the water depth is around 30 meter, along west side of Jeju City.
A pair of Dolhareubang, stone grandfathers at the entrance to The Dragon Head Rock. Bulging eyes, large stumpy nose, wide thin mouth and a faintly smiling face are the distinctive features of the village guardians. While on the sea-side, there is a beautiful stone carved out mermaid.
Seongsan llchulbong, The Sunrise Peak is a volcanic crater, sitting at the northeast tip of the Island. The peak is surrounded by 99 sharp rocks.
It is the most-visited attraction on lst January as people come here to greet the first sunrise of the year and make wishes and blessings for the new year. This is the first place in the island to meet each day's new sun.
Jeju people say they came from stones and to the stones they return. Jeju is a place that fully dotted with stone guardians. Through stones, the vibrant life of Jeju and their timeless traditions are kept alive.
Welcomed by the two stone grandfathers at the foot of Seongsan llchulbong, a peak that rose up from the sea in a volcanic eruption 100,000 years ago.
The peak stands 182 meter in height at eastern most tip of Jeju Island, 48km away from the city. It is one of the best 10 scenic spots of Jeju.
A panoramic views of its surrounding area, Seongsan Village and The largest fishing port.
The grassy hill foot of the volcanic crater.
The volcanic crater with vertical cliffs rises up from the shore. There are jagged rocks stick up like teeth along the crater perimeter but visitors are prevented from entering it. .
The coastal landscape surrounded and under the cliffs.
View of cliffs at south east and northern direction.
Dong Am Sa, a Buddhist Temple at the foot of Seongsan llchulbong.
The temple follow Buddha's teaching basing on Mahayana Flower Sutra as pictures and lines of phrases are gilded at the front parts and wall of The Main Shrine.
The Korean typical eaves and colorful adornment altar and ceiling inside the Main Shrine.
The historical huge bronze bell at the front corner of this beautiful temple.
Seopjikoji was a museum basing on the filming location of sensational drama show "All In" produced in 2003.
The turquoise water is surrounded by lava black rocky coast line and the hill was formed by red volcanic ash making an unusual setting of Seopjikoji landscape.
Far away from the unique rock formations along the coastline at Seopjikoji, there stand a lonely rocky island Oedolgae believed to be formed by volcanic eruption million years age.
Hyeopja Smoke Mound is kind of communication network to deliver fast messages as soon as possible. There are 38 smoke mounds on Island. Day and Evening smokes and beacons were used to warn of enemy's invasion or emergencies.
Bongsu located on top of O-reums allowed careful observation of enemy ships approaching the coast and called for setting up forts to fight against the enemy.
The theme of this unique Museum is the famous stuffed toys Teddy Bear, named after Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of United States. Though failing in having any victims in his hunting game, he refused to shoot a defeneless small bear cub his members brought for him. The story happened in November 1902 was published in a cartoon drawing in the press.
The unique museum is popular among Korean families with its outdoor park, cafe and bar and its toy and gift gallery.
When the first hand-made teddy bear created by German Margarete Steiff in 1903, it became an overnight sensation and roused up a craze among American consumers. Before mass produced Teddy Bear, only people from upper classes could afford to possess one.
There are 1300 captivating displlays of Teddy Bear over a 100 year tradition. They are in China Town, as Chinese Terracotta and as models cat walking in fashion stage.
Teddy Bear in presidency, at marriage and when they became king and queen.
Teddy occupied the telephone booth while his friend enjoying taking photographs.
Picnic with Teddy's family.
The stage for Teddy shows.
Dokkaebidoro Road also named as mysterious road where a strange phenomenon happens on this gentle slope. All vehicles seem to roll uphill when in neutral with brake off.
Displayed in O'Sulloc Museum are 140 Korean teacups varied from the period of Gaya Era to Joseon Dynasty and a collection of European royal teacups . It is the first Tea Museum in Korea that exhibits the history of tea and making process of green tea.
There are many cone like geological formations of volcanic rocks within the Museum area. As most of the traditional buildings, there also has Jeongnang in front of the gate. It is a 3 wooden bars placing across two stone pillars with three holes. When 3 bars are up means nobody at home and when owner is home, all bars are down. If owner would be back shortly, a bar is putting up. This ancient gate of Jeju carries with them messages for coming visitors. We believe it could be applied in Jeju Island with the mutual trusted and open minded jeju people only .
In the garden field, there is a statue of Korean first president, Mr Park Chung-hee (1917-1979) who was elected as one of top 100 Asians of the century. He was assassinated in 1979 but was credited with his industrialization through Export-led to growth in the country. A Gorgeous natural stone tea set top with stool was on the other side of the ground.
Bright beautiful flowers are around the compound.
Unknown plants blossom with flowers attracting bees as well as me.
Share the teenage joys with Korean high school girls at O"Sulloc tea farm.
Jumping high, school girls enjoyed their life in the visit to this huge area of Tea Farm.
The Shinjeju Street and its central underground shopping area.
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