Jeju island is well-known for its beautiful natural rock formations, lava caves, craters, mountains e.g. Mount Halla and Seongsan Illchubong (Sunrise Peak) and of course its majestic waterfalls – it is not surprising that Jeju island has often been called “The Hawaii of Korea”.  There are lots of waterfalls on Jeju island but I will just highlight 3 of the more accessible ones (and of course more touristy) – Jeongbang Waterfall, Cheonjiyeon Waterfall and Cheongjeyeon Waterfall.  No, I didn’t make a typo in the names – the difference between the names of Cheonjiyeon and Cheongjeyeon waterfalls is just the “i” and “e” but they are very different waterfalls.

Referring to the map below, Jeongbang Waterfall (labelled as B) and Cheonjiyeon Waterfall (labelled as A) are located quite near Seogwipo City (the southern city of Jeju island).  Cheonjeyeon Waterfall (labelled as C) is located at Jungmun Resort area (still in Seogwipo area – but not near the city; it is about 15-20 minutes from Seogwipo City).

If you are arriving mid-afternoon at Seogwipo City (after an hour bus ride or drive from the northern Jeju City where the airport is located), I suggest you plan your itinerary such that you check out Jeongbang Waterfall and Cheonjiyeon Waterfall and call it a day at one of the many restaurants in Seogwipo City food streets. Go to Jeongbang Waterfall first as it closes at 6pm or 7pm (depending on season) and Cheonjiyeon Waterfall closes much later at 11pm (the waterfall will be illuminated at night).

You can plan a visit to Cheonjeyeon Waterfall on the day you visit Jungmun Resort for its interesting museums e.g. Teddy Bear Museum and Alive (Trick Art) Museum.

Jeongbang Waterfall

Jeongbang Falls (정방폭포) is only waterfall in Asia that falls directly into the ocean. Jeongbang Waterfall is situated by a high cliff by the sea. If you have the time, you can find another waterfall – Sojeongbang Waterfall 300 metres east of Jeongbang Falls. Estimated time to spend at Jeongbang Falls: 20 – 30 minutes (there is a flight of stairs to get down and up + photo-taking time).

Do note that there is a flight of stairs to get down to see Jeongbang waterfall up close – you will have to climb back up this flight of stairs on your way out to the carpark.  See picture below – we are at the top flight of the stairs and you will need to go all the way down to where the rocky ground is.

Once you are down near the foot of the Jeongbang waterfall, you can take lots of pictures! Do note that the if you want to get nearer the waterfall, you will have to walk on a lot of small and big loose rocks. Wear comfortable shoes and do note that the rocks can be quite wet (from the waterfall splashes).

Along the rocky coast leading to Jeongbang waterfall, you will find a tent where a few aunties will be selling fresh catch from the sea e.g. sea urchins.  For a fee, they can prepare a raw sashimi dish on the spot – try it if you dare!

On the way up from Jeongbang falls (at the entrance/exit to the flight of stairs leading to the waterfall), you will find lots of these J-shaped ice-cream cones (selling for 3000 Korean won = about US$3).  They are not cheap and not worth it as the cone is most likely soft (due to it having gone stale or 漏风 lao hong as we call it in Singapore).  Apparently this is a popular Jeju snack – you can find it anywhere at popular Jeju tourist attractions – i think because the cone is J-shaped (for Jeju – get it?).

Getting to Jeongbang Waterfall

If you are driving to Jeongbang Waterfall, the phone number to input into the Korean GPS to reach the waterfall is 7331530. Parking is FREE at the carpark to Jeongbang Waterfall.

By public transport:

From Jeju Airport,

• Take a limousine bus and get off in front of Paradise Hotel. Walk 5 minutes following the sign of Jeongbangpokpo Waterfall.

From Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal,

• Take an intercity bus (Jungmungosok) bound for Seogwipo-si (Estimated Travel Time: 2hrs) and get off at Jeju world cup stadium OR
• Take an intercity bus (5.16) bound for Seogwipo-si (Estimated Travel Time: 2hrs) and get off at Dongmun rotary
• At either bus stops, take a taxi to Jeongbangpokpo waterfall (Estimated Travel Time: 5 minutes).

Admission Fees

• Adults 2,000 won
• Children 1,000 won

Opening Hours

Summer 08:00 – 19:00 / Winter 8:00 – 18:00

Cheonjiyeon Waterfall

Cheonjiyeon, meaning “God’s pond,” derives its name from the legend that the seven fairies serving the King of Heaven came down to the pond on stairs of cloud and bathed in its clean waters.

To get to the Cheonjiyeon waterfall, you will need to walk along a one-kilometre long path towards the Cheonjiyeon Falls.  You will know when you reach as you will be able to hear the thunderous sound of the waterfall. The waterfall is 22m high, 12m wide and 20m in depth.  The waterfall is illuminated at night.

If you have arrived here in the evening after a trip to Jeongbang waterfall, you might want to grab dinner at one of the many restaurants situated along the carpark.  They serve traditional Korean food e.g. abalone porridge and lots of free kimchi!  I have a recommendation for a small restaurant for abalone porridge and grilled mackerel just along the carpark to Cheonjiyeon waterfall – more about this at this blog post about our Jeju abalone porridge and grilled mackerel dining experience!  The last entry to Cheongjiyeon waterfall is about 10pm so there is no need to rush through your dinner.

Estimated time to spend at Cheonjiyeon Falls: 30 – 45 minutes (there is a 1 kilometre walk to the waterfall – there are phototaking opportunities along the way too).

There are a couple of smaller waterfalls (or rapids) along the path to see Cheonjiyeon waterfall.  When you walk past these rapids, you are just about 5 – 8 minutes walk away from the Cheonjiyeon waterfall.

Besides the waterfall, you find a variety of rare plants such as brambles, Songyeopnan as well as Gusiljappam trees, Sanyuja trees (Chinese lemon trees), and camellias (if you know what they all means – then i guess it will be a treat for you!).  You will find a number of these stone guardians of Jeju island – also known as dol hareubang (stone grandfather).

Getting to Cheonjiyeon Waterfall

If you are driving to Cheonjiyeon Waterfall, the phone number to input into the Korean GPS to reach the waterfall is 7331528.  Parking is FREE at the carpark to Cheonjiyeon Waterfall.

By public transport:

From Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal,

• Take the bus 516 heading to Seoguipo (run from 6am to 9:40pm/12 min interval)
• Get off at the last stop and take a taxi to Cheonjiyeon waterfall (3-4 minute ride)

Or

• Get off at Dongmun rotary stop and go to another bus stop to transfer to bus 1 (cross the ChungJeongro street and then Gyeongbangro street and walk along the Chungjeongro street for about 30m to bus stop)
• Take bus 1 bound for Cheonjiyeon and get off at the last stop.

Admission Fees

• Adult: 2,000 won
• Youths and Children: 1,000 won

Opening Hours

07:00∼23:00 (Last entry: 22:10)

Cheonjeyeon Waterfall

Cheonjeyeon Falls (천제연폭포), named ‘The pond of Emperor of Heaven’, comprises 3 parts. To the east, there is a cave where cold water pours from the ceiling to create a waterfall. The water from the first waterfall becomes the second and third waterfalls and flows into the sea. The legend behind Cheonjeyeon Falls is on how seven fairies took care of the king by playing in the pond every night.

Estimated time to spend at Cheonjeyeon Falls: 45 – 60 minutes (there is a long trail to walk to see all 3 waterfalls – there are phototaking opportunities along the way too).  Visit Cheonjeyeon Falls when you are at the Jungmun Resort area – plan a few visits to the nearby museums e.g. Teddy Bear Museum if you are interested.

Photo by Korea Tourism Organization

In Cheonjeyeon Valley, there is the “Seonimgyo Bridge” (arch bridge that has 7 nymphs carved on the side). The Seonimgyo is also called “Chilseonyeogyo”(meaning seven nymphs) and it connects Cheonjeyeon with the Jungmum Tourist Complex. This bridge provides visitors a spectacular view of all three falls.

Photo by Korea Tourism Organization

Getting to Cheonjiyeon Waterfall

If you are driving to Cheonjeyeon Waterfall, the phone number to input into the Korean GPS to reach the waterfall is 7381529. Parking is FREE at the carpark to Cheonjeyeon Waterfall.

By public transport:

From Jeju Airport,

• Take Airport Limosine Bus No. 600 that goes via Jungmun and Seogwipo and get off at Yeomiji Botanical Garden (15 min interval / 50 min ride). Walk 5-10 min to the entrance of Yeomiji Botanical Garden. Purchase tickets there.

Or

• Taxi takes 30-40 min from Jeju Airport.  Do note that taxi fares for this journey can cost about 40 – 50 USD or more.

From Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal,

• Take Seogwipo bound intercity bus and get off at Jungmun Resort (50 min ride). Walk 5-10 min to the entrance of Yeomiji Botanical Garden

Or

• Taxi takes 30-40 min from the bus terminal.

From Seogwipo Intercity Terminal,

• Take Jungmungosok bus⇨Jungmun Tourist Complex entrance (20 min)

Admission Fees

• Adult: 2,500 won
• Youths and Children: 1,350 won

Opening Hours

March – October 08:00 – 18:30
November – February 09:00 – 17:30