We uncover the hidden mysteries of nature on Jeju Island – and seven reasons why you must visit.
We uncover the hidden mysteries of nature on Jeju Island – and seven reasons why you must visit.
Just a short flight from Seoul sits the idyllic and ancient island of Jeju, South Korea’s largest island. Formed by lava two million years ago, the volcanic island’s beauty reaches almost mythical status, which The Weekly was invited to experience over a few refreshing days. A land and sea rich in precious minerals and ecological wonders, it’s easy to see why natural beauty brand, innisfree, sources its key ingredients here! Here are seven reasons to make a trip:
1 Spectacular Treks
Songaksan Mountain is perfect for a bit of light trekking and fresh air. The rejuvenating climb offers stunning vistas with panoramic views of the Yellow Sea, a jagged coastline and an undulating landscape. An hour of leisurely walking takes you to the end point of the Olle trail with plenty of photo ops along the way.
2 Pristine Beaches
Beautiful stretches of sand line Jeju’s shoreline, each with its own unique features. We visited Hyeopjae beach famous for its powdery white sand, crystal clear emerald seawater and a floating island on the horizon – perfect for a romantic stroll or dip!
3 Natural Treasures
The pristine waters surrounding Jeju is chockfull with a rare natural resource. Aptly named “lava seawater (LS)”, this is water that’s been naturally filtered through the basalt layers of Jeju’s volcanic bedrock over thousands of years. Jee Hyun Ko, Brand Manager of innisfree, says that what sets LS apart is that “not only does it have core minerals like sodium, and calcium, it also contains rare minerals like vanadium, germanium and selenium not found in different types of ocean water”. These rare minerals are easily absorbed by the skin and provide anti-ageing benefits.
4 Green Tea Fields
Jeju Island is also a green tea paradise, boasting one of the largest plantations in all of South Korea. Drop by the innisfree Jeju House which sits upon a beautifully manicured lawn beside an expansive green tea garden where the brand’s green tea range is sourced from.
5 The World’s Longest Lava Tube
Formed by cooling lava, the dark Manjanggul cave is a natural wonder to behold. Also a UNESCO world heritage site, you can walk one kilometre of the cave’s eight, where temperatures can reach a low of 14 degrees celsius.
6 Sea Women
There’s no lack of a rich, unique local heritage as well. The island is renowned for its haenyeos, or “sea women”, who in order to make a living, dive for up to twenty metres without any breathing apparatus!
7 Hipster Cafes
Foodies will be glad to know that cafe culture is alive and thriving on the island, with dozens of food gems hidden all over. Enjoy gorgeously-plated meals beside equally stunning views of the sea.
Harnessing the power of the sea innisfree ushers in a new era of anti-ageing with their new Jeju Lava Seawater range that taps on the mineral-rich waters of the volcanic island. The Lava Seawater range claims to activate your skin’s natural hydrating agents to strengthen skin barrier for a firmer, smoother mien and features the Jeju Lava Seawater Essence, with 84.5 per cent lava seawater. The line also includes a deep essence, lotion, cream, eye serum, mist, skin toner and ampoule skin (a booster), launching this month in innisfree stores islandwide.
