Jeju Itinerary: visit the Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff 대포주상절리

        Is this the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland? or merely my imagination right out of the Games of Throne? No, but the Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff 대포주상절리 at the Southern Coast of Jeju Island is still one of a kind spectacular. In fact, it is also one of Jeju’s most famous tourist spots.

        Near Jungmun Beach, there is an impressive formation of Columnar-Jointed Lava looking like a honeycomb. It's hard to imagine there is such an impressive piece of art created by mother nature because they definitely look like they have been carved out and sculpted delicately by a skilled stonemason!

        Jusangjeollidae is the result of a sudden contraction when thick molten lava flows from the Hallasan (Jeju Active Volcano) during eruption and cools rapidly as it touches the seawater of Jungmun. It is truly a mind-blowing wonder of nature formed about 14,000 to 25,000 years ago. The hexagonal rock pillars of various sizes formed on top of each other making the whole thing look like a giant staircase. There is a similar formation in Ireland named the “Giant's Causeway”.

        If you have a little more time to spend at the carpark, I suggest you to do so, because there is a field full of instagrammable weeds, like those similar to Sangumburi crater. In Sangumburi, you are not allowed to go into the field to take pictures, but here, you are free to go it coz it is wild. Just be careful! You'll never know what was lying underneath!

        You will first come to a square with ahjuma selling snacks on top of the steps and a giant shell at the center. We bought a Squid Cheese Pancake here but quickly regret it because the cheese they used here was too runny (I guess they used cream cheese and not the usual pulled cheese), causing a mess since the first bite.  

        Once you pay your entrance fee you will be greeted by 3 cute dolphins.

        There is only one observatory platform for this and all you have to do is to follow the wooden steps. Maybe we came here rather late in the afternoon so this place was packed with tourists.

       You need to wait for your turn to get an unobstructed view of the basalt columns. In the meantime, we spent some time gazing out at the coastline. Most of the tourists there are very considerate, we bumped into some rude tourists too but just remember, we are not here to get angry, so just, relax…. breathe in breathe out. It takes some patience to take a good photo, we stayed long enough to take some.

The Alllllllmooooost perfect Jusangjeollidae Photo. 

        The 20-meter tall rugged cliff is a popular spot for high tides and sea angling so, from the top of the observatory platform, you may be able to catch the waves of high tide crashing on the black stone pillars (provided you are there at the right time).

        To gain another perspective, there is actually another way to see the Jusangjeolidae without paying an entrance fee. Once you get to the square before the ticket counter, take a left and you will find an almost deserted path. Just take the path down to a rocky beach where you can see the basalt columns closer at the foot of the cliff. However, the view is less spectacular compared to the panoramic view you may have on the viewing platform. I did not explore this part of the park

        I would estimate about 40 minutes in Jusangjeolidae if you insist on a good photo (consider that you might take several bad ones). But if you are just here to photograph the Jusangjeolidae columns, I am guessing 20 minutes is pretty sufficient. There is nothing more to see in the park (except if you long for a nice stroll), so we made our way to Cheonjeyeon Waterfall after some photos…

Pro tip to get a good photo

       Angling is important in taking photos at crowded places. For example the following scene, we have a lot of tourists on the platform because it was a peak hour (2 tour buses just pulled in). So what I did was: I went nearer to my brother, held my camera high on top of my head and tilted a little bit downwards. and coincidently the other tourists moved to the side a little as they played around with angling too.

Arranging itinerary for the day

If you are using Public Transports like me: 

       Fitting Cheonjeyeon waterfalls into a packed itinerary? You are on the right blog. I visited Cheonjeyeon waterfalls just before sundown after spending the whole day checking out the natural wonders around Seogwipo.
       Firstly, I started my day in JeongBang waterfalls, moving on to Cheonjiyeon waterfalls and Odalgae rock (all by foot). Then, I took a bus to Jusangjeolidae cliffs and from there, I chose to walk 30 minutes to reach Cheonjeyeon waterfalls. I am not interested in other indoor attractions in Jungmun area, but if you are, the best way to end the day is to grab dinner in Jungmun after your visit to Cheonjeyeon and then proceed to Alive Museum Jeju, TeddyBear Museum or the KPoP Play at night. There is a bus stop directly in front of KPoP Play that will send you back to town.

Read the full itinerary here

       If you want a more free and easy day, dedicate one whole day for Jungmun area, so you can start your day later at Jusangjeolidae, then visit the Cheonjeyeon falls and the rest of the indoor attractions.

If you are doing a road trip:
        If you have a car, I suggest coming here after a hike in Hallasan National Park You’ll be able to catch the sunset here. Hallasan National Park is a must-do in every trip to Jeju and the Yeongsil Trail is the easiest and the most instaworthy. Best of all, the Yeongsil Trail is just half an hour drive away from Jusangjeoli Cliff.
Address: 2663, Jungmun-dong, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
제주 서귀포시 중문동 2663
Tel: +82）64-738-1521
No. to input in GPS: 738 1393
Unlike other spots, you have to pay for the parking at Jusangjeolli

Operation Hours: 7.30am to 6.00pm (Subjected to changes depending on the time of sunset)
Admission fee: KRW2,000

Where to Stay

       If you can afford luxury, the BEST option out there is The Seas Resort and Hotel (click here to check booking.com review)! I Highly recommend this property to all couples here for honeymoon, you won't regret it. The surrounding environment is low key, perfect for anyone who long for peace and quite and of course, to enjoy full company of your loved ones. Its traditional designs blend in well into the surrounding greenery and don't get me started on the ocean view right at your doorsteps! You can even reserve one with an outdoor bath.

 If you want something more budget friendly and still stay as near to the falls and attractions as possible, try Hera Castle Pension (click here to read booking.com reviews).

Off the beaten track

Location: 977-2, Sangye-dong, Seogwipo-si.
If you wish to see the Basal Columnar joints unclose, you can go to another Jusangjeolli site: Gaetkkak Jusangjeolli, which is not a developed travel site. It used to be part of the coastline trail of Jeju Olle course 8, however, due to the danger of rockslide, it has since been closed to tourists. Anyhow, as long as you know what to do and what not to, there are still ways to get there. You may also find 2 prehistorical sea caves along the Mongdol (Gravel) coast but you cannot enter the caves due to potential danger.