Jeju in Winter
The South Korea - Singapore Vaccinated Travel Lane is opening 15 November 2021, just in time for your winter vacation! White is the colour of winter in Jeju thanks to the blankets of snow that cover fields, rooftops, trees, and more. While white winter wonderlands are loved and appreciated, it’s always lovely to have pops of colour across the island. Luckily the colours of Jeju don’t hibernate during the colder months - you just need to know where to find them!
But you don’t have to look too hard to look for these highly-Instagrammable spots because we’ve got you covered. Here are four places you can spot splashes of colour during your winter travel in Jeju:
- Red: Camellia Hill
- Orange: Hahyo Village
- Green: Jeju Tea Fields
- White: Snow-covered fields
Vaccinated Travel Lane to South Korea
Starting 15 November 2021, Singaporeans can enjoy quarantine-free travel to South Korea under the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL). In order to qualify for this, you will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and have your vaccination certificate with you during your trip.
#KlookTip: Prepare a digital vaccination certificate via Notarise to facilitate the verification of your vaccination status.
Flying to South Korea
Singapore will be the first country that South Korea will open its borders to for quarantine-free travels. In order to qualify for this, you will need to meet the following requirements:
- Have a 14-day travel history in Singapore or South Korea only
- Take a direct flight from Singapore to South Korea
- Purchase travel insurance with a minimum of 30M KRW(~S$35,000) coverage(For short-term visitors only)
- Apply for Korea Electronic Travel Authorization at least 24 hours before departure
You will also need to fulfil the following COVID-19 tests requirements:
- Pre-Departure Test - Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test to be taken up to 72 hours prior to the flight
- On arrival in South Korea - Travellers must make an online reservation for the PCR test at Incheon International Airport before leaving Singapore
- For travellers staying 8 or more days - Take another PCR test on day 6/7 at a government-designated medical facility in Korea
Flying back to Singapore
You will have to fly back to Singapore on designated VTL flights, which will be operated by Singapore Airlines, Korea Air, and Asiana Airlines. You must not have any travel history outside of Singapore and the VTL countries in the past 14 days to be eligible for the VTL flights. You will also need to fulfil the following COVID-19 tests requirements:
- Pre-departure PCR test within 48 hours before flight departure
- On-arrival PCR test at Changi Airport
#KlookTip: Check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website to find the latest updates and requirements.
Red: Camellia Hill
Camellias bloom from November to January. Image credits to Jeju Tourism Organization
When in Jeju, one shouldn’t miss a visit to the famed Camellia Hill. Home to over 6,000 plants from 500 species, Camellia Hill’s central star is none other than its namesake: the vibrant camellia flower. Camellias bloom by mid-November until January, making it an excellent destination for your winter travel in Jeju.
You can also find silver grass and Pink Muhly at Camellia Hill. Image credits to Jeju Tourism Organization
Enjoy hours on end strolling across colourful fields of flowers surrounded by red and pink camellia trees and Jeju stone walls. You can even marvel at the majestic views of Hallasan and Sanbangsan in the background! Afterwards, you can head onto Camellia Hill’s cafe and store to purchase refreshments and souvenirs, such as cosmetics made from camellia oil.
Book your Camellia Hill ticket with Klook, and enjoy a hassle-free visit to the iconic Jeju landmark! You get instant booking confirmation and free cancellation as long as notice is made before the redemption of the voucher. At the entrance, present your Klook voucher and exchange it for a physical ticket.
- Address: 166 Byeongak-ro, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
- Phone Number: 064-792-0088
- Business Hours: December to February, 8:30am to 5pm
- Admission: Adult KRW 8,000 / Youths Age 13 to 18 and Seniors KRW 6,000 / Children KRW 5,000
Orange: Hahyo Village
At Hahyo Village, you can harvest mandarins from November to January. Image credits to Jeju Tourism Organization
Experience all things orange when you visit Hahyo Village in Jeju Island! Did you know that this farmhouse restaurant was started by the members of its women’s association? It is said that Hahyo Village is actually the place to get the best mandarins in Jeju since it is cared for with the warmth of a mother’s heart.
Try your hand out at making mandarin tarts and snacks here! Image credits to Jeju Tourism Organizatio
While Hahyo Village is open all year round, mandarin picking in Jeju peaks in November and lasts through January. Spend time picking your own harvest and experience other mandarin-related activities such as mandarin seedling planting, marmalade-making, scented candle-making, and a history and culture tour.
When you feel spent from mandarin picking in Jeju, the Hahyo Village area houses restaurants that feature Korean staples with a citrus twist. If you want to try out mandarin pasta, head to Yoona Cafe in front of Gongcheon Port. For bibimbap with mandarin, there’s the eccentric Dayoogi Punggyeong to check out! Now, orange you glad you went here?
- Address: 217-8 Hyodonsunhwan, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-so
- Phone Number: 064-732-8181
- Business Hours: 9am to 5pm
- Admission: Mandarin Picking – KRW 10,000 (~S$11.30) / Making Mandarin Tarts – KRW 15,000 / Making Mandarin Snacks – KRW 15,000 (Experiences last 40 minutes)
- Website: http://www.gyulbitsro.com/english/
Green: Jeju Tea Fields
You can buy various products that creatively use green tea and other ingredients in the shop, such as drinks, cakes, and ice creams. Image credits to Jeju Tourism Organization
Jeju is home to sprawling fields of green tea bushes that make the snowy winter more verdant. Plus, winter is also a great time to visit them in Jeju since they’re evergreen and ready to harvest when spring rolls around.
During clear days, you can see Hallasan Mountain from the tea fields! Image credits to Jeju Tourism Organization
Osulloc tea field in Seogwang-ri, which was cultivated back in 1984, is a favourite among tourists thanks to its fields that span the picturesque countryside. During your visit, you can drop by the tea museum and cafe and get some traditional tea you can bring home with you, as well as cakes and other drinks that can warm you up.
- Address: 15 Sinhwayeoksa-ro, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
- Phone Number: 064-794-5312
- Business Hours: 9am to 6pm
- Admission: Free
- Website: www.osulloc.com/kr/en
White: Snow Covered Fields
Snow can be short-lived in Jeju, but not in Hallasan Mountain where it’s snowy all season! Image credits to Jeju Tourism Organization
For a classic winter experience tobogganing with the entire family, the next place you should go to in Jeju is the snowy summit of Hallasan Mountain. It's covered in snow throughout the whole season, making it perfect for snowball fights and snowman-making.
The shortest trail on Mount Hallasan takes about two hours to hike. Image credits to Jeju Tourism Organization
If you're not big on hiking, you can always head to 1100 Highlands Rest Area, nestled on the highest part of the road that passes over Hallasan Mountain. At a whopping 1,100-meter altitude, the rest area is frequently covered in snow! If you don't have a car or didn’t want to rent one during your winter travel in Jeju, you can hop on the number 240 bus to get there.
- Address: 1-2 San, Saekdal-dong, Seongwipo-si, Jeju-do
