Let's Head Into Aewol's Forest to Meet the Alpacas, Eye to Eye
said to walk and bond with you up close
If you've ever traveled around Jeju and wished you could get up close with animals, GYULI has just the place to satisfy that wish today. It's Dochidol Ranch, tucked into a forest in Aewol-eup, Jeju City, said to be a place where you can meet alpacas roaming freely across a wide meadow. You're said to be able to walk and run alongside the alpacas, bonding with them, and even try a hands-on feeding experience — and beyond alpacas, you can also meet a variety of animals like rabbits, ponies, horses, sheep, and goats, making it a spot said to be loved by everyone, from kids to adults.
You Can Meet Alpacas Roaming Freely Across a Forest Meadow, It's Said
The biggest draw of Dochidol Ranch is said to be that the alpacas aren't kept in a pen but roam freely across a wide meadow. You're said to be able to watch their gentle eyes and gait up close, and then move on to a hands-on feeding experience, holding the food yourself — welcome news for anyone who's only ever seen alpacas in photos and wanted to meet one in person. Beyond alpacas, you're said to be able to meet a range of other animals too, including rabbits, ponies, horses, sheep, and goats, and with such a variety on hand, it's said to be a place where both kids and adults lose track of time while looking around.
The moment you lock eyes with an alpaca and hand over some food, I think I understood why so many people leave with so many photos from this place.
— 🍊 GYULIThe Walking Trail Is Also Said to Show a Different Face Each Season
Trees are said to be planted densely along both sides of the ranch's walking trail, so just walking through it lets you feel nature, along a green forest path. On top of that, seasonal flowers blooming throughout the trail are said to add a romantic touch to the trip — a yellow canola flower field in spring, trumpet creeper climbing up pillars in summer, a silver grass field in autumn, and a camellia flower field in winter, each taking its turn to bloom. So no matter when you visit, you're said to be able to meet scenery that belongs only to that season.
Since you're said to be able to meet such a variety of animals, alpacas included, alongside four-season nature all in one space, it makes sense that people say they get a fresh feeling every time they visit, season after season. Trumpet creeper turning the pillars red in summer, and silver grass swaying in the autumn breeze, are said to be especially memorable — so it might be fun to picture ahead of time which flowers you might meet, depending on when you visit.
A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Visit
Dochidol Ranch is located at 303 Dochidol-gil, Aewol-eup, Jeju City, and is said to operate year-round. Operating hours are said to run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last admission 5 p.m.) during the summer season, from February 15 to November, and from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (last admission 5 p.m.) during the winter season, from December to February 14 of the following year — since closing times differ by season, it's worth checking ahead before you visit. That said, occasional unscheduled closures may happen depending on internal circumstances, so it's a good idea to check the official Instagram for the latest notices on that front.
Locking eyes with alpacas, meeting rabbits, ponies, horses, sheep, and goats all in one place, and topping it off with a flower-lined walk that changes its outfit every season — if you find yourself heading toward Aewol, stopping by Dochidol Ranch might make for a good memory.
GYULI's Tip · Operating hours are said to be 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (last admission 5 p.m.) in summer (Feb 15–Nov) and 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. (last admission 5 p.m.) in winter (Dec–Feb 14), open year-round — but occasional unscheduled closures are possible, so it's worth checking the official Instagram for the latest updates before you visit. Since it's an outdoor ranch, comfortable walking shoes are a good idea.