From Woljeongri to Jongdalri — Following the Coastal Road All the Way

If you want to really feel Jeju's east coast, there's nothing like a drive along the coastal road, or so GYULI thinks. In particular, the stretch that starts at Woljeongri and runs through Sehwa and Hado to Jongdalri is said to follow the coastline of Gujwa-eup, Jeju City, letting you take in some of the best-known spots on Jeju's east coast in one go. GYULI once introduced a course that links several oreum together — today's story is about the sea, not the mountains. Rather than picking one beach as your destination, think of this as a course where you pass through village after village along the coastal road, taking in the whole of Jeju's east coast at once. From the emerald sea to the windmills turning along the shore, and the chance to see all the way to Udo Island on a clear day, GYULI will walk through it all today.

Woljeongri, Where the Course Begins with an Emerald Sea and Windmills

Woljeongri is widely picked as the starting point for this course. The coastal road at Woljeongri is said to be known for water clear and blue enough to be called emerald, and it's also said to be famous for the line of white wind turbines, or windmills, standing along the shore. The snow-white sand and jade-blue sea, with windmill blades slowly turning behind them all in one frame, is a well-known scene, and many people say Woljeongri is the first place that comes to mind when they think of Jeju's east coast road. A cafe street is also said to have formed along the coast, so it's said to be a good stretch to pull over now and then during the drive and just take in the sea. Today's course starts here at Woljeongri and heads south down the east coastline — rather than lingering at one beach, think of it as a journey where you pass through several villages in turn and take in Jeju's east coast broadly.

Sehwa and Hado, a Stretch That Follows Jeju's Seaside Village Scenery

Past Woljeongri, the road is said to lead to Sehwa and then Hado. Sehwa and Hado are villages within Gujwa-eup, Jeju City, and are often introduced as areas where haenyeo diving culture has long continued on Jeju's east coast. Driving along the coastal road here, you're said to find quiet, understated fishing-village scenery alongside the wide-open sea. Where Woljeongri felt more like a tourist spot blended with its cafe street, many say the Sehwa and Hado stretch lets you feel more of Jeju's original seaside village atmosphere. Because the road runs along the coastline, it's said to have fewer sharp turns, and many reviews mention being able to travel comfortably while looking out at the sea through the window. Rather than picking out one landmark to stop at in this stretch, GYULI recommends just slowly enjoying the drive itself.

Jongdalri, Where the Course Ends with a View of Udo Island

Past Hado, the road is said to reach Jongdalri, the final stop on the course. Jongdalri sits at the far eastern edge of Jeju and is said to be located close to Seongsan, where ferries depart for Udo Island. On clear days, Udo Island is said to come into view far off the coast at Jongdalri. Many say that catching sight of Udo at the end of the coastal road that started all the way back at Woljeongri is the highlight of this course. On cloudy or hazy days, Udo may not be easy to see, so this part is said to come down to the day's weather luck.

When and How to Drive This Course

For this course, GYULI recommends starting at Woljeongri and heading south in the order of Sehwa, Hado, and Jongdalri. Driving the other way works too, but going this direction is said to keep the sea on your right through the window the whole way, which many say makes the drive more enjoyable. Since the whole stretch runs along the coastline, there are said to be plenty of spots along the way to pull over and take in the sea for a moment, so it's worth taking it slow instead of rushing. If you're hoping to catch a view of Udo Island, it's best to check the weather ahead of time and set out on a clear day, and timing the drive around sunset is also said to let you enjoy the glow along with the view. That said, the exact time it takes or the distance between each stretch can vary quite a bit depending on traffic that day and how long you stop along the way, so I'd rather not state anything too precisely here.

🍊 Real Photos, via GYULI