Walk the Rainbow Coastal Road in Dodu-dong, and Meet the Rainbow Blocks Up Close
where even the ground is painted in rainbow colors
Have you heard of Dodu-dong, a small coastal village you can reach about ten minutes by car from Jeju Airport? The breakwater in this neighborhood is said to be painted in bright rainbow colors, which is how this stretch of road came to be called the 'Rainbow Coastal Road.' GYULI told you about Dodubong before, and that story was about the view of this coastal road looking down from the summit of the oreum. Today's a little different — instead of looking down from above, GYULI wants to talk about walking right alongside those rainbow blocks and meeting them up close. Looking down from far away and standing right in front of something, it's said, can feel like two completely different places even though they're the same spot.
The rainbow colors painted across the breakwater
The reason behind the name 'Rainbow Coastal Road' is simple. Each of the breakwater blocks lined up along the coast is said to be painted in a variety of colors — red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple. Some blocks are said to be painted entirely in a single color, while other stretches blend several colors together, giving the impression of an actual rainbow lying across the ground. Seen from far above on the oreum, these colors are said to blur together into small dots, but standing right next to them, the color of each individual block is said to look far more vivid and saturated than expected, according to many reviews.
Exactly when and why these colors were first painted isn't something GYULI can say with full confidence. What's said, though, is that this was originally an ordinary concrete breakwater structure, and at some point it was painted in these bright colors, after which word spread that it had become a great photo spot — a story heard from several different sources. The breakwater's colors are said to fade a little over time or shift slightly after repair work, so it's worth keeping in mind that the colors may look a bit different depending on when you visit.
Not from the oreum above, but walking right alongside the blocks
If the view of the Rainbow Coastal Road from Dodubong's summit frames the sky and the ground in a single shot, then meeting the rainbow blocks while walking the coastal road itself is said to feel closer, almost within reach. Walking the path along the breakwater, colorful blocks are said to line up right beside you, and there's said to be a particular fun in passing through sections where the color changes with every step. Many people are said to sit right on the blocks to take photos, and some are even said to coordinate their outfits to match the block colors.
Seen from afar, it's a rainbow like a painting. Walk up close, and it becomes a rainbow you could reach out and touch.
— 🍊 GYULIStanding right beside the rainbow blocks is said to have a different charm from looking down at them from the oreum. The texture of the block surfaces, spots where the paint has worn away, even the marks left behind by waves crashing against them — all of it is said to come into view up close. On calm days, many people are said to walk right up to the blocks to take photos by color, and on windy days, some are said to enjoy the atmosphere where the sound of waves hitting the breakwater blends with the colors. That said, the breakwater is said to be slippery in places and waves can rise suddenly, so it's recommended to stay inside the safety line while walking.
So close to the airport, the sound of planes comes along too
Because the Rainbow Coastal Road sits so close to Jeju Airport, the sound of planes taking off and landing at low altitude is said to be audible while walking. At Dodubong, that sound and view together are considered part of the scenery, but while walking the coastal road, some reviews say the sound can feel a bit louder, which is worth keeping in mind. If the noise bothers you, choosing a time when flights are less frequent is said to be one option, though the exact timing is said to vary day to day, so it's best to go with some patience and spare time.
In the evening, the sunset light is said to blend with the colors of the rainbow blocks to create a different mood altogether. Some reviews say the block colors look even deeper as the sun gets lower, and that photos tend to come out especially well when the sky's color, the sea's color, and the blocks' primary colors overlap. Many people are said to first take in the whole view from Dodubong's summit, then come down and walk alongside the blocks along the coastal road as a single course.
In the end, the Rainbow Coastal Road seems to be a place with two kinds of pleasure — one from a distance, one up close. From the top of the oreum, you get a picture-like panorama, and walking the coastal road, you get to feel the vividness of each individual color, it's said. If you have a little extra time on your way to or from Jeju Airport, don't just stop at Dodubong — walking the coastal road as well sounds like it could make for a good experience.
GYULI's Tip · The Rainbow Coastal Road runs right along the breakwater, so it's said to be exposed to waves and wind — comfortable walking shoes and staying inside the safety line are recommended. If the plane noise bothers you, picking a time with fewer flights is also worth trying.