Sunday, April 25, 2010

Jeju-Nature’s paradise in the north pacific

Jeju has a mild oceanic climate throughout the year with the smallest annual temperature range in the country. The temperature for the hottest summer months averages no more than 34.7℃ and no less than -1.5℃ or winter. The island is 73km wide and 41km long with a total area of 1,848 Jeju the largest island in South Korea, came into existence 700 to 1,200 thousand years ago when lava spewed from a sub-sea volcano and surfaced above the waters. Then 100 to 300 thousand years ago, another volcanic eruption formed Mt. Halla. The final volcanic eruption that took place approximately 25 thousand years ago created the crater lake, Baekrok-dam, at the summit of the mountain.Mt. Halla rises in the center of Jeju to 1950m above sea level. The rest of the island slopes down from its summit and is covered with dark gray volcanic rocks and volcanic ash soil. Relatively isolated from the rest of the world, the island’s nature has been well preserved in its prehistoric state. That is why traveling to Jeju is to travel back in time.Jeju’s natural environment has been preserved as best as possible. The fantastically shaped rocks decorating the seashores, the hundreds of Oreums(secondary volcanos) and the rarest species of flora around the Baekrok-dam lake are all treasures waiting to be discovered by visitors. One cannot see Jeju unless one looks. It is like seeing only trees before entering a forest.

How to get there?


Jeju international airport has a total of 17 direct airlines(12 local, 6 international), which links major cities employing 130 aircraft. In a week they fly 6 times to Tokyo, 4 times to Osaka, 2 times to Beijing, and 3 times to Hong Kong. 94% of travelers use those air lines to visit Jeju.They take off and land 143,000 times in a year including Boeing 747's using the 3km runway and jeju Airport can handle 7.64 million passengers, a year.Based on mid & long term airport expansion plans, 375.5 Mil. USD will be invested to expand the air port till 2020. During the first phase of the project up to 2010, they are going to expand the capacity of the taking off and landing to 177,000 times and enlarge major facilities so that they could handle 18.64 million passengers, a yeas
Incheon International Airport - Jeju International Airport
Gimpo International Airport - Jeju International Airport
Gimhae International Airport - Jeju International Airport
Tokyo, Osaka, Beijing, Hong Kong, Taipei, Bangkok -
Jeju International Airport
Visit airline website.
Korean Air
Asiana Airlines
jejuair
Ports
Jeju port has 6 direct sailing routes employing 12 ships weighting 600~5,600 tons. They operate ships 6 times a week between major local ports including Busan and Incheon with a capacity of carrying 2,401,000 passengers a year. 6% of total travelers are coming in and out of Jeju by sea.They are going to expand the anchoring capacity from the current 17 ships weighting over 1,000 tons up to a maximum of 20,000 tons to 20 ships weighting over 1,000 tons and up to amaximum of 80,000 tons by the year of 2011.
Busan Port - Jeju Port
Incheon Port - Jeju Port
Wando Port - Jeju Port
Mokpo Port - Jeju Port
Tongyeong Port - Seongsan Port