Jeju Culture & Traditions
Discover the unique cultural heritage, traditions, and customs that make Jeju Island special
🌊 UNESCO Heritage
Haenyeo culture recognized worldwide
🗿 Stone Guardians
Iconic Dol Hareubang statues
🎭 Unique Language
Jejueo - distinct from Korean
🎪 Seasonal Festivals
Year-round cultural celebrations
Cultural Traditions & Heritage
Explore the rich cultural traditions that have shaped Jeju Island's unique identity
Haenyeo (Women Divers)
해녀
Traditional female free-divers who harvest seafood from the ocean without breathing apparatus
Cultural Significance:
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage representing women's independence and environmental harmony
When to Experience:
Year-round, best visibility in spring and autumn
Where to Experience:
Visitor Tips:
- •Visit the Haenyeo Museum to learn about their history
- •Respect their work - don't disturb them while diving
- •Try fresh seafood caught by Haenyeo at local restaurants
- •Learn about their unique whistle breathing technique
Dol Hareubang (Stone Grandfathers)
돌하르방
Iconic stone statues carved from volcanic rock, serving as guardians and symbols of Jeju
Cultural Significance:
Traditional guardians believed to ward off evil spirits and bring fertility and protection
When to Experience:
Year-round
Where to Experience:
Visitor Tips:
- •Touch their nose for good luck (traditional belief)
- •Learn about the three different types based on their origins
- •Visit Jeju Stone Park for the largest collection
- •Great photo opportunities throughout the island
Jeju Language (Jejueo)
제주어
Unique language of Jeju Island, distinct from standard Korean
Cultural Significance:
Endangered language with unique vocabulary and grammar, part of Jeju's cultural identity
When to Experience:
When interacting with elderly locals
Where to Experience:
Visitor Tips:
- •Most younger people speak standard Korean
- •Learn a few basic Jeju phrases to show respect
- •Attend cultural performances featuring Jejueo
- •Visit the Jeju Language Research Center
Jeju Shamanism
제주 무속
Traditional spiritual practices and beliefs unique to Jeju Island
Cultural Significance:
Ancient belief system connecting people with nature spirits and ancestors
When to Experience:
During traditional ceremonies and festivals
Where to Experience:
Visitor Tips:
- •Respect sacred sites and ceremonies
- •Learn about the role of female shamans (mudang)
- •Understand the connection to Jeju's natural environment
- •Visit during traditional festivals for authentic experiences
Traditional Crafts
전통공예
Traditional handicrafts including pottery, weaving, and woodworking
Cultural Significance:
Preserves ancient techniques and reflects Jeju's natural materials and lifestyle
When to Experience:
Year-round at workshops and cultural centers
Where to Experience:
Visitor Tips:
- •Try hands-on workshops to learn traditional techniques
- •Purchase authentic crafts as meaningful souvenirs
- •Learn about the use of local materials like volcanic rock
- •Support local artisans and cultural preservation
Traditional Jeju Cuisine
제주 전통음식
Unique culinary traditions featuring seafood, pork, and local vegetables
Cultural Significance:
Reflects Jeju's island geography, climate, and cultural exchanges
When to Experience:
Year-round, seasonal specialties vary
Where to Experience:
Visitor Tips:
- •Try black pork (heukdwaeji) - Jeju's famous specialty
- •Experience fresh seafood caught by Haenyeo
- •Learn about fermentation techniques for preservation
- •Taste unique ingredients like hallabong citrus and bracken
Festivals & Cultural Events
Experience Jeju's vibrant festival calendar celebrating nature, tradition, and community
Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival
제주 벚꽃축제
When:
Late March - Early April
Duration:
2-3 weeks
Celebration of Jeju's famous cherry blossoms, earlier than mainland Korea
Festival Highlights:
Location:
Various locations including Jeju City and Seogwipo
Cultural Significance:
Marks the beginning of spring and renewal, important for agricultural communities
Visitor Tips:
- •Book accommodation early as this is peak season
- •Best viewing spots include Jeju National University and Seogwipo
- •Combine with hiking for mountain cherry blossoms
- •Try cherry blossom-themed foods and drinks
Canola Flower Festival
유채꽃축제
When:
April - May
Duration:
1 month
Celebration of Jeju's golden canola flower fields
Festival Highlights:
Location:
Seopjikoji, Seongsan area
Cultural Significance:
Celebrates agricultural heritage and the beauty of Jeju's farming landscape
Visitor Tips:
- •Early morning visits offer the best lighting
- •Wear bright colors for photos against yellow flowers
- •Try local honey and canola oil products
- •Combine with visits to nearby Seongsan Ilchulbong
Jeju Fire Festival
제주들불축제
When:
Early March
Duration:
3-4 days
Traditional festival involving controlled burning of grasslands
Festival Highlights:
Location:
Saebyeol Oreum, various locations
Cultural Significance:
Ancient agricultural practice to prepare grasslands for new growth and control pests
Visitor Tips:
- •Spectacular night views of controlled burns
- •Learn about traditional farming practices
- •Dress warmly as it's held in early spring
- •Respect safety barriers and follow guidelines
Jeju Summer Festival
제주 여름축제
When:
July - August
Duration:
Throughout summer
Beach and water-themed festivals celebrating summer
Festival Highlights:
Location:
Various beaches and coastal areas
Cultural Significance:
Modern celebration of Jeju's beach culture and tourism
Visitor Tips:
- •Perfect time for beach activities and water sports
- •Evening events offer relief from daytime heat
- •Try summer specialties like cold noodles and shaved ice
- •Book beach accommodations well in advance
Hallasan Snow Festival
한라산 눈축제
When:
December - February
Duration:
Winter season
Winter festival celebrating Hallasan's snow-covered beauty
Festival Highlights:
Location:
Hallasan National Park area
Cultural Significance:
Celebrates the unique winter landscape of Jeju's highest mountain
Visitor Tips:
- •Proper winter gear essential for mountain activities
- •Check weather conditions before hiking
- •Enjoy hot springs after cold weather activities
- •Try traditional winter warming foods
Jeju Tangerine Festival
제주 감귤축제
When:
November - December
Duration:
2 months
Celebration of Jeju's famous tangerine harvest
Festival Highlights:
Location:
Tangerine farms throughout Jeju
Cultural Significance:
Celebrates Jeju's most important agricultural product and farming heritage
Visitor Tips:
- •Visit working tangerine farms for authentic experiences
- •Try various citrus varieties unique to Jeju
- •Purchase fresh fruit and citrus products
- •Learn about sustainable farming practices
Cultural Etiquette & Customs
Learn proper etiquette and customs to show respect and enhance your cultural experience
Greetings & Respect
Korean culture emphasizes respect, hierarchy, and harmony in social interactions
✅Do:
- •Bow slightly when greeting or thanking
- •Use both hands when giving or receiving items
- •Show respect to elderly people
- •Remove shoes when entering homes or some restaurants
- •Wait to be seated at formal meals
❌Don't:
- •Point with a single finger
- •Touch someone's head
- •Show the sole of your foot to others
- •Refuse offered food or drink without polite explanation
- •Be overly loud in public spaces
Dining Etiquette
Dining is a social activity with specific customs showing respect and consideration
✅Do:
- •Wait for the eldest to start eating
- •Use chopsticks and spoon properly
- •Try all dishes offered to you
- •Pour drinks for others, not yourself
- •Finish your rice completely
❌Don't:
- •Stick chopsticks upright in rice
- •Point chopsticks at people
- •Start eating before elders
- •Pour your own drink
- •Waste food
Religious & Sacred Sites
Religious sites are sacred spaces requiring respectful behavior and appropriate dress
✅Do:
- •Dress modestly at temples and sacred sites
- •Speak quietly and respectfully
- •Follow photography guidelines
- •Bow before entering temple halls
- •Remove hats and sunglasses indoors
❌Don't:
- •Wear revealing clothing
- •Touch religious artifacts
- •Make loud noises
- •Ignore posted rules
- •Disturb people praying or meditating
Public Behavior
Public behavior reflects consideration for others and maintaining social harmony
✅Do:
- •Keep public spaces clean
- •Queue properly and wait your turn
- •Offer seats to elderly, pregnant women, or disabled
- •Keep voice down on public transport
- •Follow local customs and rules
❌Don't:
- •Litter or damage property
- •Cut in line
- •Eat smelly food on public transport
- •Play loud music without headphones
- •Ignore local customs
Business & Formal Interactions
Formal interactions require proper etiquette showing professionalism and respect
✅Do:
- •Exchange business cards with both hands
- •Study received business cards respectfully
- •Use formal language and titles
- •Dress conservatively for business
- •Be punctual for appointments
❌Don't:
- •Write on someone's business card
- •Put business cards in back pocket
- •Use informal language with strangers
- •Dress too casually
- •Be late without notification
Language & Communication
Essential phrases and communication tips for your Jeju visit
🗣️ Basic Korean Phrases
Hello
안녕하세요
an-nyeong-ha-se-yo
Thank you
감사합니다
gam-sa-ham-ni-da
Sorry/Excuse me
죄송합니다
joe-song-ham-ni-da
Do you speak English?
영어 할 수 있나요?
yeong-eo hal su it-na-yo?
🏝️ Jeju-Specific Phrases
Grandfather (Dol Hareubang)
하르방
ha-reu-bang
Female diver
해녀
hae-nyeo
Volcanic cone
오름
o-reum
Hallasan Mountain
한라산
hal-la-san
💡 Communication Tips
- • Download translation apps like Google Translate
- • Many signs have English in tourist areas
- • Younger people often speak some English
- • Hotel staff usually speak English well
- • Use gestures and pointing when needed
- • Have your destination written in Korean
- • Tourist hotline 1330 offers multilingual help
Experience Jeju's Rich Culture
Immerse yourself in the unique traditions and customs that make Jeju Island special