Sunny's Jeju Travel Guide

SK Telecom near Gate 5 — Jeju Airport's last SIM card counter, closing permanently on July 1, 2026. · Photo © sunny 🚨 Important Update The SK Telecom counter near Gate 5 — the last remaining SIM card vendor at Jeju Airport — is closing permanently on July 1, 2026 . After that date, there is no way to buy a SIM card at Jeju Airport. I went to Jeju Airport in person to check what options were available for international visitors arriving without mobile data. What I found was a closing notice already posted at the SK Telecom counter near Gate 5 — the only place left in the airport where you could still buy a SIM card on arrival. From July 1, 2026, that option is gone entirely. If you're flying into Jeju, setting up an eSIM before departure is now the easiest and most reliable way to have mobile data ready when you land. This guide covers everything you need to know — what eSIM is, how to choose one, and how to install it before you fly. What the Closure ...

JEJU DUTY FREE — Jungmun Duty-Free Shop (JTO), ICC Jeju 1F, Seogwipo · Photo © sunny If you're visiting Jeju Island as a foreign traveler, you may have wondered: "There are duty-free shops in Jeju? Not just at the airport — but in Jungmun too?" "Can I use duty-free shops if I arrive by cruise ship or ferry?" The answer to both is YES . Jeju Island is the only place in South Korea where even Korean nationals can enjoy duty-free shopping — and for foreign visitors, the benefits go even further. On top of that, stores like Olive Young now offer instant on-the-spot VAT refunds starting from just KRW 15,000 — no airport counter needed. This guide covers everything: the Jungmun Duty-Free Shop, cruise and ferry arrivals, the instant refund system, and more. 🗺️ Where Are Jeju's Duty-Free Shops? — It's Not Just the Airport! Duty-free shopping in Jeju is more varied than most visitors expect. There a...

The jagged volcanic ridgeline of Hallasan — beautiful from below, humbling up close I've been reading a lot of travel reviews and Reddit threads lately, and one thing keeps coming up — foreign hikers making the same avoidable mistakes on Hallasan, over and over again. Not because they didn't prepare, but because the standard travel sites simply don't mention these things. So here's the honest list. Read this before you go. 1. There Are Zero Shops on the Mountain — Pack Everything 🎒 This one catches people off guard every single time. Hallasan is a strictly protected national park, which means there are absolutely no shops, vending machines, or shelters selling food or water anywhere on the trail. Once you pass the entrance gate, you're on your own. And if you're doing Seongpanak or Gwaneumsa, you're looking at 8 to 9 hours of hiking. The checkpoint shelters have toilets — that's it. No running water, no snack bars, nothing. ...

Hallasan on a clear morning — the kind of day you want to see on the CCTV before you leave the house So you've decided to hike Hallasan — amazing choice. But now you're staring at a list of trail names you can't quite pronounce, wondering which one is actually right for you, and whether the mountain is even going to be visible when you get there. Don't worry, I've got you. Let me walk you through everything a first-timer needs to know before lacing up those boots. First, a Quick Reality Check About Hallasan 🏔️ Hallasan is 1,947 meters tall — the highest mountain in South Korea. That sounds intimidating, but here's the thing: the trails are incredibly well-maintained, with wooden boardwalks and clearly marked paths the whole way. You don't need to be an experienced mountaineer. What you do need is the right trail, a reasonably early start, and a quick weather check before you go. There are five main trails, and they feel completely differe...