Udo (), also known as U Island and sometimes Soseom (), is an island in

Jeju Province Jeju Province (; ), officially Jeju Special Self-Governing Province (Jeju language, Jeju: ; ), is the southernmost Provinces of South Korea, province of South Korea, consisting of eight inhabited and 55 uninhabited islands, including Marado, Udo ...

, South Korea. It is off the coast of

Jeju Island Jeju Island (Jeju language, Jeju/) is South Korea's largest island, covering an area of , which is 1.83% of the total area of the country. Alongside outlying islands, it is part of Jeju Province and makes up the majority of the province. The i ...

, and is the second-largest island in the province. The island is one of Jeju's most popular destinations, with 2.23 million visitors in 2016. It is known for its scenic beaches, sheer rocky cliffs, and sea caves. It is reachable by ferry, and bikes and public transit are available on the island.

Description

"Udo" and "Soseom" both mean "cow island"; when viewed from the side, the island is said to resemble a cow lying down. The island was also referred to as "Yeonpyeong" () in the early 1900s. Udo is a volcanic island. With the exception of the peaks Someorioreum () and Udobong (), the island is relatively flat. Around 71% of the island is flat and used for agriculture. The coast of the island is mostly rocky, with sharp cliffs and even sea caves. It has no rivers or springs; drinking water is obtained through rainwater. In 2010, the population was 1,575, with 756 males and 819 females. The island is subdivided into four administrative districts. An estimated 40% of residents' income comes from farming, with the remaining income coming from fishing. The island is famous for its

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s and

garlic Garlic (''Allium sativum'') is a species of bulbous flowering plants in the genus '' Allium''. Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, chives, Welsh onion, and Chinese onion. Garlic is native to central and south Asia, str ...

. ''

Haenyeo () are female divers in the South Korean province of Jeju, whose livelihood consists of harvesting a variety of mollusks, seaweed, and other sea life from the ocean. Known for their independent spirit and determination, are representative of t ...

'' (female divers) forage off the coasts of the island. Pigs and cattle are bred on the island. The island has an elementary and middle school. The former island Biyangdo (different from the one in Hallim-eup) is now connected to the east side of the island by a land bridge.

History

There is evidence of private human activity on the island from 1698 CE. Permission was granted for average people to move onto the island in 1840. In 1914, it was made part of Yeonpyeong-ri, Gujwa-myeon, Jeju County. In 1946, it became part of Yeonpyeong-ri, Gujwa-myeon, Bukjeju County. in 1986, it was made part of Udo-myeon, which was part of Bukjeju County. In 2006, Udo-myeon was made part of

Jeju City Jeju City (; ) is the capital of the Jeju Province in South Korea and the largest city on Jeju Island. The city is served by Jeju International Airport (IATA code CJU). Located on an island off the Korean Peninsula, Jeju has mild, warm weather ...

Tourism

Udo is one of the most visited spots in Jeju Province. It reportedly had 2.23 million visitors in 2016. The island is widely considered to be scenic, with

Korean drama Korean drama (), also known as K-drama or Koreanovela, refers to Korean language, Korean-language television shows made in South Korea. These shows began to be produced around the early 1960s, but were mostly consumed domestically until the rise ...

s and

films A film, also known as a movie or motion picture, is a work of Visual arts, visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, emotions, or atmosphere through the use of moving images that are gen ...

having been filmed on the island. Ferries travel in 30 minute intervals between Jeju and Udo, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Udo has two ports: Cheonjin Port and Haumokdong Port. The trip reportedly takes around 15 minutes. Tourists can rent bicycles and

electric bicycle An electric bicycle, e-bike, electrically assisted pedal cycle, or electrically power assisted cycle is a bicycle with an integrated electric motor used to assist propulsion. Many kinds of e-bikes are available worldwide, but they generally fa ...

s. The island also has a bus system. In recent years, restrictions have been placed on the renting of cars and

all-terrain vehicle An all-terrain vehicle (ATV), also known as a light utility vehicle (LUV), a quad bike or quad (if it has four wheels), as defined by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), is a vehicle that travels on low-pressure tires, has a seat ...

s on the island, as the high volume of tourists led to high traffic congestion and noise. The island is part of the

Jeju Olle Trail Jeju Olle Trail () is a List of long-distance footpaths, long-distance footpath on Jeju Island, in Jeju Province, South Korea. The trail consists of 21 connected numbered main routes, 6 sub-routes, and a short spur that connects to Jeju Interna ...

, with the trail going around the island's shore. It takes approximately 4 to 5 hours, and there are many restaurants and stops on the course. The island is known for its ice cream and Korean Chinese food.

Eight Sights of Udo

The island is considered to have eight scenic spots, together dubbed the Eight Sights of Udo (). The list was coined by one of the island's residents in 1983. The list includes: * Juganmyeongwol () ** A cave said to be filled with moonlight during the day, around 10 to 11 a.m. * Yahangeobeom () ** Evening views on the island, with boats lit up on the ocean. * Cheonjingwansan () ** The view of Hallasan from Dongcheonjindong Port, considered the best place to view the mountain. * Jiducheongsa () ** The view of the island from its highest point at Udo peak. * Jeonpomangdo () ** The view of the island from Jeju, where it looks like a cow lying down. * Huhaeseokbyeok () ** A scenic rock cliff with deep grooves formed by erosion over time. * Dongangyeonggul () ** A sea cave that can be entered during low tide. * Seobinbaeksa () ** A beach with bright white sands on the west coast.

Other attractions

The island has three beaches: Dolcani Beach (), Geommeolle Beach, and Sanho Beach. Geommeolle Beach is a black sandy beach. Sanho Beach is Natural Monument of South Korea No. 438. There is a lighthouse high up on the island that offers scenic views.

Gallery

File:Udo, Jeju Province, South Korea 15.jpg, Aerial view of the island (2023) File:Udo, Jeju Province, South Korea 14.jpg, Cliffs on the island (2023) File:우도 서빈백사.jpg, The white beach sight of Seobinbaeksa (2014) File:Udo, Jeju Province, South Korea 10.jpg, Settlements and flatland of the island (2023)

References

External links

{{Wikivoyage inline, Udo Island Islands of Jeju Province Tourist attractions in Jeju Province