Scenic Drive Through Korea’s Countryside Villages – Rural Beauty in Jeju Island

Scenic Drive Through Korea’s Countryside Villages – Rural Beauty in Jeju Island

Hello, this is JejuWalker. Today, I’m taking a drive through several countryside villages in Jeju. These may not be the most iconic or well-known rural villages in Jeju or Korea, but they are places I’ve always wanted to stop by whenever I passed through. If you’re familiar with Jeju, you’ll recognize the emotional and nostalgic scenery unique to the island. For those who only know Korea for its modern, high-tech cities, this may offer a refreshing new perspective. It’s quiet and full of trees—definitely a healing experience. The first place we’re visiting is called “Songdang-ri.” This village has become fairly well-known as stylish restaurants and cafés have opened here. Since it’s surrounded by Oreum hills and the Bijarim Forest, it’s a great stop if your itinerary includes mountain or forest exploration. Let’s take a quiet stroll and look around. Around this road, you’ll find many cafés and restaurants renovated from old houses. I currently live near the city, but I once lived in a similar-sized rural village for about a year. After deciding to have a child, we moved to a neighborhood closer to hospitals and with more conveniences. Even though we lived there for only a short time, there are moments I’ll never forget. The small chapel in front of our house during sunset. The sound of pheasants crying out this time of year. And the stray dogs taking walks with their pups. I also remember the watermelon fields and sweet corn fields near our house. My wife used to miss the view outside the living room window when she got up for a glass of water at dawn. There wasn’t much entertainment or people around, but somehow it never felt empty. There were many things we were able to notice and feel precisely because of that slight inconvenience. Looking back now, the clouds are absolutely stunning. Lately, I find myself wondering—did I always love clouds this much? Let’s head into the small alleys. It seems there are quite a few guesthouses here that were also renovated from old homes. Since traditional Jeju houses are often built in pairs, it makes sense that one is often used as a guesthouse. There’s even a space here for outdoor weddings. Recently, a unique Jeju wedding custom was a hot topic. Apparently, when friends or relatives get married, it’s common to post the wedding date and location on your social media profile, even changing your profile picture to a wedding photo. In the past, people would even announce it through newspapers or ads. You can sometimes even see personal congratulatory messages or job promotions printed on banners along the street. It really reflects Jeju’s strong sense of community. Still, I think even a small intersection should have a traffic light—or at least a roundabout. I honestly don’t remember why I took this road. I think I turned in without realizing, while heading to the next village, Deokcheon-ri. This place is Deokcheon-ri, a nearby village. I stopped by since it’s on the way to Gimnyeong Beach. Because there are no major tourist spots nearby, it feels more like an authentic, everyday rural village. It’s been so hot lately—I don’t see anyone around. Maybe people are inside the community center avoiding the heat. The village is so clean and nice. There are no flashy signs trying to lure tourists. I thought I was getting too far from the village, so I turned back. The closest tourist attraction seems to be “Manjanggul Cave.” It’s a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. It’s also considered one of the world’s top three lava tubes. It stretches a whopping 7.4 km and holds significant geological value. I was going to turn around here at the edge of the village, but decided to drive through the forest tunnel. Surprisingly, the contrast between the thick trees and the asphalt road is really beautiful. Usually, people plant tall metasequoia trees to create forest paths. But this place doesn’t feel man-made at all—it feels like a naturally formed forest road. This part almost feels like being sucked into another world. I felt a bit unsatisfied, so I came back. A rural health clinic. That’s a church—it has an unexpectedly foreign feel to it. A senior welfare center. Whoever built this stone wall must be incredibly skilled. It’s made entirely of stones, yet perfectly aligned and long—it’s probably the best stone wall I’ve ever seen. On the way to Sehwa-ri, I passed a village called “Handong-ri.” Villages in the central hills and those near the coast seem to have very different vibes. The number of trees starts to decrease, and you begin to see many cute little houses. Since fishing is a big part of Jeju, it makes sense that coastal villages have more households. I wasn’t planning to film this area, but the clouds made me stop and take some footage. I just stood there, staring blankly. This is Sehwa-ri—a village that’s been introduced many times before because of Sehwa Beach. Among the villages shown today, this one is probably the busiest. Because of that, it may not feel as uniquely “Jeju” as other villages—more like any typical Korean rural town. You don’t really see many stone walls or old houses here. Haenyeo Museum. This is Sehwa Beach. I uploaded a video here not too long ago. This is the “Sehwa Folk 5-Day Market.” It’s quite crowded today since it’s market day. I first discovered Sehwa-ri through the “Bellong Market.” It’s a flea market held every Saturday. I didn’t know it ended early, so I arrived late and had to go back empty-handed. Even though I’ve still never actually seen the Bellong Market, I always stop by the area thanks to the beautiful scenery I saw that day. That might have been the first time I witnessed Jeju’s surreal landscape. The weather was so clear that the horizon felt unreal—almost like a badly edited photo. Because the tide had risen all the way to the breakwater, it even felt like I was walking on the sea. I’ll never forget it. As I moved slightly out of the main area, I finally started to see old houses and stone walls again. It seems I’ve explored every corner of Sehwa-ri now. Even though many Jeju villages might seem similar, the lifestyles and atmospheres vary greatly depending on the region. I plan to keep exploring more villages and areas, so please stay tuned. That’s it for today’s trip.
Thank you for coming along.

Take a peaceful drive through the charming countryside villages of Jeju Island, South Korea.
This scenic road trip features wide open skies, fluffy clouds, and cozy rural homes nestled in quiet villages.
Experience the slow, healing rhythm of Korea’s countryside as we explore hidden corners and timeless landscapes.

📍 Location: Rural villages in eastern and central Jeju Island, South Korea

🚗 Route Highlights: Coastal roads, farmland views, and traditional countryside homes

🌤️ Atmosphere: Calm, peaceful, with scenic skies and storybook clouds

🎵 Perfect for: Relaxation, virtual travel, scenic drive lovers

#KoreaCountryside #JejuDrive #RuralBeauty #JejuIsland #ScenicDrive