Hello, I’m a mink blogger.
I wanted to share my recent visit to various places in Seogwipo during my trip to Jeju a few days ago. In particular, Saeseom and Saeyeongyo were places I really wanted to visit because I had seen their stunning views from a high hill during a previous Jeju trip. That hill is not well-known to many people, but personally, I consider it one of Seogwipo’s hidden gems. Please note that I’ll only share more details about this location in the comments as it’s a bit of a hidden spot.
To enter Saeseom, you have to cross a bridge called Saeyeongyo. Before crossing Saeyeongyo, you’ll pass by the Seogwipo pleasure boat terminal and the submarines dock area.
Please note that as of February 2021, Seogwipo submarines and pleasure boats have been temporarily suspended due to COVID-19.
From the middle of Saeyeongyo, you can see Seogwipo Harbor and the pleasure boat terminal on one side. There’s an arch-shaped sculpture on the bridge, and in the middle of the bridge, you’ll spot a small water channel where seawater and freshwater intersect. The colors of the water underneath were exceptionally beautiful. It would have been even more beautiful if the weather had been clearer and the sky bluer, but it was a bit cloudy that day, which was a bit disappointing.
The view from Saeyeongyo towards Seogwipo Harbor and Saeseom can be seen. To be honest, I learned about this place from another viewpoint during my last trip, but visiting it in person during this trip felt like the right decision.
The clear and clean water in the small water channel that flows into the sea was a highlight of the day. It made me think that experiences like this are why people come to Jeju.
The sight of Saeseom’s cliffs leading to the sea was somewhat eerie, but intriguing. In the distance, you can see Beom Island (Beomseom). A helpful tip is that while crossing to Saeseom, you can enjoy views of three islands in Seogwipo’s front sea, including Beom Island and Mun Island.
It would have been even more picturesque if the weather had been better. There’s a video showing the view of Seogwipo Harbor from Saeyeongyo.
You’ll also see the view of Seogwipo Harbor from the Saeyeongyo bridge.
Now, I’ve entered Saeseom. I initially thought Saeseom got its name because of the many birds (새) found here, but it’s actually named after a type of evergreen tree called “새(띠),” which is abundant on the island. It’s also known as Chodo or Modo in Chinese characters. This place was cultivated since the Joseon Dynasty, and it’s said that people lived here until the mid-1960s.
According to the island’s legend, it was formed when Hallasan erupted, and it was initially possible to cross to the island during low tide. However, in 2009, Saeyeongyo Bridge was built, making it easier to access the island.
Around Hallasan, Seogwipo City is located to the south, and in front of Seogwipo Harbor, there are Beom Island, Mun Island, and Sop Island. Beom Island, in particular, has coastal caves, and the view from the nearby sea is quite exceptional. It has a rich underwater ecosystem with seagrass beds and coral reefs, making it a place of high ecological value.
You can comfortably explore Saeseom by walking around it in about 30 minutes. One slight drawback is that the path to the central part of the island is not currently accessible, but you can still enjoy the coastal route.
You’ll find small benches and viewpoints throughout the island, providing relaxing spots to take in the beautiful scenery. Walking along the wooden deck path, you’ll naturally experience both visual and mental relaxation.
While Saeseom had people living on it until the 1960s, it seems to have an environment that would still be more than sufficient for modern life. The key issue might be how they handle drinking water and groundwater.
I spent about 20-30 minutes to make a full circle around the island. If I had more time and a more relaxed mindset, I would have liked to thoroughly explore every nook and cranny of Saeseom, sometimes going out to the seaside rocks to take in the views. However, I’m not one to stay in one place for too long, which led me to keep moving.
Jeju is full of hidden gems that are not well-known to us. Although Jeju is an island, it’s also a volcanic island created by volcanic eruptions, and the parasitic volcanoes, including Saeseom, are part of this unique landscape. It reminded me a bit of Seongsan Ilchulbong in that sense.
Saeseom Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Seogwipo, Seogwi-dong, San 1
Saeyeongyo Bridge Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Seogwipo, Seohong-dong
As shown on the map, you can cross to Saeseom through Saeyeongyo. The map might show Saeyeongyo Bridge as being disconnected, but in reality, it’s connected for pedestrians. Saeseom’s opening hours are until 9 or 10 PM, so keep that in mind.
In summary:
- A visit to Jeju’s Saeseom and Saeyeongyo is a great one-hour trip.
- Seogwipo pleasure boats have been temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 until February 2021.
- There’s a separate viewpoint to enjoy the panoramic view of this area.
- At the entrance, you can explore traditional materials related to Jeju’s haenyeo (female divers), so be sure to check that out.