A Jeju Winter Trip: Camellia Hill's Camellias and a Tangerine Experience

In winter, Jeju’s temperatures swing between 3°C and 11°C, but in return the camellias bloom red and the tangerines are at their sweetest. With fewer tourists it is more relaxed, and as long as you watch out for strong winds, it is actually an ideal travel season. This article rounds up the essentials of a Jeju winter trip: the camellia season and admission at Camellia Hill, a tangerine experience and tangerine cafés, the winter sunrise at Seongsan Ilchulbong, and a snowfall hike on Hallasan.

Camellia Hill: Jeju’s Signature Winter Camellia Spot

Located in Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo, Camellia Hill is Asia’s largest camellia arboretum. On grounds of roughly 50,000 pyeong are planted some 6,000 camellia trees of about 500 species from around the world. Hours are 08:30–18:00, and admission is around 10,000 won for adults, 8,000 won for teens, and 7,000 won for children (prices may differ slightly after recent adjustments). The Camellia Festival runs from December through March, peaking from mid-January to late February.

Camellia blooming spans late November to early March, but the flowers really come out from mid-December. If you visit in late November or early December, the bloom rate may be low, so check the blossom status on the official social media first.

Beyond Camellia Hill, there are various winter camellia spots, such as the Jeju Camellia Arboretum (admission 8,000 won, sasanqua camellia blooming December–February) and Seogwipo’s Gyeopdongbaek-gil (a free walking path).

Since the adult gate price here is around 10,000 won, it is worth booking a discounted Camellia Hill admission ticket before you go. MyRealTrip lists it at 8,000 won, and with 1,125 reviews at a 4.6 average it is the most reviewed Camellia Hill ticket on the platform. It is a dated ticket, so pick the day you actually plan to visit, and because blooms peak from mid-January to late February, check the garden’s own bloom updates first. The listing states its inclusions only as “see the product description”, and the product page, the voucher and the booking page are all in Korean, so read that page before paying.

Tangerine Experiences and Tangerine Cafés: Winter Jeju’s Sweet Reason

For Jeju tangerines, early-season mandarins run from mid-November to mid-March, so winter is effectively peak season. For winter travelers, rather than “tangerine picking,” buying tangerines at the lowest price and visiting a tangerine café are the season’s pleasures. About a 20-minute drive from Jeju Airport, the tangerine café “Cafe The, First with You” is famous for its large tangerine-box photo zone and tangerine-themed desserts. If you plan to visit a farm, note that winter is mostly greenhouse-grown varieties, so it is best to inquire in advance.

Seongsan Ilchulbong Winter Sunrise

Winter sunrises in Jeju come around 7 a.m. Climbing the Seongsan Ilchulbong trail around sunrise lets you see the sky turn red. Admission is 5,000 won for adults and 2,500 won for teens and children, with free parking. Hours are 04:30–20:00 and vary by season, so check the official notice before visiting. It is a crater about 180 meters high, registered as a UNESCO natural heritage site. In strong winds, ferries to Udo can be canceled, so leave some buffer in ferry times if you have an Udo plan after the sunrise.

Hallasan in Snow: A Hike Through the Snowfields

In winter, Hallasan is beautiful enough to be called “Halla-seol” (Halla snow). The snowfield hike on the Yeongsil–Eorimok section is especially famous, and the Eorimok trail is 4.7 km and takes 2–3 hours one way. The Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa routes require advance reservations (visithalla.jeju.go.kr), and the entrance control times at Eorimok and Yeongsil differ by season, so check the official site. Prepare winter hiking gear such as crampons as well.

Jeju Winter Travel Tips

• Clothing: The average January low is 3.2°C, but when winds exceed 10 m/s, the perceived temperature drops below freezing. Layering with a fleece-lined base layer + padding + windbreaker, plus hand warmers, a scarf, and gloves, is a must.
• Scheduling: Winter sunsets come early, so scheduling outdoor activities during daytime (10:00–16:00) is more efficient.
• Driving: Even with little snow, mid-mountain roads often have ice and snow accumulation. Before setting out, check the tires, wipers, and headlights, and confirm whether your insurance covers the vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When are the camellias at Camellia Hill at their most beautiful? A. The festival runs December–March, peaking mid-January to late February. Before mid-December the bloom rate may be low, so it is best to check the blossom status before visiting.

Q. What should I wear for winter Jeju? A. The low is around 3°C, but the wind makes it feel much colder. Layer a fleece-lined base layer, a mid layer, and a windbreaker, and bring a scarf, gloves, and hand warmers.

Q. Can I climb Hallasan in winter too? A. Yes, but Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa require advance reservations, and snowy paths call for gear such as crampons. The famous winter snow-blossom hike is the Yeongsil–Eorimok section.

Red camellias, yellow tangerines, and white snow blossoms coexisting in a single season — only in Jeju. As long as you steer clear of strong-wind forecasts, winter Jeju will be the most relaxed trip of the year.