Udo

An island of Udo-myeon located in the sea east of the Jeju main island, a tourist destination famous for its conch and peanut specialties and ring-road tourism.

Udo

Overview

Udo (우도, 牛島) is an island belonging to Udo-myeon, Jeju City, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, located in the sea about 3.8 km from Seongsan Ilchulbong at the eastern tip of the Jeju main island. Its area is about 6.18 km² and its coastline is about 17 km long, making it one of the largest of the islands attached to the Jeju main island. It is widely known that the name Udo, meaning "cow island," was given because the island's topography resembles a lying cow. Conch (horned conch), peanuts, and garlic are representative specialties, and thanks to its beautiful beaches and the scenery along the ring road, it has become a representative island tourist destination of Jeju.

Geography and Natural Environment

Udo is an island formed by volcanic activity, with Udobong (also called Someorioreum, about 132.5 m above sea level) rising in the center, and the entire island consists of gentle hills, coastal cliffs, and sandy beaches. Representative beaches include Seobinbaeksa (Coral Sand Beach), Hagosudong Beach, Geommeolle Beach, and the scenic view below Jiducheongbong. In particular, Seobinbaeksa is a rare beach formed by the accumulation of coral fragments originating from red algae, has been designated a Natural Monument, and is considered a symbolic tourist attraction of Udo. The waters around the island have developed currents and tides, making them rich in fishery resources, and it is also famous as a sea where haenyeo have worked since ancient times.

History

For a long time, Udo was a ranch area where people did not reside permanently. During the Joseon Dynasty, a state-run ranch (Udo Ranch) for raising horses and cattle was established and managed, and it is known that residents began to settle in earnest only after the mid-19th century. Thereafter, villages formed around fishing and agriculture, and administratively it was organized as today's Udo-myeon, Jeju City. In the late 20th century, as ferry (passenger ship) services became regular, the influx of tourists increased, and the island's economic center gradually expanded from fishing and agriculture to tourism and services.

Transportation and Access

Connections to the mainland are provided by passenger ships (ferries) departing from Seongsan Port (Seongsanpo Port). It takes about 10–15 minutes from Seongsan Port to Udo, and regular or irregular routes also operate from Cheonjin Port and Jongdal-ri (Hauseumok), etc. Inside the island, a ring road of about 11.7 km circles the island, and the "Udo Round Trip" — going around the island by electric car, scooter, electric bicycle, or bicycle — has become a representative tourist course. Public transportation includes a circular bus and tourist attraction circular routes.

Industry and Specialties

Udo's representative specialties are horned conch (Udo conch) and peanuts. The conch grows in the clean environment of Udo's waters and has long been an important source of income for residents. Peanuts are evaluated as having excellent taste and aroma due to the influence of volcanic soil and sea breezes, and are widely sold as processed products such as peanut ice cream and peanut oil. In addition, garlic, tangerines, and processed seafood products are distributed. Recently, the share of tourism and service industries, such as cafes, experiential shops, and lodging businesses, has been growing rapidly.

Culture and Tourism

Representative attractions known as the Eight Scenic Views of Udo are scattered throughout the island. From the top of Udobong, one can see Seongsan Ilchulbong, the Jeju main island, and on clear days even Hallasan. Udo Lighthouse, Tolkanni (a natural cave), the sea cliffs of Geommeolle Beach, and the white sand beach of Hagosudong Beach are popular courses, and the island's distinctive haenyeo culture and fishing village scenery are also important tourism resources. It is known as an area with good stargazing at night, and astronomy and nighttime tourism content is also being developed.

Latest Trends

As of 2024–2025, Udo maintains high tourism demand, with annual visitors reaching millions, and overcrowding and environmental damage have emerged as major issues. In response, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and Udo-myeon are pursuing sustainable tourism policies, including expanding the ferry reservation system, encouraging the dispersion of tourists, expanding the distribution of eco-friendly transportation (electric vehicles and electric bicycles), and activities to reduce marine litter. In addition, as part of the transition to clean energy, discussions continue on expanding renewable energy and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and policies to support youth settlement and return to fishing and rural life are being implemented in response to population decline and aging. The debate over building a bridge or undersea tunnel connecting Seongsan Port and Udo is a representative pending issue with continuing controversy between transportation convenience and environmental conservation.

Udo