Visiting Marado, Jeju, South Korea

August 8, 2007 by Jim Saunders
Filed under: Outlying Islands

If you want travel as far south as you can in South Korea then you’ll be finding yourself upon the tiny island of Marado. This treeless rock can feel extreme in parts, albeit a comfortable, cosy extreme that caters for the day-tripping tourist.

Walking is by far the best way to explore because the place is so small. You can get in and everywhere before tiring yourself out too much. So resist the urge to hire the golf carts upon disembarkation from the ferry. On a cart or bicycle a loop can be completed within ten minutes.

Heading in an anti-clockwise direction from the ferry a well paved path will take you past Korea’s most southern school and soccer field. Then onto a cluster of Jajangmyeon restaurants with their ‘as featured on’ SBS, KBS, MBC’ signs. The restaurants are nothing special and neither is the food. For a pricier than usual (5,000won) bowl it’ll fill a gap in the stomach at least.

The sole temple on the island just further on is a main highlight. Stop to chat with the assistant at the front before heading beyond the slates. He has lived in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York and curiously now finds himself a resident of Marado. The main shrine is in the building to right just prior to the golden statue.

Avoid the chocolate museum (it’ll be too hot to buy anyway) and head straight on to the southern most point on Marado itself. Another cluster of restaurants sit along with a famous marker stone. Climbing the nearby rock next the marker stone will - standing at full stretch with arms out – make you feel like you’re at the end of something. Though it might not be an isolated reflective spot with the restaurants behind it’s still somewhat thought provoking.

The next portion of the island is the place to be reflective – out past the lighthouse and back on towards the wharf. Grass blows in the breeze with uninterrupted views off into the nothingness of the ocean. Come back down on to the wharf from a height feeling good, refreshed and reinvigorated.

At a slow investigative pace Marado can be seen within two hours. To make more of a day take in Gapado too. There is next to no natural shade and air conditioning available on the island so go protected from the sun.

With a few friends or co-workers in tow it is a must visit location for anyone spending time on Jeju-do.

Getting there: Stand number eight from the Jeju City bus terminal. 3,000won. Over one hour. Take the bus stop written in Korean to help (모슬포항) and ask the driver to let you off at the stop closest to the port. You’ll have to walk on down past the GS25 (load up on snacks and supplies because they are a premium on the island) and onto the road that stretches into the distance. Finally on your right appears an excursion centre for Marado – with its blue and white décor that wouldn’t be out of place in New England. With Alien Card Discount a return ticket is 11,000won. There is a mini van that will shuttle you to the wharf if you wait out front.

Moseulpo Port	Marado	Marado	Moseulpo Port
Depart	Arrive	Depart	Arrive
09:00	09:25	09:30	09:55
10:00	10:25	10:30	10:55
10:30	11:10	11:20	12:00
11:00	11:25	11:30	11:55
12:00	12:25	12:30	12:55
12:30	13:10	13:20	14:00
13:00	13:25	13:30	13:55
14:00	14:25	14:30	14:55
15:00	15:25	15:30	15:55
15:30	16:10	16:20	17:00
16:00	16:25	16:30	16:55
17:00	17:25	17:30	17:55
18:00	18:25	18:30	18:55