The Colors of Winter

Colors have a unique way of evoking temperatures and emotions. This winter, experience Korea through the colors of red, blue, and white!

* Attractions may be closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We advise you to check details before visiting.

Warm Reds of Jeju

Jeju Island is windy throughout the year, but even more so in winter. Despite the cold, people still flock to outdoor attractions like camellia forests to see the beautiful pink-toned flowers that only bloom in winter. Another popular winter outdoor activity is picking tangerines! You can’t go anywhere in Jeju without seeing camellia trees and tangerine farms lining the roadsides across the entire island,

Camellia Colonies

One of the best places to see camellias in Jeju is in the village of Wimi-ri, just south of the border between Jeju-si and Seogwipo-si. Every winter from December to February, vibrant pink flowers bloom and fall in a repeating cycle. The continual blooming pattern creates a carpet of fallen petals beneath the still-blooming trees. Some of the best places to visit are Jeju Camellia Arboretum and Camellia Forest, complete with photo spots throughout.


Jeju Camellia Arboretum is located on the coast, and the trees here tend to bloom for a longer period than those located inland. The trees here have been maintained for over 40 years, carefully trimmed into round balls. Camellia Forest on the other hand is a café with a garden of camellia trees. White chairs and wooden stumps are spaced throughout the garden for pretty photos. It’s a popular attraction for couples, especially those doing wedding photography.

Tangerine Farms

Tangerines are one of the most commonly eaten fruits during winter in Korea, and most of them come from farms in Jeju. Their cheerful color brightens the winter here, peeking over the stone walls of farms. There are many farms that also offer tangerine-picking programs and photo zones so you can enjoy your own harvest and beautiful photos to remember it. Most of these experience farms also operate a café selling items such as fresh tangerine juice and hallabong ade.

Cool Blues of the East Sea

While the beach tends to bring up images of summer fun, Korea’s East Coast is just as popular in winter. The cool blue color of the sea in winter brings with it a calming aura that calls people to reflect on their lives. You’ll stand mesmerized by the icy blue ocean and crashing waves as a cold wind blows in.

Sun Cruise Resort Sculpture Park

Sun Cruise Resort is shaped like a giant cruise ship beached atop a coastal cliff. Within the resort complex is an outdoor sculpture park. From the park, you can see the East Sea, and Jeongdongjin Station and the coastal area. The park is a great place to look out to the far-distant horizon, where the sky and sea meet.


The park, open to all visitors, is filled with photo points. The most popular spots are the stairs leading into open space and the cliff-side deck. The floor of the landing at the top of the stairs in particular is made of glass. Sitting here will feel like sitting on the ocean itself.

Yeongjin Beach

The coastal groin at Yeongjin Beach is famous as the filming location of the scene where the two main characters in the drama “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016)” meet for the first time. In the scene, the goblin hands a small bouquet of buckwheat flowers to his bride, Lee Eun-tak before the cool winter ocean. Since then, many people have come to this groin to take their picture just like the goblin’s bride. If you want to do it too, don’t forget to prepare a bouquet in advance! Also take note that there are many groins along Yeongjin Beach, but you can easily follow the signs to find the right one.


While you’re here, take time to walk along the beach. The sound of the crashing waves and seagulls flying overhead amplify the feeling of winter. When you begin to feel properly chilled through, head to one of the cafés lining the beach. With a warm drink in hand, you’ll find yourself still staring outside, unable to take your eyes from the winter sea on the other side of the window.

Pure Whites of the Mountains

A snowy landscape is perhaps the first thing people envision when they think of winter. In Korea, the best place to see a winter wonderland is along the Taebaek Mountain Range in Gangwon-do. Words can’t describe the beauty of places like Wondae-ri Birch Forest and Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch blanketed in snow.

Wondae-ri Birch Forest

It’s best to visit Wondae-ri Birch Forest on snowy days or shortly after, when the peaceful forest is covered in snow. Of course, getting to the forest is difficult. The road to the parking lot twists and winds through narrow valleys, and then there is the walk up from the parking lot. But it’s all worth it when you step into the snowy landscape between white tree trunks. The trees shoot over 20 meters almost perfectly straight up, creating a canopy of empty branches high overhead. The small wooden teepee made of birch is a great photo spot, so don’t miss it!

Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch

When heavy snow falls in Gangwon-do, the best place to go for pictures is Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch! Located between 850 and 1,400 meters above sea level, the ranch collects heavy snowdrifts off the ridge, sometimes as tall as a person. Because the sheep are kept inside during winter, the white expanse remains unbroken, save for the fences that crisscross the ranch. If you want an outstanding picture here, be sure to wear bright colored clothing. You don’t have to do any special poses, your vibrant outfit will make you the focal point! To make more memories here, try feeding the fluffy sheep.

* This column was last updated in January 2021, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check details before visiting.