Udo IslandClaimed by the owner

Udo (우도, "Cow Island") lies about 2.8 km off the coast of Jeju Island and is the second-largest island in Jeju Province. Its name, along with the alternate name Soseom, comes from its shape, which resembles a cow lying down when viewed from the side. Ferries run at 30-minute intervals between Jeju and Udo from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the crossing taking about 15 minutes from either Seongsan or Jongdal port.

Getting Around

The island is 3.8 km long with a 17 km coastline, a distance that takes 3 to 4 hours to walk without stopping. Most visitors instead get around by bus, bicycle, or electric bicycle; car and ATV rentals have been restricted in recent years due to traffic congestion and noise from high visitor numbers. Udo is also part of the Jeju Olle Trail, with a shoreline route that takes roughly 4 to 5 hours and passes numerous restaurants and stops. Ferry schedules depend on weather conditions, which can affect trip planning.

Landscape and Eight Sights

Udo is a volcanic island, mostly flat aside from the peaks of Someori Oreum and Udobong, and around 71% of its land is used for agriculture. Its coast is largely rocky, with sheer cliffs and sea caves, and the island has no rivers or springs, so drinking water comes from rainwater. Eight scenic spots on the island, known as the Eight Sights of Udo (우도팔경), were named by a resident in 1983 and include a cave lit by moonlight known as Juganmyeongwol, the Hallasan viewpoint at Cheonjingwansan, the eroded cliffs of Huhaeseokbyeok, and the white-sand beach of Seobinbaeksa. The island also has three named beaches, Dolcani, Geommeolle, and Sanho, the last of which is designated Natural Monument No. 438; Geommeolle is a black-sand beach. A lighthouse sits at a high point on the island.

Local Life

As of 2010, Udo had a population of 1,575 across four administrative districts. About 40% of residents' income comes from farming, with the rest mainly from fishing, and the island is known for its peanuts and garlic. Haenyeo (female divers) work the waters off the coast, and pigs and cattle are raised on the island. Udo received around 2.23 million visitors in 2016 and is known locally for its ice cream and Korean-Chinese food.