Camellia Hill located on Jeju Island, is a gorgeous park spread over 199,000m². Camellia Hill is home to 6,000 camellias of 500 different species, including those that produce the most advanced and largest flowering in the world. The park is also rich in palm trees, wild flowers and other plants which makes it such a unique place in Jeju.
We loved our visit to Camellia Hill and highly recommend it if you are in Jeju.
The Forest for Love and Healing, this is how people call Camellia Hill. The park which features the nature of Jeju, boasts a 30-year-long history of passion and love and is the biggest arboretum in Asia. Its area forms a thick forest of more than 6,000 trees of over 500 camellia species native to 80 countries that are in full bloom in different seasons ranging from autumn to spring.
Camellia Hill also has six out of eight camellia breeds that are fragranced, which enables visitors to submerge their senses in the amazing camellia scent. On top of that, plenty of other flowers with a variety of shapes, colors, and fragrances, as well as approximately 250 plant species native to Jeju. This creates a unique and beautiful landscape in harmony with the camellias whenever the season changes.
We sincerely loved our visit to Camellia Hill and would highly recommend a visit if you are in Jeju.
Essential information about Camellia Hill
Admission Fees
Adults 8,000 won / Teenagers 6,000 won / Children 5,000 won. You can book your ticket here for more than 10% discount.
Website (Korean only): https://www.camelliahill.co.kr
Parking: available right in front of the entrance. It is free.
Address: 166 Byeongak-ro, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si
Operating Hours
March-May 08:30-17:30
June – August 8:30-18:00
September-November 08:30-17:30
December-February 09:00-17:00
Duration: 1 hour
Camellia Hill in 4 seasons
Spring at Camellia Hill
Camellias begin to bloom in autumn and continue to present an outstanding beauty until spring. In particular, Jeju’s native breed which has a strong red in color and displays the highest level of the beauty. Next, the nearly one hundred species of royal azaleas blossom in different colors including red, pink, and white. The azaleas blossom is very representative of Jeju. In addition, cherry blossoms and tulips can also be observed in spring, making Camellia Hill even more gorgeous.
Summer at Camellia Hill
During the summer, Camellia Hill turns more green but is equally beautiful with gorgeous hydrangeas blooming. You can also feel the cool breeze like spring water from a green forest which makes Camellia a pleasant place to visit and enjoy during the hot summer days. It’s also a good time to notice the red volcanic rocks on the walking trails which are the volcanic soil that solely exists on Jeju Island. The soil is the only mineral in the world similar to human blood releasing vitamin B. This soil also purifies the air.
Autumn at Camellia Hill
In autumn, Camellia Hill becomes covered with a myriad of flowers: Camellia’s red and white flower buds finally burst into bloom after a year of waiting. Big blue lily turfs and silver leaves turn the field into purple and gold. Moreover, the strong fragrance of osmanthus fills the autumn air. The green forest slowly takes on multicolored autumn leaves as the season deepens. You can then feel the rich scent of autumn at Camella Hill. One of our favorite seasons.
Winter at Camellia Hill
For many, Winter is the most beautiful time at Camellia Hil, As the temperature drops, dozens of different types of white and red Asian and European camellias are in bloom. Besides, if you travel there during a snowy day, Camellia Hill will feel like a magical place!
Overview of the different part of Camellia Hill
The best and most effective way to visit Camellia Hill is to follow the path way. The path will bring you the the main parts of the park and allow you to visit the most beautiful viewpoints.
Here we describe some of the main parts of Camellia Hill.
Camellia Wood
Your visit will start by walking through the Camellia Wood. This is a beautiful flower path welcoming you in Camellia Hill. There are various colored Camellia on the way. Furthermore, the sweet fragrance of floral leaves is an absolute pleasure. No wonder why Camellia Hill is called the Forest for Love and Healing.
Traditional Olle Gil and small alley
As you may have read in this blog already, it is possible to hike all around Jeju via the Olle Gil Trail (full guide about the Jeju Olle Gil Trail here). This part of the park shows some features of this famous trail. You can for instance see the traditional Jeju house, and cute places to take pictures. We loved this part of the park.
Green House
After walking through the forest and the Olle Gil trail, you will arrive at the first Greenhouse. This area is filled with many amazing flowers of all kinds. We couldn’t stop ourselves from taking many pictures. This part is another highlight of Camellia Hill.
Garden of Mind
The next part is called Garden of Mind. This part is created in European-style using beauty of Jeju-grown flowers and trees. It was built by pilling up Jeju natural stones neatly one by one. Stone walls surround the garden like a folding screen, where you can feel peace of mind from the beauty of the stone walls.
Bosoonyeonji Pond
Bosoonyeonji Pond, composed of seven kinds of water Lillies and three ponds, contains seven colors of the rainbow. The odd numbers represent good luck for the ancestor’s spirit.
This place is simply magical. The trees, the flowers, the blue sky, the water from the ponds, everything perfectly blends together. One of the best spot for nature lovers, like us.
Take a break at the beautiful coffee shop
After visiting the beautiful ponds you will arrive at the second greenhouse which houses a quaint cafe that serves a wide array of drinks and desserts, including camellia tea. Or perhaps you’d like to buy some hand-made organic products such as soaps and candles.
The observatory
The observatory is a great architecture piece, which allows visitor to have the perfect view on Camellia Hill. And for us, the perfect spot for a photo 🙂
The traditional Straw-Roofed House of Jeju, Choga
Towards the end of the park you can observe a beautiful traditional Jeju house. This house built in a traditional way in which Jeju artisans use only woods, soil and stones, based on historical research, is the largest traditional Choga in Jeju.
The visit to Camellia Hill took us about 1.5 hours. We took our time, enjoyed a coffee inside the greenhouse and took plenty of photo. This was only a highlight of Camellia Hill, but there are many other parts to visit. Simply enjoy the Forest for Love and Healing. For us this is what Jeju is all about.
Where to stay near Camellia Hill?
The Hidden Cliff Hotel and Nature is one of the newest and most stunning hotel in Jeju. If you ever been to Ubud in Bali, and want to fill the same way with it’s infinity pool surrounded by thick forest, it is the right place to stay.
The pool is even the largest infinity pool in South Korea. The Hidden Cliff Hotel and nature is also conveniently located, being near Jungmun Beach one of the hot spot of Jeju and less than 15min drive from Camellia Hill.
We highly recommend booking this stunning hotel for you trip to Jeju. You can book here.
Other things to do near Camellia Hill?
Jungmun Beach
One of our favorite beach on the Island of Jeju, is Jungmun Beach. This beach is also famous for being one of the best surf spot on the island if the swell is pumping. We actually had one of our best surf session on this beach !
Jungmun feels more preserved as there aren’t many hotels visible from the beach. Jungmun beach is surrounded by a cliff. To access it, you need to hike down the cliff from the main parking lot.
Jusangjeolli Cliff
Another stunning sight near Seogwipo is the Jusangjeolli Cliff, a surreal cliff formed by eerie volcanic pillars. These characteristic features have been formed by the dried lava of Hallasan over the past centuries. As well as admiring the scenery from here, head to the cliff face during low tide to see the pillars up close and take a leisurely stroll through the surrounding pine forest.
Conclusion about Camellia Hill in Jeju
If you are staying near Jungmun Beach, then a visit to Camellia Hill is a must. This park is absolutely stunning and represents Jeju on so many level. It’s cute, it’s full of flowers, it has quaint coffee shop and so many places to take great photo.
If you want to find out what else to see in Jeju, check out our full post with the most awesome things to see here.
HAPPY TRAVELING !
Links to related articles
JEJU the best island in Korea: here
HAMDEOK BEACH, our favorite spot in Jeju: here
HIKING HALLASAN your full guide: here
WOLJEONGRI a beautiful beach in Jeju: here
SONGAKSAN the southernmost point of Jeju: here
HALLIM PARK a sublime subtropical park in Jeju: here
MANJANGGUL CAVE, one of the largest Lava tunnel in the world: here
JEJU MAZE PARK in Gimnyeong, guaranteed fun: here
SEOPJIKOJI to admire the rugged coastline in Jeju: here
10 BEST BEACHES in Jeju: here
TAKING THE FERRY TO JEJU: here
OLLE GIL TRAIL your ultimate guide: here
MOKPO a fabulous port city in Korea: here
SOUTH KOREA, best things to do: here
GEOJE our favorite destination in Korea: here
NAMHAE the hidden gem of Korea: here
BOSEONG GREEN TEA PLANTATION: here
