This week on Jeju: A to Z, Todd Thacker takes a brief look at a crimson winter flower that brings a vibrant, spring feel to an otherwise wintery Jeju landscape.




[Report]
If you view Jeju from afar, say in photographs or in video, the island certainly looks lush and green. And it is. But this greenery is hard won, for the vegetation on this volcanic, subtropical island habitat must be hearty from the get-go.

[Slug CG]
‘Dongbaek’: a hearty, winter flowering plant

A perfect example of this is the crimson camellia, or 동백나무 in Korean. It grows beautiful and strong, blossoming in the chill of the winter weather, where temperatures can dip in the single digits during the day. They are a welcome flowering plant during this time of year, bringing a vibrant red and lush green hue to Jeju’s landscape of black basalt stone and blue-green ocean.

There are a number of great spots to put on your winter travel list if you’re coming to Jeju Island in winter.

[Slug CG]
Camellia Hill, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo

For example, Camellia Hill in Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo, has a dense forest of about 6,000 camellia trees and 500 different species to view. Visitors love to stroll among the foliage and take photographs of their loved ones here. It’s hard to take a bad photograph amid such beauty.

[Slug CG]
Ilchul Land, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo

Similarly, Ilchul Land, in Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo, is a large, themed arboretum featuring what can be called the camellia’s “floral language” of love. The large, red blossoms remind viewers of romance and hope.

[Slug CG]
Wimi-ri, Namwon-eup, Seogwipo

And finally, the southern village of Wimi in Namwon-eup, Seogwipo, is the site of a 300-year-old camellia tree habitat that is well-known and protected as a registered Local Monument No. 27. This spot is on many travelers’ lists for its dense, fragrant orchards and famed photo zone.

[Slug CG]
Todd Thacker

These are just a few of the spots for camellia viewing that you can visit this winter season. We’d like to encourage you to check them out, and of course course explore the island for more camellia sightings!

Todd Thacker KCTV