2,800 Bija Trees Aged 500–800 Years: Walking through Bijarim Forest in Eastern Jeju

Pyeongdaeri Bija Tree Forest, Designated Natural Monument No. 374 in 1993

The official cultural heritage name of Bijarim is “Jeju Pyeongdaeri Bija Tree Forest,” and it was designated Natural Monument No. 374 on August 19, 1993. This forest covers 448,165㎡ in Pyeongdaeri, Gujwa-eup, Jeju City, and contains approximately 2,800 Bija trees aged 500 to 800 years. It is not a park created simply by planting trees, but a natural forest designated for conservation.

The name “Bijarim” comes from the Bija trees growing in a community. Although it is easy to think of this as a place to see only Bija trees, exploration records and guide materials also mention Japanese aralia, Chinese prickly ash, silk trees, Machilus trees, and maple trees. The actual character of this place is the opportunity to see various tree species from the mid-mountain forests of eastern Jeju beneath the canopies of old Bija trees.

09:00–18:00, with visits planned around the 17:00 admission cutoff

Bijarim is open year-round from 09:00 to 18:00, with admission closing at 17:00. Admission is 3,000 won for adults and 1,500 won for teenagers and children. It is safest to reconfirm operating status and group or discount eligibility with the Bijarim management office at 064-710-7912 before setting out.

To explore the entire forest at a relaxed pace, morning or early afternoon is better than arriving just before 17:00. Course A is described as approximately 2.2 km, while Course B is approximately 3.2 km and includes sections where stones are exposed. Sneakers are suitable, and after rain, shoes with nonslip soles are recommended to cope with slippery stone and dirt paths.

• Pets are not allowed.
• Bringing food and beverages other than bottled water is prohibited.
• Admission closes at 17:00, one hour before closing.

Course A at 2.2 km or Course B at 3.2 km: choosing between the stone paths

For first-time visitors or those accompanied by a stroller or wheelchair user, the relatively shorter Course A is worth considering first. Guide materials state that there are courses accessible to strollers and wheelchairs, but the condition of the forest paths and the need for mobility assistance may vary depending on the weather and management conditions on the day.

The longer Course B is approximately 3.2 km and is known for including Bijarim’s Stone Path, the New Millennium Bija Tree, and the Love Tree. If you expect only paved tourist walkways, the exposed-stone sections may feel tiring, so it is better to allow around an hour and a half for the walk and prepare shoes that support the ankles.

The New Millennium Bija Tree and the Love Tree: easy-to-miss markers in the forest

Within Bijarim are the “New Millennium Bija Tree,” named in commemoration of the millennium on January 1, 2000, and the “Love Tree,” in which the roots of two trees have joined and grown like a single trunk. These points serve as markers that encourage visitors to walk along the story of individual trees’ forms and conservation, rather than understanding the forest’s age only as a number.

It is important to stay on the designated trails. The forest floor and areas around the roots of this Natural Monument forest may be affected by repeated visitor traffic, so it is appropriate to follow the designated route and signs rather than entering deeper into the forest for photographs. Restrooms are listed among the amenities, making it convenient to plan their use before or after admission.

55 Bijasup-gil, Gujwa-eup, Jeju City, and free Bijarim parking

The main entrance address is 55 Bijasup-gil, Gujwa-eup, Jeju City, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province. Since similarly named farms and businesses may appear together in navigation search results, it is best to cross-check the destination name “Bijarim” with the road-name address “55 Bijasup-gil.” The main telephone number is 064-710-7912, and the official information URL is https://www.visitjeju.net.

Visitors arriving by car can use the Bijarim parking lot free of charge. However, on eastern Jeju driving itineraries, many visitors combine Bijarim with the coasts of Seongsan, Sehwa, and Woljeong-ri, so it is difficult to predict how crowded the parking lot will be. Since admission closes at 17:00, planning to arrive by at least 16:00–16:30, including time for parking, gives you more flexibility to choose Course B.

Daecheon Transfer Center, Jeju World Natural Heritage Center, and Bijarim connected by the tourist sightseeing bus

If you are traveling through the mid-mountain area of eastern Jeju using only public transportation, check the tourist sightseeing bus route. The official route information lists a circular section running Daecheon Transfer Center–Jeju World Natural Heritage Center–Bijarim–Yongnuni Oreum–Daecheon Transfer Center, with a one-way adult fare of 1,200 won.

The first and last bus times and stop schedules may change depending on the season and operating conditions, so on the day of travel, check the arrival time at the Bijarim stop through the Jeju Bus Information System. Visit Jeju provides multilingual pages and tourism information channels in English, Chinese, Japanese, and other languages. If you need information about the forest trails, you can also contact the Jeju Tourism Information Center at 064-740-6000.

From Bijarim to Yongnuni Oreum: a day itinerary through eastern Jeju’s mid-mountain area

Bijarim is a useful stop when adding a mid-mountain forest to an eastern Jeju itinerary that otherwise focuses only on the coast. Since the tourist sightseeing bus connects the Jeju World Natural Heritage Center and Yongnuni Oreum, you can consider visiting all three in the same direction even without a car. However, Course B at Bijarim alone is approximately 3.2 km, so if you add an oreum on the same day, calculate the total walking distance first.

The essence of the forest is not to consume many destinations in a short time. Within the basic conditions of a 3,000-won admission fee, operating hours of 09:00–18:00, and a 17:00 admission cutoff, the most practical approach is to choose either Course A or B, set the departure time for your return bus or rental car, and then walk accordingly. If traveling with young children or companions who need walking assistance, it is better to ask the management office first about the day’s condition on accessible sections rather than choosing Course B, which includes the Stone Path.

Rain, stone paths, and sneakers: preparations repeatedly mentioned in reviews

Visitor reviews from 2023 and 2026 say that the forest paths were pleasant to walk even on rainy or overcast days, while also mentioning sections accessible to strollers and sections with stone paths. This means Bijarim does not need to be viewed only as an outdoor attraction suitable for clear days, but it also means that after rain, you should take a more cautious approach to footwear and walking speed.

Review-based information is more subject to change than management notices, so operating hours, admission restrictions, and rules on items brought inside should be judged according to the official management contact, 064-710-7912. In particular, admission is not allowed after 17:00, and food and beverages other than bottled water are not permitted, so it is best to sort out items that will remain in the rental car before entering.