Walking the Chuja Islands: 49 Islands Between Jeju and the Korean Peninsula

49 Islands and the Sea Route Told by the Ancient Name 'Hupungdo'

Chujagundo is an archipelago described as 4 inhabited islands—Sangchujado, Hachujado, Hoenggando, and Chupodo—and 38 uninhabited islands, including Jikgudo and Puraengiseom. It is located approximately 45km north of Jeju-si and about 55km from Jeju Port, positioned to connect the shipping route between Jeju and the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula. The Encyclopedia of Korean Culture lists fishing for yellow croaker, mackerel, horse mackerel, Spanish mackerel, yellowtail, and hairtail as the primary livelihood of its residents.

Records show it was called 'Hupungdo' in the context of being a place where ships traveling between Jeju and the mainland during the Goryeo Dynasty stayed to avoid strong winds. The village is said to have been formed in 1271, the 12th year of King Wonjong of Goryeo. After Jeju-do was separated from Jeollanam-do in 1946, it was incorporated into Bukjeju-gun and has been Chuja-myeon, Jeju-si since July 2006. Since wind and maritime traffic dictate the entire schedule, it is safer to check the operation status first on the day of departure.

From Jeju Port to Sangchuja Port and Sinyang Port: The Ship as the Starting Point

When entering from Jeju, use the Jeju Port Passenger Terminal. Visit Jeju guides that it takes about 1 hour by high-speed boat from Jeju Port to Chujado, while the Jeju Olle 18-1 Course guide estimates about 1 hour and 30 minutes, so the actual travel time varies depending on the vessel and the port of entry. Since your initial route changes depending on whether you disembark at Sangchuja Port or Sinyang Port, you must check the destination port on the reservation screen.

According to tourist information, incoming flights to Sangchuja Port have been introduced with a schedule of entering the island at 9:30 AM and leaving at 4:30 PM; for a day trip, the island stay is about 5 hours. The route to Sinyang Port in Hachuja has been introduced as a route that carries vehicles, but the sailing time, vehicle loading, and fares may change depending on weather and shipping company arrangements. Before departure, you should check the Korea Shipping Association passenger ship reservation system and shipping company notices for ID requirements, cancellations, and the port of entry.

• Jeju Port → Chujado: Approx. 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes by high-speed boat
• Day trip stay duration: Approx. 5 hours based on guidance
• Sangchuja Port and Sinyang Port: Both can be used as starting points for Jeju Olle Course 18-1
• Boarding preparation: ID card, reservation information, check weather and cancellation notices

18.2km, 6–8 Hours: To Complete Jeju Olle Course 18-1 in One Day

For travelers walking Chujagundo for the first time, the reference point is Jeju Olle Course 18-1. The total distance is 18.2km, and the time required according to official tourism guides is about 6 to 8 hours or approximately 8 hours, featuring a mix of mountain paths and cliff sections. Since it starts at either Sangchuja Port or Sinyang Port and circles the island, you can take the port where the boat arrives as your starting point.

The course leads to Chuja Port, Chuja-myeon Office, Mural Street, Chuja Elementary School, General Choe Yeong's Shrine, forest paths, Bongglesan Mountain, and Hupo Beach. Rather than pushing to walk the entire 18.2km between boat times, it is more realistic for a day trip to prioritize the views and village paths on the Sangchuja side and supplement with island buses. To complete the entire section, it is consistent with the recommendations of the guide materials to plan for an overnight stay.

• Course 18-1 Distance: 18.2km
• Completion Time: Approx. 6–8 hours
• Starting Point: Sangchuja Port or Sinyang Port
• Course 18-1 Official Information Center: 19-1, Daeseo-ri, Chuja-myeon, Jeju-si
• Course 18-1 Official Information Center Phone: 070-4060-0685

Viewing 45km Toward Jeju from Deungdaesan Observatory and Navarone Skyway

Jeju Tourism Organization materials explain that on a clear day, you can see Jeju Island about 45km away and islands toward Haenam about 35km away from the Deungdaesan Observatory. This figure helps in understanding the geographical location of Chujagundo, which belongs to the Jeju living sphere while being placed in the middle of the South Sea shipping route. On cloudy or foggy days, it is better to switch to a route centered on the village and the harbor rather than expecting these distant views.

Navarone Skyway is introduced as a path continuing from Deungdaesan Observatory. While vehicle movement is possible, shoes with non-slip soles are suitable due to the elevation changes around the observatory and coastal cliffs. To see the sunset, you must first decide on the return boat time, accommodation location, and subsequent transportation; for a schedule where you must take the last boat of the day, you must prioritize the departure time over the sunset time.

• Distance toward Jeju Island: Approx. 45km
• Distance to islands toward Haenam: Approx. 35km
• Access to Deungdaesan Observatory: Use Navarone Skyway or the road
• Recommended preparations: Windbreaker, water, non-slip shoes

Hupo Beach and Mojini Beach: Places to Stop on the Hachuja Coast

On the Hachuja side, Hupo Beach and Mojini Beach are stopping points to view the coastal scenery. Hupo Beach is introduced at the address 87, Daeseo 5-gil, Chuja-myeon, Jeju-si, and connects with the 18-1 course route that descends to the coast after passing the Sangchuja village paths and Bongglesan Mountain. Mojini Beach is good to include in a Hachuja itinerary that explores the Sinyang-ri, Mung-ri, and Yecho-ri directions.

Rather than fixing a swimming schedule just by seeing the name 'beach,' you should check the local weather, wave height, and safety management situation on the day. Chujagundo is a destination centered on public spaces of the island and coast rather than large-scale paid tourist facilities, so the entrance fee to the archipelago itself is free and there are no regular closing days. However, passenger boat cancellations, sea conditions, and individual business operations are separate matters, so checking before departure is necessary.

• Hupo Beach Address: 87, Daeseo 5-gil, Chuja-myeon, Jeju-si
• Chujagundo Entrance Fee: Free
• Chujagundo Regular Closing Days: None
• Coastal Activities: Decide after checking wave height, weather, and on-site safety guides

Chuja-myeon Office 064-728-1526 and Island Bus 064-742-3595

The place to check administrative and living information during your trip is the Chuja-myeon Office. The address is 26, Chuja-ro, Chuja-myeon, Jeju-si, and the phone number is 064-728-1526. Since Olle Course 18-1 passes this office, it is easy to find your position in the center of the village after departing from the port. For emergencies, the Chuja 119 Regional Center is located at 174, Chuja-ro, Chuja-myeon, Jeju-si, and the phone number is 064-742-3119.

For movement within the island, you can contact Chuja Transportation at 064-742-3595. Tourism information explains that it takes about 1 hour for a round trip to circle the island by bus, and if you match the timetable, it is possible to get off at an intermediate stop and get back on. However, since the connection between the boat's arrival/departure and the bus time is key, you should determine the walking section after checking the timetable and the last bus immediately upon arrival. As there is a lack of confirmation data regarding continuous sidewalks and slope mitigation facilities throughout the island, wheelchair and stroller users are advised to inquire individually in advance about the pier, accommodation, and vehicle accessibility.

• Chuja-myeon Office: 26, Chuja-ro, Chuja-myeon, Jeju-si / 064-728-1526
• Chuja 119 Regional Center: 174, Chuja-ro, Chuja-myeon, Jeju-si / 064-742-3119
• Chuja Transportation: 064-742-3595
• Island Bus Circuit Reference Time: Approx. 1 hour round trip
• Parking: Inquire in advance with the shipping company or terminal regarding vehicle loading and port parking

From General Choe Yeong's Shrine to Yellow Corvina: Chuja's Regional Culture Created by Sea Routes

Chujado has General Choe Yeong's Shrine, which is connected to records of General Choe Yeong staying here to avoid storms while on his way to Jeju to suppress the Mukho Rebellion at the end of the Goryeo Dynasty. The shrine is on a route that climbs along the village path behind the myeon office, allowing visitors to experience the scale of Sangchuja, where the port, administrative center, and historical sites are placed close together. However, when visiting the shrine, please observe etiquette as a religious and memorial space, and check on-site whether the interior is open.

Chuja's food culture is connected to yellow croaker. There is tourist information that yellow croaker fishing takes place around Chujado in the fall and the Yellow Corvina Festival was held, and Spanish mackerel is also introduced as a seasonal ingredient. Since the menus and operating hours of restaurants or guesthouses may change depending on the season and the catch, it is better to check if they are open immediately after arrival rather than postponing mealtime after getting off the boat. Official tourism information can be found at Visit Jeju.

• Historical Route: Chuja Port → Chuja-myeon Office → General Choe Yeong's Shrine
• Representative Fish Species: Yellow croaker, mackerel, horse mackerel, Spanish mackerel, yellowtail, hairtail
• Seasonal Information: Guides related to fall yellow croaker fishing and the Yellow Corvina Festival
• Official Tourism Information: https://www.visitjeju.net