As a popular tourist destination in South Korea, Jeju Island has been evaluated in a diversified way in recent years. It has been praised for its high cost-effectiveness, natural and cultural charm, but also faced controversy and challenges. The following is a comprehensive analysis based on the latest information:
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### **I. High cost-effectiveness and convenience**
1. **Convenient transportation**
Jeju Island implements a visa-free policy for Chinese tourists. The flight time from Beijing and Shanghai is only about 2 hours, and the one-way ticket price of low-cost airlines is as low as a few hundred yuan, making it a popular choice for short-distance travel.
2. **Affordable consumption**
The shopping experience on the island is cost-effective. From beauty and cultural products to independent designer brands, the prices are reasonable and the variety is rich. In terms of catering, the per capita consumption of special delicacies such as black pork and seafood soup is low, which is suitable for mass tourists.
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### **II. The attraction of natural and cultural landscapes**
1. **Unique volcanic landforms**
Jeju Island is famous for its natural landscapes formed by volcanic eruptions, such as Hallasan (the highest peak in South Korea), Seongsan Ilchulbong, and columnar joint belts, which are listed on the World Natural Heritage List. The snow scene in winter is described as "poetic and picturesque".
2. **Rich cultural experience**
- **Haenyeo culture**: As an intangible cultural heritage, there are about 4,000 haenyeo (mostly over 60 years old) in Jeju Island. Visitors can observe their fishing operations up close and taste fresh seafood.
- **Olle Trail**: The 437-kilometer hiking route was selected as "one of the top ten most popular coastal hiking routes in the world" and is suitable for in-depth exploration of natural scenery.
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### **III. Diversity of activities and experiences**
1. **Water sports**
Jeju Island's waters are famous for their clear waters and rich marine life. They are suitable for snorkeling and diving (especially soft coral viewing), and are suitable for novices.
2. **Film and television and e-sports elements**
Many Korean dramas (such as "Strange Lawyer Woo Young-woo" and "The Legend of the Blue Sea") and variety show filming locations attract fans to check in, and the snow scene videos shared by e-sports player Rascal also stimulate the interest of young tourists.
3. **Leisure and Art**
There are uniquely designed cafes and art galleries (such as the YUMIN Art Museum designed by Tadao Ando) on the island, which are suitable for art lovers.
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### **Fourth, Controversy and Challenges**
1. **Declining Tourist Attraction**
Some Chinese tourists believe that the landscape is highly repetitive (such as Halla Mountain, Sunrise Peak and other classic attractions are prone to aesthetic fatigue), and the advantage of duty-free shopping has weakened due to the rise of cross-border e-commerce.
2. **Varied Service Quality**
There are feedbacks that some restaurants and small shops have communication barriers or service attitude problems, which affect the experience.
3. **Safety Concerns**
In recent years, there have been many maritime accidents (such as the capsizing of fishing boats), reminding tourists to choose regular travel companies and pay attention to weather warnings.