Cheju City, South Korea

This fishing port, located on the northern end of Cheju Island, provides a good base for exploring the island’s treasures, from lovely beaches to more traditional sites like Kwanumsa, a Buddhist temple founded in 1908 by a woman monk. Local legend has it that Cheju Island is watched over by the strange stone sculptures called “tolharubangs,” also known as the “Grandfathers.” They are squat, ugly figures with bulging eyes made from volcanic rock. Mount Hallasan, a long-extinct volcano, towers over the island. Below it are fertile fields, forested areas, quaint villages and fine hotels near white sandy beaches.

Language: Korean, English     Currency: S. Korean Won (KRW)