A few years back when I was researching for places to visit in Jeju, the one photo that caught my eye was that of pink camellia flowers in a window frame. That image stuck with me for a very long time.
When I finally got the chance to visit Jeju in January, I knew I could not skip out on this place!
While it seemed odd to be looking for flowers in winter, it is actually the season of camellias in Korea! They are well-loved for their lively colours and more importantly, their tenacity to bloom in the cold weather. Camellias usually blossom throughout November to March, but their peak season varies by region.
What to do and see at Camellia Hill
There are a few specific places in Jeju where you can go to view camellias. We picked Camellia Hill, a camellia arboretum that is home to 6,000 camellia trees of 500 different species!
Do note that there is an entrance fee:
- Adults: 8,000 won
- Teenagers & Senior citizens: 6,000 won
- Children: 5,000 won
We picked one of the coldest days in January to visit Camellia Hill. It was unfortunate because this meant trudging through the snow flurries and piercing winds, but also fortunate because this was when the camellias looked the most beautiful!
Hailing from a tropical country, I had only seen camellia flowers once in Jeju during my 2016 trip – almost a decade ago. I was honestly stunned by how beautiful everything looked. The trees flanked by bright blooms and piles of white snow were a spectacular view!
Other than the usual bright pink & red camellias, Camellia Hill also boasts many different varieties of the flower. This includes cream beige, pink & white, etc!
The cold was too harsh to bear after a while, so we ducked into a glasshouse in the middle of Camellia Hill for some respite. This is also where you’ll get to see many of the camellia varieties in one space!
Although the weather was not the best, it didn’t stop the crowds from coming. In fact, the parking lot was almost full and we were trudging along with many other locals.
Perhaps the locals knew that the harshest winter was also the best time to view these flowers.
If you’re keen for a bite or interested in buying souvenirs, there are cafés and gift shops around as well. In fact, many souvenir shops in Camellia Hill sell items made with or featuring the camellia flower, including skincare, home fragrances, decor etc!
Is it worth visiting Camellia Hill?
We didn’t spend very long here because the weather was getting to us. However, if you visit on a slightly warmer day, you can certainly spend a good amount of time at Camellia Hill! The whole arboretum is very large and can take you a fair amount of time to walk around.
If you’re visiting Jeju in the warmer months, fret not! Camellia Hill doesn’t only open in winter when the camellias bloom – they’re also open and featuring other seasonal blooms. These include cherry blossoms in spring and hydrangas in the summer!
Tip: You might want to time your visit sometime between winter and spring (late Feb/early Mar), where you’ll actually get to see both camellias AND cherry blossoms at the same time!
This was one of my favourite places to visit in Jeju even though I was not faring well in the weather. It was worth braving the cold weather for a glimpse of these lovely, rare flowers that I wouldn’t get a chance to see back in Singapore.
Would definitely revisit another time, perhaps to catch the other seasonal florals as well!
DIRECTIONS
Address: 166, Byeongak-ro, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
Operating hours: December-February 08:30-18:00March-May, September-November 08:30-18:30June-August 08:30-19:00* Last admission: 1 hour before closing.* Admission may be restricted according to the hour of sunset and weather conditions as there are no lighting facilities on the grounds.
Related Posts:
- Road 1100 – The best winter views in Jeju!
- Jeju Teseum: family-friendly Teddy Bear Museum
- Innisfree Jeju House: scenic cafe & unique brand store
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