Udo (Jeju Province)
Native name: 우도/牛島 | |
|---|---|
 A satellite image of the island (2015) | |
 | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Udo-myeon, Jeju City, Jeju-do, South Korea |
| Coordinates | 33°30′19″N 126°57′21″E / 33.50528°N 126.95583°E |
| Area | 6.18 km2 (2.39 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 1,862 |
| Ethnic groups | Korean |
Udo (Korean: 우도; Hanja: 牛島; lit. Cow Island), also known as U Island and sometimes Soseom (소섬),[1] is an island in Jeju Province, South Korea.[2] It is 2.8 km (1.7 mi) off the coast of Jeju Island, and is the second-largest island in the province.[1]
Description
"Udo" and "Soseom" both mean "cow island"; when viewed from the side, the island is said to resemble a cow lying down. The island was also referred to as "Yeonpyeong" (연평; 演坪) in the early 1900s.[1]
Udo is a volcanic island. With the exception of the peaks Someorioreum (소머리오름) and Udobong (우도봉; 牛島峰), the island is relatively flat. The coast of the island is mostly rocky, with sharp cliffs and even sea caves. It has no rivers or springs; drinking water is obtained through rainwater.[1]
In 2010, the population was 1,575, with 756 males and 819 females. The island is subdivided into four administrative districts. An estimated 40% of residents' income comes from farming, with the remaining income coming from fishing. Pigs and cattle are bred on the island. The island has an elementary and middle school.[1]
History
There is evidence of private human activity on the island from 1698 CE. Permission was granted for average people to move onto the island in 1840.[1]
In 1914, it was made part of Yeonpyeong-ri, Gujwa-myeon, Jeju County. In 1946, it became part of Yeonpyeong-ri, Gujwa-myeon, Bukjeju County. in 1986, it was made part of Udo-myeon, which was part of Bukjeju County. In 2006, Udo-myeon was made part of Jeju City.[1]
Tourism
Udo is one of the most visited spots in Jeju Island. About a million people visit Udo every year. Thanks to the scenery, it became the location for a few Korean films. Especially, Seobinbaeksa located on the west-coast of Udo was created by Rhodolith, which is the only beach created by this in Korea.[3]
The island is reachable by ferry from Cheonjin Port on Jeju Island.[1] The trip reportedly takes around 15 minutes.[4]
Eight Sights of Udo
The island is considered to have eight scenic spots, together dubbed the Eight Sights of Udo (우도팔경; 牛島八景). They include:[5]
- Juganmyeongwol (주간명월; 晝間明月)
- A cave said to be filled with moonlight during the day, around 10 to 11 a.m.
- Yahangeobeom (야항어범; 夜航漁帆)
- Evening views on the island, with boats lit up on the ocean.
- Cheonjingwansan (천진관산; 天津觀山)
- The view of Hallasan from Dongcheonjindong Port, considered the best place to view the mountain.
- Jiducheongsa (지두청사; 地頭靑莎)
- The view of the island from its highest point at Udo peak.
- Jeonpomangdo (전포망도; 前浦望島)
- The view of the island from Jeju, where it looks like a cow lying down.
- Huhaeseokbyeok (후해석벽; 後海石壁)
- A scenic rock cliff with deep grooves formed by erosion over time.
- Dongangyeonggul (동안경굴; 東岸鯨窟)
- A sea cave that can be entered during low tide.
- Seobinbaeksa (서빈백사; 西濱白沙)
- A beach with bright white sands on the west coast.
Other attractions
The island has three beaches: Dolcani Beach (톨카니 해변; 돌카니 해변), Geommeolle Beach, and Sanho Beach.[4]
Gallery
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Aerial view of the island (2023) -
Cliffs on the island (2023) -
The white beach sight of Seobinbaeksa (2014) -
Settlements and flatland of the island (2023)
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h 손, 승호, "우도 (牛島)", Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (in Korean), Academy of Korean Studies, retrieved 2024-06-16
- ^ "Udo travel".
- ^ 우경식·김진경·강순석, 「읍지제주도 우도의 홍조단괴 해빈 퇴적물의 특징」(『제1회 학술심포지엄자료집』, 제주화산연구소, 2003)
- ^ a b "The Marvelous Views of Udo Island". www.visitjeju.net (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-06-16.
- ^ "우도8경". jejusi.go.kr. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
External links
Media related to Udo (island) at Wikimedia Commons
Udo Island travel guide from Wikivoyage