Jeju, a Tourist Paradise Favored by Koreans
Jeju Island, located south of the Korean peninsula, was long the destination for exiles of the kingdom. With a milder climate than the rest of Korea and a magnificent coastline, it is now popular among Korean tourists. This "paradise" can surprise with its overhyped appearance and summer crowds, but also with its wild and beautiful corners, earning it the nickname "Korean Hawaii." Accessible by boat, most visitors prefer the plane. There are seaside hotels, beaches, and water activities, hikes on volcanic slopes, and hot springs. Jeju embodies South Korea's leisure society. In Busan, the country's second-largest city, there are also beaches close to downtown. Since the 1980s, amusement parks, beaches, and leisure centers have multiplied, reflecting a proud and forward-looking people.