Camellia Hill

Camellia Hill in Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo, is an arboretum built around a single plant over nearly 30 years. About 172,000 m² of land hold 6,000 camellia trees of some 500 varieties from 80 countries. Because the varieties flower at different times from autumn to spring, you can find red and white blooms even in midwinter, and in early summer hydrangeas take over the paths.

A forest of camellias

The camellia flowers in the cold months and has become a symbol of winter on Jeju. The collection includes varieties known for some of the largest and earliest blooms, and six of the eight fragrant camellia species. Camellias are not the whole story: around 250 plants native to Jeju, palms and wildflowers grow alongside them, so the scenery changes every season.

Two kinds of camellia

The camellias you see in a Jeju winter come in two main kinds. The sasanqua camellia, which flowers first from late autumn into early winter, opens its petals wide and drops them one by one. The native common camellia, flowering from midwinter into spring, keeps its petals half closed and drops the whole flower at once when it fades. Telling them apart as you walk makes the same path far more interesting. The arboretum also appeared as a date spot in the dating reality show EXchange 3, which brought it a younger crowd.

Season by season

• Winter (December–February): peak camellia time. Whole red flowers drop onto the paths, and plenty of visitors come for the photos.
• Spring: late camellias mix with fresh green growth.
• Early summer: hydrangeas line the forest paths and the garden looks completely different from winter.
• Autumn: pink ornamental grasses colour the open meadow while the first camellias start to open.

What to see

• Camellia tunnel: old camellias meet overhead along the path, with small light bulbs strung through the branches.
• Lawn and ecological pond: an open lawn and a pond with waterside plants give you breathing space between the trees.
• Thatched shelter: a pavilion with a traditional Jeju-style thatched roof, good for a short break.
• Gallery: crafts on a camellia theme.

Tripto tips

• Opening hours: November–February 08:30–18:00, March–May and September–October 08:30–18:30, June–August 08:30–19:00. Last entry is one hour before closing, and as there is no lighting, entry may be limited around sunset. Open every day.
• Admission: prices vary with the season and the ticket seller, so check the official website.
• When to go: camellias peak in December–February, hydrangeas around June. Weekend middays in high season are busy; arrive at opening time for a quieter visit.
• Time needed: 1–2 hours for a full loop.
• Getting there: there is a car park, so a rental car is the easiest option. If you plan to take the bus, check Jeju's bus information for routes and frequencies first. Sanbangsan and the Jeju Aerospace Museum are nearby, making it easy to combine with a day in western Jeju.