Ecoland Theme Park

Ecoland is a theme park on the east side of Jeju where a small train modelled on an old steam locomotive loops through the Gyorae gotjawal forest. Stations sit along a circular line of about 4.5 km, so you hop off at each one to walk a lakeside boardwalk, forest paths or flower fields, then catch the next train on. It works well with children, or if you want to see Jeju's lava-rock forest up close without a long hike.

A railway through the gotjawal

Gotjawal is a Jeju dialect word for forest growing on rough, broken lava. When thick, sticky lava erupted here it split into boulders of every size, and trees later took root on the rocks. With almost no soil, roots creep visibly over stones and into cracks, while moss and ferns grow thickly. Because the ground rises and dips so sharply, temperature and humidity change within a few steps, which lets southern and northern plant species grow side by side. Rainwater seeps through the cracks into the island's groundwater, so locals also see these forests as Jeju's water reserves.

The train

The Ecoland trains are modelled on the Baldwin steam locomotives that defined 19th-century American railways. The original type, the Baldwin 4-4-0, was built from 1872 and ran across North America; Ecoland's engine is a variant with a slightly different wheel arrangement. The trains were handmade in the United Kingdom. The forest comes right up to the carriage windows, so the ride itself is part of the sightseeing.

Hopping off along the line

The stations run in this order: Main Station → Eco Bridge → Lakeside → Forest Park → Lavender Farm.

• Lake area: a floating boardwalk crosses a lake of roughly 66,000 m² (about 20,000 pyeong), and the outdoor stage at Lakeside hosts daytime shows. The lakeside café is a good place for a break.
• Forest area: free guided forest walks with a forest interpreter and a barefoot walking path, plus play space for children.
• Lavender Farm area: wide flower fields that change with the seasons, a lavender field, a European-style garden and animal feeding.
• Paid extras: the 1.2 km electric sky bike above the forest and swan pedal boats cost extra on top of the entry ticket.

Rules worth knowing

A ticket is valid for one loop on the day of purchase. Once you move on to the next station you cannot go back, so take your time at each stop before boarding again. Staff may check tickets, so keep yours until the end. Pets are not allowed.

Tripto tips

• Hours: daily 08:50–19:00, ticket sales close at 17:40. Trains run about every 15 minutes; the sky bike and swan boats do not operate in rain.
• Prices (October 2026): adults KRW 21,000, teenagers KRW 18,000, children aged 36 months and over KRW 15,000. Under-36-month-olds enter free with proof of age, and Jeju residents get a discount.
• Time needed: with walks and breaks at each station, allow 2–3 hours. Arriving late means rushing the last stations, so morning or early afternoon is best.
• Nearby: Jeju Stone Park is a few minutes away by car and the Saryeoni Forest Path is close too. Parking is free.