Winter Jeju Trip Dongbaek Forest Photo Spot Review
#JejuWinterTravel #DongbaekForest #JejuCamellia #SeogwipoAttractions #JejuPhotoSpot #WinterJeju #NamwonEup
Hello, this is Hidori 😊
When I think of Jeju winter travel, two scenes immediately come to mind.
✅ Snow-covered Hallasan (especially the 1100 Highland area)
✅ And bright camellia flowers blooming alone in a quiet winter forest
The contrast is unreal.
The pure white snow on the mountain versus deep red (or vivid pink) camellias standing out against muted winter greens—
this combination is peak Jeju winter aesthetics.
So today, I’m sharing my visit to Dongbaek Forest, one of the best places in Seogwipo to capture both people and scenery beautifully among camellia flowers.
Dongbaek Forest – Save This Info 📌
- Address: 53-38 Saenggiak-ro, Namwon-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju
- Hours: Daily 09:00 – 17:30
- Admission:
- Adults: 7,000 KRW
- Youth / Seniors: 5,000 KRW
- Parking: On-site parking available (fairly spacious)
I visited in early January, which is right in the peak season for camellia blossoms.
Expectations? MAX level 🌺
Dongbaek Forest vs. Camellia Hill – Honest Thoughts
Years ago, I visited Camellia Hill, so comparisons were inevitable.
Camellia Hill is:
- Huge
- Beautiful
- Full of diverse photo spots
But honestly…
The entrance fee is higher, and you kind of feel like you have to stay for hours to “get your money’s worth.”
Dongbaek Forest, on the other hand:
- Smaller in scale
- Easy to explore quickly
- Perfect for snapping one solid winter Jeju photo and moving on to the next destination
👉 In short?
Both are great.
Just different vibes—like a nostalgic memory sprinkled with emotion.
Snowy Camellias… Almost 😭
I personally wanted to see camellia flowers with a light layer of snow.
Sadly, there was no snow on the lowlands.
Ironically, there had been a heavy snow advisory until the day before.
The day I visited?
☀️ Crystal-clear skies. Almost unreal.
The upside?
Photos turned out incredibly sharp and bright.
But don’t be fooled—
Even if the temperature feels mild, once the wind blows, it gets seriously cold.
👉 Strongly recommended:
- Windproof jacket
- Gloves
- Scarf
The Biggest Charm: Camellia Tree Density 🌳
Here’s the key reason Dongbaek Forest stands out:
“Why are there camellia trees EVERYWHERE?”
This isn’t a place with a few scattered trees.
The density is so high that your entire field of view is filled with camellias.
The flower colors are bold and vibrant, making photos look rich and solid without much effort.
Against the calm winter forest tones, the red camellias practically jump out of the frame.
4 Tips for Taking Better Camellia Photos 📸
1️⃣ Get Close – Upper Body / Half Body Shots
Most camellia trees are taller than people, so you can easily position flowers close to your face.
✅ Instead of wide landscape shots
✅ Bring the flowers closer
👉 You’ll capture better texture and color depth.
2️⃣ Sit Down at Table Photo Zones
There are a few areas with chairs and tables set up like mini photo zones.
I personally loved these:
- Sitting makes your posture relaxed
- Facial expressions look much more natural 😊
Crowds? Yes… But It’s Manageable
There were definitely a lot of visitors.
But thanks to:
- Dense camellia coverage
- A wide layout
People spread out naturally instead of clustering in one spot.
That said…
Behind the scenes, I spent a lot of time removing people from photos 😅
Thank goodness for Adobe AI these days.
👉 Tip:
Visit on weekdays, or be prepared for some post-editing.
3️⃣ Walk Deeper Inside
Most visitors gather near the entrance.
But if you keep walking further in, you’ll eventually think:
“Why is no one here?”
Trust me—those hidden areas are often the prettiest.
Along the way, you’ll even spot Jeju tangerine trees, adding an extra layer of local charm 🍊
4️⃣ Camellias + Jeju Stone Walls = Perfect Combo 🪨
Let’s be honest—
Jeju vibes aren’t complete without basalt stone walls.
Try this composition:
- Model on the stone wall
- Photographer slightly below
- Shoot upward or diagonally
👉 Clean composition, strong Jeju atmosphere guaranteed.
Winter Jeju Reality Check ❄️
One thing I learned again:
Never underestimate winter in Jeju.
✔️ Windproof outerwear
✔️ Scarf
✔️ Gloves
✔️ Ear warmers (if you have them)
Photos may look warm…
But reality? Freezing 😂
Dongbaek Forest or Camellia Arboretum – Which One?
If you have time, I recommend both.
But if you must choose just one:
- Dongbaek Forest:
👉 Clean photo spots, quick visit, photography-focused - Camellia Arboretum:
👉 Larger scale, slower pace, more walking and healing
That day, I was 100% focused on photos, so Dongbaek Forest won for me 😄
Bonus: The Café View ☕
One reason Dongbaek Forest is famous on social media is its café with floor-to-ceiling windows.
From inside, the camellia forest looks like a framed painting.
No exaggeration.
I couldn’t upload personal photos here, but trust me—
People literally line up for window-seat photos.
And honestly?
Totally worth it.
Final Thoughts 🌺
In winter Jeju, camellia flowers aren’t just flowers.
They’re memories captured in color.
If you’re traveling Jeju in winter,
make sure to leave with a red camellia memory from Dongbaek Forest.
You won’t regret it.
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