Udo (Jeju Province)

"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" ({{Korean|hangul=연평|hanja=演坪|labels=no}}) in the early 1900s.

Udo is a volcanic island. With the exception of the peaks Someorioreum ({{Korean|hangul=소머리오름|labels=no}}) and Udobong ({{Korean|hangul=우도봉|hanja=牛島峰|labels=no}}), the island is relatively flat.{{Cite web |last= |date=2020-10-19 |title='탐나는 제주' 섬 속의 섬 우도 8경을 아시나요? |url=https://news.mt.co.kr/mtview.php?no=2020101913393068789 |access-date=2024-06-16 |website={{ill|Money Today|ko|머니투데이}} |language=ko}} Around 71% of the island is flat and used for agriculture. 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.

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. The island is famous for its peanuts and garlic. Haenyeo (female divers) forage off the coasts of the island. Pigs and cattle are bred on the island. The island has an elementary and middle school.

The former island Biyangdo (different from the one in Hallim-eup) is now connected to the east side of the island by a land bridge.{{Cite web |title=우도 비양도 |url=https://www.visitjeju.net/kr/detail/view?contentsid=CNTS_000000000019191 |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=www.visitjeju.net |language=ko}}

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.

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.

Udo is one of the most visited spots in Jeju Province. It reportedly had 2.23 million visitors in 2016.{{Citation |last=곽 |first=명신 |title=제주 우도의 관광매력속성에 관한 방문객과 지역주민 간 지각차이 비교연구 |date=August 2017 |page=2 |url=https://oak.jejunu.ac.kr/bitstream/2020.oak/22434/2/%EC%A0%9C%EC%A3%BC%20%EC%9A%B0%EB%8F%84%EC%9D%98%20%EA%B4%80%EA%B4%91%EB%A7%A4%EB%A0%A5%EC%86%8D%EC%84%B1%EC%97%90%20%EA%B4%80%ED%95%9C%20%EB%B0%A9%EB%AC%B8%EA%B0%9D%EA%B3%BC%20%EC%A7%80%EC%97%AD%EC%A3%BC%EB%AF%BC%20%EA%B0%84%20%EC%A7%80%EA%B0%81%EC%B0%A8%EC%9D%B4%20%EB%B9%84%EA%B5%90%EC%97%B0%EA%B5%AC.pdf |publisher=제주대학교 경영대학원}} The island is widely considered to be scenic, with Korean dramas and films having been filmed on the island.

Ferries travel in 30 minute intervals between Jeju and Udo, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Udo has two ports: Cheonjin Port and Haumokdong Port.{{Cite web |title='섬 안에 島' 제주 올레길과 함께하는 섬 여행 [두시기행문] |url=https://m.news.nate.com/view/20240220n39829 |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=모바일 네이트 뉴스 |language=ko}} The trip reportedly takes around 15 minutes.{{Cite web |title=The Marvelous Views of Udo Island |url=https://www.visitjeju.net/en/themtour/view?contentsid=CNTS_200000000011996&menuId=DOM_000001832000000000 |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=www.visitjeju.net |language=ko}} Tourists can rent bicycles and electric bicycles. The island also has a bus system. In recent years, restrictions have been placed on the renting of cars and all-terrain vehicles on the island, as the high volume of tourists led to high traffic congestion and noise.{{Cite web |last=이 |first=동건 |date=2022-04-05 |title=우도 삼륜자전거 제한…"이륜차 허용 근거는 뭐냐" |url=http://www.jejusori.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=401335 |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=제주의소리 |language=ko}}{{Cite web |last=임 |first=재영 |date=2013-06-28 |title=[제주]제주 우도에 친환경 전기자전거 등장 |url=https://www.donga.com/news/Society/article/all/20130628/56178832/3 |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=The Dong-A Ilbo |language=ko}}{{cite news |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE16jtQ2PoA |title=Udo Island Vehicle Ban |work=KBS News |date=August 2, 2017 |access-date=November 3, 2024}}

The island is part of the Jeju Olle Trail, with the trail going around the island's shore. It takes approximately 4 to 5 hours, and there are many restaurants and stops on the course.

The island is known for its ice cream and Korean Chinese food.

The island is considered to have eight scenic spots, together dubbed the Eight Sights of Udo ({{Korean|hangul=우도팔경|hanja=牛島八景|labels=no}}). The list was coined by one of the island's residents in 1983. The list includes:{{Cite web |title=우도8경 |url=https://www.jejusi.go.kr/town/udo/pride/tour.do |access-date=June 15, 2024 |website=jejusi.go.kr}}

• Juganmyeongwol ({{Korean|hangul=주간명월|hanja=晝間明月|labels=no}})
• A cave said to be filled with moonlight during the day, around 10 to 11 a.m.
• Yahangeobeom ({{Korean|hangul=야항어범|hanja=夜航漁帆|labels=no}})
• Evening views on the island, with boats lit up on the ocean.
• Cheonjingwansan ({{Korean|hangul=천진관산|hanja=天津觀山|labels=no}})
• The view of Hallasan from Dongcheonjindong Port, considered the best place to view the mountain.
• Jiducheongsa ({{Korean|hangul=지두청사|hanja=地頭靑莎|labels=no}})
• The view of the island from its highest point at Udo peak.
• Jeonpomangdo ({{Korean|hangul=전포망도|hanja=前浦望島|labels=no}})
• The view of the island from Jeju, where it looks like a cow lying down.
• Huhaeseokbyeok ({{Korean|hangul=후해석벽|hanja=後海石壁|labels=no}})
• A scenic rock cliff with deep grooves formed by erosion over time.
• Dongangyeonggul ({{Korean|hangul=동안경굴|hanja=東岸鯨窟|labels=no}})
• A sea cave that can be entered during low tide.
• Seobinbaeksa ({{Korean|hangul=서빈백사|hanja=西濱白沙|labels=no}})
• A beach with bright white sands on the west coast.

The island has three beaches: Dolcani Beach ({{Korean|hangul=톨카니 해변; 돌카니 해변|labels=no}}), Geommeolle Beach, and Sanho Beach. Geommeolle Beach is a black sandy beach. Sanho Beach is Natural Monument of South Korea No. 438. There is a lighthouse high up on the island that offers scenic views.

File:Udo, Jeju Province, South Korea 15.jpg|Aerial view of the island (2023)

File:Udo, Jeju Province, South Korea 14.jpg|Cliffs on the island (2023)

File:우도 서빈백사.jpg|The white beach sight of Seobinbaeksa (2014)

File:Udo, Jeju Province, South Korea 10.jpg|Settlements and flatland of the island (2023)

• Tourism in South Korea

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category-inline|Udo (island)}}

{{Wikivoyage inline|Udo Island}}

Category:Islands of Jeju Province

Category:Tourist attractions in Jeju Province