Monsoon Magic at Sanbangsan : A Rainy day escape in Jeju 

Monsoon Magic at Sanbangsan : A Rainy day escape in Jeju

Today started off a little differently — as soon as I woke up, it was raining heavily outside. But we were really in the mood to go out! Trekking was clearly not an option, and just to make things trickier — we couldn’t even find our umbrella. Still, we decided to head out somewhere nearby, and that’s how we ended up choosing Sanbangsan Mountain.

☕ Coffee Mission Turned Into Ice Cream Happiness

As soon as we reached Sanbangsan, the rain got even heavier. So walking around wasn’t really possible. We thought, “Let’s find a café and wait it out over a hot cup of coffee.” But when we reached the area — it was only 5 PM — most cafés were already closed! Probably because of the rain, and hardly any people were around.

Luckily, we found an ice cream shop still open! We bought some ice cream, found a few chairs under a big umbrella, and sat there enjoying the rain. The view was absolutely magical — the mountains, the clouds, the ocean in the distance, and right in front of us, the famous Two Brothers Peaks, the trekking trails, and Yongmeori Beach. It honestly felt like we were sitting inside a painting.

🍹 Chill Vibes, Soothing Music & Mango Shake

Eventually, we found a café that was open and went inside. Soft Korean music was playing in the background. We couldn’t understand the lyrics, but the tunes were so relaxing and pleasant that it set the perfect mood.

We ordered two glasses of mango shake — it cost us about 12,000 KRW. We laughed and said, “Looks like we’re just going to eat and drink all day!” But honestly, the café vibe was so calm and peaceful that we didn’t mind at all.

🧗 Steps, Statues & Stone Carvings

As the rain slowed down, we started climbing up the mountain. It’s basically stairs all the way up! Along the way, we saw many statues of Buddha, and rock carvings shaped like sea creatures. Some we recognized — like frogs and even a lion — but many were unfamiliar. It was like walking through a natural art gallery!

🙏 Historic Shrines & the Diamond Stupa

Higher up, we saw small shrine areas with various deities and god/goddess statues. The whole environment felt spiritual and peaceful.We also reached the Diamond Stupa, where a giant Buddha statue is beautifully placed — visible from far away! The stupa holds sacred Buddhist relics (śarīra) brought from India, China, Thailand, and other countries by a traveling monk. Some of these relics are preserved here, and others are kept at different places in Korea.

🔔 Wishing Bell, Wooden Tags & Kind Intentions

At the top, there’s a huge Wishing Bell. You can move a big striker and ring it while making a wish. Just nearby, there’s a space with leaves and wooden tags, where visitors can write their wishes and hang them. According to local beliefs, if you write with a sincere heart, your wish might come true. The whole place is full of positive energy and hope.Unfortunately, we couldn’t go all the way to the cave that’s located even higher up. That part of the trail seemed wild and forested, with warning signs about snakes — especially during the rainy season. My husband suggested we come back another time in better weather.

✅ Travel Tips for Visiting Sanbangsan

Always carry an umbrella ☔

Pack some snacks and water 🍪

Bring your own essentials — like raincoats or extra layers

Most importantly — slow down, enjoy the view, and take it all in 🌄

If you’re visiting Jeju Island, make sure to include Sanbangsan Mountain in your list — especially if you love nature, spirituality, or just scenic views. And honestly? A bit of light rain only makes it more magical.We couldn’t reach the cave this time, but maybe next time we’ll make it to the very top. Until then — this little rainy adventure will stay in our hearts!

I Love Jeju