Walk with us through the Jeju Haenyeo Museum

An important note on Jeju’s updated bus system and this blog post

From August 2017, Jeju Island implemented a new city and intercity bus system. It increased the number of buses in service, while simplifying the routes, fees and numbering system.

Consequently, the contents of this previously published blog post may have changed. We therefore would kindly request that you consult this page for new bus maps in English on VisitJeju.net,  and this page on our blog for a chart of the old and new bus route numbers.

If you read Korean, then the province’s official bus system website is a useful and up-to-date resource. We hope you’ll enjoy your travels on Jeju Island!

Traditional gear used by Jeju diving women on display at the Jeju Haenyeo Museum in Gujwa-eup, Jeju City.

Over the years, we’ve covered the island’s women divers and the unique Jeju Haenyeo Museum, which is dedicated to educating the public about their work, history, and influence on Jeju society and culture.

Learn All About the Haenyeo at the Haenyeo Museum (Sept. 2012)

What Do You Know About Jeju Haenyeos? (Sept. 2012)

Do you know the Jeju Haenyeo? (Nov. 2013)

Jeju’s mothers – The woman divers (Aug. 2014)

We recently revisited the museum because two major events which happened in 2016: First, Exhibition Hall #3 was remodeled; and secondly and significantly, the announcement that Jeju women divers were given UNESCO Cultural Heritage of Humanity status (Dec. 2016). This is a major step in the preservation of the haenyeo’s traditions and techniques for future generations.

A congratulatory banner outside the Haenyeo Museum after the announcement of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity designation.

This time we brought along a GoPro and walked through Exhibition Halls 1 through 3, the Observatory, the main grounds, and headed to the nearby coastline, to give you a sense of what to expect if you pay a visit to the Jeju Haenyeo Museum.

Exhibition Halls 1 and 2

Exhibition Hall 3 (the circular route gives the sense of descending to the depths, like the haenyeo do.)

 

Did you know?

In 1965, when the numbers of haenyeo were at the peak, over 23,000 Jeju diving women were working. That was roughly 21 percent of the total population of women over age 15, and nearly 80 percent of all those employed in the island’s fisheries industry. Today, though, there are under 5,000 haenyeo and the vast majority are in their 60s or older.

 

Third Floor Observatory

 

Museum Grounds

 

Hado-ri Coast

 

The museum is along Olle walking trail No. 21, if you’re inclined to make a day of it.

 

How to get there: From Jeju City Intercity Bus Terminal, catch bus 701 or 910. The 90-minute ride ends at the Haenyeo Museum bus stop. From there, it’s a short 300 meter walk to the building.

 

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