Jeju 2026 – Planning – Part 2 – I Asked ChatGPT to Review My Jeju Itinerary. Here’s What It Said

A major change in this year’s itinerary planning is that I used GenAI tools – and a lot of it! I used it somewhat sparingly when planning for the 2025 itineraries, but this year was a major step-up in the extent of use. In fact that I very quickly busted what was provided in the free tier of services, requiring that I pay a subscription fee to get tools like ChatGPT to do more complex analyses. Yes, I’m well aware that these tools should be used with a fair bit of salt and discretion, so I always rechecked using the old ways (e.g. web searches) what the GenAI tool was saying, especially pertaining to things like opening hours, traveling distances, whether places were really any good.

That out of the way, I used ChatGPT this year to especially:

Stylize my itineraries to make them look consistent, and also check for typographical errors and timing errors.

Got it to analyse the vacation posts this blog to understand my preferences (e.g. scenery yes, religious sites not really), what I look out for in vacations (e.g. minimal changes of accommodations), and things which are deal breakers for me (e.g. crowds!)

Analyse the visit durations of each place to make sure I wasn’t overspending/underspending the amount of time.

Analyse time to get from place to place, including accommodations, and ensuring sufficiency and buffers during peak hours.

Analyse which days are physically demanding and propose adjustments.

Analyse the range of sights to ensure there’s a balance and avoiding repeated sight types.

In short, these tools are very useful for checking and proposing micro adjustments. They can of course also propose entire itineraries for you, but I wanted to do that sort of higher level planning.

So, here’s what ChatGPT thinks of this Jeju itinerary. Here’s the copy and pasted version.

Here’s What ChatGPT Thinks of This 9-Day Jeju Itinerary

Looking at this itinerary as a whole, my overall assessment is that it is logistically efficient, geographically well-structured, and strongly focused on Jeju’s natural landscapes. Rather than trying to cover every attraction on the island, the plan emphasizes scenery, coastlines, volcanic formations, and short hikes — which is exactly what Jeju does best.

One of the strongest design choices in this itinerary is the three-base accommodation strategy. Instead of staying in one place and repeatedly driving across the island, the trip is divided into three logical regions:

• • Seogwipo (Days 1–4) for the south coast and Hallasan area

  • Seongsan (Day 5) to explore the east side and catch the sunrise at Seongsan Ilchulbong

  • Aewol (Days 6–9) for west Jeju, beaches, and the north coast

From a logistics perspective, this significantly reduces cross-island driving and keeps most days geographically compact.

Scenic Focus

Another thing that stands out is the clear emphasis on nature and landscapes. The itinerary prioritizes many of Jeju’s most distinctive environments:

• • Waterfalls such as Cheonjiyeon, Jeongbang, and Cheonjeyeon

  • Volcanic coastline formations like Jusangjeolli and Yongmeori

  • Hallasan’s forested slopes and oreum landscapes

  • Coastal viewpoints at Songaksan and Suwolbong

  • Iconic locations like Seongsan Ilchulbong and Seopjikoji

Instead of filling the schedule with museums or indoor attractions, most days focus on short scenic walks, geological features, and dramatic coastal views.

Balanced Daily Pace

From a pacing standpoint, the schedule also works well. Most days include three to five stops, with enough time allocated at each location to explore without rushing. Average driving time works out to roughly 1.5–2.5 hours per day, which is very reasonable for a Jeju road itinerary.

The trip also alternates naturally between more active days — such as the Hallasan hike or the Seongsan sunrise climb — and easier coastal exploration days, which helps prevent fatigue across the nine days.

Logical Flow Around the Island

Geographically, the route also makes sense. The itinerary essentially moves around the island in a gradual loop, rather than zigzagging back and forth:

1. 1. Exploring the south coast from Seogwipo

   2. Visiting Hallasan and southwest Jeju

   3. Crossing to the northeast for lava tubes and beaches

   4. Catching sunrise at Seongsan Ilchulbong

   5. Exploring west Jeju’s coastal parks and beaches

   6. Ending around Jeju City and the north coast

This approach keeps driving distances manageable and makes each day feel cohesive.

Ending the Trip Gently

The final part of the itinerary slows the pace intentionally. After several days of hiking and scenic exploration, the last two days focus more on relaxed coastal walks, viewpoints, and food:

• • The Handam Coastal Walk near Aewol

  • Views from Dodubong Peak

  • Beach time at Iho Tewoo

  • Food and shopping at Dongmun Market

From a travel planning perspective, ending the trip this way helps avoid the feeling of racing to the finish.

Overall Verdict

Overall, I would describe this itinerary as well-structured, realistic, and optimized for scenery rather than sightseeing overload. It balances driving, walking, and downtime while covering many of Jeju’s most distinctive landscapes.

In short, this is a thoughtfully designed way to experience Jeju’s volcanic island geography — one that minimizes unnecessary driving while still capturing the island’s most memorable natural highlights.

These tools are just incredible. How about possible improvements, of things to especially watch out for?

Possible Adjustments and Things to Be Mindful Of

Although I consider this itinerary well structured overall, there are a few practical considerations worth keeping in mind. Some locations — particularly waterfalls, coastal cliffs, and popular viewpoints — can become busy during peak hours, so arriving slightly earlier or keeping the schedule flexible may help avoid crowds. A few sites, such as Yongmeori Coast, are also tide-dependent, meaning access can change depending on sea conditions, so checking local updates on the day itself is important. Weather is another factor on Jeju: visibility at places like Hallasan or Seongsan Ilchulbong can vary significantly, so maintaining a bit of flexibility in the order of stops can be helpful if conditions shift. In terms of adjustments, I would only suggest small ones — allowing extra time at particularly scenic locations if the views are good, and being willing to shorten or skip a stop if the day begins to feel rushed. Overall, however, the itinerary already strikes a good balance between structure and flexibility, which is often the key to enjoying a destination like Jeju.

I reckon in a year or two, I should just get ChatGPT to write this blog. LOL.