Jeju Seogwipo, the emerald gift hidden in the forest, 'Donnaeko Wonaengpokpo Falls'

Green forest paths, comfort delivered by the breeze

Jeju's sunlight is always clear, but the moment you step into the forest paths of Donnaeko(돈내코), the air becomes even thicker. Arriving at 137, Donnaeko-ro, Seogwipo-si, by following the navigation destination, we are welcomed from the entrance by a dense evergreen subtropical forest. The smell of soil and grass brushes against the tip of your nose, and the rustling sound of leaves colliding with each other lingers in your ears. The 700m walking trail starting from the entrance of the resort is an excellent resting place in itself. As you walk slowly for about 20 minutes, the noise of the complex city is soon forgotten, and only the breath of nature remains. If you sit for a while on the wooden benches placed in between and take a deep breath, it feels like the cells in your whole body are absorbing the vitality of the forest.

The mystery created by two streams, an encounter with Wonaengpokpo Falls

The Wonaengpokpo Falls(원앙폭포) encountered at the end of the trail is truly surreal. Cold, ice-like water streams flowing down from Hallasan(한라산) pour through the rocks, and the water pooled beneath it has a transparent emerald hue that is blinding to the eyes. Seeing the two streams of the waterfall, one naturally nods why the legend says a pair of affectionate mandarin ducks (wonaeng) once lived here. Dipping my hand into the valley water, a bracing, cold sensation spreads throughout my body. I can understand why the old story originated that taking a shower under the water even in midsummer cures neuralgia. The mysterious water color, the green moss covering the cliffs, and the sound of the falling waterfall combine to unfold a landscape painting before my eyes.

The standard of a relaxing trip, how to utilize Donnaeko

To properly enjoy Donnaeko(돈내코), choosing the time is important. I enjoy visiting early in the morning when there are fewer crowds to fully enjoy the tranquility of the forest. Near the valley, there are convenient facilities such as a camping site and a cooking area, so if you are someone who enjoys camping, I recommend taking note of the facilities near the roadside parking lot nearby. As the saying goes, 'Geumgangsan is best viewed after a meal.' Nearby local restaurants are perfect for soothing the hunger from the forest bathing at Wonaengpokpo Falls. The time spent finishing the lingering emotions of the trip while tasting Jeju's unique native chicken dishes was the highlight of this trip. Donnaeko, which retains its natural appearance, gives a much deeper resonance than decorated tourist spots. There is much that is flashy in Jeju, but sometimes, a time to entrust myself to the valley water flowing silently like this is essential.