A place worth visiting Korea, Gwangmyeong Cave theme park

Transform vacant cave into theme park

The original name of Gwangmyeong cave, closed in 1972, was Siheung coal mine. This is a historical place characterized by gross violation such as conscription and pillage by the Japanese during the colonial period and at the same time a historical proof of modern industrialization after the political independence. This has been an abandoned mine from 1972 until 2011, yet served as storage for fermented shrimp with a strong odor. However, Gwangmyeong city purchased it and created it as a theme park for cultural art space and successfully established it as the largest cave theme park in South Korea recognized for a healing space by adding the cultural value.

Since the theme park opened in April 2014, more than a million visitors have paid a visit over the past ten months as it became popular. This park generated 4 billion won and created around 200 jobs and further held “an exhibition of the cave art paintings of the Lascaux Cave” last year. Gwangmyeong theme park provided more entertainment and events and achieved 1.42 million tourists, with 8.4 billion won total earnings of the tourism as well as 415 jobs.

kwangmyeong Cave: it had once been a gold cave, gold cave

It has been estimated in 1950 that about 1.9 thousand tons of minerals were buried under the cave, which is known as a gold mine. 52kg minerals were exploited until 1972 since it was closed in 1955. During those periods, 52kg gold was exploited and hundreds kilograms had been exploited from 1912 to 1954. The coal mine was closed in 1972 due to environmental pollution and compensation. Yet expert says that there are more residual unraveled gold.

Operating hours and admission fee?

Gwangmyeong cave operates from 9:00 am to 18:00 pm and the final admission is at 17:00 pm. The admission fee 6,000 won for adults, 3,500 won for adolescents (middle and high school students) and 2,000 won for children (age 3 to elementary school student). Group tourists, soldiers and residents in Gwangmyeong are discounted so that please check more details on price on the city’s website. You have to pay 5,000 won for wearing a golden card. The price of elephant cars is 2,000 won for adults, soldiers and adolescents and 1,000 won for children. Please check for more information on different services. Exemption from admission fee includes infants under the age of 3, people with disabilities(person graded 1 to 3 and a carer, person graded 4 to 6), beneficiaries under the National Basic Living Security Act, veterans (principal), patrons (principal and spouse), family of the deceased and multicultural family members. Please remember that the cave is closed on every Monday.

  

Music concert in Cave Art Center

There is a large space in the cave called cave art center where Gwangmyeong citizen choir including many artists perform and events for watching videos are held. Particularly you can hear beautifully resonating echo amplifying in the cave. As diverse events are waiting for you, please check events and dates on our website. 

Aqua World: aquarium cave at Gwangmyeong Cave Theme Park

There are a variety of events in the theme park. You can have a short break time in an aquarium where you can see many different fish in the course of a long-distance walk. As the top level underground water is supplied, different species including Korean native fish are living. You can see golden fish, which is called a golden dragon, gains popularity from visitors.

History-telling Cave

Began as the Siheung coal mine in 1912, Gwangmeyong cave retains tragedy during the Japanese colonial period and modern industrialization. Used as storage for salted shrimp after closure, this cave was purchased by Gwangmyeong city and transformed into a modern historical museum. A chronological panel displaying a centennial history of the cave and diorama realizing the actual coal mine are provided for contributing to better historical understanding. 

If you walk into the cave, there is a downstairs leading to the basement floor. This was used a path for miners with an angle of 32 degrees, which is pretty steep. If you follow this path, you will meet a marvelous spot hidden below the underground water. Although it is currently closed, you can spend nice time with your children in a horrific hall (ghost’s house) by going down this way.

Golden path for wish-fulfillment

This is a golden road, an emblem of Gwangmyeong cave where gold, silver and copper were exploited. If you walk on this path, you can breathe and feel refreshing anion elements. As a more direct experience, you can write your dream and hope on the gold card and hang on the wall. Gold cards hung on the wall twinkles and remain kept for a year.

People visit here on weekdays due to its low temperature during summer. It is recommended for a spring excursion with family on the weekend. As you have to climb up and down for a long time, running shoes or convenient shoes are recommended.