The Jisan Amusement Park Lift Car That Has Crossed the Mudeungsan Forest Since 1978: How to Reach Palgakjeong
The Jisan Amusement Park lift car is an open-air lift facility that travels above the forest on the slopes of Mudeungsan to Bitgoeul Station. After walking 50 meters along a forest path from the lift’s upper terminal, you can transfer to a monorail that continues to the Palgakjeong Observatory.
A 200,000-pyeong recreation area established at the foot of Hyangnobong Peak on Mudeungsan Mountain in April 1978
Jisan Recreation Area is a recreation area of approximately 200,000 pyeong that opened in April 1978. Because of its location at the foot of Hyangnobong Peak on Mudeungsan Mountain, it was designed as a tourist route connecting the forest below the ridge with downtown Gwangju without requiring visitors to climb the mountain from the city center.
Today, the lift car and monorail are the recreation area's main transportation facilities. Although the former amusement-facility-centered landscape has changed considerably, the lift crossing the forest to the higher area and the monorail extending to Palgakjeong Pavilion remain, allowing visitors to understand the structure of a suburban Gwangju recreation area from the 1970s.
- Jisan Recreation Area first opened: April 1978
- Size: Approximately 200,000 pyeong
- Monorail reopening: December 8, 2016
- Viewpoints: Sections around 350 m above sea level and the area around Palgakjeong Pavilion
From the first-floor ticket office to the second-floor boarding area, the lift car takes about 20 minutes upward
To use the lift car, purchase a ticket at the ticket office inside the convenience store on the first floor, then go up to the boarding area on the second floor. Since it is an open chairlift, it is advisable to secure your mobile phone, hat, and other lightweight belongings before boarding.
The lift travels through the Mudeungsan forest for approximately 20 minutes, ending at Bitgoeul Station, the monorail transfer point. You can choose to ride only the lift and return, but if Palgakjeong Observatory is your destination, you need to continue your journey from Bitgoeul Station.
- Ticket office: Inside the convenience store on the first floor
- Boarding area: Second floor of the building
- Lift travel time: Approximately 20 minutes
- Transfer point: Bitgoeul Station
- Credit card payment: Available
A 50-meter forest path from Bitgoeul Station, where the single-rail monorail heads to Palgakjeong Pavilion
The distance from the lift terminus to the monorail departure point is approximately 50 meters along a forest path. Although it is a short distance, the path includes a slope, so visitors planning to use the lift and monorail consecutively with only a wheelchair or stroller should inquire at the site first for safety.
The monorail runs on a single rail and travels round-trip to the summit area of Jisan Recreation Area, where Palgakjeong Pavilion is located. The Korea Tourism Organization describes it as a facility accommodating approximately 20 people at a time, and it may not be suitable for people who find movement-related shaking uncomfortable.
- Lift terminus to monorail departure point: Approximately 50 m along a forest path
- Monorail route: Round trip from the mountainside to the summit area of Palgakjeong Pavilion
- Monorail capacity: Approximately 20 people
- Summit facility: Palgakjeong Observatory
- Stroller rental: Not available
Starts at 10 a.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. on weekends; call 062-221-2760 first in rain or strong winds
According to official tourism information, operating hours are 10:00–18:00 on weekdays and 09:00–18:00 on weekends, with no regular closing days. However, the lift and monorail may stop operating or close early depending on weather conditions, so same-day confirmation is necessary if rain or strong winds are forecast or if you are traveling from far away.
The main inquiry number is 062-221-2760, and the official website is https://jisanpark.co.kr/. The Korea Tourism Organization's English information separately states that the final lift ticket issuance is at 17:30 and the final monorail ticket issuance is at 17:00. If you plan to use both services for a round trip and transfer, it is better not to arrive late in the afternoon.
- Weekday hours: 10:00–18:00
- Weekend hours: 09:00–18:00
- Closed: Open year-round
- Final lift ticket issuance: 17:30
- Final monorail ticket issuance: 17:00
- Inquiries: 062-221-2760
Information on the 19,000-won lift and monorail round-trip fare, and why you should reconfirm it on-site
A user video published in June 2025 shows the round-trip fare for the lift and monorail as 19,000 won for adults and 16,000 won for children. However, official tourism pages do not publish the latest detailed fare table for individual rides or round-trip tickets, so these amounts should be treated as reference information only. For accuracy, confirm the fare at the ticket office or by calling 062-221-2760 before payment.
Admission to the recreation area itself is listed as free. Therefore, the cost of entering Jisan Recreation Area and the cost of using the lift and monorail should be considered separately. The ticket selection may also differ depending on whether you ride only the lift or continue to the monorail.
- Recreation area admission: Free
- Round-trip lift and monorail fare for adults based on reviews and videos: 19,000 won
- Round-trip lift and monorail fare for children based on reviews and videos: 16,000 won
- Fare inquiry number: 062-221-2760
- Whether reservations are required: Not separately confirmed in the official information
Jisan Recreation Area bus stop served by Duam 81 and 1000, with parking for 200 small vehicles
By public transportation, you can take buses Duam 81 and 1000 at the “Jisan Recreation Area” stop. Buses 1000 and Duam 81 also stop at the “Jisan Recreation Area Entrance” stop, so compare both stops in a map app according to your departure point.
According to Korea Tourism Organization data, parking is available for 200 small vehicles and 10 large vehicles. Barrier-free tourism information lists three accessible parking spaces and an accessible restroom. However, an older Gwangju tourism guide also states that there are no parking facilities, so visitors arriving by car on weekends or during peak season should reconfirm the availability and location of parking by phone before departure.
- Address: 23 Jiho-ro 164beon-gil, Dong-gu, Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City
- Buses: Duam 81, 1000
- Stops: Jisan Recreation Area and Jisan Recreation Area Entrance
- Parking: 200 small vehicles and 10 large vehicles
- Accessible parking: 3 spaces
- Accessible restroom: Available
One and a half to two hours to Palgakjeong Pavilion: a half-day at the foot of Mudeungsan Mountain that pairs well with Boribap Street
Considering the approximately 20-minute lift ride, the 50-meter walk from Bitgoeul Station to the monorail departure point, the monorail round trip, and time spent at Palgakjeong Pavilion, a realistic schedule for using both the lift and monorail is at least 1.5 to 2 hours. Since operations may change in bad weather, morning or early afternoon is more favorable for adjusting your route than the final time slot of the day.
Jisan Recreation Area pairs well with Mudeungsan Boribap Street. The Korea Tourism Organization suggests an approximately 13.05-km course connecting Jisan Recreation Area, Chungjangsa Temple, Hwanbyeokdang Pavilion, and Soswaewon Garden in Damyang. Travelers with access to a car can connect the natural scenery at the foot of Mudeungsan Mountain with traditional sites in the Gwangju and Damyang areas in a single day.
- Recommended duration: 1.5–2 hours
- Lift car: Approximately 20 minutes
- Lift terminus to monorail: Approximately 50 m on foot
- Connected course distance: Approximately 13.05 km
- Nearby dining area: Mudeungsan Boribap Street
- Recommended departure time: Morning or early afternoon
Open chairlift and swaying single-rail monorail: who should ride and who should avoid them
The appeal of Jisan Recreation Area comes less from speed than from the sensations created by elevation and structure. The lift travels in exposed seats above the forest, while the monorail has the characteristic jolting of a single-rail system. People with a fear of heights or sensitivity to shaking should make a careful decision before boarding.
Conversely, for travelers who want to see the mid-slope of Mudeungsan Mountain and downtown Gwangju without a long hike, the journey itself becomes the destination. The Korea Tourism Organization's 1330 Tourist Information Hotline provides support in Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese; if you need on-site information, call +82-2-1330.
- Visitors who should exercise caution: Those sensitive to heights, motion sickness, or shaking
- Suitable purpose: Traveling to the middle slope of Mudeungsan Mountain by lift and monorail instead of hiking
- 1330 Tourist Information: +82-2-1330
- Supported languages: Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese
- In bad weather: Operations may be suspended or end early
Before You Go
- Address
- 23 Jiho-ro 164beon-gil, Dong-gu, Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City (Jisan-dong)
- Hours
- Weekdays 10:00–18:00 / weekends 09:00–18:00; subject to change depending on weather conditions
- Closed
- Open year-round
- Admission
- Free admission to the recreation area. Confirm lift and monorail fares on-site or by phone
- Phone
- 062-221-2760
- Official site
- https://jisanpark.co.kr/
- Transport
- Jisan Recreation Area stop: Duam 81, 1000 / Jisan Recreation Area Entrance stop: 1000, Duam 81
- Parking
- Information indicates space for 200 small vehicles and 10 large vehicles, with 3 accessible parking spaces. Because this differs from older guides, phone confirmation before visiting is recommended
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours including the lift, monorail, and Palgakjeong Pavilion
- Accessibility
- Three accessible parking spaces and an accessible restroom are available. Stroller rental is unavailable. English, Japanese, and Chinese support is available through the 1330 Tourist Information Hotline
The information above is current as of the time of writing. Check the official information again before visiting.
Places
Nearby Attractions 2
-
1
Chungjangsa ShrineExplore the shrine honoring General Kim Deok-ryeong and the museum of artifacts. -
2
Gwangjuho Lake Eco ParkEnjoy nature while walking along the lakeside trail and through the wetlands.
Food & Dining 3
-
3
Paldo GangsanA Mudeungsan-style Korean restaurant where you mix wild mountain greens with barley rice before eating. -
4
-
5
Events in This Area
Festivals in This Area
More Travel Guides in This Area
Travel Guide
Gwangju Family Land, Where Uchi Park’s Forest Meets a 1991 Amusement Park
Travel Guide
From the 1992 Zoo to the 2002 Golf Practice Range: A One-Day Route through 960,000㎡ Uchi Park
Travel Guide
From a 1956 Reservoir to a Rose Garden with 140 Varieties: Pungam Lake Park
Travel Guide
Wolbong Seowon in Neobeusil, Gwangsan, Where Gobong Gi Daeseung’s Debate Lives On
Korea News
![ZEROBASEONE ‘ZEROBASEONE Shining Even at Night!’ [★Video]](https://kotourlive-images.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/news/1786629298196_13d8a4bb_news_075face7-fb4e-402c-b833-25ccaf88cf8f.jpg)
News
ZEROBASEONE ‘ZEROBASEONE Shining Even at Night!’ [★Video]
News
Kwon Eun-bi, First Comeback Since Moving from Woollim to RBW: “Aiming for a September Release”
News
“Did Jungkook’s connection continue?” Pop star Usher spotted warmly hugging BTS’s RM and J-Hope
News