The 1 km Left by Geomunoreum Lava: Manjanggul Cave Reopens

Reopening on May 30, 2026, Two Years and Five Months After the 2023 Rockfall

Manjanggul Cave was fully closed on December 29, 2023, after rocks fell from the upper section of the entrance. Following improvement work to enhance the visitor environment, it resumed general public access on May 30, 2026. The reopening maintenance included rockfall safety facilities, viewing decks and railings, and LED lighting. Therefore, visitors should prepare based on the latest route rather than information that assumes the uneven floor conditions of the past.

The cave is approximately 7.4 km long, but only about 1 km from the second entrance to the lava column at the end of the cave is open to general visitors. Since the route is a round trip, visitors walk to the endpoint and return along the same path. Setting aside approximately 70–100 minutes, including time for taking photos, is a realistic plan.

A Passage Formed by the Geomunoreum Eruption and a 7.6 m Lava Column

Manjanggul Cave is a lava tube formed when lava erupted from Geomunoreum and flowed toward the sea. The surface and edges of the hot lava flow hardened first, while lava inside drained away, leaving behind a hollow tube. As a result, structures created by the flowing lava, including lava textures, lava shelves, and lava stalactites, remain on the walls and ceiling.

At the end of the open section stands a lava column known to be 7.6 m high. Unlike stalactites in limestone caves, it was formed when lava from above and below met and solidified. The main passage is reported to reach a maximum width of 18 m and a maximum height of 23 m, making the visit more about observing a large lava passage than experiencing a narrow cave.

09:00–18:00, Adults ₩4,000, and Ticket Sales Closing at 17:00

Manjanggul Cave is open from 09:00 to 18:00, while ticket sales and admission close at 17:00. Admission for adults is ₩4,000. Entering just before closing may not leave enough time to fully experience the approximately 2 km round-trip route, so it is safer to arrive around 16:00 at the latest.

The regular closing day is announced as the first Wednesday of each month. Jeju residents, overseas Jeju residents, honorary Jeju residents, people with disabilities, and national merit recipients may qualify for free admission if they bring documents confirming their eligibility. Since operations may change due to weather or safety inspections, it is advisable to reconfirm whether the site is operating through the official tourism information channel or at the venue on the day of your visit.

• Operating hours: 09:00–18:00
• Admission closes: 17:00
• Adult admission: ₩4,000
• Regular closing day: First Wednesday of every month

2 km Round Trip from the Second Entrance: Why You Need a Light Outer Layer and Slip-Resistant Shoes

Visitors start at the second entrance, walk approximately 1 km into the cave, and then return along the same route. Unlike the weather outside, the cave interior is cool and humid, and water droplets may fall, so it is better to bring a lightweight long-sleeved outer layer even in midsummer. Since the floor may be wet, athletic shoes with good traction are more suitable than sandals.

Decks and railings were installed after the 2026 maintenance work, but the low light levels and humidity of a natural cave remain. The route may be challenging for people with limited mobility, those who feel anxious in dark spaces, or anyone who finds it difficult to walk 2 km round trip. To protect the cave ecosystem, visitors may not enter beyond the open section and should avoid accessing areas outside the designated route.

An Eastern Jeju Itinerary from 182 Manjanggul-gil, Gujwa-eup, to Gimnyeong and Woljeong-ri

The road-name address of Manjanggul Cave is 182 Manjanggul-gil, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province. Yongnuni Oreum-ro 8 Jongdal Sudatteul, provided by the user, is a separate location rather than the address of Manjanggul Cave. Therefore, the navigation destination must be set to “Manjanggul Cave” or “182 Manjanggul-gil.”

Public transportation often requires combining buses toward Gujwa and Gimnyeong with transfers rather than traveling directly from downtown Jeju, so real-time route information should be checked based on the departure point. The site is Informationed as having an on-site parking lot, but traffic levels and parking operations may change after the reopening. For an eastern-coast itinerary, Gimnyeong Beach and Woljeong-ri Beach can be visited on the same day, but it is best to allow separate travel time after touring the cave.

Discovered by Bu Jong-hyu in 1946 and Designated a Natural Monument in 1962

Manjanggul Cave is known to have been discovered and introduced to the public by Bu Jong-hyu in 1946. The year 2026 marks both the 100th anniversary of his birth and the 80th anniversary of the cave’s discovery. Manjanggul Cave and Gimnyeong Cave were designated Natural Monument No. 98 on December 3, 1962, and today they are connected to the UNESCO World Natural Heritage value of the Geomunoreum Lava Tube System.

The significance of this site lies in more than simply being a place to view a “large cave.” It shows, almost like an actual cross-section, the route taken by lava flows left behind by volcanic activity in northeastern Jeju, and it is also a habitat for cave organisms, including the endangered lesser horseshoe bat. For this reason, only approximately 1 km of the total 7.4 km is open to visitors, while the remaining areas are managed with a focus on conservation.

Darkness, Humidity, and Loss of Communication Repeatedly Mentioned in Reviews Just After Reopening

Reports and visitor comments about the 2026 reopening confirm both that the new decks make walking more stable and that the cave feels dark under the lower-intensity LED lighting. Mobile phone signals may be weak inside, so visitors should not become separated from their companions. It is also best to decide on return transportation and the pickup location before entering.

Photography may require camera settings suited to low light rather than using a flash. To avoid disturbing other visitors and cave organisms, lighting should be used as sparingly as possible. Watch for wet sections and low ceilings. When visiting with children, it is safer for an accompanying adult to stay close and assist them so they do not run ahead.

Eight Things to Check Before Departure: Hours, Fees, Shoes, and Transportation

Manjanggul Cave is not primarily a reservation-based facility, so up-to-date on-site visitor information is important. However, because it has just reopened in May 2026, visitors should first check for temporary safety restrictions or operational changes. Since the latest official information on the main telephone number, the scope of wheelchair and stroller access, and the regular operation of foreign-language commentary could not be uniformly confirmed, it is safest to inquire by phone or through official tourism information before visiting.

• Address: 182 Manjanggul-gil, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province
• Official tourism information: https://www.visitjeju.net
• Operating hours: 09:00–18:00; admission closes at 17:00
• Closing day: First Wednesday of every month
• Adult admission: ₩4,000
• Recommended visit duration: 70–100 minutes
• Clothing: Lightweight outer layer and slip-resistant athletic shoes
• Route: Approximately 1 km from the second entrance to the lava column; approximately 2 km round trip