Manjanggul Is Open Again: A Half Day in Gimnyeong, Rain or Shine

Manjanggul is the centrepiece lava tube of "Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes", inscribed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in 2007. It closed in December 2023 after rockfall near the entrance and reopened on 30 May 2026 after two and a half years of repairs; 2026 also marks 80 years since the cave was first explored. From Onpyeong it is about half an hour north by car, and the cave combines neatly with a maze park and two beaches for a half day.

Manjanggul: what changed with the reopening

• Open section — Of the tube's 7.4 km, you walk about 1 km from the second entrance to the lava column at the end. Allow under an hour there and back.
• Floor and lighting — A flat deck now runs the whole open section, a big change from the uneven lava floor of old. Lighting was switched to low-level LEDs, so it stays dim.
• Entrance stairs — The stairs down into the cave are unchanged and can be slippery after rain; wear trainers.
• Free guided tours — Korean-language tours leave on the hour from 10 am to 4 pm (about an hour, sign up on site). Even without the language, following a group shows you the flow lines on the walls, the "turtle rock" and the lava column at the end.

Hours, fees and what to wear

• Hours — 9 am to 6 pm, last tickets and entry at 5 pm. Closed the first Wednesday of each month (as of October 2026).
• Fees — Adults 4,000 won, teens and children 2,000 won (Korea Tourism Organization data, October 2026); check the board on site. Parking is free.
• Clothing — The cave sits at roughly 11 to 15 °C all year, so bring a layer even in midsummer. Water drips from the ceiling, so a hood is handy.
• Changes — Follow the Jeju World Natural Heritage Center's notices; the open section and hours can change.

Gimnyeong Maze Park, just below the cave car park

Walk down from the Manjanggul car park and you are at Gimnyeong Maze Park, Korea's first maze park, opened in 1995. It was created by Frederic Dustin, an American who taught at Jeju National University, and is known for donating its profits to the university and to Gimnyeong village over the years. The hedge maze runs about 1 km; most people find the exit in 15 to 20 minutes, though getting lost can stretch it to nearly an hour. Around 50 cats live in the park, a hit with children. Admission is 9,900 won for adults, 8,800 for teens and 7,700 for children (revised January 2026). It opens every day; closing time varies by season with last entry 50 minutes before, so check ahead.

Gimnyeong Beach and Woljeongri

• Gimnyeong (Seongsegi) Beach — Sand piled on a shelf of lava rock, with emerald water and wind turbines behind the shore that make for a fine sunset. There is a public car park with toilets and showers. Jeju's designated beaches opened from 24 June to 6 September in 2026; check on site for campsite dates.
• Woljeongri Beach — About 6 km east of Gimnyeong, a 10-minute drive. Cafés and restaurants line the road right behind the sand, and surfers and paddleboarders fill the shallows. Parking is tight, so arrive early in high season or leave the car in Gimnyeong.

Getting there from the house

From Onpyeong, follow the coastal main road north for about 28 km, roughly 30 minutes by car. Seeing the cave first, then the maze park, Gimnyeong Beach and Woljeongri makes the smoothest loop. By bus you would take the 201 to the Manjanggul entrance stop and change to a 711 village bus, which runs on demand after 2 pm, and the walk from the main road is 2.5 km, so a taxi is the realistic option without a car. On a wet day, pair the cave with the indoor stops in our rainy-day guide; travelling with children, see East Jeju with kids.