Gwangmyeong-donggul Cave was once a gold mine whose workers were exploited by the Japanese colonial government. In 1912, the cave was mined for gold, silver, copper and iron mostly by peasants who were either avoiding forced labor or just trying to survive. The sheer size of the cave and its painting residue are evidence of the miners¡¯ hardship.

Until flooding and pollution led to its closure in 1972, the cave continued to be mined for gold for 60 years. Hundreds of kilograms of the precious metal were found here from 1912-54. After its closure, the cave was used to store pickled shrimp delivered from Sorae Port.

When the Gwangmyeong city government in 2011 purchased the cave to redevelop it, a full-scale transformation ensued. The cave¡¯s surroundings were revamped as a theme park featuring over 20 entertainment facilities such as Cave Arts Center, Wine Cave, Golden Palace, Golden Waterfall, Cave Aqua World, Cave Greenhouse, Underground Lake, Modern History Museum and VR (Virtual Reality) Center.

The cave offers more than just entertainment as a regenerated space of cultural creativity and an industrial relic from the eras of Japanese imperialism and Korea¡¯s modernization. The cave was named one of the ¡°Stars of Korean Tourism in 2017¡± and ¡°100 Destinations for Korean Visitors for 2017-20¡± by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization. Attracting over a million visitors every year, the cave is now a gold mine for cultural arts and heritage.

Subterranean Fantasy

One of Gwangmyeong Cave¡¯s courses sparkles in gold.

Though the chill of winter cold permeates the air outdoors, Gwangmyeong-donggul Cave retains a mild temperature of 12-13 degrees Celsius throughout the year.

The exploration of the cave starts with Wormhole Square, which opens a divergent road. On the walls is LED lighting shaped like marine organisms. Follow the bright fish straight into the cave to find a large square the size of a field and Korea¡¯s one and only Cave Arts Center. Decked out with seating for 350 people, the center plays a CGI-enabled media facade on the domeshaped cave wall every 20 minutes. Lasting ten minutes, the show features flamboyant primary colors as an impressive experience in new media arts against the backdrop of natural darkness. Occasional performances by orchestras, fashion shows and cultural exhibitions are also held.

Proceed through the corridor that gold miners passed through for excavation in the past to reach the secretive area of Aisha, the blacksmith fairy. Her imaginary habitat is a six-pillar golden palace where gold is produced and stocked in a gold room. Visitors throw coins into the golden vault to wish for their own wealth and post their written desires on the Golden Plaque Wall of Wishes on the Golden Road.

Fancy lights beckon visitors to the cave¡¯s interior. © imagetoday

Moving further underground leads to a realm of greater mystery. One level down is a pool of aquifer water that sparkles in turquoise hues with an eye-catching aqua tint. This fresh, top-grade aquifer supplies World of Water in the cave and the sustenance for its marine life and flora. Fish from near and far are spotted at World of Water, among which golden fish dubbed ¡°golden dragons¡± are especially popular. Contrary to the cave seeming to be uninhabitable, greenery and marine life more than thrive there.

The deepest corners of the cave house a giant dragon dubbed ¡°king of the cave.¡± At 41 meters long and weighing 800 kg, it is the largest figure in Korea. Weta Workshop of New Zealand, famed for producing the blockbusters ¡°The Lord of the Rings¡± and ¡°King Kong,¡± manufactured 30 portions of the dragon that were sent to Korea via air delivery.

A life-size figure of the villain Gollum is huddled in front of the dragon, as if in fear. The limited edition figure from Weta is displayed alongside the wand that the wizard Gandalf used in the ¡°Rings¡± films.

Mild breeze seeps into the Cave from below, allowing its interiors to stay temperate throughout winters and summers.