The city of Gwangmyeong is a must for any travel itinerary of the metropolitan area. The city is easily accessible via public transit, taking just 15 minutes from Seoul Station to Gwangmyeong Station, and one hour and 20 minutes from Incheon International Airport. Taking a day out of your Seoul trip to spend in Gwangmyeong will be worth the time. Read on to learn more about the city’s attractions.
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An urban cave, Gwangmyeongdonggul Cave
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Beauty in the dark, Light Space
Gwangmyeongdonggul Cave started out as a mine in 1912 but has transformed into a tourist attraction. The cave spans 7.8 kilometers in length and reaching 275 meters in depth. It is the only cave in the Seoul metropolitan area and has become a top attraction in Gwangmyeong since being included on the 100 Must-go Destinations in Korea list for 2019-2020. The cool air of the cave makes it popular in summer, while the many exhibitions and events held within the cave keep it interesting all year round.
Enjoy local wines in the Wine Cave
The Wine Cave holds over 170 wines produced from Korean wineries. This is the only location in the nation where you can taste and purchase locally produced wines from across the country. The cave is divided into a wine cellar, where the wines are kept at the optimal temperature, and the tasting room, where visitors can try and buy their favorite wine. Each region produces its own unique taste so be sure to try a variety.
Shining golden world, Golden Road
One of the most popular sections of Gwangmyeongdonggul Cave is the Golden Road, decorated with the theme of gold, including Golden Waterfall, The Palace of Gold, and a road paved in gold. Test your aim by attempting to land a coin in the treasure chest! The money collected is used as scholarship money for local children.
Cave’s cutie, Elephant Car
Take a ride on Gwangmyeongdonggul Cave’s Elephant Car, departing from the back gate at Gwangmyeongdonggul Cave Parking Lot 3! The journey takes about ten minutes and the road is lined on both sides with a lush forest. The open sides of the car will allow you to take in the fresh air as you travel to the cave in comfort. The car runs in 20 minute intervals from 09:20 to 19:30. The rate for a one-way trip is 2,000 won for adults and 1,000 won for children. Please note that operations cease during inclement weather such as heavy rain, heavy snow, or during extreme cold. The car will also not run June 11 – July 20, 2019 in order to protect the surrounding environment from excessive emissions.
Gwangmyeongdonggul Cave
- ☞ Address: 142, Gahak-ro 85beon-gil, Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 광명시 가학로 85번길 142)
- ☞ Directions
- Bus: Take Bus No. 17 or 778 from Gwangmyeong Station, Exit 8 and get off at Gwangmyeongdonggul Bus Stop → Walk for approx. 10 min
- Taxi: Take a taxi for approx. 10min from Gwangmyeong Station (4.3km) - ☞ Operating hours: 09:00-18:00 (Last admission 17:00) / Closed Mondays
- ☞ Admission: Adults 6,000 won / Teenagers 3,500 won / Children 2,000 won / Senior citizens 1,500 won
* Adults (ages 19-64) / Teenagers (ages 13-18) / Children (ages 3-12) / Senior citizens (ages 65 and older)
* Separate fees apply to experience programs within the cave. - ☞ Website: www.gm.go.kr/cv (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
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Endless shopping at IKEA & Lotte Premium Outlets
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The best in interior design shopping, IKEA Gwangmyeong
IKEA is located just 10 minutes from Gwangmyeongdonggul Cave by car, making it convenient to enjoy a day of touring and shopping! IKEA is a world-famous furniture company from Sweden. The brand is famous for their modern and minimalist Scandinavian style designs at great prices. Another key-point of the IKEA brand is the DIY, flat-packaged items purchasers put together at home. IKEA Gwangmyeong opened in December 2014, and is the first IKEA in Korea. Spanning over 59,000㎡, the large store has over 8,600 products for sale ranging from kitchen goods to living room and bedroom furniture. When visiting, be sure to try the Scandinavian menus such as meatballs and tomato sauce pasta available in the food court!
IKEA Gwangmyeong
- ☞ Address: 17, Iljik-ro, Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 광명시 일직로 17)
- ☞ Directions: Walk for approx. 15 min from Gwangmyeong Station, Exit 1
- ☞ Operating hours: 10:00-22:00 (Restaurants 09:30-21:00) / Closed the day of Seollal (Lunar New Year’s Day) & Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day)
- ☞ Website: www.ikea.com (Korean, English)
Lotte Premium Outlets Gwangmyeong
Lotte Premium Outlets Gwangmyeong is a shopper’s paradise, located just next to IKEA. The shopping center has more than 300 designer brands, as well as a cultural complex that has performances, photo zones, and outdoor parks that cater to groups of various kinds. Teddy bear statues and other cute and enjoyable installments make it a great place for families to bring their children to enjoy the atmosphere while parents are focused on shopping.
Lotte Premium Outlets Gwangmyeong
- ☞ Address: 17, Iljik-ro, Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 광명시 일직로 17)
- ☞ Directions: Walk for approx. 15 min from Gwangmyeong Station, Exit 1
- ☞ Operating hours: Monday-Thursday 11:00-21:00, Friday-Sunday 11:00-22:00 / Closed the day of Seollal (Lunar New Year’s Day) & Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day)
- ☞ Website: store.lotteshopping.com (Korean only)
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[full credits to Korea Tourism Organization]
