An abandoned cave where gold and other rich minerals have been mined during the Japanese occupation in South Korea in 1912 has been transformed into a theme park, museum and tourist spot for culture and arts.
It operated for 33 years until its closure in 1972 but was reopened in 2011. Now it earned its recognition as one of the 100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots of Korea for 2019 – 2020.
Gwangmyeong Cave, an in-city cave theme park, is located in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi-do in the far southwestern outskirts of Seoul, the capital city of South Korea.
From its exploitative origins wherein the Japanese Army forced Korean farmers to mine gold and other industrial minerals like silver, copper, zinc to make weapons for the Japanese military in the Pacific War, the cave today is beyond imagination.
For instance, visitors can savor Korean wines inside the cave whose temperature is constant and steady at 13 degrees Celsius the whole year round, an ideal temperature for storing Korean wines. Next to the wineshop is even a cafe for some light snacks.
As if walking under a spread of twinkling bright stars, a canopy of colorful LED lights dance to the music, lighting art installations on the sides, leading visitors through the tunnel until they reach the next point of interest. Visitors are in awe as they move about the different points of interest.
With a span of 7.9 kilometers in length and 275 meters in depth, there are 18 areas of interest inside the cave whose gold deposits are believed to have also helped in the modernization and industrialization of South Korea. Based on records, 52 kilograms were mined from 1955 to 1972.
Inside the cave, visitors will also see a diorama of the dragon featured in The Lord of the Rings, along with Gollum. A South Korean creative company was behind the creation of the dragon, according to the guide who led us through the cave. Other points of interest inside the cave include an aquarium, a botanical garden, a nine-meter tall waterfall with 1.4 ton of underground rock water falling per minute.
Korean myth and legend is also creatively spun around the gold deposits of the mining cave's history. For instance,visitors can wish for good luck in the Golden Palace, a space where six large columns and a golden hammer stand. Nearby is the Golden Chamber where a large image of cave fairy Aixia guards her treasure chest.
Visitors can also make a wish. By purchasing a golden plaque, they can make a wish and hang the plaque on a Wishing Wall.
Performance art is also possible inside the cave at the Cave Arts Center where one can expect a fantastic play of lights through show lasers.
An episode of Korea's modern history is also reconstructed through cutting-edge technology using graphics, media and music focusing on the mining site. The mining site represents the history of exploitation and forced labor of Koreans during the Japanese occupation.
Outside the cave, though, is a new landmark. A LED Media Tower – Korea's highest LED media tower – using digital technology allows visitors to enjoy 3D videos and interactive media experiences.
From a deep underground shaft, the cave has become a creative space to showcase South Korea's culture and modern history using advanced technology.
From the rugged, rough and dark terrain of a mine cave, Gwangmyeong Cave is now well-paved and smooth, thoughtfully designed with many features yet it does not forget its historical imprint.
And because of the cave's transformation, Gwangmyeong City which has never been known to produce wine, is now a producer of Korean wines, helping boost the economy.
Gwangmyeong Cave is truly a must-visit destination. (THEA C. RINEN)
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