The Manjanggul Cave is a true natural masterpiece – an echoing underground lava tunnel filled with otherworldly stalactites and stalagmites with its own seven-metre-high lava column. The huge tunnel was formed during a volcanic explosion some 200,000 to 300,000 years ago, and at a height of 30 metres and width of 23 metres, it is one of the biggest and the most impressive in the world.
A whole network of lava tunnels runs around the Manjanggul Cave itself, covering a total of 13 kilometres – however, due to safety reasons not all are accessible and most visitors are only allowed a short way into the cave system.
As a tourist attraction, Manjanggul Cave is impeccably maintained, with a fairly steep wooden staircase leading down to the edge of the cave and a walkway that is lit to guide visitors through. The lighting is fairly dim in places, so it may be a good idea to bring a torch.
Keep your eyes open for the cave’s impressive rock formations, many of which have been lit up in a rainbow of colours. Look out for Turtle Rock, which looks like a cross between a turtle (hence the name) and, coincidentally, the outline of Jeju Island itself.
Without a doubt, the most impressive feature in the cave is the lava column, which stands nearly eight metres tall, making it the tallest lava column in the world. As well as the rock formations, there is lots of interesting wildlife to look out for in the cave, from the Jeju cave spider to the 30,000 or so bats that live down in the catacombs.
As this attraction is underground it can get cold, so warm clothes are advised, while waterproofs will prevent any drips reaching your skin. Walking around the cave takes around 45 minutes, but make sure you leave time to stop and admire the natural beauty around you.
To reach the Manjanggul Cave, catch the bus from Jeju City. This takes around 30 minutes and the cave is about 30 kilometres east of the city. You have to pay for admission to the cave. Bear in mind that opening hours are shorter in winter.
