Full disclosure: caves aren’t really my thing. Brandon used to take me on random excursions to various caves when we lived in Idaho – and I never really loved it. I’m slightly claustrophobic and I don’t really love the dark – and the very thought of being stuck in a cave with the walls and roof closing in on me… let’s just say it’s an anxiety attack waiting to happen. Even so, when I heard of Hwalok Cave, it piqued my interest. And so, much to Brandon’s surprise, I suggested we take a day trip there for a little adventure. And let me tell you, it was probably the most “Korean” thing I have experienced since we got here – in the best way.
Hwalok Cave in Chungju
Sometimes also referred to as the “Chungju Jade Cave,” Hwalok Cave is about two hours from Camp Humphreys. The drive itself is easy enough, and there are multiple areas to park for free near the cave. We immediately headed to the ticket booth to purchase our tickets for the cave, as well as for the kayaking.
Deep inside the cave is a shallow body of water that you can kayak through for a modest fee. There are koi fish in the water and laser shows shining on the walls of the cavern. Unfortunately, when we purchased our tickets, we were told that the kayaking was temporarily shut down for maintenance. Bummer.
Still, we didn’t drive two hours for nothing, so we purchased our regular admission tickets, and entered the cave. And this is the part where I become lost for words. Really, I’m not sure any amount of explanation would do this cave justice or give you a real idea about what to expect when visiting this cave.
Suffice it to say that Hwalok Cave is extra beyond anything I have ever experienced in my life – and nothing else I say will do it justice. The cave starts with museum exhibits showing what mining looked like in the caves. There was old machinery and photos from when it was an active mine. (It’s also worth pointing out that one of the photographs depicts a deceased person’s head in it – the photograph is black and white and grainy, but it seems relevant to point out for those who may be visiting with young children.) We didn’t spend a great deal of time in the museum part of the cave – our kids were much too excited to explore more.
The rest of the cave was a whole vibe – whatever that’s supposed to mean. Not only were there light shows being projected onto so many of the side tunnel walls – there were cute paintings on the walls, light-up animal sculptures, incredible seating areas, a café (yes, IN the cave), a wine cellar, AND an arcade. Yes, you read that right. An. Arcade. IN THE CAVE. Plus there were multiple areas where blacklights made everything glow. If you know my kids, you’ll know they were LOVING that.
In addition to ALL that, there was also a greenhouse within the cave where they grow wasabi plants. That’s right – wasabi comes from these little green shrubs. I was today years old when I learned what wasabi is. And it suddenly made sense why they serve wasabi ice cream at the café outside the cave. We didn’t try the wasabi ice cream, and I lowkey regret it. It was really cool to see how they grow the wasabi on site – and then sell wasabi products (including wasabi toothpaste) made from what they’ve grown.
Even with the disappointment of not being able to kayak, we still loved our experience in Hwalok Cave. The whole thing was unlike anything we had ever done and it just screamed “Korea!” If you ever find yourself near Chungju, check out this incredible Jade Cave. You won’t be sorry!
How to visit Hwalok Cave in Chungju
Directions: The best way we found to get to Hwalok Cave was to type “Hwalok Cave” into Waze. It may show up as “Hwarlok Cave (Jade Cave)” which is fine – just make sure it’s the one in Chungju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do. Honestly, I really dislike using Waze in Korea. But I tried over and over again to figure out a Naver pin for the cave with no luck. So sorry for all you Waze-haters out there – it’s all I got!
Cost:
Admission
Adults – ₩7,000
Children (school age) – ₩6,000
Children (preschool and under) – ₩5,000
Boat experience
₩3,000 per person
Parking
FREE
Cave Hours of Operation:
*Hours of operation are subject to change at any time. Information is accurate at the time this post was made according to the information available.
April – October:
9:30am-6:30pm Tuesday-Sunday (closed on Mondays)
November – March:
9:00am-6:00pm Tuesday-Sunday (closed on Mondays)
Difficulty: Going through the cave is extremely easy. It is well-maintained and the ground is fairly level. There are a few places where taller individuals may not be able to stand up straight, but most of the caverns and tunnels have ample standing space.
Tips for visiting with kids: Leave the strollers behind and opt for a baby carrier for little ones. Toddlers and elementary kids will enjoy exploring the cave on foot – and it is perfectly safe and feasible for them to do so.
