Hwanseongul Cave (환선굴)

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Located in Samcheok, South Korea, Hwanseon Cave is one of the largest limestone caves in Asia. This natural wonder offers visitors a glimpse into the Earth’s subterranean world, with stunning formations and a rich history.

Why Visit Hwanseon Cave?

Stunning Formations: The cave is adorned with a variety of breathtaking formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones, created over millions of years.
Rich History: Hwanseon Cave has a long and fascinating history, and it was designated as a Natural Monument in Korea.
Unique Ecosystem: The cave is home to a variety of unique species that have adapted to the dark and humid environment.
Convenient Access: The cave is easily accessible and offers a variety of amenities for visitors.

What to See and Do at Hwanseon Cave

Explore the Cave: Take a guided tour and marvel at the intricate cave formations and learn about the geological processes that created them.
Discover the Underground River: Witness the underground river flowing through the cave, creating a mesmerizing sight.
Admire the Stalactites and Stalagmites: Be amazed by the variety and size of the cave formations.
Learn About Cave Ecology: Discover the unique ecosystem of the cave and the various species that inhabit it.

Tips for Visiting Hwanseon Cave

Best Time to Visit: The cave temperature is constant year-round, so it’s a great place to visit any time.
Accessibility: The cave is accessible by a monorail, making it convenient for visitors of all ages.
What to Bring: A light jacket as the cave can be cool, and a camera to capture the stunning formations.

A Deeper Look into Hwanseon Cave

Hwanseon Cave is a testament to the wonders of nature. It offers a unique opportunity to explore an underground world and learn about the geological processes that shaped our planet. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a geology buff, or simply looking for a unique adventure, the Hwanseon Cave is a must-visit destination in Samcheok.

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4.5

Based on 1870 reviews

14:21 17 Oct 24

12:31 17 Oct 24

04:05 15 Oct 24

05:35 12 Oct 24

I'm tired. You idiots, go in prepared. It's fucking scary when you go inside. I went there when there were no people around and it was really scary. Clearly warned. I found it just moderately thrilling and fun. It's hot inside the monorail, but it's cold inside the cave, so make sure to wear underwear.

Andy Song

05:29 12 Oct 24

Aso S

09:16 31 Oct 23

This cave is huge and easy to access. From the parking it's a short walk to the ticket box. Foreigner's price is for some reason a multiple as for locals. You decide which cave as there is a 2nd close by. Then you walk roughly 700 and decide to take the monorail which has an extra price. Or you walk uphill yourself. Descriptions in the cave are indeed in English. For just the cave you need roughly an hour. It's 1.5km walk inside. Plus up and downhill makes another hour. So plan with 3h to be save.

Sulagna Banerjee

14:01 11 Oct 23

The cave is extensive and awe-inspiring. Scary and cold, it is spine-chilling and one great experience of thrill!

Belle

14:48 25 Aug 23

This is a wonderful experience for me. I have never been inside a cave that was well planned and executed for tourism!From the parking lot, there is a moderate hike of about 15mins to the monorail station. This place gets super busy during the summer regardless if we got her on a weekday. We were in line for about 30mins and we boarded the monorail. There were about 25 people inside and its crowded. Luckily we got to stand by the windows and saw the view of the trees as we ascended the mountain.At the entrance of the cave, it already felt cold. There's a pathway built inside that visitors can follow to go around the cave. They have spotlights on interesting rock formations and some have explanations in English. We spent over an hour inside. This cave is massive!

Sarita Baral

14:59 14 Sep 22

The cave is really big n very well managed. You can feel the vibe of cave. The theme is really interesting too. I wanted to make a movie there :D

Dana

00:49 23 Dec 20

Largest limestone cave in Korea. Excellently presented and maintained, it goes on for over 6 km, yet temperature throughout remains a steady and comfortable 10-14°C.It felt warm inside even though I visited in December.The entrance is an impressive 10m tall but some rooms inside the cave are vast, over 100m high.It was such an enjoyable experience seeing stalactites and stalagmites which I easily recalled as well as #rimstones, #popcorn, #pipes and #curtains which I knew less about that it made me "wow" and "whoaaa" just like a child.Koreans are masters at showcasing their national treasures and I marvelled at the engineering mind who built the many bridges and walkways to connect the vast chasms and offer a truly enchanting and tactile experience.I didn't see any of the 47 species of wildlife like salamander, spiders, cave crickets, moths or bats but it was still over an hour of fun, exploring and marvelling at the colossal expanse and its features: some gross-looking cauliflower brain or alien mouth looking formations and other pretty ones like crystal clear pools and rapid flowing underground streams..Definitely recommend it, plus the hike in the snow to get there more than made up for a truly enjoyable trip.

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