Chungju Hwalok Cave

In the hills north of Chungju Lake, Chungju Hwalok Cave lets you walk into the galleries of a talc mine that was worked for almost a century. White dolomite walls with folds and faults, giant winding engines and an underground lake with boats all sit along one route, which makes it a good choice for a rainy day or the height of summer.

History: from talc mine to show cave

The deposit was discovered in 1900 and developed as a talc mine in 1922, during the Japanese colonial period. Miners extracted white jade, talc and dolomite, cutting galleries that officially total 57 km (unofficially 87 km) and a vertical depth of 711 m; it was considered the only talc mine in Korea. At its peak the mine employed large numbers of local people, but cheaper imported talc and dwindling high-grade ore led to its decline from the 1990s. After years of neglect, an 800 m section of the galleries was restored and reopened as a show cave in 2019.

What to see

• Mining equipment: a 45-degree inclined shaft leading underground, mine carts and the 500-horsepower and 300-horsepower winding engines are preserved in place. Standing next to the rusting wheels and cables gives a real sense of how deep the mine went.
• Geology: the cave lies within the Hyangsan-ri dolomitic limestone formation of the Okcheon Supergroup. Grey shale and black dykes cut through the white limestone, and you can see folds and faults at arm's length.
• Cave lake and boats: deeper inside, a short boat ride of 5 to 10 minutes takes you across an illuminated underground lake.
• Light installations and activity areas: sections lit with LED and neon, a performance space, a mining experience zone and a wine store keep the walk varied, also for children.

Good to know

• The temperature inside stays at about 11–15 °C all year, cool in summer and warmer than outside in winter.
• The cave was a filming location for the Netflix series D.P., and a sign in the galleries marks the spot.
• The old talc-crushing plant has been turned into a café, a pleasant place to rest before or after the visit.

Nearby

• Chungju Lake: the huge reservoir is about 3.4 km away. A lakeside drive or a boat trip makes an easy full-day combination.
• Chungju city: the practical base for dinner and accommodation.

Tripto tips

• Getting there: the address is 26 Mokbeoran-gil, Chungju. Public transport is impractical, so plan on a car or taxi; there is a large car park.
• Time needed: following the set route takes about 1 hour, a little longer with the boat ride.
• What to bring: water drips from the ceiling in places and the floor can be wet, so wear non-slip shoes and bring a light jacket. Food and smoking are not allowed inside.
• Opening details: hours, closing days and prices can change, so check the latest information before you go.