The Manjanggul Lava Tube in Gujwa-eup, on the north-east side of Jeju Island, is one of the longest lava tubes in the world and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes”. About 1 km of the cave is open to visitors, with a walkway leading to a giant lava column.
Good to know: Manjanggul was closed for around two and a half years for safety repairs and reopened on 30 May 2026, with a new flat stainless-steel walkway. It’s cool and damp inside (roughly 11–15°C all year), so bring a light jacket even in summer.
Plan your visit to Manjanggul Lava Tube
- Entry: KRW 4,000 (adults)
- Daily 9:00–18:00, closed 1st Wednesday
- Allow 40–60 minutes
History of Manjanggul Lava Tube
Manjanggul was formed by flowing lava from eruptions linked to the Geomunoreum volcanic cone, hundreds of thousands of years ago. As the outer layer of a lava river cooled and hardened, the molten lava inside kept flowing and drained away, leaving a long tunnel behind.
The main passage runs for about 7.4 km (some surveys put the full system at close to 9 km), and parts of it are up to about 30 m high and over 20 m wide. In 2007 it was listed by UNESCO, together with Hallasan, Seongsan Ilchulbong and the other Geomunoreum lava tubes, as “Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes”.
Attractions at Manjanggul Lava Tube
- Lava column: at about 7.6 m tall, it’s described as the largest known lava column in the world and marks the end of the public section.
- Turtle Rock: a block of lava on the cave floor whose outline is said to look like Jeju Island.
- Lava flow lines and shelves: lines on the walls show the levels where lava once flowed, and you’ll see lava stalactites and rafts along the way.
- Wildlife: the cave holds Korea’s largest known colony of bent-wing bats and rare cave creatures such as the Jeju cave spider. They live in sections closed to visitors, so please don’t disturb anything.
Things to Do at Manjanggul Lava Tube
- Walk the open section: the route to the lava column and back is about 2 km on a flat walkway; the path beyond the entrance stairs is stroller-friendly.
- Join a docent tour: free guided talks are offered; check times at the ticket office.
- Visit the exhibition area: learn how Jeju’s lava tubes formed before you go underground.
- Photography: it’s dark and wet inside, so bring a camera that handles low light and watch your step.
Manjanggul Lava Tube – Entry Eligibility and Open Timings
- Hours: daily 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM; last entry around 5:00 PM.
- Closed: the first Wednesday of each month.
- Admission: adults KRW 4,000; teenagers and children KRW 2,000. Tickets are sold on site and parking is free.
- Tips: wear non-slip shoes and a jacket; the floor can be wet. Hours and fees can change, so check the official Visit Jeju website before you go.
How Long to Spend at Manjanggul Lava Tube
Allow about 40 minutes to an hour for the walk to the lava column and back, or up to 1.5 hours if you join a docent talk and see the exhibition.
How to Get There
- By car or taxi: about 30–40 minutes from Jeju City or Jeju Airport via the north-east coastal road. A rental car is the easiest way to combine it with other east-side sights.
- By bus: buses along the north-east coast stop at Gimnyeong; from there change to a local bus to the cave or take a short taxi ride. Check current routes on Kakao Map or Naver Map.
Arriving at Jeju Airport? Book a fixed-price airport transfer straight to your hotel.
Eateries Nearby Manjanggul Lava Tube
- Gimnyeong and Woljeong-ri: the coastal villages a few kilometres north have seafood restaurants, noodle shops and beach cafes.
- Hamdeok: a little further west, Hamdeok Beach has plenty of cafes and places serving Jeju black pork.
- On site: there’s only a small snack shop near the entrance, so plan a proper meal on the coast.
Other Attractions Nearby Manjanggul Lava Tube
- Gimnyeong Seongsegi Beach: a white-sand beach with clear turquoise water, about 10 minutes’ drive away.
- Bijarim Forest: an ancient nutmeg-yew forest with easy walking trails, about 20 minutes south.
- Hamdeok Beach: a popular swimming beach about 15 minutes west.
- Seongsan Ilchulbong: the UNESCO-listed “Sunrise Peak”, about 30 minutes east, with ferries to Udo Island from nearby Seongsan Port.
Before your trip
- Find hotels in Jeju: stay in Jeju City or on the north-east coast (Hamdeok, Gimnyeong) to be close to the cave.
- Get a South Korea eSIM before you land, for maps and ride-hailing apps.
The Manjanggul Lava Tube is a cool, quiet walk through one of the world’s longest lava tubes, ending at a 7.6-metre lava column. Having reopened in May 2026 after safety repairs, it’s an easy half-day stop on Jeju’s north-east coast and a great escape on a hot or rainy day.
Combine it with a swim at Hamdeok Beach or a sunrise climb at Seongsan Ilchulbong to see more of Jeju’s volcanic landscape.