Wide lava tube passage with layered grey walls lit by white lamps along the walkway

Nature · Gimnyeong-ri, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju

Manjanggul Lava Tube

Walk-through lava cave in Jeju's UNESCO-listed Geomunoreum system, reopened in May 2026

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Photo: Deon Hua (@deonhua) / Unsplash

Discover Manjanggul Lava Tube

Manjanggul is a tunnel left behind by flowing lava, and walking into it feels like entering the inside of the volcano's plumbing. The passage is wide and high, its walls marked with flow lines and ledges where the molten rock once ran, and the air stays cool all year.

The open section runs for about a kilometre from the second entrance to a towering lava column, one of the cave's most striking features. Since the 2026 renovation, the route follows a level viewing deck with new lighting, which makes it an easy and atmospheric walk for most visitors and a good choice on a hot or rainy day.

Don’t miss

01Lava column about 7.6 metres tall at the end of the open section
02Main passage up to about 18 metres wide and 23 metres high
03Flow lines and lava shelves along the tunnel walls
04New level viewing deck along the whole open route
05Cool cave air of around 14°C year-round

History & culture

The story of Manjanggul Lava Tube

Manjanggul belongs to the Geomunoreum lava tube system, created by lava flows from the Geomunoreum volcano; UNESCO describes the system as one of the finest of its kind and dates the area's volcanic activity to between roughly 300,000 and 100,000 years ago. The cave was brought to public attention in 1946 by local teacher Bu Jong-hyu, and 2026 marks the 80th anniversary of that discovery.

In 2007 the lava tube system was inscribed as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes'. After a rockfall near the entrance on 29 December 2023, the cave was closed for over two years for safety works, including rockfall protection, LED lighting and environmental monitoring, before reopening on 30 May 2026.

Local life & traditions

For Jeju people, the lava tubes are part of an island identity shaped by volcanoes, and the reopening in 2026 was marked as a local milestone. The site is managed as World Heritage, so conservation comes first: much of the tube remains closed to protect its ecosystem.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

The visit is a there-and-back walk of about a kilometre each way from the second entrance to the lava column, taking around an hour at an unhurried pace. Look out for the textured walls and floor that show how the lava moved, and pause at the column, where lava poured through an opening in the roof and piled up to the floor.

Combine Manjanggul with other east-side sights such as Seongsan Ilchulbong, the oreum of the Gujwa area or the beaches along the north-east coast.

When to go

The cave is a year-round sight, as its temperature stays roughly constant. It is especially welcome in the hot, humid summer months and on wet days when outdoor plans fall through. Visiting early in the day helps avoid queues during peak holiday periods.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Status: Reopened to the public on 30 May 2026 after closure following a rockfall on 29 December 2023 (announced by the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province World Heritage Headquarters) Source: fnnews.com ↗
Open section: About 1 km from the second entrance to the lava column; the rest of the tube remains closed Source: jnuri.net ↗
Conditions inside: Level viewing deck along the route; stairs at the entrance; temperature about 14°C Source: jnuri.net ↗
UNESCO World Heritage: Geomunoreum lava tube system, part of Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes, inscribed 2007 Source: whc.unesco.org ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

Bring a light jacket - the cave stays cool even in midsummer.
Wear shoes with grip; the deck is level but the cave can be damp.
Hours, fees and closing days were not confirmed on an official page at the time of research; check with Visit Jeju or the World Heritage Headquarters before you go.
Combine with Seongsan Ilchulbong for a full east-coast day.
Strollers can use the deck, but expect to carry them on the entrance stairs.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Manjanggul Lava Tube: food, markets & places to stay

The cave lies in the Gujwa area of north-east Jeju, a short drive from the coastal villages of Gimnyeong and Woljeong, which have cafes and seafood restaurants. Seongsan Ilchulbong and the Udo ferry are further east along the coast.