Gosu Donggul


This stunning limestone cave is a rabbit warren of metal catwalks and spiral staircases running through 1.7km of dense, narrow grottoes. It’s quite an intimate experience, where you can get up close with the rock formations. Unlike garishly lit caves, Gosu Donggul feels old and drippy – perhaps not as old as its 150,000 years, but certainly authentic. The cave is a 15-minute walk across the Gosu bridge from Danyang, or catch bus 170 from the bus terminal.

Walkways are narrow, so it's definitely not for the claustrophobic.

Cross the bridge to the tourist information centre and follow the road to the right to a busy tourist village. The cave entrance is tucked away up a stone staircase behind the village. At the village you can refresh yourself with a cup (or jar) of local drinks such as omija (five-flavour berry), honey (꿀; kkul) or yam (마; ma).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

2. Danyang Gospel Church

0.89 MILES

The steeple of this large red-brick church along the Danyang riverside provides a good navigation point.

3. Guin-sa

6.2 MILES

This stately (though largely modern) complex’s 30-odd buildings are wedged beautifully into a valley, between steep, forested slopes. Erected on a…

5. Ma-aebul

17.48 MILES

This large, flat rock face has a raised bas-relief standing Buddha image carved out of it, his hands in front of his chest and dressed in a flowing robe…

6. Deokju-sa

18.01 MILES

This temple, near the late Silla-era fortress, Deokjusan-seong, is a rebuilding of the original which was built at the end of the 6th century and stood a…

8. Mireuksaji

19.74 MILES

This stone Buddhist temple near Mireuk-ri dates to the late Silla or early Goryeo period and contains a five-storey stone pagoda in front of a tall…