Lost in Jeju Island’s Gimnyeong Maze Park

Last Updated on February 9, 2018

Lost in Jeju Island’s Gimnyeong Maze Park

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be lost in a maze?

Coming from the Manjanggul Caves  was the Jeju Island Gimnyeong Maze Park. The man behind the maze is Frederic Dustin (read his story here).  Mazes have always seemed to be the stuff of minotaur myths, eerie hauntings and feeling of human entrapment.. at least they are portrayed that way in the movies such as Harry Potter or The Shining.  Finally on Jeju Island, here was my chance to experience one!

Jeju Island’s Quirky Parks

What I never suspected about Jeju Island is that they’d have a variety of Korean quirks in uniquely quirky themed parks, like sex-themed parks, teddy bear and haeneyo diver museums (there’s a long list)!

What’s great about these parks is that Korean ideas are well-executed; Koreans don’t hold anything back.

Jeju Island’s Gimnyeong Maze Park

What stood out were the high and neatly-trimmed bush walls. It felt impressive. The maze wasn’t of epic proportion nor was it as difficult as I thought, but it satiated the big kid in me, who had  curiosity for experiencing what it felt like to be lost in a maze in real life.

Thankfully, the maze is not too large but it’s still imaginable that people can get lost in there for some time, before they call out or phone their friends for help. It’s not a place I’d let my child roam unsupervised. There are observation decks, which overlook the serpentine maze but obviously they don’t extend the full length of the maze itself. If a child wanders too far out of sight, you’d not be able to direct them out.  There’s a victory bell, which you can ring when you finally make it out.

While I wouldn’t necessarily go for the maze alone, if you’re in the neighborhood, check it out.  If you have a friend with you, you could always time each other to compete who completes the maze first.  Good luck!

Above, a tourist phones a friend to direct him out of the maze.

Getting to Gimnyeong Maze Park

Information below is taken from the KTO website:

From Jeju International Airport take bus No. 100 and get off at the Intercity Bus Terminal (제주시외버스터미널). Then take a bus for Manjanggul Cave (만장굴행) and get off at the parking lot by the cave entrance (만장굴 입구). The trip takes 50 minutes.

From Jeju International Airport take bus No. 38 and get off at hamdeok-ri (함덕리). Take a bus for the East Coast (Dongilju 동일주) or catch the Eup-myeon Circulation Bus (읍면순환 버스) and get off at the parking lot in front of the Manjanggul Cave (만장굴입구). Walk along the old road leading to the cave for 15minutes.

Admission: 3,300W adults, Hours:  8:30AM- 7:50 PM

Where to stay in Jeju Island 

This is nearer to the Jeju Airport (north Jeju) and I stayed in Seogwipo (on the opposite end and southern tip of the island).  Here are some guesthouses and pensions in Seongsan

Related Jeju Island Posts

Jeju Island Travel Survival Guide
Top Things to Do on Jeju Island
Teddy Bear Museum 
Loveland Sex Park
Hiking Jeju Island’s Olle Trails