Jasujeong

Eonyang Amethyst Cave - Violet Quartz Cave - Amethyst Cavern Park

Useful Information

Location:	112 Jasujeong-ro, Samnam-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulsan. 3 km southeast of Eonyang, near the entrance to Jakcheon Pavilion. Gyeongbu Expressway, use Eonyang I.C., towards Eonyang-eup, use National road No.35 towards Tongdosa, after 5 km at Tongdosa Temple turn right. (35.545456, 129.093852)
Open:	All year Mon-Fri 9:15-17, Sat, Sun, Hol 9:15-17:30. [2022]
Fee:	Single Cave Exploration: Adults KRW 7,000, Children (6-18) KRW 6,000. Package Cave + Boat: Adults KRW 13,000, Children (6-18) KRW 11,000. Any Ride: Adults KRW 4,000, Children (6-18) KRW 3,000. [2022]
Classification:	Gem Mine
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:	L=2,500 m, Ar=16,000 m², T=12-16 °C.
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Amethyst Cavern Park, 112 Jasujeong-ro, Samnam-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulsan, Tel: +82-52-254-1515. Jasujeong, Korea Violet Quartz Industry Tourism Co., Ltd., San4, Gacheon-ri, Sangbuk-myeon, Ulju-gun, Tel: +82-52-254-1515, Tel: +82-52-262-5588.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1910-45	illegal mining in the cave during the Japanese occupation.
1981	amethyst nominated as one of Korea's representative jewels.
1982	Jeil Mining Industry established for active and effective mining.

Description

The area around Eonyang is famous for its amethyst, a violet variety of quartz crystals. In about 50 mines the semi precious mineral was mined for centuries. One of the mines, Jasujeong, a huge system with two different levels, is now open for the public. The passages are quite spacious, about 2 m to 15 m high and used for various purposes.

The site is now called 자수정동굴나라 (jasujeongdong-gulnala, Amethyst Cave Country). It is said to be the largest cave theme park in Korea. There is a mining exhibition, which is for some reason called caving, which is at least consistent as they insist on calling the gem mine a cave. There is a passage with groundwater in the lower level, which is used for boat rides. Another passage is equipped with extremely kitschy oversized replicas of Disney figures, which is actually at the border between weird and fearsome. And finally there is a so-called New Media Center with epilepsy-inducing coloured flickering lights.