Gwangmyeong Cave in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi Province is opening restricted mine sections for meditation and music programs as it continues to draw about 1 million visitors a year. The former mine, first developed in 1912 and closed in 1972, was redeveloped as a tourist attraction in 2011. The Dark Immersive Meditation program runs through Aug. 30, and the Dark Music Stage will be held for six days later this month.
A swirling “gateway” is projected onto the tunnel leading to a previously inaccessible section on the upper level of Gwangmyeong Cave in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi Province. Korea Times photo by Lee Han-ho
Ten beanbag chairs, each large enough for one person to lie down, fill the dark cavern. A single shaft of light filters through an opening on one side, but it is nowhere near enough to illuminate the deep darkness. Even taking a single step requires carefully following the guide's cellphone flashlight.
It is hard to believe that this is part of a tourist attraction visited by around 1 million people a year. Yet this is one of the previously inaccessible sections of Gwangmyeong Cave in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi Province.
A view of the upper level of Gwangmyeong Cave taken from the lower section / Korea Times photo by Lee Han-ho
