Gwangmyeong - Escape the Summer Heat - Daytrip Itinerary- 이케아-롯데프리미엄아웃렛-광명동굴 광명 당일 여행추천지

Summer 여름 (yo-reum)

In Korea, summer brings a periods of heavy rain, muggy temperature, high humidity, not to mention typhoon too >.<

So what usually Korean people do during summer? Stay in the place that keep everyone cool, visit amusement park, recreation centers, and of course waterparks to have some fun.

Well, im not a korean but i stayed here during summer, trying to escape the busy routines and the summer heat, im not in a mood to go far away from incheon this time, trying to find a good place near seoul and incheon and voila... got some information from KTO and GGtour site about some good place near Gwangmyeong, not too far from incheon its like 30 min by subway to Gwangmyeong station from Incheon and around 20 min from Seoul.

Gwangmyeong cave or Gahak Mine Cave was the site of exploitation under the Japanese rule. Where the joys and tears of coal mining workers remained intact. The cave was the largest metal mine in the Seoul metropolitan area between 1912 and 1972, producing the likes of gold, silver, copper, and zinc. With the bankruptcy of its operating company, the mine was closed until 2011 after going through a complete transformation as museum, aquarium, exhibition hall, and wine gallery where the visitors can tasting and bought wine in the cave.

My Journey start by boarding the subway train from the Incheon to Gwangmyeong station in blue line number 1, please make sure you check the subway timetable for the departure and arrival subway on weekdays, weekends, and holidays. Because it won't departs every hours or minutes like the other stations.

Itinerary 

I summarize my trip in the outline below, departs at Gwangmyeong station, using a shuttle bus to Ikea Gwangmyeong, sightseeing to Lotte Premium Outlet which is located beside Ikea, and To the Gwangmyeong tunnel and Open cafe. Dont forget to bring sweater or thin jacket because it might be lil bit cold for some people

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I leave from incheon at 11 and its quite late thats why i decided to head to ikea for lunch before starting my journey and also because i want to try their famous swedish meatball too >_<

How to Go

You can come from anyline by Seoul Metro and transfer to blue line 1 at Geumjeon-gu office (금천구청)  then go Gwangmyeong station [광명역] from Gwangmyeong take bus number 17 and stop at Ikea (optional)  to go directly to Gwangmyeong tunnel with the same bus.

But since the metro train schedule to and from Gwangmyeong station interval is kind of long i prefer another route which needs more transfer than the previous one but the waiting time is lesser. Stop at Gwanak Station Line 1 exit 4 then take town shuttle bus number 1-1 and stop at Cosco bus terminal its like 9 stations from the previous bus station (If you want to go to Ikea or Lotte Outlet) or you can stop at Gwangmyeong Jung Hap Terminal station [광명종합터미널] and take bus number 17 to Gwangmyeong cave.

From Gwangmyeong Tunnel, just wait near the green statue for bus number 17 near the green statue to Gwangmyeong Station and then take subway or take 1-1 to Gwanak Station.

For further information how to go to Ikea Gwangmyeong you can read it here

picture of Gwangmyeong Jung Hap Bus Terminal

 

Ikea Gwangmyeong

I arrived at Ikea around 1 clock and head directly to the restaurant area because my stomach was growling so bad  

10’s piece of sweddish meatball for 5900 krw, mini croissant and egg tart for 500 each and free flow soda for 500 krw.

Address:
The new address of the store is 17, Iljik-ro, Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do
(the old address : 500, Iljik-dong, Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do)

Opening Hours

Restaurant : 09:30am - 09:30pm

IKEA Gwangmyeong Store : 10:00am - 10:00pm (closed on Lunar New Year's Day and Chuseok)

Lotte Premium Outlet Gwangmyeong

Its located beside Ikea so if you want to shopping for the high end brand with some cut off on the price you may want to coming here too.

Visitors from overseas are offered free vouchers for refreshments, which are available on the 3rd floor of the main building in the event hall. Take note that some restrictions may apply when using your coupon to purchase beverages, and those sales promotions only last until August 2015

Not only there are many clothes shops but also, there are many convenient places for customers such as Restaurants, HI-MART electronic market, children playground and Lotte Cinema too.

Refer to the homepage for more brands.

Address :

17, Iljik-ro 99beon-gil, Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do
경기 광명시 일직로 17

Operating Hours

Mon-Thu: 11:00-21:00 Fri-Sun: 11:00-22:000

For more info: +82-2-6226-2500

 

Gwangmyeong Cave       

As soon as I reach the cave entrance the cool wind blows like calming my overexcess body temperature after exposed in the summer sun. I feel so fresh!! Caves, with their naturally cool climates and temperatures averaging 12 degrees Celsius makes it the perfect summer destinations.

Try to put dip ur hand in the water that flows under the lamp too for instant eye opener kkk!

The cave’s 7.9 km in length and reaching 275 m in depth, not too mention Lord of the ring exhibiton with gollum with his "my precious"pose and also wine tunnel where every visitor can try tasting wine for free here. If you are a running man fans, make sure you don’t miss this cave because Running Man episode 256 was filmed in this tunnels.

 

 And the most fave photozone

Aisha Shuttle bus, is available  from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. for a total of 12 trips (break time between 12:00 and 13:00).  If you are planning to start a journey from Soha-dong in Gwangmyeong, make sure to check out this cool bus! bus fare is 2,000 krw for adults and 1,000 krw  for students and children. Operation ceases during the rainy season and winter.

Address: San 17-1, Gahak-dong, Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do

Hours: 09:00-18:00

Admission to cave every 20 minutes / No restrictions on weekends.

Admissions: Adults 4,000 won

More info :  cavern.gm.go.kr(Korean) or http://en.ggtour.or.kr/ggt-attraction/gahak-mine-cave/(english)

Call Center : 82-1688-3399

all photos unless otherwise stated are taken by me. Any unauthorized use of photos is prohibited. None of these pictures may be reused in any form or by any means, without written permission. Please kindly write to me if you wish to reuse these photos.