Cheongok Golden Bat Cave in Donghae: a downtown cave found during apartment construction
Cheongok Golden Bat Cave is a limestone cave discovered in 1991 during apartment construction in downtown Donghae. Of its total 1,510 m, you can walk 810 m, and it's known as home to the endangered red bat (golden bat).
- Discovered
- 1991, during apartment construction
- Opened
- Open to the public since 1996
- Size
- 1,510 m in total, 810 m open for viewing
- Formed
- An estimated 400–500 million years ago
- Highlights
- Described by its operator as 'the only natural limestone cave in a city center in Korea'
- Wildlife
- Red bat (golden bat), Class I endangered wildlife
- Checked on
- 2026.10.09
Digging for an apartment site uncovered a cave hundreds of millions of years old
The story of Cheongok Golden Bat Cave
In Cheongok-dong, right in the middle of downtown Donghae, there's a limestone cave. It was first discovered in 1991 during apartment construction and has been open to the public since 1996.[2][3]
The cave is estimated to have formed 400–500 million years ago. Of its total length of 1,510 m, only 810 m is open for viewing. The Donghae City Facilities Management Corporation, which runs the cave, describes it as the only natural limestone cave in a city center in Korea.[1][2]
The 'golden bat' in the name refers to the red bat, which has orange fur. It's a protected species listed as Class I endangered wildlife, and it usually hibernates from November to March of the following year. When a red bat was spotted in this cave in April 2025, news reports said it was unusual for a bat mostly seen in summer to appear in early spring.[4]
There's plenty to see outside the cave, too. A trail of about 785 m runs through a doline area, where limestone dissolved in water and the ground sank into a funnel shape, and there's an experience park planted with some 100 species of wildflowers, plus photo spots. On floor 2 of the ticket building, you'll find a cave and fossil exhibition hall and GG Park, a VR experience space.[1]
In midsummer, the inside of the cave stays cool, so many people come to beat the heat. That's why, during the July–August peak season, opening hours are extended until 7:30 p.m.[1][5]
Good to know before you go
- Address
- 50 Donggul-ro, Donghae-si, Gangwon State
- Hours
- Normally 08:30–18:00; summer peak season (July–August, exact dates vary) 08:30–19:30. Entry until 30 minutes before closing (per the Donghae City Facilities Management Corporation)
- Closed
- The operator's information page doesn't list any closing days. Kyunghyang Shinmun (2025-04) reported that it's open year-round.
- Admission
- Individual rates: adults 5,000 KRW, teens and military 3,000 KRW, children 2,000 KRW, ages 65 and up 2,000 KRW. Free for ages 6 and under; 50% off for residents of Donghae and Gangwon State (per the Donghae City Facilities Management Corporation)
- Good to know
- Parking is 1,000 KRW for small cars (per day). For questions, contact the ticket office (033-539-3630).
More to see in Donghae
In the Donghae travel guide, you can keep reading about courses, restaurants and closing days. Donghae is one of the cities Randomtrip picks for you.
FAQ
Can I see golden bats in the cave?
It's hard to say you'll always see them. Red bats hibernate from November to March, and they're not easy to spot; when one was seen in the spring of 2025, it was reported as unusual.
What are the hours and fees?
Normally 08:30–18:00, and 08:30–19:30 during the July–August peak season; you can enter until 30 minutes before closing. The individual adult fee is 5,000 KRW (per the Donghae City Facilities Management Corporation).
How is there a cave in the middle of the city?
The limestone cave was already underground and was uncovered during apartment construction in 1991. Today, only a 810 m section has been prepared and opened to the public.
- [1] Donghae City Facilities Management Corporation - Cheongok Golden Bat Cave facility and visitor info · Checked 2026.10.09 · Source
- [2] VisitKorea - A hidden, mysterious underground world in the city: Cheongok Golden Bat Cave, Donghae (info updated December 2019) · Checked 2026.10.09 · Source
- [3] Korea Tourism Organization Culture & Tourism Guide Booking - Cheongok Golden Bat Cave · Checked 2026.10.09 · Source
- [4] Kyunghyang Shinmun - 'Golden bat' appears in a natural cave in downtown Donghae... unusual to see one in spring (2025-04-11) · Checked 2026.10.09 · Source
- [5] Money Today Network (MTN) - Into a natural air conditioner... Cheongok Golden Bat Cave in Donghae extends evening hours for peak season (2026-07-27) · Checked 2026.10.09 · Source
You might also like
Donghae Travel: Places to Visit, 1-Night 2-Day Itinerary and City Stories
A city with stories that go beyond the sea. True to its name, it's the first to greet the red sunrise, and it holds the wide blue sea in its arms. But Donghae's real charm is that it doesn't stop at the sea.
Gongju Travel: Places to Visit, 1-Night 2-Day Itinerary and City Stories
A city whose very name is full of story. Gongju locals still call one spot on the banks of the Geumgang River Gomanaru. It's the name of an old river ferry crossing lined with a thick pine grove, and also this city's old name.
Yangyang Travel: Places to Visit, 1-Night 2-Day Itinerary and City Stories
Yangyang, the land where the sun rises. The name Yangyang was given in 1416. It was borrowed as-is from Yangyang (Xiangyang) on the banks of China's Hanshui River, because this area's terrain and natural beauty resembled it.