The long-unused abandoned tunnel from a pumped storage power plant in Inje, Gangwon Province, is being transformed into a vibrant tourist attraction filled with light and stories.
According to Inje County, the 'Jindong Cave,' developed from the abandoned tunnel in Jindong-ri, will officially open on the 24th.
The tunnel was originally created for transporting materials during the construction of the Yangyang pumped storage power plant. The county has installed media art, sculptures, and storytelling content along a 420-meter section, turning the tunnel's unique depth and spatial experience into an engaging visual display.
This project began in 2021 after being selected as a pilot project for regional balanced development in Gangwon Province. Following a detailed safety inspection and administrative procedures, construction of the facility commenced in August 2023.
The total investment for the project amounts to 7 billion won, including 1.5 billion won from the provincial government and 5.5 billion won from the county. These funds were used for remodeling the tunnel's interior and for the installation of media art and sculptures.
The exhibition content centers around the dream journey of 'Kkottgomi,' a bear living in Gombaeryeong. As visitors move through the tunnel, they will experience a series of light displays, videos, sculptures, and spatial arrangements that change along the way.
This immersive content allows visitors to navigate through the cave following a single narrative, rather than viewing exhibits from a fixed point. The addition of this indoor tourist facility is significant, as it is less affected by weather and seasons compared to the nature-focused Jindong and Bangdong areas.
Jindong Cave will operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. It will be closed on the 25th, the day after its opening, due to the Chuseok holiday.
Admission fees are set at 7,000 won for general visitors, while discounts are available for Inje residents and youth at 6,000 won. Regardless of the ticket type, all visitors will receive a local gift certificate worth 5,000 won. General visitors will have 2,000 won and discounted visitors will have 1,000 won deducted from their admission fees, which can be used again in the local area.
The county plans to ensure that the refund of gift certificates encourages visitors to spend not only at Jindong Cave but also at local restaurants, shops, and for purchasing local agricultural products. The sale and promotion of regional specialties such as bear garlic, wild garlic, and omija will also be linked to this initiative.
The opening of Jindong Cave marks the beginning of Inje County's vision to transform the Jindong and Bangdong areas into a destination for extended stays.
This region is home to several natural tourist attractions, including Achimgari Valley, Gombaeryeong, Jindong Valley, and Bangdong Mineral Water. Although the Jindong and Bangdong areas attract over 300,000 visitors annually, the focus on valleys and trekking has limited the ability to connect visitor spending to accommodations and dining.
The county plans to use Jindong Cave as a hub to connect with tourism resources in Achimgari Valley, Gombaeryeong, and the Bangdong Branch School. The goal is to increase the duration of day visitors' stays by bundling experiences, accommodations, dining, and agricultural product consumption.
The tourism resource development project for the Bangdong Branch School is also being pursued alongside Jindong Cave. On the 16th, the Inje County Council inspected the Jindong Cave and Bangdong Branch School project sites to review the opening and the progress of subsequent projects.
The key challenge will be whether the 7 billion won investment in media art content can consistently generate repeat visits. It will be essential to guide visitors on how to use the gift certificates effectively in nearby businesses and to establish clear connections between Jindong Cave and nearby tourist sites like Gombaeryeong and Achimgari Valley.
Lee Myung-kyu, head of the Inje County Tourism Department, stated, “We will establish Jindong Cave as a new tourism hub for Inje, enhancing connections with surrounding tourist resources to increase visitor stay times and local spending, ultimately benefiting local businesses and residents.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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