There was a time when every small city in Korea had its own amusement park. Not a theme park — just a local place with a carousel, a viking ship, some bumper cars, and a snack stand. Most of them are gone now. The big parks in Seoul and the surrounding metro areas survived; the rest quietly closed as populations shifted toward the major cities. So when I found out that Geumo Land — a small amusement park at the base of Geumosan Mountain in Gumi — was not only still operating but had recently added a Ferris wheel and a new themed zone, I wanted to see it for myself.
Geumo Land sits at 341 Geumosan-ro in Gumi-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do — a mid-sized industrial city about halfway between Daegu and Gimcheon in the southeastern part of the country. Gumi might not be on many tourist itineraries, but it’s easy to reach: a 30- to 40-minute ride on the Mugunghwa train from Daegu Station puts you in the center of town, and from Gumi Station, Bus 27 gets you to the park in about ten minutes (seven stops to the Gumi Seongnihak History Museum stop, then a one-minute walk). The park is inside Geumosan Provincial Park, so the mountain rises directly behind the rides — a combination of scenery that you won’t find at any of the big-name Korean theme parks.
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Geumo Land: Essential Visitor Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Address | 341 Geumosan-ro, Gumi-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do |
| Hours | Weekdays: 10:00 – 18:00 / Weekends & holidays: 10:00 – 19:00 |
| Summer Hours (Jul–Aug) | Weekdays: 13:00 – 21:00 / Weekends & holidays: 10:00 – 21:00 |
| Closed | Every Monday |
| Entry | Free (rides and facilities are paid separately) |
| Getting There | From Daegu Station: Mugunghwa train to Gumi Station (~30–40 min) → Bus 27, 27-1, 27-2, or 27-3 (7 stops, ~10 min) → Gumi Seongnihak History Museum stop → 1 min walk |
| Parking | Lot #4 (in front of the park): ₩1,500 / $1 USD / €1 EUR (regular) · ₩500 (compact). Lot #3 across the street if #4 is full |
The City Behind the Park: Gumi’s Industrial Legacy
Gumi itself has an interesting backstory. It was once one of Korea’s most important industrial cities — home to Samsung Electronics and LG Display factories, responsible for a significant share of the country’s exports, and reportedly the first city in Korea to have internet infrastructure. That era has passed. The factories have moved or downsized, and Gumi today feels like a city that peaked a generation ago. Walking through the town center after visiting the park, I noticed that quiet, slightly melancholic quality that small industrial cities carry when the world has moved on. That context makes Geumo Land feel less like a random amusement park and more like a small act of persistence.
What You’ll Pay — Ride Tickets and Passes
Entry to the park is free. You only pay for the rides you actually want to go on. There are individual tickets and bundled sets, plus an unlimited pass on weekends.
| Ticket Type | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BIG-1 (1 ride) | ₩5,000 / $3 USD / €3 EUR | – |
| BIG-3 (3 rides) | ₩12,000 / $8 USD / €7 EUR | – |
| BIG-5 (5 rides) | ₩18,000 / $12 USD / €10 EUR | – |
| Free Pass (ages 7+) | ₩29,000 / $19 USD / €16 EUR | Weekends & holidays only |
| Free Pass (24 months – 6 years) | ₩23,000 / $15 USD / €13 EUR | Weekends & holidays only |
| Ferris Wheel | ₩9,000 / $6 USD / €5 EUR per person | Not included in any pass. Ages 36 months+ |
| Ice Rink | ₩10,000 / $7 USD / €6 EUR | Includes equipment. Year-round |
| Nature Experience Center | ₩11,000 / $7 USD / €6 EUR (child) · ₩8,000 / $5 USD / €5 EUR (adult) | Animal feeding experience |
Children under 24 months can ride the carousel and sky bicycle only, using a guardian’s ticket.
We bought two BIG-5 passes and took turns riding with our kid. On a hot summer day, with a young child’s energy to manage, five rides felt like the right amount — not too few to feel shortchanged, not so many that everyone melts.
16 Rides — Small Scale, Right Size
Geumo Land has 16 rides in total, ranging from toddler-friendly options like the carousel and mini train to bigger ones like the Dragon Coaster, Viking ship, and Spinning Coaster that work for elementary-school-aged kids. There are height restrictions on several rides, so check before you buy tickets.
Our kid’s favorites were the Spinning Coaster — a compact roller coaster that spins as it moves — and the sky bicycle, which loops above the park at a gentle pace. The bumper cars were another hit. The park splits them into age-appropriate sections, which made it easier to let our kid loose without worrying too much.
The Dragon Coaster and the swing ride were off-limits for our kid — too tall a height requirement, and probably too intense anyway. But for families with children across a wider age range, there’s enough variety to keep everyone occupied. The Ferris wheel — added in 2023 — is the tallest structure in the park and gives a clear view of Geumosan Mountain behind the rides. It’s not included in any pass, which is a minor drawback, but at ₩9,000 / $6 USD / €5 EUR per person, it’s not unreasonable.
Beyond the Rides
Geumo Land added a TiniPing-themed zone in recent years. TiniPing is one of the most popular children’s animated IPs in Korea right now — you’ll see the characters on backpacks, lunchboxes, and clothing in pretty much every Korean city. The park has TiniPing figures and photo spots scattered throughout, and for kids who recognize the characters, it adds another layer of engagement beyond the rides.
The ice rink runs year-round, which makes it an especially good option in summer when the heat gets brutal. At ₩10,000 / $7 USD / €6 EUR with equipment included, it’s a solid way to cool down. Our kid was a bit too young this time, but it’s on the list for next year.
There’s also a Nature Experience Center where kids can feed animals. We skipped it this visit — the separate admission (₩11,000 / $7 USD / €6 EUR for children, ₩8,000 / $5 USD / €5 EUR for adults) felt like a lot on top of the ride tickets — but it looked well-maintained from the outside.
The Mountain Behind the Rides
This is the detail that photos don’t fully capture. Geumo Land sits at the base of Geumosan Mountain, and the forested slopes rise directly behind the Ferris wheel and the coaster tracks. It creates a visual contrast — bright painted rides in the foreground, a 976-meter peak covered in trees behind them — that gives this place a character you can’t replicate in a parking-lot amusement park.
If you have time after the rides, the Geumosan Cable Car station is a short walk up the road. The cable car takes you partway up the mountain without requiring a hike, and the views from the top are worth the ride.
A Small City, Still Here
On the drive back from Geumo Land, we passed through Gumi’s town center. The streets were quiet. Storefronts that might have been busy a decade ago sat half-empty. It reminded me of industrial towns I’ve seen in other countries — places built around factories that defined a generation and then moved on.
Geumo Land opened in 1993, and it’s still running. That alone says something. It’s not trying to compete with Lotte World or Everland. It doesn’t need to. For families with young children looking for a half-day of rides, some ice, maybe a mountain in the background — this park does exactly what it’s built to do, and it does it in a city that deserves a little more attention than it gets.
If you’re in Daegu with a spare afternoon and a curiosity about the parts of Korea that don’t make the guidebooks, the train to Gumi is short, the park is easy to reach, and the mountain behind the carousel is a view that stays with you.
Geumo Land Gumi: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to enter Geumo Land?
Entry to the park is free. You pay only for the rides and facilities you use. Individual ride tickets start at ₩5,000 / $3 USD / €3 EUR for one ride (BIG-1), with bundled options up to the BIG-5 at ₩18,000 / $12 USD / €10 EUR for five rides. Unlimited ride passes (₩29,000 / $19 USD / €16 EUR for ages 7+) are available on weekends and holidays only.
How do I get to Geumo Land from Daegu?
Take the Mugunghwa train from Daegu Station to Gumi Station (about 30 to 40 minutes). From Gumi Station, take Bus 27, 27-1, 27-2, or 27-3 for seven stops (about 10 minutes) to the Gumi Seongnihak History Museum stop. The park is a one-minute walk from there.
What are Geumo Land’s opening hours?
Weekdays: 10:00 to 18:00. Weekends and holidays: 10:00 to 19:00. During July and August, summer evening hours extend to 21:00 (weekdays open from 13:00, weekends from 10:00). The park is closed every Monday.
Is there parking at Geumo Land?
Yes. Lot #4 is directly in front of the park and costs ₩1,500 / $1 USD / €1 EUR for a regular car and ₩500 for a compact car. It fills up on weekends, but Lot #3 is right across the street with more space.
What rides are available at Geumo Land?
There are 16 rides in total, including a carousel, mini Viking, bumper cars, mini train, sky bicycle, Spinning Coaster, Dragon Coaster, Viking ship, and a Ferris wheel (added in 2023). Rides range from toddler-friendly to elementary-school level. Height restrictions apply to several rides.
Is the Ferris wheel included in the ride pass?
No. The Ferris wheel is a separate ticket at ₩9,000 / $6 USD / €5 EUR per person. Children must be at least 36 months old to ride. It is not included in BIG tickets or the unlimited pass.
Is there an ice rink at Geumo Land?
Yes. The ice rink operates year-round and costs ₩10,000 / $7 USD / €6 EUR including equipment rental. It’s especially popular in summer as a way to escape the heat.