Mysterious Road (Dokkaebi Road)

Overview

Mysterious Road (Dokkaebi Road) is a short stretch of road in Jeju where an optical illusion makes it appear as though objects and vehicles roll uphill. The phenomenon is caused by the surrounding landscape creating a false horizon — the road actually slopes gently downhill despite appearing to go up.

Highlights

• Gravity Illusion: Place a bottle on the road and watch it seemingly roll uphill.
• Quick Stop: A fun, free roadside attraction that takes only minutes to experience.
• Photo Op: A popular spot for a quick, amusing photo or video.

History

The road was discovered accidentally in the early 2000s when a taxi driver noticed that his car seemed to move uphill with the engine off. Scientists later confirmed it as an optical illusion caused by the surrounding slope of the terrain tricking the brain about the road's gradient.

Visitor Tips

• Quick Visit: The illusion takes only a few minutes to experience — best combined with other nearby stops.
• Test It: Park your car in neutral or place a round bottle on the road to see the effect.
• Duration: 10–15 minutes.