Mysterious Road
Experience a baffling optical illusion where a downhill road appears to slope upwards, making objects roll uphill. A must-see natural wonder!
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
To clearly see the illusion
Mysterious Road
Best Time
To clearly see the illusion
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience a baffling optical illusion where a downhill road appears to slope upwards, making objects roll uphill. A must-see natural wonder!
"It's a fascinating encounter with an optical illusion of nature that challenges the laws of gravity."
🚗 Bring a water bottle!
Test the uphill illusion by placing a bottle on the road.
🚗 Drive in neutral
Experience the pull uphill by putting your car in neutral.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Uphill Roll
The main stretch of the road
Witness the baffling sight of cars and bottles seemingly defying gravity, rolling uphill. A true test of your perception!
Bottled Water Test
Designated test areas
Bring a water bottle and place it on the road to see if it rolls uphill. A classic way to experience this natural wonder.
Neutral Gear Drive
The road stretch
Put your car in neutral and drive slowly to feel the illusion of being pulled uphill. A thrilling way to test the phenomenon.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Embrace the Illusion
Timing is Key
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Bring a water bottle!
Test the uphill illusion by placing a bottle on the road.
🚗 Drive in neutral
Experience the pull uphill by putting your car in neutral.
🚗 Look for signs
Signs mark the start and end of the Mysterious Road.
☕ Nearby cafe
Enjoy pumpkin cake at the Mystic Cafe with lovely views.
Someone built a road from Palmdale to Barstow and no one remembers who, when, or why. It doesn't appear in complete form on any map. We take a deep dive into the Palmdale-Barstow "mystery road" and the history of roads through Lancaster and the ruins at "Houze Place". Do you have the answer?
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Bring a water bottle!
Test the uphill illusion by placing a bottle on the road.
🚗 Drive in neutral
Experience the pull uphill by putting your car in neutral.
🚗 Look for signs
Signs mark the start and end of the Mysterious Road.
☕ Nearby cafe
Enjoy pumpkin cake at the Mystic Cafe with lovely views.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors find the Mysterious Road a fascinating and fun optical illusion, with many enjoying the experience of testing the uphill roll with bottles or cars. While some find the visual aspect subtle, the sensation of moving uphill in neutral gear is often convincing. The nearby Mystic Cafe is a popular addition for refreshments.
"Quite close to the airport so if you are planning to go to the south or Seogwipo, you can make a quick visit and experience the mysterious road"
Ellana Nabilah Nur Averina Ansar
"Took us a few rounds to test out the mysterious road phenomenon. There are signs on both sides of the road saying the Mysterious road starts here. It is not a very long stretch and one could try out this optic illusion using a bottled water or turning off the engine of the car at neutral gear to see the car/bottle going upwards on the uphill slope. Pretty cool.
Highly recommend the Mystic Cafe which has really good pumpkin cake and lovely views."
Alice Yan
"Mysterious Road in Jeju, explored in February, was a fascinating encounter with an optical illusion of nature. Despite its seemingly ordinary appearance, this sloping road challenged the laws of gravity, creating an intriguing and mystifying experience. The illusion of objects rolling uphill defied logic, giving rise to a sense of wonder and curiosity. Even in the winter chill, witnessing this peculiar phenomenon was a highlight, leaving me in awe of the mysteries of nature. The simplicity of the location, coupled with its inexplicable quirk, made Mysterious Road an entertaining and thought-provoking stop during my visit to Jeju."
Marco
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Mysterious Road is located in Jeju, South Korea. It's often visited as part of a southern Jeju itinerary, being relatively close to the airport and Seogwipo. Many visitors drive their own car or rent one to explore the island.
While specific bus routes might be complex, Jeju has a good bus network. It's advisable to check local transport apps or ask your accommodation for the most convenient bus routes to reach the vicinity of the Mysterious Road.
Yes, you can walk to the Mysterious Road. It's a stretch of road, and walking allows you to fully observe the illusion and test it with personal items.
Look for signs indicating the start and end of the 'Mysterious Road' or 'Dokkeebi Road'. Many visitors also note that cars with hazard lights on and moving slowly are a good indicator you're in the right spot.
The most popular ways are to place a bottled water on the road to see it roll uphill, or to drive your car slowly in neutral gear to feel the illusion of being pulled upwards.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, there is no admission fee for the Mysterious Road. It's a public road and experiencing the optical illusion is free.
As it's a public road, there are no official opening hours. However, it's best experienced during daylight for the visual illusion to be clear.
Visiting on weekdays, especially outside of peak tourist seasons, will generally mean fewer crowds. Early mornings or late afternoons on weekdays are often recommended.
While you can technically drive on the road at night, the optical illusion is best observed in daylight. Visibility will also be a factor.
The main 'restriction' is to be mindful of other visitors and traffic. Drive slowly and cautiously, especially when testing the illusion with your vehicle.
📸 📸 Photography & Experience
Capture the effect by placing an object like a water bottle or a small toy on the road. Wide-angle shots can emphasize the perceived slope. Many visitors also film their cars in neutral gear.
Most visitors spend about 15-30 minutes here, enough time to test the illusion with a car and perhaps a bottle, and take photos.
'Dokkeebi Road' is another name for the Mysterious Road, often used in Korean. 'Dokkeebi' translates to 'goblin' or 'ghost,' hinting at the mysterious nature of the illusion.
Yes, it is a real road, but it creates a powerful optical illusion. The actual gradient of the road is slightly downhill, but visual cues make it appear to slope upwards.
The mystery comes from the optical illusion where a visually downhill slope appears to be uphill, causing objects to roll upwards against gravity.
🍽️ ☕ Food & Dining
Yes, the Mystic Cafe is highly recommended and located nearby, offering good pumpkin cake and pleasant views.
The Mystic Cafe is known for its delicious pumpkin cake and offers a relaxing atmosphere with lovely views, perfect for a break.
There are no specific restrictions against bringing your own food, but it's always good practice to clean up after yourself and dispose of trash properly.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Bring a water bottle or a small toy car for the kids to test the phenomenon themselves. Driving slowly in neutral gear is also an exciting experience for younger passengers. The nearby Mystic Cafe offers a pleasant spot for a snack, like their famous pumpkin cake, making it a well-rounded mini-excursion.
🚗 Road Trippers
Combine your visit with other attractions in southern Jeju, as it's relatively close to places like Seogwipo and the airport. The illusion is best experienced during daylight, so plan your route accordingly. Don't forget to capture the fun on video or photos to share your own 'gravity-defying' moments!
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Understanding the Illusion
This optical illusion is created by the surrounding landscape and the way the road is visually framed. The lack of clear visual cues for a true downhill slope, combined with subtle environmental factors, leads the brain to interpret the incline incorrectly. It's a simple yet captivating experience that leaves visitors in awe of nature's quirks.
Many visitors come specifically to test this phenomenon. The most common methods involve placing a bottle of water on the road to observe its upward movement or driving a car slowly in neutral gear to feel the sensation of being pulled uphill.
Experiencing the Road
For a more immersive experience, try driving your car slowly in neutral gear across the designated stretch. Many visitors report feeling a distinct sensation of being pulled forward and uphill, even though they are technically on a slight incline. This is often accompanied by turning on hazard lights, a common practice among visitors testing the phenomenon.
While the visual aspect can be subtle to some, the feeling of the car moving uphill in neutral is often more convincing. It's a quick stop, but one that provides a memorable and slightly eerie encounter with a natural wonder. Don't forget to look for the signs that mark the beginning and end of this peculiar stretch of road.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit