Cat people, add this to your pocket list now! Jeju Island’s “Dolcori Forest” theme park, healed on the spot by a 16-meter giant “tangerine cat”
The 16-meter giant tangerine cat is just too cute!
Summary
- Dolcori Forest covers 18,000 pyeong and is located at 1878 Jungsanghanse-ro, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province.
- Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman, known for “Rubber Duck,” was invited to create a gigantic “Tangerine Cat” measuring 16 meters long and 7 meters high.
- The indoor exhibition area “Dolcori Village” connects a light-and-shadow experience with 40 art pieces through five original cat characters.
- Inside the park you’ll find the cat-shaped “Momo Bakery” and an all-day cafe, “Cafe 1878,” which serves French crêpes.
Choosing a destination is never just about finding a place to take photos; it’s also a chance to unwind. If you love cats and can’t resist gardens, exhibitions, and walks in the forest, Jeju has a new spot that’s sure to win you over. Dolcori Forest, an experiential theme park spanning 18,000 pyeong, has officially opened in Seogwipo. This multifaceted park brings together Jeju’s natural scenery, cat characters, and outdoor recreation, quickly becoming a much-talked-about new landmark.
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A “stone cat” spirit village inspired by folklore
The name “Dolcori” has a clever meaning behind it: it combines the “stone cat” (Dolconeng-i) from Jeju folklore with “-ri,” a suffix commonly found in village names. The entire park is themed around cat spirits that protect Jeju. From the entrance onward, cat-themed details appear throughout, including large cat sculptures and character installations scattered across the grounds, creating a romantic cat village hidden in the forest.
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From the creator of Rubber Duck: A towering 16-meter “Tangerine Cat” makes its debut
The park’s biggest attraction right now is “Tangerine Cat,” a one-of-a-kind giant work created exclusively for Dolcori Forest by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman, the creator of Rubber Duck!
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As the enormous curtain lifts, the 16-meter-long, 7-meter-tall installation instantly dazzles the crowd. Its round, irresistibly cute face and tail resembling a peeled tangerine cleverly combine Jeju’s signature citrus fruit with a cat for a striking visual.
An interactive light-and-shadow experience at the indoor “Dolcori Village” exhibition area
The park is divided into two main indoor and outdoor areas. The indoor exhibition area, “Dolcori Village,” centers on five adorable cat characters – Dodol, Coco, Momo, Chichi, and Shasha – that tie the story together. Inside, light-and-shadow experiences, stamp-collecting missions, and exploration activities let visitors follow the characters as they discover the park’s whimsical world step by step.
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There’s also currently a special exhibition by Danish artist Davis Campbell, featuring 40 works inspired by peach trees. Visitors can even experience the creative process firsthand in a workshop.
The outdoor “Dolcori Garden” and forest bathing beneath towering trees
Outside, the expansive garden connects with the remains of the former miniature-world attraction, bringing miniature replicas of famous buildings, outdoor artworks, and garden paths together along one route. The park is home to many plants distinctive to Jeju. If you’d like to slow down, unwind beneath towering trees more than 30 years old in the well-designed picnic area and small library, and enjoy a restorative forest bath. The park also plans to continue adding outdoor cat sculptures, and it’s exciting to imagine these little cuties gradually “taking over” the entire garden.
A must-visit cat-silhouette cafe and international-style brunch
Need to refuel after all that walking? The park’s dining spaces are equally impressive. A must for photos, “Momo Bakery” incorporates the silhouettes of a cat’s tail and back into its exterior, while inside it serves adorable cat-shaped Danish pastries and naturally leavened sourdough bread. The all-day brunch cafe “Cafe 1878” carefully selects fresh local Jeju ingredients for international dishes such as French galettes and cider. Before leaving, don’t forget to stop by the Gift Shop for exclusive cat-themed merchandise!
Dolcori Forest (돌코리숲)
Address: 1878 Jungsanganseo-ro, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province (제주 서귀포시 안덕면 중산간서로 1878)
Hours: 10:00 – 18:00 (closed Tuesdays)
Getting there: From Jeju Airport, take bus 251-1, get off at the Seogwang-ri (Seo) stop, then walk 7 minutes.
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