Juknokwon: Damyang’s Bamboo Forest

Tucked away in Jeollanam there’s a forest within a forest. Juknokwon, 죽녹원, is a bamboo forest creating a small and peaceful refuge within Damyang. There are trails that intertwine throughout that don’t take long to explore, and the perfect getaway if you want a small town feel but still enjoying nature.

When I visited I took the bus from Gwangju, which is about an hour long ride depending on where in the city you are leaving from. Because the bus route goes out into the countryside you need to tell the driver where you plan to get off so they can charge your T-Money card accordingly. Otherwise the bus driver will stop you and you may find yourself awkwardly standing in the doorway trying to figure out why you can’t get on.

I’ve visited Damyang twice in my six months in Korea, once during the summer and once during the fall. In summer, Damyang is perfect to escape the heat but enjoy the outdoors because there are so many trees. Even though the hot sun beats down, it can be quite cool in the wooded areas. The bamboo forest has many shaded trails to stroll along, and benches scattered throughout. When we went we wandered around through the trails that connected and worked our way through the area.

There are many paths you can take, some titled “Lover’s Lane” “Scholar’s Road” or “Old Memories Byway” It doesn’t really matter which one you take because at some point you’ll circle around to another trail and can explore that one as well. There are some side paths as well to keep an eye out for where there are pavilions tucked away if you wish to sit and enjoy the sounds of nature. And in addition to the pavilions, there is a mini waterfall that is nice to stop and sit by with cute panda statues situated nearby to take photos of.

In the middle of the forest there is also a museum exhibit you can explore near the cafe in Juknokwon. I haven’t tried those specific cafes, as we went early in the morning before they opened, but they were unique designs so it was cool to to walk around.

Across from the Bamboo Forest the town of Damyang sits along the river. You can explore the local shops and cafes, and try the local jeon at restaurants or get a bowl of noodles. It’s the perfect place to people watch, as you are overlooking the river as people paddle boats or walk along the sidewalk. If you stop by for a treat, many cafes and ice cream shops offer bamboo flavored items such as ice cream, which are fun to try after visiting a bamboo forest. (A very similar taste to matcha with how it is prepared).

In fall, one spot to visit in Damyang is Gwangbangjerim Forest. It is directly across from Juknokwon, and is famous in the fall for its stunning view of fall foliage. When the leaves change the river reflection is quite beautiful and it is a peaceful location to walk in. And instead of getting frozen bamboo gelato you can get hot bamboo lattes to warm you up on cool days.