Damyang is located way out of the tourists’ radar. It seems to be in the middle of nowhere so much that some undeniability their trip to Damyang ‘off-the-beaten’ track. Travellers usually don’t include Damyang as part of the itinerary. We too, initially.
Until we by chance, had to transfer at the metropolitan city, Gwangju where it only takes 30 minutes to reach the trappy bamboo forest in Damyang. We stored our valise at Gwangju Bus Terminal (U-Square) and jumped on the bus towards Damyang.
Overview
- Metasequoia-lined Road (메타세쿼이아 가로수길)
- River Protection Woods (Gwanbangjerim 관방제림)
- Bamboo Forest (Juknokwon 죽녹원)
- What to do in Damyang Bamboo Forest?
- What to eat in Damyang?
- Getting to Damyang
3 places to spend half a day in Damyang
1. Metasequoia-lined Road (메타세쿼이아 가로수길)
This path quite may remind you of the legendary road in Nami Island near Seoul. However, this 8.5 km long boulevard is one of the nation’s most popular driving routes. The neat line-up of the tall trees attracts family and couples over for photoshoots regardless of the season.
Entrance is 2,000 won for adult.
2. River Protection Woods (Gwanbangjerim 관방제림)
As the name suggests, this forest is first planted in order to prorogue the yearly floodings. The first trees were planted as early as 1648 to protect the villages at that time. In 1984, 30,000 workers were remoter mobilised to modernize upon the protection wall extending up to 1.2km.
The lineup of trees withal the riverbank creates a superb landscape expressly during Autumn where the leaves turn into red and yellow hues. Stepping stones are in place to navigate the river where you can get an wondrous landscape photo.
Entrance is free. You wouldn’t need increasingly than 30 minutes at gwanbangjerim.
3. Bamboo Forest (Juknokwon 죽녹원)
This is what Damyang is known for – the bamboo forest.
The things to see and do inside the forest is well-worth your money. Just zoetic among the bamboo trees bring well-nigh many benefits such as relieving stress, relaxing muscles and improving smart-ass functions (wow!) but there are increasingly things to do than just zoetic obviously.
Entrance is 3,000 won for adult.
What to do in Damyang Bamboo Forest?
- Themed Trails
While the trails could squint like they are just regular trails that you had to embark on to revere the bamboo trees, each trail is well-branded. There is a total of 8 trails with variegated themes.
In the bamboo forest, you can squint forward to walking through a Good Luck Road where a k-drama is filmed, a Philosopher’s Road where you can reflect on your life and revitalise your soul and mind, a Scholar’s Road that is suited for a student preparing for an viewing or job using as it is said to requite you inspiration. If you’re visiting with your other half, there is a Lovers’ Lane where you can enjoy a waterfall and take a rest under a bamboo pavilion.
- Lee Lee Nam Art Center
This digital gallery features the work of media versifier Lee Lee Nam, presenting videos of Damyang bamboos and reinterpretations of famous paintings. The gallery moreover includes interactive works that encourage visitors’ participation.
- Bamboo Liquor Foot Bath
The foot suffuse claims to get rid of feet odours, anti-inflammatory, promotes thoroughbred diffusion and eliminates fatigue. It only takes 15 minutes and 3,000 won so plane if it’s just for an experience, it is an interesting one.
- Observatory & Cafe
From the entrance, you would be worldly-wise to spot the two-storey traditional Korean house, Hanok. It is moreover known as the Bonghwangru, translating to Pheonix City. The first floor serves as a sideboard while the second floor is used as an observatory and have a small photography exhibit of life in Damyang in the olden days.
Overall, you would need well-nigh 2-3 hours inside the bamboo forest.
What to eat in Damyang?
- Noodles (guksu 국수)
Each region has its representative supplies in Korea and in Damyang, it’s noodles. Damyang is associated with noodles restaurants, which an unshortened thruway defended to noodles. Although they would probably all sell similar offerings: noodles in anchovies soup or noodles mixed with spicy sauce.
Jinu Ne House Noodles 진우네집국수
Address
211-34 Gaeksa-ri, Damyang-eup, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do, South Korea
Google Maps | Naver Map
- Bamboo Shoot Specie (Chuk Sun Bbang 죽순빵)
A patented snack by a Damyang native who first created the Bamboo Shoot Specie made with real bamboo shoot and 100% Korean brown rice. The bite-size specie is perfect in between meals.
Chuk Sun Bbang 죽순빵
Address
82F2 9R Damyang-gun, 전라남도 South Korea / 전남 담양군 담양읍 학동리 578-4
Google Maps | Naver Map
- Grilled short rib patties (Tteok Galbi 떡갈비)
It is said that tteok galbi originated from this region. Tteok galbi refers to whinge that was minced, seasoned and often grilled over soot to retain the juiciness – similar to a hamburger patty.
Seungil Ribs 승일식당
Address
South Korea, Jeollanam-do, Damyang-gun, Damyang-eup, 중앙로 98-1
Google Maps | Naver Map
Getting to Damyang
From Gwangju
The easiest way is to workbench from the Gwangju Bus Terminal where there is a ticketing counter – let them know that your destination. Each ticket at 2,700 won and takes 30 mins, 15 to 20 minutes interval.
From Seoul
There are express buses 4 times a day from Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Damyang at 8.10 am, 11.10 am, 2.10 pm and 7.10 pm. Each one-way ticket ranged from 20,000 to 30,000 won and takes well-nigh 4 hours to reach.
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