Damyang Bamboo Forest Juknokwon walking path

Overview

Juknokwon is a bamboo-themed park in Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do, and is one of Damyang’s signature sightseeing attractions. Built starting in 2003, this bamboo garden covers about 160,000 m² and is known for its dense bamboo grove combined with well-maintained walking paths. Damyang is especially well known in Korea for bamboo, and Juknokwon is widely regarded as the place that best showcases this local character. It is highly worth visiting for foreign travelers who want to experience Korea’s bamboo scenery and a calm natural atmosphere together.

Highlights

• Dense bamboo grove walking path
• Bamboo-themed garden
• Artificial waterfall
• Ecological exhibition hall
• Fresh bamboo grove air

Best Time to Visit

For Damyang Juknokwon, the most recommended time to visit is spring through autumn (March to October), when it is especially pleasant to walk through the bamboo forest. During this period, the opening hours are also longer, from 09:00 to 19:00, with last admission at 18:00. In winter (November to February), hours are 09:00 to 18:00, with last admission at 17:30.

The best time of day is 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The weather is relatively comfortable and there are fewer visitors, making it ideal for a quiet visit. Late afternoon is also fine, but it is best not to enter too late because of the closing time. Usually, allowing 1 to 3 hours is enough for a visit.

The quietest days are weekdays. In particular, Tuesday through Thursday mornings tend to be relatively relaxed. Weekends and public holidays can be busier, so if you want a peaceful atmosphere, it is best to avoid them.

In short, a weekday morning in spring or autumn is the best choice for visiting Damyang Juknokwon. There are no closing days.

How Long to Stay

If you make a quick visit, it takes about 40 minutes to 1 hour. If you want to leisurely walk the main paths, about 1 hour and 30 minutes is usually enough. If you plan to also visit nearby restaurants or other attractions in Damyang, it is better to set aside about half a day.

How to Get There

Damyang Juknokwon is easiest to reach by bus from Gwangju. For foreign travelers, starting from downtown Gwangju is the most practical option.

By Subway

There is no direct subway connection to Damyang. First, use the Gwangju subway to move to an area convenient for catching a bus, then transfer to a bus bound for Damyang. You cannot reach Juknokwon by subway alone.

By Bus

From Gwangju, you can take Bus No. 311 toward Juknokwon. Check the bus stop to make sure it shows Damyang 311.

The bus is known to run at about 15-minute intervals. The fare may vary depending on the destination, so before tapping your transit card, it is better to first tell the driver "Juknokwon, please" and then pay. When returning to Gwangju, it is convenient to state your destination first in the same way.

On Foot

After getting off the bus bound for Juknokwon, just follow the guide signs on foot. From the bus stop to the entrance, it is relatively easy to find your way.

Photo Spots

• In front of Juklim Waterfall: This is the most recommended photo spot inside Juknokwon. Stand facing the waterfall to capture both the refreshing stream and the bamboo forest together. Late morning to early afternoon is good for bright, clear photos.
• Entrance to the bamboo forest path: Before entering the forest, take photos looking inward from the start of the path. The long bamboo-lined walkway adds depth to your pictures. In the morning, there are fewer people, making it ideal for quiet, atmospheric shots.
• Themed garden section: The garden area themed around plum, orchid, chrysanthemum, and bamboo has a tidy background, making it great for portrait photos. Rather than standing with your back to the garden, have the subject face toward the garden to make the scenery stand out more. Colors come out softer in the afternoon.
• Around the official photo zones: The photo zones throughout Juknokwon are great for quickly taking souvenir photos. After finding a sign or installation, shoot with the camera facing directly forward for fewer mistakes. Early morning or late afternoon is relatively less crowded.
• Near the panda sculpture: The gonggi-playing panda sculpture with a red sash is a fun fit for family or friends travel photos. Standing next to the sculpture and taking the photo from the front or slightly from the side looks natural. You can take bright, clear photos during the daytime.

Night View

Damyang Juknokwon is a night-time attraction where various lights turn on among the bamboo forest after dark, creating a completely different atmosphere from the daytime. LED moving lights, wish lanterns, bulb lights, firefly lights, and lantern-style lights are installed, making the walking paths soft and dreamlike.

Especially during festival periods, additional light displays throughout the bamboo grove make the night scenery even more dazzling. If you want to take photos, the large moon photo zone and the brightly lit areas are recommended.

The best time to visit is in the evening, after the sun has completely set. It is convenient to visit before it gets too late so you can enjoy both a walk and photography. Since Juknokwon and Gwangbangjeryim are close together, they also work well as a combined night-walk route.

Night events or special lighting operations may change depending on the festival schedule, so it is recommended to check the official tourist information before visiting.

Seasonal Guide

You can enjoy the green bamboo forest at Juknokwon throughout all four seasons, but if you want to also visit nearby Gwangbangjeryim and Metasequoia Road, spring and autumn are the most popular.

• Spring: The fresh light-green bamboo is especially refreshing and pleasant for walking. It is a good season to tour nearby Damyang attractions together, and during cherry blossom season it is also great to visit along with a nearby driving course.
• Summer: Thanks to the cool shade created by the dense bamboo grove, you can walk relatively comfortably even on hot days. Visiting in the morning or late afternoon feels even more pleasant.
• Autumn: This is the most recommended season. The contrast between the green bamboo and red autumn leaves is beautiful, and at Gwangbangjeryim you can enjoy scenery like a tunnel of fall foliage.
• Winter: It is good for a quiet, peaceful walk. After snowfall, the bamboo forest path and tree-lined road become especially impressive, and during certain periods night lighting adds a unique atmosphere.

Practical tip: Since walking in Juknokwon can take a while, prepare comfortable shoes. For photography, soft light in the morning or late afternoon is best.

Local Tips

• Juknokwon is a bamboo garden created in the Seonginsan area, and the key highlight is walking through the dense bamboo forest.
• The bamboo forest walking route consists of 8 paths, so it is best visited as a walk-focused itinerary.
• You can enjoy a bamboo-forest healing walk of about 4 km, so prepare comfortable shoes.
• At Juknokwon, you can also experience Damyang’s pavilion culture and the atmosphere connected to gasa literature.
• The address is 108-1 Ungyori, Damyang-eup, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do.
• At the nearby Damyang Bamboo Theme Park, you can also enjoy bamboo-related experiences such as riding a bamboo raft and walking through the bamboo forest.