Damyang Bamboo Forest & Traditional Food Tour (Private)
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
This tour starts from Gwangju Metropolitan City.
(We provide a KTX and bus ticket booking service for those who book this tour at cost. Please email us for more information.)
If you want a peaceful escape from the busy city and a taste of Korea’s traditional lifestyle, Damyang is the perfect destination. Known for its vast bamboo forests and relaxed “Slow City” atmosphere, the region offers a unique blend of nature, culture, and cuisine.
Surrounded by tranquil bamboo groves, you can slow down, breathe deeply, and enjoy Damyang’s signature dishes such as grilled pork patties and bamboo-cooked rice, served with seasonal side dishes. (Damyang also offers a special vegan meal option.)
You’ll also have the chance to taste han-gwa, a local specialty of Damyang that is still made in the traditional way.
If you join only the Damyang tour, it takes about 7 hours. If you'd like more nature, you can choose an optional hike at Gangcheonsan mountain, which adds about 2.5 hours to the tour.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Travel time from Gwangju to Damyang is around 45minutes.
Travel time from Damyang to Gwangju is around 60minutes. (rush hour)
What To Expect
Juknokwon is the most popular bamboo forest in Korea and a symbol of Damyang’s bamboo heritage. Originally a village bamboo grove, Juknokwon was transformed into a bamboo forest park in 2005. As soon as you enter, you’ll feel the difference—the air is cooler, fresher, and incredibly refreshing. The bamboo forest stays about 4–7°C cooler than outside and is rich in oxygen, making it the perfect place for a relaxing walk. We’ll follow the 2.4-kilometer trail and enjoy what Koreans call a “bamboo forest bath,” surrounded by the peaceful sound of rustling leaves. Near the back gate, you can visit the Siga Culture Village, where full-scale recreations of Damyang’s traditional pavilions reflect the region’s rich Joseon-era literary culture and scholarly spirit. Before you leave, be sure to try Jukro Tea, a premium tea made from dew collected from bamboo leaves, or enjoy bamboo-leaf ice cream for a unique local treat.
Gwanbangjerim Forest
Gwanbangjerim is a unique man-made forest, originally planted in 1648 along the banks of Damyangcheon Stream to prevent flooding. Stretching for two kilometers, it resembles a riverbank trail more than a traditional forest. This site holds significant historical and cultural value, showcasing the wisdom of Korean ancestors in disaster prevention. Today, it is a popular destination where visitors can take a leisurely stroll along pathways shaded by tall and centuries-old trees. These grand trees also provide a peaceful spot to enjoy views of the Damyangcheon Stream, and crossing the stepping stones over the stream offers a playful and memorable experience.
Options
Damyang Bamboo Forest & Traditional Food Tour (Private)
Pickup included
Damyang Tour with Gangcheonsan
Damyang & Gangcheonsan Hike: If you’d like more time in nature, you can add a gentle hike at Gangcheonsan Mountain after the Damyang tour. Pickup included
What‘s Included
Gourmet Lunch
Private transportation
All Fees and Taxes
Coffee or Tea in a Hanok Cafe
Alcoholic Beverages
Personal Travel Insurance
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
3 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
BEST TOUR EVER!!!
michaelvY2038KR,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Tasty Trails Korea is the best tour experience my family and I have ever had! We have traveled all over and Veronica was by far the most passionate, knowledgeable and fun tour guide we have ever had. She planned everything perfectly and we had an experience we will never forget. We are very grateful we were able to meet Veronica and take this awesome tour! If you are in the Gwangju region of Korea, you have to let Veronica show you the sights!!!
Informative, moving, restful (and tasty)
L2744QFphilipg,Jun 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I booked myself on the Damyang tour to tick the Juknokwon bamboo forest off my bucket list, but our guide Veronica is an astute listener and she intuited that having visited Damyang a couple of times in previous years I might benefit from a slightly altered itinerary – so she combined elements of her Gwangju city tour (focusing on 5.18 but with a very welcome visit to an exhibition at the Asia Culture Center) with edited highlights of her Damyang tour. It all worked perfectly, though undoubtedly we were blessed with good fortune along the way, like seeing the Gwangju Mayor celebrating the presidential election result in the main square, and meeting the owner of the Soswaewon garden in Damyang. At the end of the day, Veronica dropped me off at the station in plenty of time for me to catch the KTX back to Seoul. The restaurant recommendation (tteokgalbi) for lunch was excellent. I'll definitely be back to try one of her other tours.
Go to the Bamboo Forest!
271daphnet,May 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic tour! Veronica was a superb tour guide. The tour experience was like visiting a friend and touring their hometown. It was splendid. I never knew a bamboo forest could be so interesting. Veronica shared about the historical and economic impact on the region over the years to present, the connections with the region’s communities and even some folk tales. We sampled tea made from bamboo, learned about the different species of bamboo, and visited a museum that exhibited art and vintage products made from bamboo. Amazing! Veronica took us to a restaurant that served a delicious meal. The table was full of a variety of dishes to sample. We tried everything. The rice was steamed and served in bamboo. What a unique experience!
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Operated by Tasty Trails Korea