A Breath of Fresh Air: Jungnok-won Bamboo Forest

By Fatimah Muthiah Irbah

Amid the Hallyu wave, South Korean culture, such as music and drama, is becoming increasingly popular in Indonesia and around the world. Korea has thus become a favorite destination for tourists around the globe. However, beyond the glamour and hip culture that South Korea has, there is a place where you can take a breath of fresh air and pause for a moment. Have you heard of Jungnok-won?

Jungnok-won (죽록원) is a shady green bamboo forest located on the outskirts of Damyang. Damyang is near Gwangju but far from the noise of a city. Here, visitors can take a deep breath and feel the fresh air, surrounded by the towering bamboo trees. But Jungnok-won offers more to see than just the bamboo.

Before the entrance, there is a stone bridge made of stepping stones, flanked by trees with leaves starting to change color, with a mountain in the background. Many visitors cross this bridge, stopping to take photos. From the entrance, there are several paths to choose from, but every path offers equal beauty. The paths are quite steep. However, there’s no need to worry. There are many wooden gazebos and long benches to rest on before continuing the journey.

Additionally, there is a small waterfall with panda statues, as well as a playground equipped with swings and slides, suitable for visitors with children. Near the back entrance of Jungnok- won, there is a piano that can be played; some visitors stop to play or just to hear the music from the piano. It’s located in one of the traditional Korean houses there. Complete with a view of the lake, several fountains, and brown, orange, and red leaves, it adds to the tranquility of this place.

After exploring Jungnok-won, visitors can relax at either of the two unique cafés with hanok (traditional Korean house) exteriors, located within the Jungnok-won area. Among all the items on the menu, there is one specialty dish found only here: bamboo extract ice cream.

Visitors can also visit the Jungnok-won Museum at no additional cost. Here, videos about the bamboo garden are shown, and on the second floor, there is a dome-shaped screen that visitors watch while lying down; there are also bean bags freely available for visitors to take a break from their explorations.

I visited when summer was changing to autumn, as the leaves on the trees began to change color. It was quite cool for someone from a tropical country as the temperature dropped into the teens (in degrees Celsius). This is a perfect place for witnessing the beginning of autumn with its falling leaves.

“Jungnok-won is an underrated destination among international tourists. Its location is not very popular because it is far from frequently visited tourist spots like Busan and Seoul. But this place is truly beautiful,” said an international student from the Philippines studying at a university in Gwangju.

Not many foreign tourists were seen during my visit. However, the domestic visitors were diverse, ranging from young couples and families with small children to the elderly. In fact, hiking is a hobby for many elderly people in Korea, and Jungnok-won has great trails for hiking.

For just 3,000 won for an adult admission ticket, visitors can enjoy Jungnok-won to the fullest. Access is easy, just a 50-minute bus ride from Gwangju U-Square, with the bus stop right in front of the Jungnok-won entrance, and the trip is only 2,900 won.

A tip from the author: Wear appropriate clothing for the time of your visit. Because the trails are quite long and steep, it is recommended to wear shoes that are comfortable for long periods, such as sneakers.

In my opinion, as an international student exploring Korea, Jungnok-won in Damyang is highly recommended for a visit. It’s an ideal choice for those seeking peace and a time to reconnect with nature.

Cover Photo: Wooden gazebo inside Jungnok-won. (Fatimah Muthiah Irbah)