Green Healing Encountered in Damyang - Review of Juknokwon and Metasequoia Road Trip

The Place I Kept Seeing on Instagram, Finally Visited!

A colleague at work kept recommending Damyang, saying it was great, so I finally decided to visit during the June holiday! Honestly, Damyang is a bit far from Seoul, but I thought it was worth visiting at least once. Especially since the photos of Juknokwon and Metasequoia Road on Instagram were so beautiful, I was curious ㅎㅎ

I was worried it might be hot since it was June, but when I got there, it was cooler than I expected thanks to the bamboo forest! The weather was sunny, making it a perfect day for traveling 🌞

First Course: Metasequoia Boulevard

We first stopped by Metasequoia Road. From the entrance, I thought, wow, this is the famous road! It won the award for the most beautiful street forest in the nation in 2002, and it truly lived up to its reputation.

You have to pay an entrance fee during the day (2,000 won for adults), but it's free if you go late in the evening. However, we went during the day and paid to enter ㅋㅋ It was definitely worth the money!

What was special here was the 'Metamanbarearth Road'! It's a path laid with soft earth so you can walk barefoot, and when we went, they had just laid new earth, so it was very soft. There were muddy parts too, which were fun to stomp on, but it was a bit tough to wash our feet afterward ㅋㅋㅋ

Second Course: Bamboo Healing at Juknokwon

When it comes to traveling in Damyang, it's Juknokwon! It's about a 5-minute drive from Metasequoia Road. There are two entrances, the main and the back, but the back entrance is more convenient for parking. We also entered through the back.

The lush green bamboo was truly a spectacle! Although it was sunny in June, the tall bamboo forest made the sunlight less intense, making it perfect for a stroll. There were plenty of photo spots too 📸

There are 8 themed paths inside Juknokwon. Paths like the Fortune Path, the Path of Unchanging Love, the Philosopher's Path, the Scholar's Path, etc... Each has its own meaning, but we just walked wherever we felt like ㅎㅎ

Special Activities Inside Juknokwon

Because of the hot weather, we took breaks here and there. There's a cafe called Chuwoldang inside Juknokwon where we had bamboo leaf ice cream and enjoyed a foot bath! They ask if you want hot or cold water, and since it was hot, we immediately asked for cold water ㅋㅋ

The bamboo leaf ice cream tasted a bit like green tea, maybe it was just my imagination. But when you order at the cafe, it takes forever... Be warned 😡

Different Charms by Season

We visited in June, but according to other bloggers' reviews, it feels completely different in autumn! Around November, the Metasequoia trees turn red, creating a spectacular view. I want to visit again next fall.

The charm is completely different during the day and night! The green hues are beautiful during the day, and the lighting makes it truly romantic at night. I understand why couples visit in the evening ✨

Visit Tips and Precautions

This is what healing feels like. Walking along the beautifully colored path made me really happy❤️

Transportation and Parking:
You can get there by KTX or car from Seoul. I recommend driving! For Juknokwon, use the back entrance parking lot, and for Metasequoia Road, set your navigation to Parking Lot 1 for the closest spot. Parking is free.

Visit Time:
I recommend going early in the morning! Especially in summer, it's better to go before it gets hot, and there are plenty of parking spaces. We went in the morning and leisurely enjoyed until the evening.

Things to Bring:
If you plan to do the barefoot experience at Metasequoia Road, bring wet wipes or a towel to wash your feet! Also, in summer, bring plenty of water and sunscreen.

Nearby Attractions

Besides Juknokwon and Metasequoia Road, there are many attractions in Damyang! Gwanbangjerim is also great for a walk, and you must try the bibim noodles at Damyang Noodle Street. Kim Soon-ok's Bamboo Leaf Glutinous Rice Donuts are also famous.

There are also many pretty cafes nearby, making it great for a cafe tour. We rested at a cafe called Soyeur, and the outdoor terrace was really beautiful!

Honest Overall Review

At first, I hesitated because Damyang is far from Seoul, but I'm really glad I went! It was much more beautiful in person than the photos I saw on Instagram.

Especially walking in the bamboo forest was truly healing. My mind, tired from city life, felt really at ease. I went with a friend, and we were both very satisfied!

I feel like it would be great to visit every year! Since there seems to be different charms each season, I'm planning to visit again in the fall. If you're planning a trip to Damyang, make sure to visit Juknokwon and Metasequoia Road! I highly recommend it ❤️