Damyang 2026: A Day Trip from Seoul by KTX (Juknokwon Bamboo Forest, Metasequoia Road)

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Walk into Juknokwon on a windy morning and the first thing you notice is the sound. Thousands of bamboo stalks knock together high above you, a hollow, wooden clatter, like rain on a roof. The air is cooler and smells green. Then the light comes through in thin lines.

Damyang is Korea’s bamboo town, in South Jeolla Province, next to the city of Gwangju. Foreign visitors mostly know the bamboo forests of Japan. This one is less crowded, cheaper, and you can reach it from Seoul and be back the same night.

Checked on October 26, 2026. Hours and fees come from 2026 guides and listings, not an official notice; they disagree on some prices. Check before you go.

Getting to Damyang from Seoul

There is no train station in Damyang. You go to Gwangju first, then take a bus.

Take the KTX from Yongsan to Gwangju Songjeong, not Gwangju Station; high-speed trains stop at Songjeong. A May 2026 guide gives about 46,800 won one way in economy and under two hours. Book in the Korail app. See our KTX guide for how booking works.

From Gwangju, guides describe city bus 311, which runs to Juknokwon, and intercity buses from Gwangju’s bus terminal to Damyang Bus Terminal. Routes and stops change, so plan the exact bus on Naver Map or KakaoMap. Google Maps does not give full bus directions in Korea. A taxi is the simple fallback; check the estimate in a taxi app first.

Both map apps need data. An eSIM bundled with a T-money card covers data and the bus fare.

The one-day plan

Juknokwon Bamboo Forest

Juknokwon is the reason you came. It is a hillside bamboo garden on the edge of town, crossed by eight walking paths, each with its own name and theme. The main path is wide and paved, and the side paths go deeper into quieter bamboo.

Guides list adult entry at 3,000 won. Hours are 9:00 to 18:00 from November to February (last entry 17:30) and 9:00 to 19:00 from March to October. Give it 1.5 to 2 hours.

Go early. By late morning on weekends, the main path fills with tour groups. The back paths stay quiet.

Is Damyang good in winter?

Yes. Bamboo stays green all year, and after snow the white on green is striking. It is also the quietest season.

Lunch: tteokgalbi and bamboo rice

Damyang is famous for tteokgalbi, minced short rib patties grilled until sticky and sweet. Many restaurants serve it as a set with daetongbap, rice steamed inside a thick piece of bamboo, plus a long table of side dishes. Order a set and share.

Gwanbangjerim Forest

Walk along the river from Juknokwon to Gwanbangjerim, an old embankment forest planted centuries ago to stop floods. Huge, gnarled trees line a path by the water. It is a calm half hour, and you do not need a ticket to walk it.

Metasequoia Road and Meta Provence

Take a short taxi to Metasequoia Road, a long lane of tall, narrow trees. It is green in summer and rust-red in late autumn. Sources disagree on the entry fee, giving between 1,000 and 2,000 won for adults, so expect a small charge.

Right next to it is Meta Provence, a little European-style village of cafes and shops. It is a good place for coffee before the bus back.

If you have time: Soswaewon Garden

Soswaewon is a Joseon-era garden on the road between Gwangju and Damyang, with wooden pavilions by a stream in a bamboo grove. It is small and peaceful, and an easy stop if you take a taxi back toward Gwangju.

Staying the night?

Damyang is easy as a day trip. If you want more time, stay in Gwangju, which has more hotels, and continue to Jeonju Hanok Village the next day.

Budget

Checklist

• Book KTX seats to Gwangju Songjeong, not Gwangju Station
• Plan the bus from Gwangju on Naver Map before you go
• Arrive at Juknokwon early, by 10:00
• Remember the earlier winter closing time (18:00)
• Try tteokgalbi with bamboo rice

FAQ

How do I get from Seoul to Damyang?

Take the KTX from Yongsan to Gwangju Songjeong (under two hours), then a bus from Gwangju to Damyang. Plan the bus on Naver Map or KakaoMap.

How much is Juknokwon?

Guides list 3,000 won for adults. It is open 9:00 to 18:00 from November to February and 9:00 to 19:00 from March to October.

Is Damyang a good day trip from Seoul?

Yes. Leave early by KTX and you can see Juknokwon, Gwanbangjerim and Metasequoia Road and be back in Seoul at night.

What is Damyang famous for?

Bamboo, the Juknokwon forest, Metasequoia Road and tteokgalbi, grilled short rib patties.

When is the best time to visit Damyang?

Any season. Bamboo is green all year, Metasequoia Road turns red in late autumn, and winter is the quietest.

The short version

Take the KTX to Gwangju Songjeong and a bus to Damyang. Walk the bamboo paths of Juknokwon early, eat tteokgalbi with bamboo rice, then follow the river to Gwanbangjerim and finish on Metasequoia Road. Use Naver Map for the buses and you will be home the same night. For another trip south, see our Gyeongju itinerary.