Damyang Bamboo Forest & Traditional Food Tour (Private)

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Damyang Bamboo Forest & Traditional Food Tour (Private)

(3)

Add to Wishlist

Show all photos

Summary

Experience Details

What You’ll Experience

Where to Meet

Reviews

Location

Gwangju

Duration

7 hours

Number of Guests

1 - 8 guests

Language

English

Other

Vegetarian, Wheelchair Accessible, Pet-friendly, Private Experience

Digital Ticket

Mobile or paper ticket accepted

Explore Damyang's serene bamboo forests, savor local cuisine, and immerse yourself in Korea's cultural heritage with a private tour starting from Gwangju. A peaceful escape awaits!

For each guest that attends this experience, byFood will donate
10 meals

Experience Details

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.

What You Get

Gourmet Lunch

Private transportation

All Fees and Taxes

Alcoholic beverages

Alcoholic Beverages

Personal Travel Insurance

Good To Know

Travel time from Damyang to Gwangju is around 60minutes. (rush hour)
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Travel time from Gwangju to Damyang is around 45minutes.
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Public transportation options are available nearby

What You’ll Experience

Juknokwon (Bamboo Forest)

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.

1 hour 40 minutesAdmission Ticket Included

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.

30 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

Damyang-eup

Damyang is famous for Tteokgalbi, hand-shaped grilled short rib patties cooked over charcoal, giving the meat a rich, smoky flavor. We invite you to a special restaurant where a master chef carefully prepares this beloved local dish. Here, you can enjoy Damyang’s traditional tteokgalbi served with bamboo-steamed rice cooked inside bamboo tubes, seasoned bamboo shoots, and a variety of enzyme-fermented side dishes. This thoughtfully prepared meal highlights Damyang’s unique bamboo-inspired cuisine. Vegetarian and vegan travellers are also offered special dishes. The cook prepares 36 kinds of herbal pickles made from wild herbs personally gathered from nature, carefully fermented with homemade soy sauce, persimmon vinegar, and wild plum syrup. These are served alongside rice and soup, creating a wholesome and nourishing meal.

1 hourAdmission Ticket Free

Slow City, Samjinae Village

Samjinae Village is Asia's first village to receive the 'Slow City' designation as part of the global Cittaslow movement. This rural area features well-preserved traditional hanok houses, with centuries-old stone walls lining the village. The residents embrace a slow lifestyle, dedicated to maintaining their rich traditions and the serene pace of life.

20 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

Gasamunhak-myeon

Damyang has long been known for its abundant rice production, which led to the development of traditional rice syrup-making methods dating back to the Joseon Dynasty. Using this rice syrup, the region went on to refine Han-gwa, Korea’s traditional sweets, for which Damyang is especially renowned. To conclude the tour, we will enjoy a relaxing tea time in a serene, historic Hanok, savoring Damyang’s delicate Han-gwa paired with regional tea, and experience the region’s rich culinary heritage and timeless atmosphere.

30 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

Soswaewon Garden

Soswaewon is considered one of the finest examples of a traditional private garden from the Joseon Dynasty and is a treasured Scenic Site officially designated by the state. It was built in the early 16th century by the scholar Yang San-bo, who created it as a peaceful retreat after withdrawing from political life. Unlike Western-style gardens, Soswaewon blends harmoniously with the surrounding mountains, forests, and stream. Its name, “Soswaewon,” means “a clean and pure garden,” reflecting the noble spirit of a Confucian scholar in harmony with nature. The garden features pavilions where scholars would compose poetry, engage in philosophical discussions, and contemplate nature. Over its more than 400-year history, Soswaewon has served not only as a symbol of classical beauty but also as a quiet witness to Korea’s turbulent past. During the Japanese colonial era, it became associated with a spirit of national pride and cultural identity.

30 minutesAdmission Ticket Included

Gangcheonsan County Park

If you’d like to add a touch of adventure to your journey, you can choose to replace Soswaewon Garden with a refreshing hike at Gangcheonsan. This option is available from March to November. Located in Sunchang, Gangcheonsan is a beautiful mountain known for its lush forests, clear streams, refreshing valleys, and picturesque waterfalls. Although the mountain itself is not very high, its valleys are deep, allowing crystal-clear water to flow throughout the year. The hiking trail follows the crystal-clear stream from beginning to end, creating a gentle and easy walking course that visitors of all ages can comfortably enjoy. As you stroll along the peaceful forest path, you’ll be accompanied by the soothing sound of flowing water. If you'd like to go a bit higher, the trail leads to the Cloud Bridge. Crossing the gently swaying suspension bridge adds a fun touch to the experience. It is especially stunning in autumn, when the mountain is painted in brilliant shades of red and gold.

2 hoursAdmission Ticket Included

Meeting & Pickup

Pickup Point

Select a pickup point

Pickup Details

For the pick-up service and meeting, please provide us with your address in Gwangju. We will confirm the exact pick-up time one day before your tour.

Cancellation Policy
Cancel your booking at least 24 hours before the experience start time to receive a full refund.
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Reviews

5.0

based on 3 reviews

(TripAdvisor)

BEST TOUR EVER!!!

June 06, 2026

Tasty 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 h...read more

(TripAdvisor)

Informative, moving, restful (and tasty)

June 25, 2025

I 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 tim...read more

(TripAdvisor)

Go to the Bamboo Forest!

May 18, 2025

Fantastic 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. ...read more