Try to walk through Gwanbangjerim Forest in winter, it would be one of your memorable winter experiences in South Korea. Though named "forest" and listed as South Korea's Protected Natural Species No. 366, Gwanbangjerim Forest is not a typical forest according to my perception (a huge area with a lot of tall trees where we might get lost in it LOL). Gwanbangjerim Forest is not a natural forest anyway, it's a man made forest that was planted in Joseon era to prevent flood from Damyang River (Damyangcheon). That's why it's more like a 2-km-long tree pathway along the riverbank which lies from Dongjeong Village in Namsan-ri to Hwanggeum-ri, Subuk-myeon and Gangui-ri, Daejeon-myeon (source: visitkorea)

Let me put the exercpt from the wooden-information-board:
"Damyang is famous for Gwanbangjerim, a riverbank protection forest. Trees were planted along the Damyang River during the Joseon period. The woods occupy a huge area reaching Mt. Chuwol and Yongchu Peak to the norths; Mt. Gwangdeok to the east; and Deokjin Peak, Mt. Bonghwang, and Mt. Gobi to the south. The first trees were planted in 1648 by Magistrate Seong I-seong to protect villages that had suffered a series of annual floods. In 1854, Magistrate Hwang Jonglim mobilized about 30,000 workers to improve the bank. Other officials continued to take care of Gwanbangjerim, even going so far as to spend their private fortunes on it. The 1.2km section of this protection forest includes trees aged over 200 years, creating a superb landscape."

Yes indeed, you could enjoy a superb landscape while walking along the pathway!


If you're not in a hurry and wear proper winter clothes, you may try this option: walking from Damyang Metasequoia-lined road to Juknokwon Bamboo Forest through Gwanbangjerim Forest. The walk is 2.15km long and takes about 30 minutes, but it took me 1 hour though because I just walked slowly and took many photos along the way. I was following the bicycle track suggested by Naver Map.


If you see the map, it seems like I started walking from the opposite side of Gwanbangjerim Forest's entrance (red circle point; if you can call this an entrance). The walk starts from Metasequoia-lined road, cross the main road and we just have to follow the tree pathway from Jangseung Park (장승공원), pass through the sports stadium and tennis court to Damyang Jigu Park (담양지구공원). From there, you can cross Hyanggyo bridge or cross the stream on stepping-stone to go to Juknokwon Bamboo Forest.



The frozen Damyang River (Damyang-cheon) on one side (the below photo) and on the other side is the all-white paddy field (the above photo; not really sure, but it seems to be a paddy field). The snow-covered riverbank looks so fluffy, I feel like I wanna lie down there .




As an avid fan of "The Chronicles of Narnia", walking on this snowy pathway and seeing this row of lamp-post reminds me of Narnia. I feel like walking in a snowy forest as the one in Narnia (uh, this imaginary side of me LOL). If you also watch Narnia movie, the lamp-post is the place where Lucy Pevensie first met Mr. Tumnus. That scene is somewhat very memorable for me as if the lamp-post marks the beginning into a fantasy world like Narnia.

"It will not go out of my mind that if we pass this post and lantern, either we shall find strange adventures or else some great changes of our fortunes." ―Lucy Pevensie










From here, I could see the very noticeable Korean traditional pavilion across the river which is actually the entrance of Juknokwon Bamboo Forest.



It's white everywhere, even the frozen river was totally covered by snow. Few days before the trip, I just watched music video of Crush ft. Taeyeon - Don't Forget (잊어버리지마) which has gorgeous visuals of winter scenery in Sapporo. I was totally amazed by the visuals of that music video and of course by Crush's calming voice. Walking in the snowy place like this is a perfect setting to listen to that song. Definitely a perfect theme song for this winter trip!





Locate another spot that was used as filming location for Mask (가면)'s drama (ep 13)! This stepping-stone is called Damyang Jigu Park's Stepping-stone (담양지구공원징검다리) which connects Gwanbangjerim Forest to Juknokwon Bamboo Forest (click for exact location: Naver map). It's when Jisook help Minwoo to conquer his fear and cross the river together through stepping-stone. Very romantic scene! ♥




I guess this is entrance of Gwanbangjerim Forest.



 The view of Damyang River from Hyanggyo Bridge (향교다리).


And it's the photo taken after I finished touring Juknokwon Bamboo Forest, incredibly beautiful sunset. Look at the water reflection!


Address:
Gaeksa-ri, Damnyang-eup, Damnyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
전남 담양군 담양읍 객사리1 (객사리, 남산리 일원)

How to get there:
Take direct bus from Seoul Central City Bus Terminal (by subway, go to Express Bus Terminal station exit 8) to Damyang Bus Terminal (3 hours 30 mins). From Damyang Bus Terminal, take taxi to get to the entrance of Gwanbangjerim Forest (4 mins ride and costs 3,500 won) or walk for about 15 mins (follow this route: Naver Map).

If you want to follow my itinerary, take a look at my 1st post.

If you plan to stay in Gwangju (and then visit Damyang), you could take bus from Seoul Central City Bus Terminal to Gwangju Bus Terminal (3 hours 30 mins), bus is available every 5-10 mins. Get out from Gwangju Bus Terminal and walk to the bus stop in front of the bus terminal / U-SQUARE, then take local bus no. 311 to get to Damyang Bus Terminal.