How to Get to Damyang Bamboo Forest from Gwangju (2026)
Damyang's bamboo forest, officially called Juknokwon (죽녹원), sits about 22 kilometres north of central Gwangju in Jeollanam-do province. Direct intercity buses run every 10 to 20 minutes during the day and take 40 to 50 minutes, making this the standard route for day-trippers. Taxis are faster but cost significantly more, and there is no train service directly to Damyang. After reading this guide you will know which bus terminal to use in Gwangju, how to buy tickets, which stop to get off at in Damyang, and how to reach the bamboo forest entrance and nearby Metasequoia Road from the bus terminal.
- Travel time
- 40–50 minutes by intercity bus from Gwangju to Damyang; add 10–15 minutes by local bus or taxi from Damyang terminal to Juknokwon entrance
- Bus frequency
- Every 10–20 minutes from early morning to evening from U Square and Gwangju Songjeong Station terminals
- One-way bus fare
- Intercity bus fares change periodically; expect roughly 2,500–4,000 KRW; check the terminal board or Kobus app for the current price
- Entry fee
- Juknokwon entry fee varies by season and is set by Damyang County; confirm on the official Damyang tourism site before you go
- Apps you need
- Naver Map or KakaoMap for walking directions and bus stop locations; Google Maps walking directions do not work in Korea
- Which Gwangju bus terminal to use
- Buying your bus ticket
- The bus journey and arrival in Damyang
- Getting from Damyang Bus Terminal to Juknokwon
- Visiting Juknokwon and nearby Metasequoia Road
- Returning to Gwangju
- Alternative route: taxi for the full journey
- Gwangju to Damyang transport options compared
- Practical tips
- Frequently asked questions
Which Gwangju bus terminal to use
Gwangju has two main intercity bus terminals that serve Damyang: U Square Bus Terminal (유스퀘어 버스터미널), also called Gwangju Bus Terminal or Gwangju Intercity Bus Terminal, and Gwangju Songjeong Station (광주송정역) bus platforms. Both run frequent direct buses to Damyang throughout the day.
U Square is the larger terminal and sits in central Gwangju, connected to U Square shopping mall. It is easiest to reach if you are staying in downtown Gwangju or near the Geumnam-ro area. You can take Gwangju Metro Line 1 to Nongseong Station (농성역, exit 4) and walk about 400 metres, or take a city bus that stops at U Square. The terminal building has ticketing counters on the ground floor, an electronic departure board in Korean and limited English, and clearly marked platform gates. Buses to Damyang depart from specific platform numbers that are announced and displayed; look for 담양 (Damyang) on the board.
Gwangju Songjeong Station serves both KTX high-speed trains and SRT trains, and the bus terminal is integrated into the station complex. If you are arriving in Gwangju from Seoul, Busan or another city by train, Songjeong Station is often the most convenient starting point because you can walk directly from the train platform to the bus departure area without leaving the building. Buses to Damyang leave from numbered bays on the ground-floor bus terminal section. Frequency and travel time are nearly identical to U Square, so choose based on your accommodation location or whether you are connecting from a train.
Both terminals offer similar schedules, with the first buses to Damyang typically departing around 6:00–6:30 AM and the last buses leaving around 9:00–10:00 PM. Check current departure times on the Kobus website or mobile app, which shows live schedules and allows advance ticket purchases for intercity routes.
Buying your bus ticket
You can buy intercity bus tickets to Damyang in three ways: at the terminal ticket counter, from automated ticket machines at the terminal, or in advance through the Kobus website and mobile app.
The simplest method for first-time visitors is to go directly to the ticket counter at U Square or Songjeong Station, tell the attendant "Damyang" (담양), and pay in cash (Korean won) or by card. Most major credit and debit cards work, including Visa and Mastercard. The attendant will print a paper ticket showing your departure time, platform number, and seat assignment. Because buses run frequently and the journey is short, advance booking is usually unnecessary unless you are travelling during a major Korean holiday such as Chuseok or Seollal, when all transport becomes crowded.
Automated ticket machines are located near the entrance of both terminals. Machines have an English-language option; select your destination (Damyang / 담양), choose your departure time, and pay by card or cash. The machine prints a ticket immediately. If a specific departure is full, the next available time will be shown.
The Kobus app and website (kobus.co.kr) allow you to search schedules, see real-time seat availability, and book tickets in advance. The app interface is available in English. You will need a Korean or international phone number to receive a confirmation code, and you can pay with a credit card. After booking, you can either print your ticket at a terminal kiosk using the reservation number or show the mobile ticket on your phone to the driver when boarding. This method is useful if you want to confirm the exact departure time before leaving your accommodation.
Fares are set by the bus company and adjust periodically, but the Gwangju–Damyang route typically costs in the range of 2,500–4,000 KRW one way. The ticket will show the exact current fare. Keep your ticket; you may need to show it when boarding or if a conductor checks during the journey.
The bus journey and arrival in Damyang
Intercity buses from Gwangju to Damyang are modern, air-conditioned coaches with reclining seats, similar in comfort to airport shuttles. Luggage is stored in overhead racks or the undercarriage compartment if you are carrying large bags. The journey takes 40 to 50 minutes depending on traffic and the specific route the bus takes, as some services make intermediate stops at smaller towns along the way.
The bus follows National Route 13 or nearby roads heading north out of Gwangju through rural Jeollanam-do. You will pass rice paddies, small villages, and low hills. The route is straightforward, and Damyang is clearly marked as the destination on the front and side of the bus in Hangul (담양) and sometimes in English. If you are unsure, show your ticket to the driver when boarding and they will confirm the route.
Damyang Bus Terminal (담양버스터미널) is a small, two-story building on the edge of central Damyang town. It is not a large or confusing facility; the waiting area is on the ground floor with a ticket window, convenience store, and a few benches. Buses arrive and depart from numbered bays in front of the building. When you arrive, exit through the front of the terminal onto the street. You are now about 2.5 kilometres from Juknokwon's main entrance and about 4 kilometres from the start of Metasequoia Road.
Damyang terminal does not have English signage or English-speaking staff consistently available, so it helps to have the name of your destination written in Hangul or saved on your phone. If you plan to return to Gwangju the same day, check the return bus schedule on the display board inside the terminal or ask at the ticket counter before you leave for the bamboo forest. Buses back to Gwangju run at similar frequency, roughly every 10–20 minutes, with the last departure typically around 9:00–10:00 PM.
Getting from Damyang Bus Terminal to Juknokwon
Juknokwon (죽녹원), the main bamboo forest park, is about 2.5 kilometres northeast of Damyang Bus Terminal. You have three options: local bus, taxi, or walking.
Local buses run from the terminal area to stops near Juknokwon, but schedules are infrequent and route information is displayed primarily in Korean. If you use Naver Map or KakaoMap and search for "Juknokwon" (죽녹원), the app will show which local bus numbers serve the area and where to catch them near the terminal. The ride takes about 10 minutes and costs around 1,300–1,500 KRW, payable with a T-money card or cash when boarding. This option works well if you are comfortable using Korean transit apps and have some flexibility with timing.
Taking a taxi from the terminal to Juknokwon is faster and more predictable. Taxis wait in front of the bus terminal or you can call one using the KakaoTaxi app, which functions like Uber and has an English interface. Show the driver "죽녹원" on your phone or say "Juknokwon." The journey takes about 5 to 7 minutes in normal traffic and costs roughly 5,000–7,000 KRW depending on the meter and exact drop-off point. Taxis in Korea do not expect tips. If the driver does not speak English, pointing to the name in Hangul on your phone or a map is sufficient.
Walking from the terminal to Juknokwon takes about 30 to 35 minutes. The route is straightforward: head east along Jungang-ro (중앙로) toward the Damyang-gun Office, then turn north following the signs for Juknokwon. Use Naver Map or KakaoMap for turn-by-turn walking directions, because Google Maps walking directions do not function properly in Korea. The walk passes through central Damyang, including the historic Damyang Hyanggyo (Confucian school) and small shops. If the weather is good and you are not in a hurry, it is a pleasant way to see the town, but most visitors prefer the speed of a taxi or bus.
Visiting Juknokwon and nearby Metasequoia Road
Juknokwon is a cultivated bamboo forest park covering about 16 hectares. The entrance and ticket office are on the southern edge, facing Hyanggyo-gil street. Entry requires a ticket; the fee changes depending on the season and is set by Damyang County government. As of this writing, adult tickets are typically in the range of 3,000–4,000 KRW, but confirm the current price on the official Damyang tourism website or at the ticket booth, because fees are adjusted periodically. Children, seniors, and Damyang residents may qualify for discounts.
Inside, a network of well-maintained walking paths winds through tall bamboo groves. The main loop trail is about 2.4 kilometres and takes 40 to 60 minutes to walk at a relaxed pace, though many visitors take longer to stop for photos. The paths are gently sloped and mostly paved or surfaced with compacted earth, suitable for most fitness levels but not fully wheelchair accessible throughout. Along the route are pavilions, small exhibitions about bamboo cultivation, and viewing platforms overlooking the town and surrounding countryside. Signage is in Korean and English at major junctions.
The park is open year-round, but hours vary by season. In spring and summer, gates typically open around 9:00 AM and close around 6:00 or 7:00 PM, with last entry about 30 minutes before closing. In autumn and winter, closing time is earlier, often around 5:00 or 5:30 PM. Check the official hours before you visit, especially in winter, to avoid arriving too late in the afternoon.
Metasequoia Road (메타세쿼이아 가로수길) is about 2 kilometres north of Juknokwon's entrance. It is a 8.5-kilometre straight road lined with hundreds of tall metasequoia trees that form a green tunnel in spring and summer and turn golden-brown in late autumn. The most photographed section is the first 2 kilometres from the southern entrance, near the village of Damyang-eup. You can walk, rent a bicycle, or take a taxi from Juknokwon to the start of Metasequoia Road in about 5 to 10 minutes. Local bike rental shops operate near the road's entrance during peak seasons; rental typically costs around 5,000–10,000 KRW for a few hours. Search for "Metasequoia Road" (메타세쿼이아길) in Naver Map or KakaoMap to find the exact route and bike rental locations.
Many day-trippers visit both Juknokwon and Metasequoia Road in a single morning or afternoon, spending about 2.5 to 4 hours total including travel between the two sites. If you are short on time, Juknokwon is the higher priority because it is the main bamboo forest and better developed for tourists, but Metasequoia Road is popular with photographers and offers a different landscape.
Returning to Gwangju
After visiting Damyang, return to Damyang Bus Terminal the same way you arrived—by local bus, taxi, or on foot. If you took a taxi to Juknokwon, you can either call another taxi using the KakaoTaxi app or walk back to the terminal in about 30 minutes.
Inside the terminal, check the departure board for the next bus to Gwangju (광주). Buses run frequently until around 9:00–10:00 PM, so unless you stay until late evening, finding a seat is rarely a problem. Buy your return ticket at the counter or ticket machine the same way you purchased the outbound ticket. If you already have a return ticket bought in advance, proceed directly to the departure platform shown on your ticket.
The return journey takes the same 40 to 50 minutes. Buses may arrive at either U Square Bus Terminal or Gwangju Songjeong Station depending on the route; confirm the destination with the driver or ticket agent when boarding to be sure you are heading to the correct terminal for your onward plans. If you need to continue to another part of Gwangju, use Naver Map or KakaoMap to check city bus or metro connections from your arrival terminal.
If you are planning a late afternoon or evening departure from Damyang, keep in mind that last buses to Gwangju leave by around 9:00–10:00 PM, and the schedule may be reduced on Sundays or public holidays. Arriving at the terminal by 8:00 PM gives you margin. If you miss the last bus, taxis from Damyang to central Gwangju cost roughly 25,000–35,000 KRW and take about 30 to 40 minutes. KakaoTaxi works in Damyang, but availability is much lower than in Gwangju, so calling a local taxi company (numbers are posted at the terminal) or asking terminal staff for help is a safer option.
Alternative route: taxi for the full journey
Some travellers, especially groups of three or four people splitting the cost, prefer to hire a taxi for the entire round trip from Gwangju to Damyang, Juknokwon, Metasequoia Road, and back. This offers flexibility to stop wherever you want without waiting for buses or navigating local transit, and it saves time if you are on a tight schedule.
A one-way taxi from central Gwangju or Songjeong Station to Juknokwon takes about 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic and costs roughly 25,000–35,000 KRW on the meter. A return trip with a few hours of waiting time while you explore can be negotiated with the driver; some taxi drivers offer half-day or full-day charter rates. Using the KakaoTaxi app, you can book a taxi with an English interface, but negotiating wait time is easier if you have a Korean-speaking friend, your hotel concierge, or a translation app. Alternatively, some tour agencies and guesthouses in Gwangju arrange private car or taxi day trips to Damyang, typically charging around 80,000–150,000 KRW for a half-day depending on group size and exact itinerary.
This option makes sense if you have limited time, want to visit both Juknokwon and Metasequoia Road efficiently, or are uncomfortable with the bus system. For solo travellers or pairs on a budget, the bus remains far cheaper and nearly as convenient given the high frequency of service.
Gwangju to Damyang transport options compared
| Method | Travel time | Typical cost (one way) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intercity bus from U Square | 40–50 min | ~2,500–4,000 KRW | Budget travellers, those staying in central Gwangju |
| Intercity bus from Songjeong Station | 40–50 min | ~2,500–4,000 KRW | Travellers arriving by KTX or SRT train |
| Taxi (full journey) | 30–40 min | ~25,000–35,000 KRW | Groups of 3–4, tight schedules, or with heavy luggage |
| Private car / tour charter | 30–40 min + waiting | ~80,000–150,000 KRW half-day | Multi-stop itineraries, families, or non-Korean speakers preferring a guide |
Practical tips
Frequently asked questions
Before you go
Getting from Gwangju to Damyang's bamboo forest is straightforward once you understand the bus terminals, ticket process, and local transport in Damyang itself. Intercity buses run frequently, cost little, and deliver you close enough to Juknokwon that the final connection by taxi, local bus, or on foot is manageable for most travellers. If you value convenience and are travelling with others, a taxi for the full journey saves time, but the bus remains the practical choice for solo and budget-conscious visitors. Confirm current schedules, fares, and Juknokwon opening hours on official sources before you leave, and download Naver Map so you can navigate confidently without relying on Google Maps.
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