Damyang is a place that captivates your heart and soul with its bamboo forest. It was not long ago when all of us had to cancel our summer vacation plans due to the raging pandemic. Visiting family, going to the nearest beach with friends, or maybe a trip to another city or country had been tucked away because of the pandemic. However, this year is different. We are slowly taking out those tucked-away plans. So, this Tribune reporter took a step forward to travel with two reporters to Damyang that is a county and town blessed with a bamboo forest. My first impression of the city was, "What a colorful and inviting city!" Quite a bit into the countryside, but the ultimate getaway from the bustling and hectic city life to fresh air. As much as the county is jam-packed with sightseeing places, we made our journey to the three most evocative places: Jungnogwon Bamboo Garden, Gwanbangjerim Forest, and Dambit Arts Warehouse.
Jungnogwon Bamboo Garden
It should be a crime if one does not take a stroll at the Jungnowon Bamboo Garden at least one time in their life. This infamous garden did not disappoint. We walked around in this huge bamboo maze by grabbing a ticket for an adult for 3,000won. We were blessed with fresh air and fantastic scenery throughout our stroll. With a 2.4km walking route, one cannot help but be in tune with the glorious nature. It is the “it place” for forest bathing with its eight different themes. The forest also hosts galleries, heritage centers, and museums, foot bath kiosks among many other things. We attempted to cover all regions within the Jungnogwon that were available to us and, regrettably, passed through portions that were closed. For instance, the Lee Lee Nam Art Center is a digital gallery presenting the works of Lee Lee Nam, a world-renowned contemporary media artist.
We took the liberty to look around the Chaesangjang Heritage Center & Museum. Although cameras were not allowed inside, we were able to see the infamous handcrafted baskets and accessories made with the skill of Chaesangjang, South Korea’s 53rd intangible cultural heritage. It is one of Korea’s oldest handcraft skills, where artisans make baskets, accessories, sewing supplies and clothes of different patterns with colorful bamboo strips called Chaesang.
At the bottom of the museum, you can also find an ice cream shop with bamboo sticks and ice cream, which has quite a peculiar taste similar to green tea or matcha.
Gwanbangjerim Forest and Dambit Arts Warehouse
Situated in front of the doorway to the bamboo garden, Gwanbangjerim Forest sits along Damyangcheon stream. I think the forest is best enjoyed with a bike you can easily rent. Without any fee, one can ride over the 1.6km stretch, which harbors 176 trees designated for protection. It was initially planted to prevent yearly flooding. The cherry on top is that some of these trees are more than 200 to 300 years old, including Peugeot, Zelkova, Hackberry and Cherry trees. There is a trail of stones that can be used to cross onto the opposite side of the stream, making it one of the best locations for that Instagram photo.
Of course, we did not miss out on the town's delicacy on the Damyang Noodle Street. One can easily see it is the place for noodles by just glancing at the many food stalls with noodles on their menu. It was definitely one of the best bowls of noodles I have ever had.
Living up to its name, Dambit Arts Warehouse is definitely an area full of creative works. This state-of-the-art warehouse and art complex is definitely heaven for those who appreciate art in different forms. It has a literary café where you can read books, a cultural experiential room designed to get a peek into other cultures, and a complicated exhibition room. We sat at the café for a long time, near a window, while having a talk and appreciating the creative work around us. After a long day of sightseeing, the café is the ideal place to unwind.
Exploring Damyang's Treasures
Damyang definitely needs more time to explore its corners filled with many gifts of nature. Nature's gifts include mountains such as Saminsan, Byeongpungsan, and others, which are also among Damyang's treasures. There are also various valleys and fortresses that can provide a scenic view to help you relax. You can return several times during the year to get a different sense of Damyang. Suppose you are planning on a vacation but do not want to go to the mainstream areas. In that case, the county is definitely an excellent choice to relax before a new semester starts. If you are planning a trip to enjoy both nature and culture, the county is a golden place to hallmark your plan.
By Gutema Saron Samuel, Tribune Reporter