Damyang Metasequoia Lined Road

Designated as National Forest Cultural Asset No. 2 and frequently crowned as 'South Korea’s Most Beautiful Road', the Damyang Metasequoia Tree-Lined Road is an awe-inspiring 2.1-kilometer pedestrian promenade sheltered beneath a towering natural cathedral of living tree crowns. Planted in the early 1970s as part of a national pilot forestry campaign, 487 slender metasequoia saplings (Dawn Redwoods) were set along the edge of National Route 24. Half a century later, these deciduous conifers have flourished into titanic pillars soaring over 20 meters into the sky, their interlocking branches forming an unbroken vaulted green tunnel that completely blocks out the horizon.

When modern road widening threatened to fell these living giants in May 2000, citizen protests and conservation groups rallied to rescue the trees. The highway was rerouted, and the original asphalt was peeled away and replaced with natural packed red clay and decomposed granite, converting the roadway into an exclusive car-free eco-sanctuary. Today, travelers can stroll barefoot along the dedicated therapeutic red-clay track (Hwangto-gil), washing their feet in clean natural stream stations at the trail ends. Directly bordering the northern entrance lies Meta Provence, a charming French-inspired lifestyle village offering boutique cafes, artisanal bakeries, and open-air sculpture plazas.

Spring brings soft, vibrant lime-green needle shoots that emerge across the towering boughs like pastel lace under warm sunshine. Summer envelops the avenue in a dense, cool green canopy, filtering the midday sun into dancing dappled light while providing an invigorating, oxygen-rich walking environment. Autumn is the avenue’s most legendary visual spectacle: between late October and mid-November, the green foliage transforms into a blazing burnt-orange and deep russet-red corridor, drawing romantic strolls and cinematic landscape photography from across the globe. Winter creates a minimalist fairy tale, as white snow rests on the bare symmetrical branches while frost lines the reddish-brown stringy bark.

The promenade welcomes visitors daily from 09:00 to 19:00 in summer (May to August) and from 09:00 to 18:00 during spring, autumn, and winter. The neighboring Meta Provence shopping district and cafes stay lively until 21:00. The best hours for photography are early morning between 08:30 and 10:00 before crowds assemble, or late afternoon from 16:30 to 18:00 when golden sunset rays pierce horizontally down the long straight perspective of trees.

Admission to the pedestrian tree-lined avenue is 2,000 KRW for adults, 1,000 KRW for youth, and 700 KRW for children. Entry to adjacent Meta Provence village is completely free. Extensive paved parking lots located alongside Meta Provence and the south gate entrance are free of charge.

From Seoul, take the KTX to KTX Gwangju Songjeong Station (approx. 1 hour 45 minutes). Transfer to Express Bus 311 to Damyang Bus Terminal (approx. 40 minutes). From Damyang Bus Terminal, local town buses 10-1, 11-1, or 24-series reach the Metasequoia Road entrance in roughly 7 to 10 minutes. Alternatively, a taxi from Damyang Terminal or Juknokwon takes less than 5 minutes and costs approximately 4,500 to 5,500 KRW. Travelers can also rent a bicycle at Juknokwon and pedal along the flat, paved Gwanbangjerim river path directly to the trees in about 15 minutes.

The entire 2.1-kilometer tree avenue is completely flat and level, surfaced with smooth packed soil and wide timber viewing decks. It is an extraordinary barrier-free attraction that can be navigated effortlessly by baby strollers, wheelchairs, and motorized mobility scooters. Wooden resting benches and gazebo shelters are positioned every 100 meters. Accessible restrooms with automatic sliding doors are situated at both the south ticket gate, the central information pavilion, and within Meta Provence. Complimentary wheelchairs are available at the entrance kiosks.

Recommended 2-Hour Forest Walk & Village Route: Enter through the South Gate → Take off your shoes to walk barefoot along the smooth therapeutic red-clay Hwangto track → Admire the soaring 20-meter vertical symmetry of the 487 towering Dawn Redwoods → Rinse your feet at the foot-washing mineral fountain station → Visit the whimsical Frog Eco-Park and climate museum along the trail → Cross the plaza into the colorful European village of Meta Provence → Browse boutique bakeries for famous handmade Kissing Garlic Bread and local strawberry tarts → Relax with an iced Americano on an outdoor cafe terrace.

The area surrounding the tree-lined road is a gourmet delight. At Meta Provence, sample freshly baked Kissing Garlic Bread (Kyoseong Garlic Bread, buttery circular loaves infused with roasted garlic sauce and sweet cream cheese), handmade French pastries, and artisanal Gelato. Traditional dining nearby includes Damyang Daetongbap, savory charcoal-grilled Tteokgalbi, Guksu-geori river noodle soup, and fried sweet bamboo shoot croquettes.

Vegetarian travelers will find pleasant options in the village cafes: freshly baked baguettes, vegan sourdough loaves, organic fruit smoothies, and vegetable paninis. Inside local noodle houses along the adjacent stream, order Bibim-guksu (spicy cold noodles topped with fresh vegetables) or warm banquet noodles (Janchi-guksu). Halal visitors can comfortably enjoy all fresh fruit pastries, garlic breads, gelato, vegetarian noodle bowls, and specialty coffees.

Iconic photographic perspectives: standing directly in the center of the 2.1-kilometer path with a telephoto lens to compress the endless vanishing point of towering orange or green tree trunks, artistic shots looking straight up at the symmetrical canopy branches converging like Gothic cathedral arches, barefoot walking portraits along the rust-colored red clay path, and colorful European street snaps amidst the pastel facades and macarons of Meta Provence.

This forest is a protected living national heritage asset. Never carve letters, scratch, or peel the fibrous reddish bark of the metasequoia trees; damaging the bark makes trees vulnerable to fungal decay and woodborers. Keep bicycles and electric kickboards outside the gated pedestrian avenue; riding is permitted only on designated outer bypass roads. Smoking is strictly prohibited throughout the tree sanctuary.

Bring a small hand towel if you plan to enjoy the popular barefoot red-clay walking trail, so you can dry your feet after rinsing. Wear comfortable flat walking shoes. For tree status and seasonal event schedules, contact the Damyang Tourism Facilities Office at 061-380-3149 or call 1330.

Combine your visit with other Damyang wonders: Juknokwon Bamboo Forest (PLACE-JEONNAM-003) and the 300-year-old giant trees of Gwanbangjerim are just 5 minutes away to the west.

Q: What kind of tree is a metasequoia? A: Commonly known as the Dawn Redwood, the Metasequoia glyptostroboides is a living botanical fossil once believed to have gone extinct during the ice ages until surviving groves were rediscovered in central China in 1941; it is renowned for its rapid growth, needle-like deciduous foliage, and fiery bronze-orange autumn color. Q: Can I ride a bicycle on this path? A: Bicycles, rollerblades, and electric scooters are prohibited inside the gated 2.1-kilometer pedestrian avenue to ensure a serene walking environment, but bicycle parking is provided at all gate entrances and dedicated bike paths run along the adjacent river.

Damyang Nature & European Village Day Tour: KTX to Gwangju Songjeong Station → Direct bus 311 to Damyang → Stroll through Juknokwon Bamboo Forest → Feast on Damyang Tteokgalbi and Daetongbap for lunch → Short ride or scenic bicycle pedal to Damyang Metasequoia Tree-Lined Road → Barefoot walking along the therapeutic red-clay avenue → Capture iconic vanishing-point photos → Afternoon coffee and garlic bread at Meta Provence → Sunset stroll along Gwanbangjerim river forest → Return via KTX.