 |
By Yun Suh-young
In this state of fear about hygiene due to the recent MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak, interest in heading off to a "pure and clean" environment has drastically increased.
Although it wouldn't matter, really, where you go on vacation at this time (because no place is entirely virus-free and it'd be easier to keep yourself healthy and immune than find such a location), there are places that can offer you a refreshing and seemingly "hygienic" getaway.
If you have plans to visit South Jeolla Province, here are three places that are famous as "eco-healing" (healing in a natural environment) destinations.
 |
Damyang Metasequoia Road
One of the 10 beauties of Damyang is Metasequoia Road which has become famous over the past decade for being a great filming location and a walkway for lovers.
It was selected as the most beautiful road in the country in 2002 and has since collected a number of awards such as one of "The 100 Most Beautiful Roads in the Country" by the transportation ministry in 2006 and by the Korea Road and Transportation Association in 2007.
The metasequoia tree which is said to have originated on the west coast of the United States was reported to be extinct until it was discovered in Sichuan Province in China in 1941.
The trees were imported to Korea in 1956 and were planted along the 8.6 kilometer road stretching from Damyang to Sunchang in 1972 by the government. Of the road, 2.1 kilometers is available for pedestrians to stroll along.
The walk along the pathway is refreshing and therapeutic.
One metasequoia is known to absorb 69.6 kilograms of carbon dioxide, nearly double the average tree, and stores 315.2 kg of carbon. The trees also emit plenty amount of phytoncide which helps blood circulation.
Address: 12 Metasequoia-ro, Damyang-eup, Damyang-gun, South Jeolla Province
Phone: (061) 380-3149
Ticket price: 2,000 won
Website: www.damyang.co.kr
 | .jpg) |
Damyang Juknokwon
Meaning a "garden of bamboo trees," Juknokwon in Damyang is one of the 50 must-visit places selected by CNN in 2012.
The garden was formed in 2003 and officially opened in 2005 after Damyang County bought the field from a private owner.
The bamboo forest is on an area of 183,000 square meters and the promenade stretches 2.4 kilometers. There are eight walkways available in different themes and they take about an hour-and-a-half to two hours to tour them all.
The act of strolling in the forest called "sanlimyok" (forest bathing) is recommended for therapeutic purposes.
Sanlimyok in the bamboo forest is even more effective because the amount of anions produced inside is 7.4 times that of the city. Anions are known to help cleanse the blood, strengthen the immune system, and have excellent sterilization and air cleansing functions.
Because of the high amount of oxygen, the temperature inside the bamboo forest is 4 to 7 degrees lower than outside.
An interesting fact about bamboos is that they grow to their fullest height in only 45 days. It grows 1 to 2 centimeters per hour and sometimes grows 1 meter a day. Their maximum height is 30 meters.
The bamboos that we eat are usually about one week old.
Address: 119 Juknokwon-ro, Damyang-eup, Damyang-gun, South Jeolla Province
Phone number: (061) 380-2680
 |
Mt. Mudeung
Mt. Mudeung, located in between Gwangju Metropolitan City and Damyang and Hwasoon counties of South Jeolla Province, is a 1,187 meters high mountain and has one of the largest amount of columnar joints.
The mountain was designated as National Park No. 21 in 2013 and is access-friendly to visitors due to its close location to the city.
The mountain has eight different hiking paths and a strolling path called "Mudolgil" which stretches 51.8 kilometers and is divided into 15 sections. The hiking paths are extremely rocky so wearing hiking shoes is a must.
Along the pathways lie interesting plants such as the erythrocarpa tree whose leaves emit a mint-like aroma which is refreshing and rubus corchorifolius, a type of strawberry, which is sweet and edible.
Address: 29 Dongsan-gil, Dong-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City
Phone number: (062) 227-1187
 |
| Juknokwon |
![[INTERVIEW] Actor Ko Kyoung-pyo explains why he doesn't obsess over lead roles](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/f5f874a205d34561aeaad3874b18bf72.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
