Gyeongsangnam-do (경상남도)

An Amazing Bamboo Forest on Geoje Island

On a recent trip to Geoje Island in Korea for a business meeting, my host took me to a bamboo theme park or the Maengjongjuk Theme Park (맹종죽테마파크). I was pleasantly surprised when we came upon the natural 90,000 square meter bamboo forest on the side of a hill. If you’re looking to enjoy the beautiful nature of Geoje Island, definitely check out this bamboo forest.

Maengjongjuk Theme Park (맹종죽테마파크), Geoje-do, Korea

Get ready to find this bamboo forest on Geoje Island in Korea:

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Basic Info

Address: 700 Geojebuk-ro, Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do (경상남도 거제시 하청면 거제북로 700)

Admission: W4,000

Hours: March – October: 9:00am ~ 6:00pm; November – February: 9:00am ~ 5:30pm

Website: www.maengjongjuk.co.kr


Where To Stay

Samsung Hotel Geoje

If you’re headed down to the beautiful Geoje Island, check into staying at Samsung Hotel Geoje. The hotel is perfect with a great location and a great staff. Enjoy some quiet time in the hotel if you like, or head down the road to restaurants and cafes. This is were we stayed and it was perfect for our stay.

Book a room here on Booking.com or on Agoda.com

Samsung Hotel Geoje, Geoje, Korea

Doya Family Hotel

The Doya Family Hotel is another great spot to stay if you want a great outdoor swimming pool, BBQ-ing facilities on the grounds and comfort. It’s a great spot if you want to just get away but want everything at your fingertips.

Book a room here on Booking.com or on Agoda.com

Doya Family Hotel, Geoje, Korea

What To See

Of course there were quirky little things along the way like any good theme park would have, but there were mostly tall looming bamboo stalks everywhere we looked. The paths led immediately into the forest and then to some benches that were positioned so that when sat on the back and head leaned back to stare up into the abyss of bamboo leaves above. The smallest bit of blue sky peeping through the leaves adds to the meditative nature of the surroundings.

You can find these in many of the wellness forests around Korea and you should most definitely take a seat and just enjoy the energies.

Bamboo forests are a quintessential place to visit in Korea and this one was really a pleasantly awesome surprise. There are a few other bamboo forests in Korea that are more popular and this was a great reminder to always look into other places and off the beaten path locations for things to see and places to go.

The planners behind the park made it super kid friendly as well with a “playground” of sorts in one area with play things made entirely out of bamboo stalks. A MacGyver-like see-saw and other “equipment” were definitely future fort-building inspiration.

While I had previously visited more touted tourist sites on the island including Haegeumgang, or The Sea Diamond that can only be accessed via boat along with Oedo-Botania, an island with a gorgeous botanical garden atop the clifffs, I definitely found this to be a spot that should be shared more in guide books.

Maengjongjuk Theme Park (맹종죽테마파크), Geoje-do, Korea

Geoje Island is becoming a huge tourist destination but there are still plenty of places on the island that aren’t well known yet which is great for me and other adventurists.

Other bamboo forests like Juknokwon in Damyang are oft shared as MUST SEES, but this should definitely be making those lists too and it just isn’t for some reason.

After a good rest, the paths, which are posted with signs so that were there numerous people, which there is doubtful to be, everyone would be walking in one direction so that the peaceful nature is kept in cue. To walk through the forest only takes about 45 minutes, but it could take longer if you’re hoping to relax and de-stress in the calm surroundings.

Continuing on there’s also a zip lining/ropes course activity which we didn’t partake in but would certainly be fun and I was told it is kid-safe too. Bamboo lines parts of the paths to be walked on in socks or barefoot for a natural foot massage and at the peak, gorgeous views of the surrounding area can be enjoyed. It’s a spot that I hadn’t heard of prior to visiting Geoje, but found to be one of my favorite stops while I was there. To be surrounded by such tall natural beauty is always a way to be reminded of our place in nature and to be shown how spectacular nature can be.

Maengjongjuk Theme Park (맹종죽테마파크), Geoje-do, Korea
Maengjongjuk Theme Park (맹종죽테마파크), Geoje-do, Korea

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