Source: SBS Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

When people think of Busan, the first thing that comes to mind is the beach, but Busan also has many other things to see. Today, I will introduce Ahopsan Forest (아홉산숲), literally meaning "Nine Mountain Forest", a bamboo forest in Busan. It's a perfect spot to visit in Busan for those that love to enjoy nature.

Also, it's also recommended for fans of Korean dramas and movies

Information

Address: 부산광역시 기장군 철마면 미동길 37-1
37-1 Midong-gil, Cheolma-myeon, Gijang-gun, Busan

Hours: 09:00-18:00
Last Entry 17:00
Closed Mon

Admission: Adults/Children: 5,000 won
Under 4 Years Old: Free

Transportation: Take the Gijang-gun 2-3 village bus from Exit 2 of Busan Central Bus Terminal (Nopo Station on Busan Subway Line 1) for 45 minutes and get off at Midong Maeul stop. Walk 5 minutes to to arrive at the forest.
If you take a taxi from Busan Central Bus Terminal, it takes about 20 minutes and costs about 10,000 won.

Our Visit

This place is called 아홉산숲, meaning Nine Mountain Forest, because there are nine peaks. It is a forest that has been managed by the Nampyeong Moon clan for 400 years through nine generations. It was not open to the public even during the Japanese colonial era when many trees were cut down in Korea, so the beautiful natural scenery has been well preserved without being damaged.

Originally, this place was not open to the public except for the purpose of kindergarten and daycare center field trips. However, it often appeared in Korean movies and dramas and began to become famous, so at the request of many people, it was opened to the public in 2016.

Ahopsan Forest covers a large area of 520,000 square meters and has various trails, so it is recommended to refer to the information map when walking around. It depends on the person, but it takes about an hour to an hour and a half to look around the whole forest.

The main trails are numbered and they are well marked on maps and signs posted everywhere, making it easy to explore without getting lost.

Ahopsan Forest only allows a limited number of people to enter every hour to protect the forest. Because of this, you can enjoy the scenery of the forest in peace and quiet.

Spot 9, which can be reached in 20 minutes on foot from the entrance, is a bamboo forest planted with thick Maengjongjuk bamboo that is 20 cm in diameter. For a long time, this place was also a gutpan (굿판), a space where shamans held religious events for the peace and safety of the village. 

The densely planted Maengjongjuk bamboo creates a very magnificent atmosphere, which often appears in Korean movies and dramas.

Source: SBS Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

Source: Kundo

The 2016 Korean drama Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo and 2014 Korean movie Kundo were both filmed here.

Source: SBS The King: Eternal Monarch

In addition, the scene were they cross into a parallel world in the 2020 Korean drama The King: Eternal Monarch was also filmed in this forest.

In fact, the set for the door between dimensions used in  the drama was left here and has become a photo zone.

Lastly, before returning to the ticket office, I visited an old hanok house called Gwanmiheon (관미헌). Gwanmiheon means cherishing even plants that seem unimportant, like bracken, which is an embodiment of the Nampyeong Moon family's philosphy of cherishing nature.

This structure has been standing for 60 years and is still used as a living space for the Nampyeong Moon family.

In the past, the Gwanmiheon Garden was used to raise cows and the milk was stored in an underground warehouse here. At that time, there was no electricity, so it is very interesting that it was used as a milk storage refrigerator.

Near the exit, souvenirs made of bamboo are sold at very reasonable prices.

Ahopsan Forest is perfectly preserved thanks to the hard work and sincerity of the Moon family, who has cultivated the forest for 400 years. Thanks to their efforts, you can enjoy a very peaceful and healing time while in Busan.

In order to preserve the forest perfectly for 400 years, it must have taken a lot of effort and love for the forest, so I hope that all of you who visit this place will come and enjoy it with the same reverence!