Daejeon, the city of architecture

I have been to many places in South Korea, but I never thought that trip to Daejeon would be the most majestic. I remember Daejeon as the city of architecture, bridges and rivers, located in the central region of South Korea. It is the fifth largest city in the country and considered as the most advanced and comfortable cities of Asia.

Daejeon serves as a hub of transportation and is at the crossroad of major transport routes of the central region of South Korea. Even though Daejeon has led the future of Korea in science and technology, somehow, the city reflects the spirit of rivers; calm and fascinating. The rhythm of the city’s magical life attracts tourists from all over the world.

Daecheong Dam

Daedeok-gu, Daejeon is a beautiful city with natural resources such as Geumgang River, Daecheongho Lake and Gyejoksan Mountain. With its silk-like beauty, Daecheong Dam is located on Geumgang River at the borders between Daejeon and Chungcheongbuk-do. It is a multi-purpose dam consisting of a 72 m-tall and 495 m-long concrete gravity dam and rock fill dam.

Daecheongho Lake

The dam created an artificial lake named Daecheongho Lake, which traps Geumgang River water. It is the third largest lake in Korea and is among the “Eight Scenic Spots of Daejeon”. Storied for its uniquely beautiful landscape, clear water is home to many migrating birds. The scenic view of lake washes away all of your worries and takes you to another world of fascination.

Daecheong Dam Observatory

Daecheong Dam Observatory

The observatory deck of Daecheong Dam, in particular, is famous among the photography manias. The sight of water discharge and lights from the observatory deck is the most breathtaking and photogenic view of the dam at night. The Daecheong Dam Aquatic Culture Centre located on the left bank of the observatory area promotes the working history and functionality of the dam. Various events about water resources, benefits and life cycle of water take place for visitors.

Humans are not the only living beings attracted by the beauty of Daecheongho Lake. Numerous kinds of migratory birds fly to Daecheong Dam for its ecological surroundings and habitats for feeding. In summer, the scenery of white cranes flying low to catch fish is mesmerizing.

Freshwater fish soup and marinated grilled eel are the local must try foods. The Daecheong Dam is accompanied by a woodland known as Daecheon Park.

LOHAS Happy Road, a wooden stroll trail and bicycle track, runs along the Geumgang River from Shintanjin to Daecheong Dam. The trail is sandwiched between the river and a number of different parks, including Sanhobit Park, Eco-Park, Children’s Park and Daecheong Park.

Daecheong Dam surroundings

Daecheong Park walking trail

While feeling refreshing river wind, one can observe the reflection of mountain on the water, trees and waterfowl, and enjoy diverse range of things along the riverside on the trail. The scenic dam and the trail lighting is one of the most sought after night scenes in Korea. The Ministry of Public Administration and Security named this among the 20 best and most attractive bicycle trail.

Daecheong Park

One of the most promising tourist destinations is Daecheong Park, where the trail ends. The park is a perfect place filled with majestic energy that allows visitors connect with nature. The park is featured with large grassy grounds, sitting areas, playgrounds, and parking spaces.

Daecheong Park Exhibition Hall

The park also hosts art exhibitions for local artists at Daecheong Cultural Exhibition Hall. A few masterpieces of the local artists are on permanent display at exhibition hall 1.

Daecheong Park Arboretum

The park also has a botanical arboretum that consists of many unique plant species. In particular, Daecheong Park has an eco forest where 51 species of alpine plants exist that naturally flourish in timberline, dry rocks or sandy grounds in the lower elevation, and around 3,000 oriental arbovitae.

Children playing facilities at the park

The best part for families is that the park also provides excellent recreational facilities for children and a huge parking lot. Many facilities are provided to engage children in healthy physical activities for whole day.

Daecheong Marathon Race

One of the illustrative events of Daedeok-gu is Daecheong Lake Marathon that glorifies beautiful sceneries, and the history of the Daecheong Lake. It is a marathon participated by the largest number of participants in the central region of Korea with best environment.

From Daejeon Station take Bus No. 701, 720, and 724 to Sintanjin Station. Board Bus No. 72, 73 towards the Daecheong Dam at Sintanjin Station. Both 72 and 73 operates on the same route after 120 minutes so please have your updated schedule on time; otherwise, you will have to wait for hours.

Daecheongho Dam

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Daecheong Park

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Expo Bridge Daejeon

Daejeon Expo Plaza

It also includes a number other facilities including Daejeon Culture & Arts Center, Pyeongsong Youth Cultural Center, Daejeon Museum of Art, and Ungno Lee Museum of Art. The park also provides different types of rental bikes for families, singles and couples.

Gardens close around 6:00 p.m., therefore, I recommend an early visit to the park; walking around, breathing the natural clean air, watching museums, riding bikes. Then at the evening enjoy the bridge light and take your dinner at a closed by food street.

Hanbat Arboretum

From Daejeon Station, take Bus No. 606 in Samsung Elementary School direction; it will take 20 minutes to reach Hanbat Arboretum. If you are coming from Daejeon Express Bus Terminal, take Bus No. 2 from Composition Bus Terminal, get off on the third stop at Daejeon Station and then take Bus No. 606.

In general, I recommend you to visit Daejeon in the summer/spring season. As, Daejeon is the most appropriate city for wandering around aimlessly and you get to promenade for longer along with cherry blossom, green hills and flowing river water. In my opinion, Daejeon is a perfect place not only for a one-day visit but also for a long stay. If you need a break from the crowded subway or dirty city air, Daejeon should top your travel list.

Expo Bridge

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Hanbat Arboretum

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Hotel Graytone Dunsan

In the heart of Daejeon city, near City Hall Station, Hotel Graytone Dunsan stands just a block away from the Patent Court of Korea. The 15-story modernist building with terrazzo floors, colorful paneling, and a simple yet very sober sitting lobby is housing 211 guestrooms of different sizes and facilities. The hotel is also in the vicinity of Dunsan-dong area (the "new" downtown), famous for Daejeon nightlife. There are some very close tourism spots around, like Hanbat Arboretum and Saemmeori Park. Expo Park is just 10-minute drive. A lot of coffee shops, restaurants, and convenience stores are located within a walking distance. Besides, the hotel has its own coffee shop and a small convenience store.

The hotel is very easy to access, just 5 minutes’ walk from the city-hall station. If you are coming from another city, do not worry you can reach the hotel both by bus and by subway. By subway, just take the subway from Daejeon Station in Jungangno direction and get off at City Hall Station, it will take about 15 minutes. Since I was traveling by bus, I took the city bus No. 106 from Daejeon Bus Terminal, in front of Daejeon Express Bus Terminal, and it took me around 20 minutes to reach City Hall Station. If you are traveling by a car, the hotel offers quite a large parking area.

Being a foreigner who cannot speak Korean, my biggest concern was how to book the hotel. However, thank God, Graytone offers reservation services in all Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese. Hotel website also contains all-important information in English. Just 2 days before my check-in date I required changing my check-in date, I called them and they changed it.

Graytone offers a vast variety of rooms including Smart Single, Standard Double, Deluxe Luxury, Suite, Suite Royal, and Suite Garden. I stayed in a “Smart Single”, on the seventh floor, with a front view towards the main road. The bed featured an oak color headboard with a cream color side lamp. The snow-white bedsheet created a classic and clean feel. The huge flat-screen TV was just in the perfect position to take rest and watch TV. The room was equipped with a side table, one chair, and a small dressing table and dressing seat.

Bedroom Hotel Graytone Dunsan

Kitchen Hotel Graytone Dunsan

A kitchenette was provided with refrigerator, oven, an electric stove, kettle, electric rice cooker, and other cooking utensils. In addition, if you want to wash your clothes, do not worry; you can wash inside the room with a small washing machine. Other amenities include A/C, hair dryer, and free Internet.

The bathroom was small and simple but well organized. Shower cabin featured a glass rack with two showers and a hanger. The toilet was separated from shower area by a glass panel, and thankfully, there was bidet installed in the toilet.

The hotel provides free breakfast. But during my November visit, the dining area was under construction and the breakfast was replaced with a sandwich (vegetarian & non-vegetarian) and beverages, including milk, coffee, and soft drinks.

Check-In time is 15:00 however, they are quite lenient so don’t worry if you want an hour earlier. If you want to check-in after 22:00, you must inform them on time. Smart single rent is 75,000 won per night with maximum two guests and two free breakfast coupons. Payment can be made by card or by cash, but remember to keep your alien registration card with you if you are a foreigner living in Korea.