In the vicinity of Daejeon Station is Daedong Sky Park, where colorful murals welcome passersby in the day and the evening cityscape creates a sentimental ambience after sundown. The evening beauty of Daedong Sky Park has spread through word of mouth, attracting more and more people who seek to enjoy the view.

Daedong Sky Park is situated in Daedong Mural Village in Dong-gu, Daejeon. The village was first formed when refugees of the Korean War settled here. Follow the winding narrow alleyways and you can still get a glimpse of wounds of the past through the old buildings clustered together with barely space in between. Thanks to the colorful murals, the neighborhood portrays a gleeful and charming atmosphere.

The murals were painted as a part of a public art program that was launched in 2007. Many local artists and people of the neighborhood participated and personally decorated their home, and subsequently became Daejeon’s iconic mural village. Tour around the neighborhood and you will find interesting three-dimensional murals as well. Feel free to take pictures, but make sure to be respectful while you look around as the neighborhood is a residential area.

Once you’re done touring the mural village, follow the uphill path to Daedong Sky Park. Located at the highest hilltop, the park serves as a small yet quaint resting spot. You can rest your feet by sitting on a bench, at the pavilion, or even on the wooden swing. The windmill at the peak of the hill is the park’s landmark. The windmill lights up at night, brightening the surrounding area as well as creating the mood for taking scenic evening photos.

The park hill is only 127 meters in elevation, but it’s high enough to show an unobstructed view of downtown Daejeon. The terrains of Bomunsan and Gyeryongsan mountains also come in to view against the cityscape.

By the afternoon, more and more people gather as they wait for the sunset. On clear days, you can see the vivid sun slowly set between the twin buildings in the middle of the city. Once the sun goes down, street lights will take its place and brighten the city. The nightscape view from the park is somewhat cozy and nostalgic.

If you are visiting with a loved one, express your feelings through a small yet memorable event. Next to the windmill is a fence where you can hang love locks. On the other side of the windmill, there’s a path leading to a rock called Yeonaebawi Rock or “Love Rock.” It got its name from an urban myth of couples who sat in between the rock slopes and whispered love to each other.

See original article (Korean)

* This column was last updated in September 2022, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check details before visiting.