Daechong artificial lake

To go to Daejeon I took the bus in Seoul Express Bus Terminal (subway line 3 – Express Bus Terminal Station) and paid 14,000 won

I spent the first day of my trip in Daecheong Lake connecting myself to the nature. The lake is surrounded by mountains and forests, allowing visitors to breathe the purest air possible while feeling the best energy. This place has a nice Feng Shui configuration and the picture speaks for itself. You can take the bus to go up to the mountain. The car remains the best option to enjoy the drive and make stops to all the corners of this lake. The advantage of this tourist location being surrounded by mountains is the possibility to see the lake from the uppermost side to the lowest one.

Wonderful sunset at Geumgang River

Whilst being in the mountain you can perfectly reach another spot to admire the lake from another angle.The sunset was astonishing. You can find some places to rest and enjoy the beautiful landscape along the road. The Geumgang River which surrounds the city was historically an important maritime trade checkpoint in the ancient Baekje kingdom. Its major role is now to mesmerize visitors!

Korean chapssal hotteok snack and the forest

You will see many Korean families gathering nearby the lake while enjoying some traditional snacks. If you are hungry I recommend to try the chapssal hotteok for snacking. This delicious dough fried with cinnamon, honey and seeds, will make a nice break before climbing the remaining stairs of the tourist spot. You will have three for 3,000 won, which is very cheap compared to the taste! If you are a salty lover you will also be pleased as there is a various offer of K-food such as tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes).

I wanted to enjoy some regional traditional food to satisfy my tourist needs. While searching for the hashtag #daejeonmatjip which literally means Daejeon’s taste house, my eyes were captivated by freshwater eels. Korean men take eels to have strength and people often joke about it here, if you know what I mean! Even the taxi driver I met in the city told me that the freshwater eels are healthier than the ocean ones. Jangeo (eel) restaurants are an institution there. The food offer is very good. If you go for a lunch you will get a full meal for 7,000 won with free side dishes and free refill. The spicy freshwater fish stew you can see on this picture, used to be a regional apecialty served to kings of the Joseon era. My friend chose to eat her rice in a dolsotbap, a hot pot where the rice cooked the traditional way makes an authentic taste.

Korean eel traditional soup

Daechongho lake

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Geumgang River

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Sujeongjae hanok house and shrine

If you look at any Daejeon tourism book you can always find two things. The first one is Daejeon’s being an educational and ecological city. The second thing you can notice is the huge number of Joseon style hanok houses. Joseon era was the last period with kings. At that time, Daejeon was a poor village administrated by the previous capital Hanyang. The house I visited, Sujeongjae, has been constructed by the Son family and the place remains as a memorial for the Son’s ancestors. Behind the house you can find the ancestors’ tombs.

Before taking the bus to Daejeon Express Bus Terminal enjoy the walk and the huge government buildings along the road. The sky was wonderful and very clear that day. From this sky we can conclude that Daejeon is in fact an ecological city with high quality air.

Government Complex and clear blue sky

Entrance sign at the hotel

This nice hotel, located in a very quiet area will make you feel at home. From 5 minutes’ walk you will find the subway station City Hall on line one. The bus stops to reach any corner of the city are 7 minutes’ walk distance from the hotel.

As soon as you arrive you are welcomed by the staff. You will receive a card and all the explanations to go to your room and use utilities such as wifi. The check in is at 3pm and it is possible to let the luggage to the reception for free and access to your room later.

Hotel Lobby

Hotel Room

Each room is like a mini very well furnished studio. From the microwave to the washing machine, everything is here to make your stay comfortable. You will also find a cute mirror, a kettle to boil water and a TV with local and national channels. The rooms are located to high floors, giving you the best view possible. At night sit in front of the huge window of the room and enjoy a cup of tea. Tea, water and coffee are offered.

The hotel has a rooftop and a health center to refresh yourself before sleeping. When the morning comes you can also eat your breakfast at the restaurant of the hotel for 9,000 won. But if you are traveling on a budget you will find cheap food in the convenience store next to the hotel.

The quiet area is close to the center and you will be able to find very nice restaurants nearby. When the sun sets it will be time to experience the Daejeon neon and noisy bars’ nightlife. If you go behind the hotel you will get immersed in that night culture and have fun at bars and clubs. When the night ends you will just have to walk back to the hotel or take a taxi for 2,800 won.

The really warm staff will always be available during your stay so you get the best quality experience possible.

In my room I noticed that I needed more towels and as soon as I called the reception to ask them for extra towels, the employee told me that she will bring them to my room. That is how caring the staff is!

Going to Daejeon anytime soon? You now know where you will be staying!