Daecheongho lake view

A well-kept secret located just north of the city of Daejeon, the fifth biggest city in Korea known for its high technology and science, is Daecheongho Lake. Desiring a little solitude for the weekend, I decided to venture into, and explore this hidden piece of nature I had never heard of. And what a delightful surprise! Daecheongho Lake is a man-made lake built in 1980, and aside from supplying drinking water, city water, and industrial water to Daejeon and Cheongju, it's known by the locals for its beautiful driving course along a tree-lined road with peculiar attractions along the way. It seemed like the ideal trip to escape the fast pace of the city.

Daecheongho lake walking path

Wanting to really explore the forest roads around the lake on my own, I opted to drive instead of taking the train or bus. After a two-hour drive from Seoul on a Saturday morning, I checked in to my hotel for the day, Hotel the H, around noon, and picked up a few local tourist brochures in English, which were displayed in the reception area. Equipped with paper guides and maps, Naver Maps on my iPhone, and my aging Hyundai Sonata, I was ready to navigate the lake just a short five kilometers away. By the shape of the lake, which looks like a big, snaky lizard on the map, one might think the road around the lake would be windy and whirling. Instead, it is a very pleasant drive. Being the middle of March, the trees were still dormant from winter, but the sun peeked through the branches frequently, making everything appear vivid.

I could just imagine how colorful it would be to traverse the road from April to October!

Daecheongho lake

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Walking path on Daecheong Dam

The most impressive structure I discovered on the driving course was the Daecheong Dam, which is actually how the lake was formed out of the Geumgang River!

Construction of the dam, and thus the lake, was finished in 1980, and provided the benefits of flood control, water supply, and hydroelectric power generation. I had never seen a dam up close before, and I was shocked to find that there was a water-themed cultural museum called the Daecheong Dam Water Culture Center located on the left bank of the dam reservoir. Entrance is free, and here you can learn how water resources are developed, used, and managed through several interactive exhibits. Even though explanations are mainly in Korean, the expo is visually well-designed, with gorgeous photographs, miniature models and even real fish that live in the freshwater lake. On the third floor, there is a patio with a panoramic view of the premises from which you can watch locals relaxing and taking in the calm view of the water.

View of Daecheong Dam

Just outside the culture center, you can quite literally walk out onto the platform on top of the dam! On the quick stroll toward the center of the dam, you will find a photo timeline documenting the dam's construction and improvements over the past decades. Upon a short drive to the other side of the dam, you will find an observatory from which you can view the massive construction from afar. For the best view though, you can hike up a series of stairs and paths to the nearby Hyeonamsa Temple. What a compelling way to learn about how nature, culture, and science work together to complement each other and benefit the local and national populations.

Cheongnamdae Presidential Villa

Another thirty-minute ride from the dam leads you the Cheongnamdae Presidential Villa, a beautiful vacation home used by former South Korean presidents from 1983 to 2003. Cheongnamdae was built by President Chun Doo-hwan, and 20 years later, on April 18, 2003, was opened to the public by president Roh Moo-Hyun. The property, aside from hosting the primary presidential holiday home, has a memorial hall to learn about the Korean presidents of modern history, as well as the eight president trails nestled within evergreen pine trees and surrounding Daecheongho Lake. After visiting the presidential home, which takes you on a time traveling adventure to 2003 and earlier (even the televisions appear frozen in time!), I decided to walk the President Chun Doo-hwan Trail.

Bordering the lake and housing the Ogakjeong Pavilion, the trail is considered by many to be the best part of Cheongnamdae for its breathtaking views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. I couldn't agree more - being here was the highlight of my day's journey.

President Chun Doo-hwan Trail in Cheongnamdae

Ogakjeong Pavilion in Cheongnamdae

Daecheong Dam Water Culture
Center

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Cheongnamdae Presidential Villa

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Room with double bed

To explore the impressive Daechonhgho lake, a great hotel option is Hotel The H. The hotel is suitable for guests using public transportation, as it is only a few meters away from Sintajin Station, and also for those who wish to drive, as there is free parking onsite.

Located on a commercial yet tranquil street, there are a variety of restaurants and convenience stores to satiate any hunger or thirst. For breakfast, the hotel offers self-serve options every morning from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., consisting of cup noodles, toast, and coffee. Every room also has a mini fridge stocked with bottles of water and soda.

Coffee station in lobby

The room I slept in was comfortable enough for 2 people. The double bed had an optional heater, great for a cold night, and a nice-sized bathroom with an open shower and tub, perfect for unwinding after a long day. My stay was pleasant, and for the price of 55,000 KRW per night, it was one of the best hotel deals I have found traveling in Korea!

Work station inside room

Brochures about the area in lobby

* How to get to Hotel the H?

The journey from Seoul takes about 2 hours by car and costs 7,700 KRW in toll fares on the highway. You can follow the driving directions from Naver Maps. If you prefer taking public transportation, board the Mugunghwa train from Seoul Station, get off at Sintajin Station, and walk 10 minutes to the hotel. A one-way ticket is 10,000 KRW and takes 1 hour and 50 minutes. You can buy the ticket in advance on the Korail website. If you are looking to explore the lake at your own pace, though, I would recommend driving. While it is possible to see the highlights by public transport, getting from one place to the next will take longer.